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Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

17147157177197201522

Comments

  • Posts: 13,104 ✭✭✭✭ Tobias Bewildered Bluebird


    Fair enough, was just an internet rumour, don't think it's reported anywhere. This very possibly puts it to bed.



  • Posts: 1,345 ✭✭✭ Lia Sweet Racist


    MacKenzie is under contract till the end of 2025; just signed a deal relatively recently with the NZRFU. I'd absolutely love it, but can't see it.

    Would not be a fan of Handre Pollard - none of Ross Byrne, Harry Byrne or Ciaran Frawley are ideal or close to the finished product, but that doesn't mean we can discard them. Pollard isn't a fit for me, and would command a lot of cash. I wouldn't want to see this move.



  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 33,851 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    There is absolutely zero chance of Leinster signing a 10.



  • Posts: 2,692 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Ross would be back up until prendergast is ready, harry i’d guess would leave, and frawley moves up 12 with ngatai gone and becomes officially a very very high class utility player?

    With no restrictions, i’d go pollard. It feels like the irfu is loosening up some (which is more of a feeling than fact right now) and i also feel like Leinster are gearing up to be dominant and try to roll off a couple of european cups. He would be very expensive though.

    I can’t think of another obvious NIQ slot other than maybe wing which would really upgrade the starting 15 a lot.

    Post edited by Boards.ie: Mike on


  • Posts: 2,692 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Actually with Nienebar’s defensive system i’ve changed my mind. A super athletic wing.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,790 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    A 10/15 is not required though???

    Maybe there is a sabbatical clause?



  • Subscribers, Paid Member Posts: 45,323 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    if its a replacement for Ngatai, it wont be an outhalf, it should be a similar utility back.

    maybe we could be the ultimate piss takers and bring in Saili for a season or two :D



  • Subscribers, Paid Member Posts: 45,323 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    agreed, it was another posted who presented dmack as an option



  • Posts: 2,692 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Wouldn’t you want osborne to slot in there as ngatai’s replacement?



  • Posts: 1,345 ✭✭✭ Lia Sweet Racist


    I can 100% see them going and getting as good a THP as they can. It's utterly logical. Furlong hasn't played big minutes for Leinster in years, and is the wrong side of 30 now. I'm hopeful one of McGuire or Clarkson can come through, but they aren't ready for a heavy workload yet, and will still get plenty of game time as the 3rd and 4th THPs given how rarely Furlong is around.

    But if we replace Ngatai (and my preference would be to just extend him if possible), I think it'll be for another relatively more lowkey signing like him, who is versatile.

    Can't see the need or justification for going after a superstar style signing.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,981 ✭✭✭RichieRich_89


    Internet rumour from where? Leinster are stacked at outhalf, and not short at fullback. I can't see how the IRFU would allow it.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 720 ✭✭✭jonok28


    I don't think Leinster take a big swing on a utility player or a fly half.

    I think they are fairly happy with Jamie Osborne and Ciaran Frawley in the utility role with also a bunch of other players well capable of filling in if need be.

    Leinster don't have a star at fly half right now but they have alot of depth and some very capable players who can move to the next level.

    outside of Snyman and a tighthead prop. If I had to guess, Leinster would spend their 3rd NIQ designation on a loosehead prop.

    They are at times getting obliterated in the scrum at times. If they lose Healy and Ala'alatoa, they are losing alot of experience.

    I'm not saying Leinster need to sign players for the long term but a one or two year deal until the likes of Jack Boyle, Paddy McCarthy, Rory McGuire, Tom Clarkson and Michael Milne are ready to take over would remove a huge amount of pressure of Leinster's shoulders.

    Post edited by Boards.ie: Mike on


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,453 ✭✭✭PMC83


    I read it being discussed on a Leinster FB group yesterday, can't find a thing online about it. Could very much be forum gossip and nothing more. But I'd prob have said similar about RG this time last week.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,790 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    From Wikipedia





    ................................

    In his first season back with the Chiefs, McKenzie guided them to a 31-10 win over the Crusaders in Round One. In Round Five against the Waratahs, McKenzie played his 100th game for the Chiefs when he started at fullback. In a round 6 clash vs the Blues, McKenzie scored 10 points as the Chiefs won six out of six games before heading into their bye.

    Bound for Leinster for Championship rugby 2024 to 2025



  • Posts: 2,692 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    It would be surprising if the irfu okayed a loosehead. You’d think Boyle and McCarthy would be priority development guys. Its probably ireland’s weakest depth chart in terms of what is below Porter.

    Also, the likelihood of Boyle being ready for euro bench minutes next year seems reasonably high.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 720 ✭✭✭jonok28


    I was thinking about a wing but I just can't see Leinster pulling the trigger on bringing one in.

    James Lowe

    Jordan Larmour

    Jimmy O'Brien

    Rob Russell

    Tommy O'Brien

    Aitzol King

    Andrew Osborne

    Maybe if Lowe went back to New Zealand, Leinster would chase another winger but I've a feeling Leinster will poach Ike Anagu off La Rochelle to get him back over to Ireland so he can be part of the Irish set up. He has played with the Ireland U20's I think the IRFU want to make sure he isn't claimed by South Africa or potentially by France.



  • Posts: 1,345 ✭✭✭ Lia Sweet Racist


    Yeah, no way I could see a LHP signing, even if Healy retires and Ed Byrne moves on. Michael Milne is at an age where he has to be capable to back up Porter, and then you've high potential guys like Boyle and McCarthy to get minutes into as well.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 720 ✭✭✭jonok28


    My guess is they convince Cian Healy to stick around for one more season after this and just mentor Boyle and give minutes towards the end of the game when he can, but if that isn't on the cards, I think Leinster wouldn't hesitate to bring in another prop. He doesn't have to be starting quality or even be a guaranteed bench player, but just another loosehead with experience.

    Leinster seem to go out of there way to make players earn the jersey rather than hand it to them. I think they want Milne, Boyle, McCarthy, Clarkson and McGuire to muscle the jersey away from players rather than just be the natural heir to the jersey.



  • Posts: 2,692 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I wouldn’t waste an NIQ spot on anything other than starting quality if I could help it honestly.

    On the wing, it is a feature of his defensive system to have highly athletic aggressive wings. Could be a decent option depending on who is available.



  • Posts: 1,345 ✭✭✭ Lia Sweet Racist


    It screws Ireland though from a LHP perspective.

    All we have is Andrew Porter.

    Nothing in Ulster - and Kitshoff is starting the games that matter. Andrew Warwick is done, and was never close anyway, and Callum Reid doesn't look up to much. Hopes for guys like Jacob Boyd etc, but he's a good few years away.

    Denis Buckley is close to the end - and equally never international standard. Can't see Peter Dooley or Jordan Duggan being either.

    Jeremy Loughman will be in squads, but he's a guy even Munster fans are keen to upgrade. Kilcoyne is surely very close to retirement, and isn't good enough anymore. Josh Wycherley has never looked more than a URC level player.

    The minutes have to go to Milne, Boyle and McCarthy - with an eye on RWC 2027. No other options there. They aren't going to insert an NIQ in there to block those guys and don't think they need to.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 720 ✭✭✭jonok28


    I would lean towards they don't obstruct the young LHP's and just get Healy to stay on for another year. It would be extremely beneficial for Leinster if they could pick up someone like Trevor Nyakane who can play on both sides of the scrum. It would give Leinster a massive boost and his age profile is old enough that he won't obstruct players long term on either side of the scrum.

    Post edited by Boards.ie: Mike on


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,981 ✭✭✭RichieRich_89


    These rumours usually turn out to be true. Cullen is greedy.

    But surely McKenzie wouldn't want to rule himself out of All Blacks selection at the age of 29? Unless he thinks he'll be out of favour with Robinson?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,453 ✭✭✭PMC83


    Wikipedia isn't exactly bastion of truth tbf! For me a very strange signing if true, unless he's intending to stick DMac at 15 when Kennan is away. You would hope we have enough at 10 tbh



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,981 ✭✭✭RichieRich_89


    Can Ngatai really be characterised as a utility back based on where he's played for Leinster? Has he ever played anywhere other than inside centre - even moving mid-game or coming off the bench? I don't think he has.



  • Posts: 2,692 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    That wiki edit was added 13 hours ago for what its worth.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 720 ✭✭✭jonok28


    I don't disagree with your reasoning at all, I think an athletic, defensively sound, aggressive speedy winger would be amazing but I think the IRFU are going to keep such a watchful eye on Leinster in terms of blocking the pathway for upcoming players in the future.

    Leinster's ability to develop their own players is undoubtedly a huge strength not just for Leinster but for Irish rugby in general as there is a surplus of talent at times that needs to be allowed to develop elsewhere. However, I think the IRFU are going to clamp down on Leinster throwing money around for big ticket NIQ players if they think it remotely obstructs young or established players route to an Irish jersey.

    They will turn a blind eye if the player can be brought into the Irish set up via parents or grandparents rule. I'd bet any money that the IRFU and Leinster and the other provinces are scouring the globe looking for up and coming or established props who can play for Ireland in the future.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,981 ✭✭✭RichieRich_89


    If it's not true it's somebody disgruntled at the Snyman move editing Wiki just so they can stick the boot more into Leinster? Suppose it could be that, but...

    They'd hardly sign him to form part of a Nienaber impact bench, would they?



  • Posts: 2,692 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I agree generally with that but i’d say none of your elite unblockable prospects are wings, unless osborne ends up there. That would make that a possible spot for a high level NIQ?

    Unless someone is impressing behind the scenes. I loved king in u20s but as far as i can see he’s been mostly AIL.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,959 ✭✭✭✭aloooof


    I'm pretty certain he's played FB, particularly at the start of his Leinster career. But ya, obviously wouldn't be a utility back in the true sense of the phrase.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 720 ✭✭✭jonok28


    Your right there isn't one outstanding up and coming wing but Leinster would still have at least 5 players in with a shout of getting a getting minutes in an Irish jersey ( James Lowe, Jordan Larmour, Tommy O'Brien, Rob Russell and Jimmy O'Brien).



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