Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

GerM · 14-04-2011 08:24PM

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

We need a centre and will definitely be signing a centre (or 2?). I think we need a proven creative player like Conrad Smith. We've all seen how Mafi played with Tipoki so maybe Smith might bring the best out in him. But we'll probably just get Downey.

Smith is under contract with the NZRU until the end of the next season. The whole thing was just lazy journalism jumping all over an off hand comment. Ma'a Nonu is yet so sign with anyone however and is available post WC. With SBW now the coming force, I could see him and the NZRU both being happy to part ways. I also believe Stephen Donald will be available but Nonu would be the ideal signing in my opinion. Can offer the go forward power of Halstead with a few more tricks. His handling has improved hugely over the past 2 or 3 years from where it was.

14-04-2011 08:29PM

As much as we like to play down Nonu every time we are set to play against him, the guy would be an absolutely unbelievably good signing. He's an incredible 12.

Like D'Arcy on Steroids with more pace.

JustinDee · 14-04-2011 08:31PM

GerM wrote: »

With SBW now the coming force, I could see him and the NZRU both being happy to part ways. I also believe Stephen Donald will be available but Nonu would be the ideal signing in my opinion. Can offer the go forward power of Halstead with a few more tricks. His handling has improved hugely over the past 2 or 3 years from where it was.

Nobody in NZ will make any hasty moves for centre depth until they can actually rely on Sonny Bill. Nobody knows what he wants to do and its not like a contract seals the deal with Anthony Mundine advising given the previous.

GerM · 14-04-2011 08:59PM

JustinDee wrote: »

Nobody in NZ will make any hasty moves for centre depth until they can actually rely on Sonny Bill. Nobody knows what he wants to do and its not like a contract seals the deal with Anthony Mundine advising given the previous.

Agreed. Nonu, though, will be looking after number one regardless of SBW's plans. He'll be 29 after the WC, giving him one last shot really at a mega contract in Europe. The NZRU are going to have to be willing to give him a 2 or 3 year deal on fairly serious money to hedge their bets. If they want Nonu to stay, they'll need to stump up the cash and with McAlister and Donald looking likely to leave post WC also, they might have to bite the bullet. Putting all their eggs in the SBW basket is a dangerous game. If Nonu is happy to leave though, can they match what might be offered by a rich European side?

Judgement Day · 14-04-2011 09:31PM

I hope that Munster have enough cash for Nonu, McCaw and Jonny Wilkinson after the World Cup but two out of three might have to do. Richie McCaw for Alan Quinlan would be my preference.

CatFromHue · 14-04-2011 10:46PM

just thinking but would munster not be better off going for a more if a playmaker at center?

if you take it you have earls, jones, howlett, murphy, hurley, mafi in the backs. alot of these guys id view as more finishers than creators. by losing warwick you're losing a creative player.

i dont see smith as the answer to munsters problems. if anything he may end up like de villiers. nor am i fully convinced by nonu either in this regard. both are great players i just dont see them fitting in very well to the munster team.

the player that comes to mind would be aaron mauger. granted he is retired but i think munster would be better off with a player in his mold than conrad smith i.e. someone for the other backs to play off.

Podge_irl · 15-04-2011 01:48AM

Risteard wrote: »

I still disagree. After Rocky Elsom left Leinster, everyone was talking about who Leinster were going to sign to replace him. They didn't and picked one of their own players in McLaughlin who, shock horror, actually performed when given a run of games.

That's the way we should be looking to bring through these players. There are areas where we need signings but I firmly believe that the back row is not one of them.

Couldn't agree more. The key is bringing the player into a strong team and giving them a chance. Not throwing out B teams and then claiming they can't cut it. Locky was perfect for Leinster and we genuinely didn't miss Elsom the following year. That's a pretty damn big compliment to give a player who was a relative unknown beforehand.

Players can't be expected to come through unless they are given a chance.

buck65 · 15-04-2011 07:18AM

CatFromHue wrote: »

just thinking but would munster not be better off going for a more if a playmaker at center?

if you take it you have earls, jones, howlett, murphy, hurley, mafi in the backs. alot of these guys id view as more finishers than creators. by losing warwick you're losing a creative player.

i dont see smith as the answer to munsters problems. if anything he may end up like de villiers. nor am i fully convinced by nonu either in this regard. both are great players i just dont see them fitting in very well to the munster team.

the player that comes to mind would be aaron mauger. granted he is retired but i think munster would be better off with a player in his mold than conrad smith i.e. someone for the other backs to play off.

You mean after a slow start was our top try scorer and one of the players of the season?

bamboozle · 15-04-2011 07:42AM

Risteard wrote: »

I still disagree. After Rocky Elsom left Leinster, everyone was talking about who Leinster were going to sign to replace him. They didn't and picked one of their own players in McLaughlin who, shock horror, actually performed when given a run of games.

That's the way we should be looking to bring through these players. There are areas where we need signings but I firmly believe that the back row is not one of them.

completely agree, its time for Munster to show some faith in their squad players, munster mgt have to realise this is a professional environment, by this i mean either 'back or sack' certain players, no point have the likes of Holland, O'Donnell both in the early to mid 20's or O'Mahoney & Butler if they are too scared to use them, how Leinster used Mclaughlin is the perfect example, look at the development of Coughlin from AIL no. 8 to the performer he has turned into, i reckon TOD next season deserves to be in HC match day squads and lets see how he does, maybe O'Mahoney and butler would require a further season to hit HC level, i dont think Holland has shown enough to warrant being in the squad at the age he now is.
it will be interesting to see what centre munster may sign, talk of a playmaking 12 confuses me as a top drawer player like Warwick was allowed leave, wouldnt be at all suprised to see Downey sign.

buck65 · 15-04-2011 08:32AM

Downey isn't coming, that's official now I believe. Warwick was let go because he got a better deal for himself.
I think Munster are starting to empty the benches a bit this summer with the like of Dave Ryan, Sammy, Quinnie, Hayes (I hope), Dowling, B Murphy (?), Buckley leaving/retiring for varying reasons.
Of all the players leaving the cold hard facts are that Warwick will be the only real future loss.

bazzajf · 15-04-2011 09:50AM

Where did you get the notion that Barry Murphy was leaving, I heard nothing on that.

We currently have 3+1 in terms of NIQs in Mafi, Howlett, Du Preez + Borlase, this leaves with 2 NIQ spots to fill, one of which will be going to BJ Botha. We are left in a position whereby the other NIQ spot will be going to a 12, that 12 will be Stephen Donald (who is primarily and 10 with some 12 experience), Ma'a Nonu, Stephen Brett (again 10 player with 12 exoperience) or James Downey.

To me, this avoids addressing the problem whereby in my view, we need a NIQ backrow player. Wally has one good year, perhaps two left in him, Quinlan is retiring, Leamy's form is erratic and unrelaible of late. I would propose offloading Mafi to freeup another NIQ spot in order to sign someone like Willem Alberts from the Sharks, a beast of a Number 8 who makes Sean O'Brien like look Shaggy from Scooby-Doo.

We have enough at centre to cover for a Mafi departure with a new centre signing as discussed above, J Murphy, B Murphy, Gleeson, Dineen, Earls if necessary.

GerM · 15-04-2011 09:58AM

Mafi is under contract. You can't offload him unless you're willing to pay out his contract for next season. It has been long rumoured that Barry Murphy won't be offered another contract and Dineen has spoken with Connacht. Johne Murphy is not a centre no matter how much people try putting him there. Gleeson is a centre but he's not up to decent ML standard the majority of the times I have seen him. I reckon you might see someone like Hanrahan get a little ML game time next season which would be excellent if it came to pass.

bazzajf · 15-04-2011 10:18AM

When is Mafi's contract due to expire?

GerM · 15-04-2011 10:22AM

bazzajf wrote: »

When is Mafi's contract due to expire?

I believe he has another year after this season. 2012.

CatFromHue · 15-04-2011 10:34AM

buck65 wrote: »

You mean after a slow start was our top try scorer and one of the players of the season?

maybe i phrased that wrong.

i always saw de villiers as a finisher playing at 12. while that is good to have, with warwick gone i think munster need a more creative team player at 12 for the outside backs to play off.

ormond lad · 15-04-2011 11:30AM

U20s Development Face Northern Counterparts
15 April 2011, 10:58 am
By The Editor

The Munster U20s Development squad take on an Ulster U20s Development side this Saturday in Naas RFC, ko 2.30pm.

In keeping with the player screening process and building towards the 2011/12 U20s Interprovincial campaign Head Coach Ian Sherwin makes a number of changes to the side that narrowly lost out to the Leicester Academy last weekend. The Leicester and Ulster fixtures have provided management with the opportunity to field over 35 players, providing invaluable game time to those looking to push for representative places in the upcoming Interprovincial series in September.
Munster U20s Development: Steve Dinan (PBC), Shaun Horgan (Rockwell), James Kiernan (PBC), Garret O’Suillebhain (UCC), Shane O’Leary (Scariff), Eamonn Mills (PBC), Evan Mulcahy (St Munchins), David Canny (Ard Scoil Ris), Brian Scott (PBC), Killian Kingston (PBC), Darren O’Shea (Crosshaven), Sean Monaghan (Crescent Comprehensive), Miah Cronin (Highfield), Cathal Gallagher (UCC), Ben Crumplin (UCC. Replacements: AN other, Niall Horan (Crescent), Cian O’Donnell (Rockwell), Jamie Kind (Sunday’s Well), Jack Donovan (Crescent Comprehensive), Tim Rafferty (UL Bohs), Larry Hanley (Crescent Comprehensive), AN other, Darren Sweeetnam (Bandon Grammar).
U20s Management Team:
Head Coach: Ian Sherwin
Asst Coaches: Steve Ford and Greig Oliver
Physio: Damien Mordant
Doctor: Dr Adrian Murphy
Strength & Conditioning: Fergal O'Callaghan and Mossy Lawlor
Kit Manager: Alan Hickey
Manager: Graham Burns
munsterrugby.ie

Jemo · 15-04-2011 12:37PM

Downey would have been a good signing for the simple reason that he is Irish qualified leaving space to sign a backrower from abroad. He's also a definitive 12, you could easily play Murphy, Mafi, Earls, Keatley outside him to good effect.

kerrysdad · 15-04-2011 01:00PM

JJ Hanrahan at 12 gives us another kicking option,home grown is best

bazzajf · 15-04-2011 01:37PM

I'm uncomfortable with always hearing "homegrown is best", for me this is wishful nonsense.

What is best for Munster is best, if that is homegrown, great, if it's not homegrown, so be it..

We need to strengthen at 12 and at backrow.

If these positions are best strenghtened by a World Class NIQ rather than an unproven fringe young Irish player with potential, then it should be the NIQ option as this is the most probable to result in success in the immediate term for Munster.

PhatPiggins · 15-04-2011 02:27PM

bazzajf wrote: »

I'm uncomfortable with always hearing "homegrown is best", for me this is wishful nonsense.

What is best for Munster is best, if that is homegrown, great, if it's not homegrown, so be it..

We need to strengthen at 12 and at backrow.

If these positions are best strenghtened by a World Class NIQ rather than an unproven fringe young Irish player with potential, then it should be the NIQ option as this is the most probable to result in success in the immediate term for Munster.

How do we know what the answer is? Munster have been so slow in giving the young guys a proper shot. Is it too much to expect we produce and develop players at the same rate the Leinster, Ulster and even Connacht academies are?

Last season Spence/Gilroy/Dom Ryan/O'Malley/Murray/Nagle would have been in the 'potential' bracket. This season their not far off HC quality and above.

We need a 12 no doubt but I'd rather give any one of O'Donnell/Butler/O'Mahoney an extended run in the team then break the bank on the likes of McCaw,Burger or God forbid Spies

bazzajf · 15-04-2011 02:52PM

You are correct - we do not know what the answer is, we can only make a judgement on what is probably the best answer.

However, a World Class NIQ backrow is probably going to make Munster's XV stronger and perform better than an Irish qualified young fringe player.

GerM · 15-04-2011 02:57PM

PhatPiggins wrote: »

We need a 12 no doubt but I'd rather give any one of O'Donnell/Butler/O'Mahoney an extended run in the team then break the bank on the likes of McCaw,Burger or God forbid Spies

I wholeheartedly endorse Munster using their last NIQ spot and a large chunk of their budget on signing the riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma that is Pierre Spies.

Foxtrol · 15-04-2011 03:02PM

bazzajf wrote: »

You are correct - we do not know what the answer is, we can only make a judgement on what is probably the best answer.

However, a World Class NIQ backrow is probably going to make Munster's XV stronger and perform better than an Irish qualified young fringe player.

Just like Leinster would have had a stronger first XV by signing a world class NIQ back row when Rocky left. They didn't and now have SOB and McLaughlin to show for it. Munster choosing to make short term, big NIQ signings is only going to hurt them in the long run.

LFC5Times · 15-04-2011 03:12PM

JJ Hanrahan - Whats the story with this lad?

I seen him play against England recently in the U.20 International and while Ireland where well beaten he looked very good.

He seems quite stocky, is he a 12 or originally a 10?

Where did he go to school? Did he win a Cup Medal(not that it makes a difference btw)?

Are big things expected of him down in Munster?

Thanks

ormond lad · 15-04-2011 03:16PM

LFC5Times wrote: »

JJ Hanrahan - Whats the story with this lad?

I seen him play against England recently in the U.20 International and while Ireland where well beaten he looked very good.

He seems quite stocky, is he a 12 or originally a 10?

Where did he go to school? Did he win a Cup Medal(not that it makes a difference btw)?

Are big things expected of him down in Munster?

Thanks

he is more of a 12 than a 10, he went to school in rockwell and didnt win a senior cup, lost in finals in 2009 and 2010
there is big hype about him in munster

PhatPiggins · 15-04-2011 03:30PM

GerM wrote: »

I wholeheartedly endorse Munster using their last NIQ spot and a large chunk of their budget on signing the riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma that is Pierre Spies.

Can you imagine a player less suited to Munster?

If we played all our games in 30 degree heat, on a hard pitch against vastly inferior teams he'd be the greatest signing of all time.

Cpt_Blackbeard · 15-04-2011 04:04PM

kerrysdad wrote: »

JJ Hanrahan at 12 gives us another kicking option,home grown is best

He's only 18. It will be another few seasons before we see him regularly for the first team.

Cpt_Blackbeard · 15-04-2011 04:07PM

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Can you imagine a player less suited to Munster?

Johnny Sexton

ormond lad · 15-04-2011 04:27PM

Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final referees
15 April 2011, 4:51 pm
By Angelina Lacroix

Welsh referee Nigel Owens - who controlled back-to-back Heineken Cup finals in 2008 and 2009 - will signal the start of the European semi-finals weekend when he takes charge of the all-French Amlin Challenge Cup
last four match between Stade Francais Paris and ASM Clermont Auvergne at Stade Charlety on Friday, 29 April.

Owens, who also refereed the 2007 Amlin Challenge Cup final, will be in charge of his 62nd European match while Romain Poite (France) will be refereeing his 41st European match when he is in the middle for Munster's match against Harlequins at Thomond Park a day later.

Both Owens and Poite have been named on the select 10-referee panel for duty at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

AMLIN CHALLENGE CUP 2011 SEMI-FINALS
(All kick-offs LOCAL time)

FRIDAY, 29 APRIL, 2011
20:45 Stade Français Paris v ASM Clermont Auvergne - Stade Charlety - Nigel Owens (W)
FranceTelevisions
SATURDAY, 30 APRIL, 2011
13:00 Munster v Harlequins - Thomond Park - Romain Poite (F)
Sky Sports

AMLIN CHALLENGE CUP FINAL - FRIDAY, 20 MAY, 2011 - CARDIFF CITY STADIUM (19.45)
http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/news/14248.php

OH NO!!!!!!!!!

Buceph · 15-04-2011 04:29PM

Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

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