Munster Team Talk Thread VI - Stander Up and Fight

CMcsporty wrote: »

Prob a battle between these 3 for 2 spots?
Tyler Bleyendaal 2019
JJ Hanrahan 2019
Ian Keatley 2019

Munster need to let Bleyendaal go.

Shocked at the McCarthy news. Did not see that coming.
Happy for Coombes and Daly, good young players.
Hart is most likely gone. Think he will probably end up in France. Or even back with Jackman in Wales.
Sean O Conner is a good prospect surprised he isn't signed.

Confirmation bias? You've taken a stance and you'll stick to it. That's your opinion, good luck with it

Cookiemunster wrote: »

Glasgow was the first away game of the season and he went off injured after 20 mins.

Yeah and he was bad. Don't forget this is his second bite of the cherry.

Cookiemunster wrote: »

He gets a lot of stick, because after 10 years of being a professional scrum half, he still can't pass the ball.

His kicking game and passing game are good enough for Munster's second choice. Nobody is looking at DW to kick on and out do Murray, we're looking for a solid Pro14 player.

Cookiemunster wrote: »

I'd have no issues with him getting another contract as long as we also have someone better than Hart fighting with him for second choice.

Good, neither would I..

Cookiemunster wrote: »

Contradicting yourself there I think. If Mathewson provides experience we didn't already have (which I disagree with seeing as we have the likes of Earls, Holland, POM etc), how does Williams suddenly provide that if he hasn't been able to do so before?

He provides experience bro....experience, plus seeing a small guy stopping a big units in their tracks would lift me any day. Try twin tackles to get us the 2 points in Exeter. DW is an honest player who gives 100%, that has to count for something and it does in my book.

I like DW for the same reason I've never liked Zebo. Hard work beats lazy talent most days.

shootermacg wrote: »

His kicking game and passing game are good enough for Munster's second choice. Nobody is looking at DW to kick on and out do Murray, we're looking for a solid Pro14 player.

I'd love to know what games you've been watching? Generally speaking he had a decent game last week, including his passsing and kicking not being too bad, but over the course of his career, has been absolutely brutal. He was available to Con's at one point and they decided to stick with Hurley.

Cookiemunster wrote: »

You need a lot more than hard working honest players giving 100% to win trophies. Too many of those type of players in our squad are the reason we fall short every year.

I'd be of the opposite opinion, I think a bit of hard work is just what Munster has been missing. Lack of basic ball skills, passes going behind the man, lack of awareness. These can be eliminated by hard graft and dedication to your craft.

case in point: You be hard pressed to point out too many starlets at Exeter, what they DO have is a hard work ethic. The same work ethic can be seen in all the great teams. NZ aren't just the most skillful team out there, they are also the hardest working team out there.

Hard work sees a team pull away in the final 20; Being able to out-work the other team is probably the most important factor in any game of rugby.

But again, if you come up against talented teams who work hard, say NZ, Leinster, Ireland then you're fcuked!

shootermacg wrote: »

I'd be of the opposite opinion, I think a bit of hard work is just what Munster has been missing. Lack of basic ball skills, passes going behind the man, lack of awareness. These can be eliminated by hard graft and dedication to your craft.

case in point: You be hard pressed to point out too many starlets at Exeter, what they DO have is a hard work ethic.

Can't agree. The majority of players at top sides have an excellent work ethic. That's why they're there. The difference is in their class. Decision making and skill levels under pressure is an area where Munster can clearly improve. They regularly get into scoring positions and are let down when there. If they do improve in these, I think they can beat any side in Europe and win the top prize. At the top level, you cannot compensate for blown opportunities with hard work. The other teams will work just as hard.

Exeter are very similar to Munster. They've a strong work ethic and a smattering of excellent players (Munster have more). That has won them one trophy in a league that many feel has questionable standards. They're the darlings of English rugby but that does not translate into silverware. Similar to Glasgow, they've been found wanting every season in Europe and never won more than 3 pool games. Munster are a better side than Exeter on their day and have more skilled players. They should be looking beyond them.

shootermacg wrote: »

Really? And how hard should they work to improve these facets of their game?

Until they get it right I suppose.

And a better backs coach. Felix isn't doing it for me.

Deleted User wrote: »

I'd like to see how Munster's backline fares with Murray at 9 and Carbery with a couple more caps under his belt.

I think Jones has done a reasonable job with the assets available, we'll know where things stand by the business end of the season.

I think there is a bit of an issue where once we get inside the 22 against the better teams, we become a 1 out bash-it-up-the-middle type team. The wingers might as well stand on the 10m line for the amount of ball that they will see.

Feel sorry for Hart. Had high hopes for him, but it just never happened. He must have felt that he had a shot at Ireland caps by moving home, but the competition turned out to be too strong.

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Stafford and Casey will be year 3 academy as well, I would say the 3 senior SHs and 2 academy would be more than enough cover.

Yup Stafford mentioned in line below: Academy prospect Jack Stafford, the 21-year-old Wexford man, is another option for van Graan moving forward.