Now Ye're Talking - to a retired rugby pro

Zzippy

Deleted User wrote: »

Thanks for doing the AMA.

The mods over on the rugby forum specifically requested that I ask this:

Who is better, Sexton or ROG? Feel free to post your reply here or over on on boards rugby!

Best of luck with the nutrition and coaching!

Don't mind him Johnny. He's lucky we're not mods on the AMA forum!

connemara man

Did you ever play with and against someone you thought was out of their depth? I don't need names.

I wouldn't change the champions cup. But the one thing I'd bring into the pro 14 is TMO facilities at every match as an untelevised match means no TMO. Actually would that effect the way you play knowing there's no TMO?

ClanofLams

Cheers for doing this and good luck with new venture.

How big a factor do you think the move to one training base was in Munsters improvement?

How are lads who don’t fit in or aren’t great characters whether it be professionally or in their off field attitude handled? Tolerated if they’re good enough to make exception and get rid otherwise?

Conchir

Thanks for giving your time!

This might be tough to quantify, but on an 'average' mid-season week (if there even is an average week), how much time would you have completely free of rugby? Where you could completely switch off and do whatever you wanted, without training or a match or conditioning in the back of your mind. Does it get to a point where everything in your day revolves around preparing for the next match, or do you always have at least some time to yourself?

All My Stars Aligned

Great AMA, thanks for doing it.

One thing that always really annoys me, why do players not release when their on the ground and give away a penalty rather then being turned over and trusting the defence? Is it just instinct or is it done deliberately?

Lambay island

Thanks

What did you make of when Munster signed Grobler, a person who has tested positve for PEDs?
Even though he has served his ban, how would you feel if he took your place in the team for example?

I'm a Retired Rugby Pro, AMA

Sabre0001 wrote: »

What kinds of things do you go through with people when developing a meal plan for them?

What kind of "treats" do you recommend (especially for those who want to eat healthy, but have a sweet tooth)?

What was your go-to pre-match meal?

I would give you a questionnaire to figure out which foods you like/dislike and which ones you're willing to try. Personal information, exercise habits and timing of meals and exercise etc so I can make them more personal. I give some nutritional guidelines to educate you on why I've done certain things in the meal plans. Food diaries might also be used to look through your habits.

"Treats" can fit into your diet if you're clever about it. It depends on the person and what they like to have but generally if someone can increase their protein and get enough fruit and veg into their diet, then some things can be flexible e.g. lower calories during the week to allow for "treats" on a given day, or maybe sacrificing some carbs/fats in a main meal if you know you're going to be having something sweet. There's loads of ways to do it. Lower calorie foods like shop bought popcorn can be useful.

Pre match meal was generally turkey burger or chicken with potato and a small bit of veg, pancake and a scoop of ice cream

I'm a Retired Rugby Pro, AMA

Deleted User wrote: »

Thanks for doing the AMA.

The mods over on the rugby forum specifically requested that I ask this:

Who is better, Sexton or ROG? Feel free to post your reply here or over on on boards rugby!

Best of luck with the nutrition and coaching!

I'm going to stick with ROG for now When Sexton retires we might revisit it!
Thanks

I'm a Retired Rugby Pro, AMA

Absoluvely wrote: »

Does it bother you when people misspell your name?

Half the people on this thread have put a h in Jonny, and half of the people writing testimonials on your website did too.

Haha it does a bit but I just ignore it! I asked Munster to spell it right for my retirement stuff in the media but I was told to keep it the same or people won't understand

Stheno

I'm a Retired Rugby Pro, AMA wrote: »

I'm going to stick with ROG for now When Sexton retires we might revisit it!
Thanks

:eek: :eek:

:pac:

I'm a Retired Rugby Pro, AMA

connemara man wrote: »

Did you ever play with and against someone you thought was out of their depth? I don't need names.

I wouldn't change the champions cup. But the one thing I'd bring into the pro 14 is TMO facilities at every match as an untelevised match means no TMO. Actually would that effect the way you play knowing there's no TMO?

I'm not sure about playing but definitely trained with some lads out of their depth. I was out of my depth too at some stages but that's the way you learn. "Get comfortable being uncomfortable" and all that.

Ha it annoys me when it's not televised too!

I'm a Retired Rugby Pro, AMA

ClanofLams wrote: »

Cheers for doing this and good luck with new venture.

How big a factor do you think the move to one training base was in Munsters improvement?

How are lads who don’t fit in or aren’t great characters whether it be professionally or in their off field attitude handled? Tolerated if they’re good enough to make exception and get rid otherwise?

Thank you!

It's definitely been an improvement. We won't really know because of other factors at the time of the joint centre that brought the club together. But you can see guys hanging around in different circles and socialising with those that you wouldn't expect so it has to be having an impact.

Ya something like that, it's a big group so you'll probably fit in to one of the sub groups. If you don't carry yourself well people will get fed up eventually, probably when results are going against the team.

I'm a Retired Rugby Pro, AMA

Conchir wrote: »

Thanks for giving your time!

This might be tough to quantify, but on an 'average' mid-season week (if there even is an average week), how much time would you have completely free of rugby? Where you could completely switch off and do whatever you wanted, without training or a match or conditioning in the back of your mind. Does it get to a point where everything in your day revolves around preparing for the next match, or do you always have at least some time to yourself?

I don't know what the regular schedule is now. In the older schedule you'd have a lighter day on Wednesday and the day before a game but a lot of players would use this for doing video/meeting coaches or position specific extras like kicking. Some players find it easier to switch off, I wasn't very good at it!
The schedule is different now but I think there's still a full day off.
Day after a match is the best time to switch off because it's the furthest time from the next game.

I'm a Retired Rugby Pro, AMA

All My Stars Aligned wrote: »

Great AMA, thanks for doing it.

One thing that always really annoys me, why do players not release when their on the ground and give away a penalty rather then being turned over and trusting the defence? Is it just instinct or is it done deliberately?

I know, that frustrates me too. I think sometimes a referee would give you longer holding on to the ball so players are just hoping to get away with it. Some players are definitely stubborn and don't want to give it up But I don't think it's a tactic

I'm a Retired Rugby Pro, AMA

Lambay island wrote: »

Thanks

What did you make of when Munster signed Grobler, a person who has tested positve for PEDs?
Even though he has served his ban, how would you feel if he took your place in the team for example?

I wouldn't be a fan of it. I don't know him personally but I think it could ruin your image as a club. We value honesty and integrity, not cheating.

Wichita Lineman

If you could make a change to any rule in rugby which one would it be and how would you change it?

Kerrydude1981

Hello Jonny

Is there any player you have played against or trained with that was so talented but didnt give a sh*t and ended up not making it as a pro rugby player

Also is there a drop out in players at club level at the ages of 18/19 like that exists in the GAA

aloooof

Thanks a million for doing this and best of luck with your new venture!

What's your opinion on the reports that Munster have signed an 18 year old South African into the Academy?

I'm a Retired Rugby Pro, AMA

Wichita Lineman wrote: »

If you could make a change to any rule in rugby which one would it be and how would you change it?

That's a tough question!

But one that annoys me is when players genuinely get caught awkwardly in the tackle, especially when trying to make a dominant tackle and the referee penalises for not rolling away. I know this is tough to police and is in favour of the attacking team but very frustrating for the player.

Another one I would penalise is when the attacking team is close to scoring a try and there's a penalty advantage for an infringement so the defensive team completely disrupts the play. I'd be penalising that every time and yellow carding it more!

I'm a Retired Rugby Pro, AMA

Kerrydude1981 wrote: »

Hello Jonny

Is there any player you have played against or trained with that was so talented but didnt give a sh*t and ended up not making it as a pro rugby player

Also is there a drop out in players at club level at the ages of 18/19 like that exists in the GAA

Yeah one in particular that just went a bit mad, probably had too much talent!

There's a big dropout rate from schools players who've been burnt out mentally from the Senior Cup, in my experience anyway.

That age probably coincides with having to focus more on study and career though so you're never going to stop it fully.

I'm a Retired Rugby Pro, AMA

aloooof wrote: »

Thanks a million for doing this and best of luck with your new venture!

What's your opinion on the reports that Munster have signed an 18 year old South African into the Academy?

No bother, thanks!

That's probably the issue with the residency rule changing to 5 years. It doesn't matter what restrictions you put on it because they'll just get younger. If it's blocking a young prospect then I wouldn't be in favour of it but if there's no real talent coming through at that level we need to be doing something to stay competitive. I don't know what 18 year old tight heads we have by the way. I'd be more in favour of home grown players.

Tell me how

What do the players really think of Nigel Owens?

Which is your favourite and least favourite referee?

The press

Does anyone in rugby actually respect Neil Francis?
Also, what was the worst (team) result you had when playing for Munster

Tell me how

I'm a Retired Rugby Pro, AMA wrote: »

No bother, thanks!

That's probably the issue with the residency rule changing to 5 years. It doesn't matter what restrictions you put on it because they'll just get younger. If it's blocking a young prospect then I wouldn't be in favour of it but if there's no real talent coming through at that level we need to be doing something to stay competitive. I don't know what 18 year old tight heads we have by the way. I'd be more in favour of home grown players.

Do you think now that we are getting to the place where all players were born in the professional era that the day of the AIL feeding in to the provinces is effectively over.

Are all players now going to go straight from school to academy and might only be affiliated with a club for registration purposes? Is this a good or a bad thing for the game?

cee_jay

What was your favourite moment ever as a player on a pitch?
What was your favourite stadium to play in? As a player is there something really special about Thomond Park? Or is it just hype?

irishfan9

When did Jonathan become Johnny?

remember you being one hell of a soccer player for Greenwood back in the day.

I'm a Retired Rugby Pro, AMA

Tell me how wrote: »

What do the players really think of Nigel Owens?

Which is your favourite and least favourite referee?

I'm not sure what players think of him, I would guess most like him because he explains his decisions. Maybe he likes the attention but at least he interacts.

Ben Whitehouse isn't my favourite I suppose, trying too hard to be authoritative.
Nigel Owens for one liners (I enjoy most of them) and chat to players. John Lacey on a personal level - good guy!

I'm a Retired Rugby Pro, AMA

Deleted User wrote: »

The press

Does anyone in rugby actually respect Neil Francis?
Also, what was the worst (team) result you had when playing for Munster

Haha not too many!

I'm not sure, I didn't like losing to Connacht up there, that was a tough one.

arsebiscuits1

What sort of numbers would you fellas be expecting to hit in the gym? I imagine there's a serious disparity between forwards and backs.

As a former back, I'd love to know what professional backs are expected to bench/ curl/ squat/ deadlift

On that topic, whose the biggest gym freak? Who hits the highest numbers?

thomond2006

Hi Johnny,

Do you think it's a blow to the provinces that the B&I Cup will be no more from next season? Did you find it a good developing ground versus playing more AIL fixtures?