The Off Topic Thread & Off Topic Thread II - Collectors Edition Bumper Pack

Chong · 19-11-2008 11:33AM

I agree the game was excellent last night, but I can see the wood from the trees, both teams were understrenght, coupled with the fact Munster were like a walking wounded side and the NZ team that turned out were poor at best , in most part showed sod all interest.

Real Munster fans will agree on that, they would have loved to see two full strength squads hammer each but alas we did get a good game. Then you have all these numpties saying "it was a great occasion the lads played their heart etc etc" GTFO, Munster could barely stand up toward the end, then the man who was a hero throughout fupped up the last opportunity.

19-11-2008 11:38AM

Chong wrote: »

I am a Munster fan, a long time one too but I dont subscribe to the hype that surrounds, as fan before the hype, its impossible for me to get a ticket without shelling out insane amounts of money, and for all my love I am not going to do that.

IMHO it pisses me off when you see everyone wearing the jersey, its BS, especially majority people havent a bloody clue about the game or Munster. Thats speaking on what goes on down here in Limerick.

I love Munster, I love how they play, but FFS the sh!te that now surrounds them is PISH.

Munsters has become MONSTER, its a machine, money making machine.

On the lift in work yesterday a girl talkin to her friend about the match said "Yes it'll be a great night, its 13 years since we beat them so we'll go and do it again now".....

Followed it up with her opinions on the team and she, frankly, hadn't a clue. She then ended with some sh1te about how "Leinster could never do something like that" forgetting Leinsters wins over the Aussies in the past......

I didn't even bother.

Chong · 19-11-2008 11:40AM

Deleted User wrote: »

On the lift in work yesterday a girl talkin to her friend about the match said "Yes it'll be a great night, its 13 years since we beat them so we'll go and do it again now".....

Followed it up with her opinions on the team and she, frankly, hadn't a clue. She then ended with some sh1te about how "Leinster could never do something like that" forgetting Leinsters wins over the Aussies in the past......

I didn't even bother.

Its all c0ck , people like that wreck my head Neil, I dont even think you could call them bandwagon followers.

Oh ya thats what they were babbling on about after the match last night, saying Leinster would have never put up a fight like this, what a load of tosh!

ShiverinEskimo · 19-11-2008 11:42AM

Neil wrote:

Followed it up with her opinions on the team and she, frankly, hadn't a clue. She then ended with some sh1te about how "Leinster could never do something like that" forgetting Leinsters wins over the Aussies in the past......

Ah the old slag off other teams to prove a point about your own team method. The last resort of any spiteful fan that really hasn't a balls notion.

Xavi6 · 19-11-2008 11:56AM

Well I've gone and stirred the shit over there now.

eZe^ · 19-11-2008 12:03PM

I love how Leinster fans look down on Munster fans so much still. Did you ever think that maybe the fact that it was the official opening of the new Thomond and that it was one of the best fan atmospheres I've ever heard at any sporting event. This game may have just been an exhibition match, but considering the history alot of the fans wanted to make an occasion of it, big deal. Munsters win over the All Blacks in 78 is one of the biggest results in their history, why be bitter that a new generation of supporters wanted to possibly see a win over them again.

Also, the sportmanship of the All Blacks only served to make the game that bit more enjoyable, considering how commercial sports games have become. The fact that it was two under strength playing in a game that meant nothing (in a sporting sense) didn't mean it was a special spectacle, it was the opening of the new stadium, the amazing atmosphere created by the fans, the New Zealand boys on the Munster side doing the haka, the sportsmanship shown by the opposition and the fact that it was an enjoyable game of rugby. It doesn't have to be the knockout stages of a major tournament for a game to be enjoyable ffs.

So a fan said to you that Leinster wouldn't have played like that against that All Blacks team, big f*cking deal, the amount of Leinster fans that said Munster wouldn't have had a hope against Toulouse away(3 seasons ago), and that Leinster helped win the cup for Munster. That's a much steeper claim.

Maybe Leinster fans should be concerned more about their own team instead of being bitter and trying to tarnish anything Munster fans find enjoyable.

Xavi6 · 19-11-2008 12:08PM

Meh I'm impartial to Leinster as well.

As I said in the rugger forum, it's an insult to the winning team of 78 to be lumped in with a bunch of reserves who lost to, wait for it, a bunch of reserves. The two are incomparable yet that is exactly what people are doing.

19-11-2008 12:16PM

Not necessarily eZe^. You see I've been to every Leinster vs Munster match played in Dublin in the last 7 or 8 years bar one I think and I've found the Munster fans are just getting worse and worse. Most Leinster fans I know have at some stage supported Munster when leinster weren't playing but in the last few years that support has completely dissolved. Before the semi at Lansdowne I had this fat sack of sh*t trying to start a fight with about 4 people in the back of the East stand just for the sake of it. The lads he was havin a go at (he was about 40) were at the oldest 16 or 17. Myself and my mate intervened trying to calm him down and he turned around on me then and started into this rant of how I'm "nothing more than a Leinster bastid". Needless tbh. I had another lad, who I'd never met, call me a w.a.nker and try to bump into me as he walked by me because, God forbid as I was going to the match and all, I was wearing a Leinster jersey. And worst of all at the last one i was at 2 drunken muppets having a go at a 10 year old kid because he was chanting for Leinster (the kids Dad ended up in a row with them and then had to leave because they didn't stop despite half the stand tellin them to cop on). Munster fans have as much of a chip in the shoulder towards us as we do them. In fact, I used to support Munster whenever they weren't playing Leinster until myself and my dad one year watched a Leinster match in a bar in Cork and saw the entire pub cheering for the English team they were playing.

I've no love for the muppet element of Leinsters support either. But they tend to be more clueless than obnoxious. They're there for the fact that they can say they were there rather than the match but at least they don't hide it. I hate those D4 @rsejockeys as much as the next guy but I also support the province I'm from and make no apologies.

It was a great atmosphere. The double haka was awesome. Munster played out of their skins and were unlucky to come out of the game with nothing. Thomand Park is a great venue and their supporters make a lot of noise. But that was it, a great game of rugby in an exhibition match with weakened teams. No need to start making plays about it and prattling on about it for the next 30 years. Fair play to munster, they showed more passion than the national team did but don't forget if NZ played the same 15 that played on Sat then Munster in all likelihood wouldn't have gotten a sniff.

eZe^ · 19-11-2008 12:27PM

Deleted User wrote: »

No need to start making plays about it and prattling on about it for the next 30 years.

There's the Leinster shoulder chip again. Who said we'd be prattling on about it in 30 years. It hasn't even been 30 hours and Leinster fans are already tarnishing it. The game will clearly be forgotten about in a couple of weeks, but at least let some supporters enjoy what was an awesome occasion for a couple of days. Instead of coming over and saying 'omg it was two reserve teams in an exhibition match, nothing to get excited about'. Sports fans will always make hyperbolic statements like 'THAT WAS THE BEST EVER'. Spurs supporters nearly died when they drew 4-4 with arsenal, a team they play twice EVERY year, Xavi6 was going crazy when City beat Utd twice in one season. That's a major aspect of sport.

And what you said about Munster fans is irrelevant really, Leinster fans are just as bad when they come to Musgrave park, throwing stones at some of the houses surrounding the stadium just because we are 'a bunch of culchie bastards'. You get stupid fans supporting any team in the world.

And I don't really care if Leinster supporters don't support us when we play against other sides, I wouldn't let opposition fans cause me to stop supporting Irish rugby, I have no problem supporting Leinster whenever they aren't playing Munster, Connacht or Ulster, and I do, I was glad they smashed Wasps a few weeks ago. It's a bit stupid that you stopped supporting Munster because a couple of people that you didn't know at a bar supported the team playing Leinster, as if it was highly insulting or something. It's a big rivalry, sh*t like that is bound to happen.

Pighead · 19-11-2008 12:42PM

Well said eZe. Last nights game was an absolutely fantastic spectacle and for atmosphere and excitement alone it bettered almost anything I've seen this year. Who gives a crap if neither side put out their best teams.

We're not talking Carling Cup stroll in the park here. It was thirty odd men given their absolute all to the cause putting their bodies on the line time and time again. To watch that and be able to respond with a "meh" attitude amazes me. And to say New Zealand were only going through the motions is bollocks as well and shows a lack of understanding of the game. Henry's job would have been on the line had he lost this game and the fact he threw on a few of his big guns in the last quarter of the match underlines this.

Shame on the naysayers.

Xavi6 · 19-11-2008 12:50PM

eZe^ wrote: »

There's the Leinster shoulder chip again. Who said we'd be prattling on about it in 30 years. It hasn't even been 30 hours and Leinster fans are already tarnishing it. The game will clearly be forgotten about in a couple of weeks, but at least let some supporters enjoy what was an awesome occasion for a couple of days. Instead of coming over and saying 'omg it was two reserve teams in an exhibition match, nothing to get excited about'. Sports fans will always make hyperbolic statements like 'THAT WAS THE BEST EVER'. Spurs supporters nearly died when they drew 4-4 with arsenal, a team they play twice EVERY year, Xavi6 was going crazy when City beat Utd twice in one season. That's a major aspect of sport.

Of course I did! We feckin won! I wouldn't be celebrating a 2-1 defeat in the last minute.

Pighead · 19-11-2008 12:52PM

Xavi6 wrote: »

Of course I did! We feckin won! I wouldn't be celebrating a 2-1 defeat in the last minute.

But the majority of people in this case are celebrating the occasion, not the result. What's wrong with that? It was a magnificent occasion. Have you seen the game yet?

Xavi6 · 19-11-2008 12:55PM

Pighead wrote: »

But the majority of people in this case are celebrating the occasion, not the result. What's wrong with that? It was a magnificent occasion.

Agree 100%. Superb occassion.

However my issue is lumping this bunch of reserves who lost in with a great team of 1978 who actually won against a full team. Huge difference that is lost on a lot of people.

Have you seen the game yet?

Unfortunately I haven't, though I have seen highlights on various sites and the atmosphere was fantastic.

19-11-2008 12:56PM

There's the Leinster shoulder chip again. Who said we'd be prattling on about it in 30 years. It hasn't even been 30 hours and Leinster fans are already tarnishing it. The game will clearly be forgotten about in a couple of weeks, but at least let some supporters enjoy what was an awesome occasion for a couple of days. Instead of coming over and saying 'omg it was two reserve teams in an exhibition match, nothing to get excited about'. Sports fans will always make hyperbolic statements like 'THAT WAS THE BEST EVER'. Spurs supporters nearly died when they drew 4-4 with arsenal, a team they play twice EVERY year, Xavi6 was going crazy when City beat Utd twice in one season. That's a major aspect of sport.[/QUOTE]

Munster are the twice European Champions and they're almost celebrating having lost a match as if they just won the World Cup. That or the media aren't broadcasting the opinions of those more levelheaded among the fanbase. I respect the hell outta Munsters players and their tradition but I hate the "red machine". I respect the hell out of the effort they put in last night and a part of me wanted them to win because they deserved it but the larger part of me wanted them to lose for the simple fact that I don't wanna hear about it forever and have to put up with them using it to justify every rugby debate they ever have as if winning one match makes them the world best team ever EVER.

eZe^ wrote: »

And what you said about Munster fans is irrelevant really, Leinster fans are just as bad when they come to Musgrave park, throwing stones at some of the houses surrounding the stadium just because we are 'a bunch of culchie bastards'. You get stupid fans supporting any team in the world.

Agree. Muppets in every teams fanbase but the level of sheer agro from the Munster fans I've seen is just not on. I can only go on what I've seen but it takes a special type of tosser to try and start a fight with a kid.

eZe^ wrote: »

And I don't really care if Leinster supporters don't support us when we play against other sides, I wouldn't let opposition fans cause me to stop supporting Irish rugby, I have no problem supporting Leinster whenever they aren't playing Munster, Connacht or Ulster, and I do, I was glad they smashed Wasps a few weeks ago. It's a bit stupid that you stopped supporting Munster because a couple of people that you didn't know at a bar supported the team playing Leinster, as if it was highly insulting or something. It's a big rivalry, sh*t like that is bound to happen.

It was entire bar, a pretty large one at that, and they were all cheering on Leicester. LEICESTER! That said it all. Planetrugby.com forum is full of that too. It goes both ways. I have had all goodwill towards Munster eroded over the years.

A mate of mine is a big Munster fan and after the Lansdowne semi final he was about as gracious in victory as Prince Naseem used to be. Started calling me names as if I personally ahd been on the pitch and the messages he sent us were pretty hateful. He'd engaged in a bit of healthy pre match banter and figured that a post match grave dance would be appropriate too.

Like I said, what you see is what you have to go on. I've met an awful lot of decent Munster fans, and anyone I know who supports them are normally decent lads, but as a collective they're insufferable (kinda like the perception of United fans then!! :pac:)

On a different note lads, found out today that I'll likely be working New Years Eve in here. Not as bad as herself though, she got rostered for Christmas Eve AND Christmas Day. :eek:

19-11-2008 01:01PM

Pighead wrote: »

Well said eZe. Last nights game was an absolutely fantastic spectacle and for atmosphere and excitement alone it bettered almost anything I've seen this year. Who gives a crap if neither side put out their best teams.

100% agree. the haka and atmosphere were amazing and the game was exciting but most people are over estimating the quality of rugby that was played.

Pighead wrote: »

We're not talking Carling Cup stroll in the park here. It was thirty odd men given their absolute all to the cause putting their bodies on the line time and time again. To watch that and be able to respond with a "meh" attitude amazes me. And to say New Zealand were only going through the motions is bollocks as well and shows a lack of understanding of the game. Henry's job would have been on the line had he lost this game and the fact he threw on a few of his big guns in the last quarter of the match underlines this.

I understand the game very well thank you. Played it for 5 years in school and my mates are all rugby fanatics so i know the rules inside out at this stage too. New Zealand needed an injection of experience (particularly gotten from Gibbs) to turn it up. And when they did the tide turned. In other words when they got the finger out they won. I agree that to say that they solely weren't bothered is bull, because I think the Thomand atmosphere got to them, but they weren;t treating the game like a WC Final same way munster were.

Pighead wrote: »

Shame on the naysayers.

I've given them credit where they deserve it. I feel no shame at all. I'm just being honest.

Pighead · 19-11-2008 01:09PM

Xavi6 wrote: »

Agree 100%. Superb occassion.

However my issue is lumping this bunch of reserves who lost in with a great team of 1978 who actually won against a full team. Huge difference that is lost on a lot of people.

Unfortunately I haven't, though I have seen highlights on various sites and the atmosphere was fantastic.

Listen Xavi6, I had pretty much the same attitude as you yesterday before the match. Stuck the game not expecting a great deal as it was only a "bunch of reserves" playing each other.

But right from the moment the players ran onto the pitch I was sucked into the game and for the next 100 or so minutes I was absolutely glued to the television. You make the All Blacks reserves sound like little girls. They're not, they're damn good players who would walk into any other national team in the world. These were damn good players that were expected to wipe the floor with Munster who were something like 15/1 in the bookies.

That's what people are getting so excited about. The sheer achievement of a shadow Munster side almost beating fifteen excellent all blacks. Forget about 78 for a minute, and just revel in the occassion for what it was. A magnificent game full of bravery, skill and passion.

19-11-2008 01:15PM

Pighead wrote: »

They're not, they're damn good players who would walk into any other national team in the world.

Actually Pighead, if most of the A class New Zealanders (to name a few Luke McAllister, Aaron Mauger, Chris Jack, Jerry Collins, Rico Gear, Carl Hayman, Doug Howlett, etc)hadn't gone abroad then none of those lads would be tour. Now THOSE guys would walk into any national team in the world.

Save for Piri Weepu, Corey Flynn and Big Joe that was an ordinary Kiwi team with 4 guys making their All Blacks debuts. Most of them have been brought on tour to test the waters, if they're good enough (their full back last night certainly fit the bill) they'll be kept but a lot of them won't make the grade.

Munster also started with a couple of their big guns in Mafi, Tipoki, Stringer, Howlett, Leamy, Mick O'Driscoll, Puchiarello (sp?), Sheehan and Barry Murphy so they weren't entirely a reserve team to be fair.

Pighead · 19-11-2008 01:28PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Actually Pighead, if most of the A class New Zealanders (to name a few Luke McAllister, Aaron Mauger, Chris Jack, Jerry Collins, Rico Gear, Carl Hayman, Doug Howlett, etc)hadn't gone abroad then none of those lads would be tour. Now THOSE guys would walk into any national team in the world.

Save for Piri Weepu, Corey Flynn and Big Joe that was an ordinary Kiwi team with 4 guys making their All Blacks debuts. Most of them have been brought on tour to test the waters, if they're good enough (their full back last night certainly fit the bill) they'll be kept but a lot of them won't make the grade.

Munster also started with a couple of their big guns in Mafi, Tipoki, Stringer, Howlett, Leamy, Mick O'Driscoll, Puchiarello (sp?), Sheehan and Barry Murphy so they weren't entirely a reserve team to be fair.

Yes but not making the grade for NZ isn't really anything to be ashamed of. All these players have played Super 14's for their club sides and most of thye NZ club sides would give International teams a damn good game. NZ rugby is way ahead of anything else.

Xavi6 · 19-11-2008 01:30PM

Pighead wrote: »

Yes but not making the grade for NZ isn't really anything to be ashamed of. All these players have played Super 14's for their club sides and most of thye NZ club sides would give International teams a damn good game. NZ rugby is way ahead of anything else.

So if the next time Brazil come to Lansdowne Road or wherever and we lose 1-0 in a friendly should we be requesting DVDs? Reserve Brazilians would make it into a lot of other national teams after all.

Pighead · 19-11-2008 01:35PM

Xavi6 wrote: »

So if the next time Brazil come to Lansdowne Road or wherever and we lose 1-0 in a friendly should we be requesting DVDs? Reserve Brazilians would make it into a lot of other national teams after all.

Definitely not. In all likeliness it would be a game involving 22 lads not giving much of a shit and strolling round the park for 90 minutes with no clear cut chances of note, with Brazil eventually winning thanks to a deflection off Richard Dunnes arse.

Chong · 19-11-2008 01:39PM

Fupping hell lads , time to lighten the mood !

19-11-2008 01:42PM

Hey Al, u lurkin? I'm in a very good mood with your employers today! Just got a quote that's €250 cheaper than my renewal!!

monkey9 · 19-11-2008 01:42PM

Rugby! Bah!!

So, anyone getting locked this weekend!????

19-11-2008 01:50PM

monkey9 wrote: »

Rugby! Bah!!

So, anyone getting locked this weekend!????

Negative. Lyin low due to low funds, needing to keep funds for xmas and needing to catch up on sleep! Yawn!

Spud83 · 19-11-2008 02:02PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Hey Al, u lurkin? I'm in a very good mood with your employers today! Just got a quote that's €250 cheaper than my renewal!!

I presume you mean mr-al as i have no idea what you are about.

monkey9 wrote: »

Rugby! Bah!!

So, anyone getting locked this weekend!????

Wouldn't be a weekend otherwise.

19-11-2008 02:05PM

alanmurphy83 wrote: »

I presume you mean mr-al as i have no idea what you are about.

Indeed. I saved money on my car insurance!

monkey9 · 19-11-2008 02:30PM

Where the hell is Mr Al these days. Is he still off recording that seminal album of his?

Xavi6 · 19-11-2008 02:32PM

Himself and Charlie are off ridin somewhere

Frisbee · 19-11-2008 02:33PM

Jayzus I get out of bed after a nice Wednesday lie-in to find the OT thread has turned into the Rugby forum...

monkey9 wrote: »

So, anyone getting locked this weekend!????

Yup, fairly big party in my mates house on Saturday night. Road Trip to Kilkenny first though for my match..

Deleted User wrote: »

Indeed. I saved money on my car insurance!

I don't know what a tracker mortgage is!

Chong · 19-11-2008 03:09PM

Frisbee wrote: »

Jayzus I get out of bed after a nice Wednesday lie-in to find the OT thread has turned into the Rugby forum...

Yup, fairly big party in my mates house on Saturday night. Road Trip to Kilkenny first though for my match..

I don't know what a tracker mortgage is!

On serious where the heck is Charlie , he got a new job or something right?

The Off Topic Thread & Off Topic Thread II - Collectors Edition Bumper Pack

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