Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread II

andrewdcs

Deleted User wrote: »

Andrew Conway a kicking option off the tee now too?! :pac:

Pumps!

jamiedav2011

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/i-dont-care-where-i-play-earls-29482954.html

Earls doesn't care where he plays...

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/i-dont-care-where-i-play-earls-29482954.html

Earls doesn't care where he plays...

Honest interview, fair play to him for admitting he was wrong

Hurk

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Honest interview, fair play to him for admitting he was wrong

A more cynical person might say that he's doing something similar to last year with the media but coming at it from a different angle, as his place in the team is now under threat in all the positions he plays. I really hope he kicks on this year with Munster and manages to get into the 23 with Ireland. He's some player when he's on form.

molloyjh

Hurk wrote: »

A more cynical person might say that he's doing something similar to last year with the media but coming at it from a different angle, as his place in the team is now under threat in all the positions he plays. I really hope he kicks on this year with Munster and manages to get into the 23 with Ireland. He's some player when he's on form.

Interesting quote from him re his conversation with Jonny about Joe. It will actually be very interesting to see how he goes under the new coaching team.

Hurk

molloyjh wrote: »

Interesting quote from him re his conversation with Jonny about Joe. It will actually be very interesting to see how he goes under the new coaching team.

Ya. He must be worried about his chances. Who knows how Joe views him? Or if he fits into his loose plans? There's no shortage of talent on the wing for Ireland and then you have Olding, Marshall and Cave from Ulster alone in the centres. Earls seems acutely aware that he has to get back to his best if he's to be in with a shot.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Hurk wrote: »

Ya. He must be worried about his chances. Who knows how Joe views him? Or if he fits into his loose plans? There's no shortage of talent on the wing for Ireland and then you have Olding, Marshall and Cave from Ulster alone in the centres. Earls seems acutely aware that he has to get back to his best if he's to be in with a shot.

Schmidt coming in could very well suit Earls. Sure he was being left out of Irish 23's with Kidney at the end of this season so it's not like he would have wanted the same coach to stay on that

That said, Earls isn't exactly the blueprint Schmidt type winger. But he is a very dangerous player. Himself, Zebo, Bowe and Fitzgerald being the top 4 wingers in the country imo

Tox56

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Schmidt coming in could very well suit Earls. Sure he was being left out of Irish 23's with Kidney at the end of this season

?

molloyjh

It's impossible to say at this stage how it will pan out for Earls. Ireland is finally developing real depth across a lot of positions and some talented players are going to lose out. But that should bring the best out of all of them, for both province and country.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Tox56 wrote: »

?

Six nations, he was fit and left out of at least one of the match day squads wasn't he?

Hurk

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Schmidt coming in could very well suit Earls. Sure he was being left out of Irish 23's with Kidney at the end of this season so it's not like he would have wanted the same coach to stay on that

That said, Earls isn't exactly the blueprint Schmidt type winger. But he is a very dangerous player. Himself, Zebo, Bowe and Fitzgerald being the top 4 wingers in the country imo

Ya, Kidney couldn't really ignore the emergence of Gilroy (I know he was great the previous season but he didn't get the manic media attention until after the Fiji game).

I'd agree with your top 4 but Fitzgerald has as much as Earls to prove because of his prolonged injuries. Then there's McFadden and Trimble. Trimble was insanely undervalued by Kidney last year. I also think McFadden is a fantastic player. I'm a Munster fan but I loved watching him for Leinster in particular last year. Was delighted for him when he got the hat trick against Canada as well.

It'll be really interesting to see who Joe picks as his wingers in Autumn. Out of curiosity, everyone being fit, who would be your starting wingers for 2013/2014 for Ireland? And who would be your starting 11-14-15 for Munster?

EDIT: Sorry if this is taking it off topic.

former legend

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Six nations, he was fit and left out of at least one of the match day squads wasn't he?

Nope. He was dropped from the starting XV alright, something that hadn't happened for two years, but he was still in the 23 all the way along I think.

Edit: Yep, three starts and two sub appearances:
http://www.irishrugby.ie/squads/index.php?player=33232&includeref=dynamic

Mahatma Geansai

My only worry about Earls is his fitness. Given a prolonged run, he'll be there or thereabouts in any position he wants/plays in the outside backs. Getting that prolonged run for Munster is the only issue.

Foxtrol

Decent attempt by Earls to try to dig himself out of the hole he put himself in.

irishbucsfan

Foxtrol wrote: »

Decent attempt by Earls to try to dig himself out of the hole he put himself in.

Don't think he really put himself in a hole. He said he wanted to play 13 and when he was fit he did. I think the really interesting thing in this interview is actually what he said about the way the CL and Downey signings affected him, you really would have though someone in management would have given him some reassurance when those signings were made.

who_me

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Tonne of Friday matches, three matches not televised, and only two of the games televised on RTE. Fairly shíte.

At least all the Friday games are away games (most of which I couldn't make anyway) bar the Connacht game which is over the holidays.

Mahatma Geansai

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Don't think he really put himself in a hole. He said he wanted to play 13 and when he was fit he did. I think the really interesting thing in this interview is actually what he said about the way the CL and Downey signings affected him, you really would have though someone in management would have given him some reassurance when those signings were made.

Its a good insight into his thought process too. I think having a young daughter who will look up to him regardless, will go on to help his on-field confidence.

irishbucsfan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Don't think he really put himself in a hole. He said he wanted to play 13 and when he was fit he did. I think the really interesting thing in this interview is actually what he said about the way the CL and Downey signings affected him, you really would have though someone in management would have given him some reassurance when those signings were made.

especially given that Earls is the epitomy of a confidence player.

Foxtrol

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Don't think he really put himself in a hole. He said he wanted to play 13 and when he was fit he did. I think the really interesting thing in this interview is actually what he said about the way the CL and Downey signings affected him, you really would have though someone in management would have given him some reassurance when those signings were made.

Well I think pretty much demanding that he plays centre then realising that he might not be the best option in big matches there when everyone is fit so could miss out on his game (now with province as well as already doing so internationally) if he didn’t relax his stance is digging himself into a hole. Just because he had games there doesn’t mean coming out saying he only wanted to play centre was the correct choice and the fact he’s had to publicly backtrack says it all.

I’m more surprised someone at Munster didn’t put their arm around him and tell him his skill set is more suited to be a winger (that discussion has been done to death so I’d rather not get into what his best position argument). I'm glad Earls might be opening his eyes as I think he has the potential to be a much better winger than he ever could be centre.

former legend

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Don't think he really put himself in a hole. He said he wanted to play 13 and when he was fit he did. I think the really interesting thing in this interview is actually what he said about the way the CL and Downey signings affected him, you really would have though someone in management would have given him some reassurance when those signings were made.

What reassurance could they give? That he would be first choice 13? That was never going to happen, Laulala was signed to play.

But fair play to Earls, he comes across well there and I heard an interview with him on Off the Ball last season where he basically said that he only came out with the "I want to play 13" line because his head was melted from people asking him where his best position was and that he was happy enough on the wing or at FB.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

former legend wrote: »

What reassurance could they give? That he would be first choice 13? That was never going to happen, Laulala was signed to play.

But fair play to Earls, he comes across well there and I heard an interview with him on Off the Ball last season where he basically said that he only came out with the "I want to play 13" line because his head was melted from people asking him where his best position was and that he was happy enough on the wing or at FB.

But don't ya know he "threw his toys out of the pram", "demanded to play 13" etc... :rolleyes:

jm08

Foxtrol wrote: »

Well I think pretty much demanding that he plays centre then realising that he might not be the best option in big matches there when everyone is fit so could miss out on his game (now with province as well as already doing so internationally) if he didn’t relax his stance is digging himself into a hole. Just because he had games there doesn’t mean coming out saying he only wanted to play centre was the correct choice and the fact he’s had to publicly backtrack says it all.

I’m more surprised someone at Munster didn’t put their arm around him and tell him his skill set is more suited to be a winger (that discussion has been done to death so I’d rather not get into what his best position argument). I'm glad Earls might be opening his eyes as I think he has the potential to be a much better winger than he ever could be centre.

Demand?

Earls is prepared to fight for the spot however.
“I spoke to Rob and let him know the position I prefer and he sees me as a 13 as well. Obviously, though, I’m not going to play every game for Munster just as Casey and James aren’t either. Danny Barnes, Ivan Dinneen and a couple of other lads are there and I’m sure it will be mix and match again like last year. But he knows 13 is my favourite position even if at times we might have to adjust. You can’t be that selfish when it comes to a team and Rob said he’d do his best without promising anything”.

Foxtrol

jm08 wrote: »

Demand?

FYP

Keith Earls wrote:

The first day Rob comes, I will be going straight into him and telling him I want to play 13. I don’t want to play on the wing any more. It’s not my position. I don’t enjoy it. I want to improve as a 13. I don’t want to keep mixing and matching.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Since when is telling someone you want to play somewhere the same as demanding to play somewhere ?!

Mahatma Geansai

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Since when is telling someone you want to play somewhere the same as demanding to play somewhere ?!

Because it was Keith Earls saying it? Much of the country appears to dislike him because he had the audacity of being a young, talented/exciting, player playing 13 in Ireland before BOD had retired.

finatron

Foxtrol wrote: »

Well I think pretty much demanding that he plays centre

You think wrong!
I don't recall penny or earls saying in any interview that demand was made

jm08

Foxtrol wrote: »

FYP

Is that a direct quote? No quote marks on it, whereas what I've quoted does.

Here is the link

http://www.limerickpost.ie/2012/08/02/keith-earls-will-fight-for-13-spot/

link to relevant quote btw

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/earls-i-can-follow-bod-as-best-13-in-the-world-193296.html

Foxtrol

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Since when is telling someone you want to play somewhere the same as demanding to play somewhere ?!

I'm sorry, the way that's phrased by him in the interview prior to speaking to Penney it is a demand, he's straight stating his plans to go into Penney and say he doesn't want play anywhere but 13, there’s no equivocation like the later interviews where he’s toned it down a bit to say he’ll do what’s best for the team. If want to get strung up on semantics go ahead, it’s still the same ends.

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Because it was Keith Earls saying it? Much of the country appears to dislike him because he had the audacity of being a young, talented/exciting, player playing 13 in Ireland before BOD had retired.

What in the name of BOD does BOD have to do with this? Earls has never once threatened his position for Ireland as he isn’t in the same stratosphere when it comes to talent as a centre.

jm08 wrote: »

Is that a direct quote? No quote marks on it, whereas what I've quoted does.

Here is the link

http://www.limerickpost.ie/2012/08/02/keith-earls-will-fight-for-13-spot/

Here is the link, quote marks and all:

http://www.limerickleader.ie/sport/earls-wants-to-be-the-best-centre-in-the-world-1-3820231

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Foxtrol wrote: »

I'm sorry, the way that's phrased by him in the interview prior to speaking to Penney it is a demand, he's straight stating his plans to go into Penney and say he doesn't want play anywhere but 13, there’s no equivocation like the later interviews where he’s toned it down a bit to say he’ll do what’s best for the team. If want to get strung up on semantics go ahead, it’s still the same ends.

Really? You're getting all that from him saying he's going to ask Penny can he play 13 because he doesn't like the wing and feels it's his best position

You're making it out as if he stormed into Pennys office shouting orders. In reality we both know he probably went and asked to be played at 13 and didn't demand anything (btw, we don't actually know because we weren't in there so which scenario do you think is honestly more realistic?)

your use of the word "demand" in this situation is a complete exaggeration