Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

ormond lad · 05-09-2011 10:10AM

phog wrote: »

I see Munster U20s drew with Leicester 30 all on Friday. I cant find a match report but it looks like a high scoring game so must have been fairly entertaining.

Draw For Munster U20s
5 September 2011, 10:55 am
By Graham Burns, Munster U20 Manager

Munster U20 and the Leicester Academy ended with honours even at the Leicester Academy Centre in Wigston, Leicester in Munster's final friendly pre interprovincial series match.

Leicester Academy 30 Munster 30
Leicester Academy Grounds, Wigston. Fri 2nd September 2011 Played in near perfect conditions (24 degrees, not a cloud in the sky) the game produced some terrific attacking rugby from both sides.
Munster were quickly into their stride, when Shaun Horgan finished off a nice Munster drive involving both back and forwards. JJ Hanrahan added the points with a difficult conversion from the touchline. Soon after Hanrahan added a penalty to give Munster a 0 - 10 lead after 15 minutes. However, Leicester struck back almost immediately with a penalty and after a long drive into Munster territory they scored a converted try to bring the score level at 10 – 10 after 30 minutes.
The Munster side were back in front with Captain Miah Cronin scoring a try straight from the re-start. Hanrahan again added the points to restore Munster’s advantage with a 10 – 17 lead. On the stroke of half time Hanrahan added another penalty to leave the score 10 – 20 at half time.
Again as with the first half Munster started the stronger with some excellent hi tempo rugby, however the final pass let them down on a number of occasions which saw Munster waste a number of good try scoring opportunities.
As the second half wore on, the 24 degree heat began to take it’s toll on the Munster pack, and Leicester began to get a foothold in Munster territory and soon after the gap was closed to 20 – 20. Undeterred the Munster pack took the game to their illustrious opponents and after another free flowing move, Munster opened up the Leicester defence with Luke Cahill scoring from close range.
True to form Leicester came back again and scored a try in the 30th minute of the second half, which was followed by a penalty which brought the game into injury time level at 30 – 30. Perhaps justice was done when after 7 minutes of second half injury time played of an end to end game, Leicester had a penalty in front of the Munster posts which went wide. After what was a terrific game, it would have been very harsh on Munster had that last minute penalty gone over.
Next up is Leinster in the U20 Interprovincial championship in Musgrave Park on Fri 9th September with a 7.30pm kick off. All support are welcome and admission is free.
Munster U20s Squad: Garrett O’Suillebhain (UCC), Paul Curtis (St. Munchin’s College), Kevin Slater (UCC), JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemian), Shaun Horgan (Rockwell College), Eamonn Mills (Dolphin), Brian Haugh (Young Munster), Niall Horan (Crescent Comp.), Brian Scott (UCC), Jake Considine (Young Munster), Sean McCarthy (Rockwell College), Shane Buckley (Garryowen), Ryan Murphy (Dolphin), Miah Cronin (Capt.) (Highfield), Luke Cahill (UCC). Replacements: Will Foley (PBC), Cian O’Donnell (Rockwell College), Richard Martin (UCC), Jack Donovan (Old Crescent), Cathal Gallagher (UCC), Neil Cronin (Garryowen), Rory Scannell (PBC), Seamus Glynn (PBC), Steve Dinan (PBC)
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/domestic/news/9351.php

the_blackstuff · 05-09-2011 10:11AM

I agree with the above. I was at the match on Saturday and a side from the 2 missed penalties (one of which was a long way out) and a couple of missed touches he did ok. You have to remember he's coming from connaught who play the game very different. Ian has pulled connaught through so many games over the last few years. He will only get better. On the plus side he defended well and carried the ball well on a few occasions and didn't turn it over! I could be wrong but i seem to remember reading a while back that his stats were every bit as good as ROG's. He will be ok, just give him a few weeks

thomond2006 · 05-09-2011 11:05AM

I wouldn't be too worried about the goal kicking yet, that should come in time.

Keatley showed a lot of positive signs in attack, for the first try he fixed the midfield defence and put Murphy in space to make his break.

ambid · 05-09-2011 12:16PM

jacothelad wrote: »

He has been in a professional rugby environment for 4 years or so. If he hasn't ironed out the glitches by now he either needs a new kicking coach or he has gone as far as he can. He looks a decent rugby player at times and I really hope he steps up a level. When does a player stop becoming a prospect Tony Buckley is still a prospect at 31 even though the coaches seem to be the only ones who can't see that the well is totally dry.

In fairness, I don't think that's a valid comparison.

Buckley is 31 and Keatley is 24. The only people who still think Buckley will fulfill his potential seems to be the Ireland coaches.

In ROG's biography he spoke about how much he learned from kicking practice with Wilkinson and Lions coaches on tour. He had thought he was a good kicker, and only when working with better players and coaches did he realise just how much he had yet to learn. No disrespect to Connacht, they just don't have funds for top class resources.

It's the same with Keatley, when he works with O'Gara and better coaches at Munster and Ireland I'm sure he'll improve his set piece skills quite dramatically.

Monty Burnz · 05-09-2011 12:41PM

ambid wrote: »

It's the same with Keatley, when he works with O'Gara and better coaches at Munster and Ireland I'm sure he'll improve his set piece skills quite dramatically.

How come Buckley is still a useless kicker so?

the_blackstuff · 05-09-2011 12:55PM

Monty Burnz wrote: »

How come Buckley is still a useless kicker so?

I wonder that every day. Doesn't add up does it :rolleyes:

PhatPiggins · 05-09-2011 04:13PM

ambid wrote: »

In fairness, I don't think that's a valid comparison.

Buckley is 31 and Keatley is 24. The only people who still think Buckley will fulfill his potential seems to be the Ireland coaches.

In ROG's biography he spoke about how much he learned from kicking practice with Wilkinson and Lions coaches on tour. He had thought he was a good kicker, and only when working with better players and coaches did he realise just how much he had yet to learn. No disrespect to Connacht, they just don't have funds for top class resources.

It's the same with Keatley, when he works with O'Gara and better coaches at Munster and Ireland I'm sure he'll improve his set piece skills quite dramatically.

I'd be fairly confident that Jaco was taking the piss with Buckley. I find reading entire posts helps!

jacothelad · 05-09-2011 04:20PM

Monty Burnz wrote: »

How come Buckley is still a useless kicker so?

He might be a better kicker than a prop.

PhatPiggins · 05-09-2011 04:21PM

the_blackstuff wrote: »

I agree with the above. I was at the match on Saturday and a side from the 2 missed penalties (one of which was a long way out) and a couple of missed touches he did ok. You have to remember he's coming from connaught who play the game very different. Ian has pulled connaught through so many games over the last few years. He will only get better. On the plus side he defended well and carried the ball well on a few occasions and didn't turn it over! I could be wrong but i seem to remember reading a while back that his stats were every bit as good as ROG's. He will be ok, just give him a few weeks

I agree with a lot of what you're saying but I don't see how Connachts style of play would affect his ability to kick goals and make touch. I'm not trying to single you out its just I've seen it used as an excuse a half dozen times this weekend and I think its horse poo.

profitius · 05-09-2011 04:26PM

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I agree with a lot of what you're saying but I don't see how Connachts style of play would affect his ability to kick goals and make touch. I'm not trying to single you out its just I've seen it used as an excuse a half dozen times this weekend and I think its horse poo.

Paul Warwick improved greatly at Munster so there is merit in thinking Keatley can.

ambid · 05-09-2011 04:36PM

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I'd be fairly confident that Jaco was taking the piss with Buckley. I find reading entire posts helps!

Yeah fair point

I do think Keatley is getting a little bit of unfair criticism here though.

PhatPiggins · 05-09-2011 04:36PM

profitius wrote: »

Paul Warwick improved greatly at Munster so there is merit in thinking Keatley can.

I completely agree with that. What did he do wrong against the Dragons? Missed a few kicks and missed touch a few times. If someone could tell me how thats the fault of Connachts style of play I'd be grateful.

siltirocker · 05-09-2011 05:19PM

@ Phat Phiggins

Keatley hit 83% of his kicks last year.

@ profitus

I disagree regarding Warwick. I don't believe that at all. Granted he didn't play FB with Connacht but I believed he was a (marginally) better player with them from midfield. (That being said, i din't think he was poorer by any means at Munster).

I think it'll take him a few weeks to settle like he did at Connacht. He was quite poor when he started then from October onwards he was sensational. Leinster fans calling for him back, Man of the match performances against Munster & Leinster, Irish Independent nominee for Sports Star of the year, etc.

He needs the back line to adjust to his strengths and vice-versa. Great at breaking the line, grubbers, defense, shooter defense, etc which he has shown at Connacht and the preseason games. Best of luck to him I say.

Regards the criticism, I could name many a times in major games when Sexton has missed touch, but he is still number one for a reason. Slight unfair criticism i believe.

phog · 05-09-2011 05:31PM

Judging Keatley or any player on one game is just plain stupid, if he gets a decent run of games this season then judge him over the season.

phog · 05-09-2011 07:26PM

Near Clean Bill Of Health From The Weekend.

5 September 2011, 2:21 pm By The Editor

Munster report a near clean bill of health from the opening RaboDirect PRO12 League 20-12 victory over Newport Gwent Dragons at Musgrave Park.

Hooker Mike Sherry picked up a slight shoulder injury and a decision on his participation in the game against Glasgow will be delayed until later in the week. Further good news is that BJ Botha is back training this week while Darragh Hurley is expected to resume training next week.
Botha's progress will be monitored this week before a decision is made on whether or not he'll be included in the squad for Glasgow and the same applies with Ian Nagle who picked up a shoulder knock against London Irish.

Tomas O'Leary's activity continues to be confined to the gym as he rehabs his lower back injury and Felix Jones sees a London based specialist later this week to have his foot injury further assessed.

Meanwhile Tony McGahan having reviewed the video today saw no reason to alter his opinion of the performance. " I was pleased with certain aspects of the game. Certainly our second half defence was very solid. In a lot of our attack we were able to hold some good shape and put Dragons under a lot of pressure. But some inaccuracy in our kicking a few areas like that we'd like to take forward this week but overall a solid performance."

He also expressed his satisfaction with the two tries scored. "The second try was certainly off the training pitch. An executed first phase is always nice to complete. To get one so early in the season is great but some really good execution there. Then a lot of people involved in the first. Some really good counter play, good interchange play. Excellent delayed pass from Ian Keatley, great work by Johne Murphy and then a super back-up line by Danny Barnes.

"You work to progress the skills of the players and to see them linked together like that was pleasing. It would have been nice to get a few more and we created some good opportunities but look overall as I said, happy with that."

Peach of a try

not sure that we'd score it against a better defensive team but still a great try and good throw from Sherry to get his man.

Tefral · 05-09-2011 08:03PM

Programme on Setanta at 9.30 about Munster Rugby

phog · 07-09-2011 08:32PM

Wally has tweeted that he's back in gym tomorrow.

Risteard · 08-09-2011 09:28AM

Munster today announced that they have signed Queensland Reds Centre/Wing Will Chambers on a short term contract subject to being granted a valid work permit and undergoing medical and fitness clearance.
The 23 year old (6'3") spent the past two seasons with the current Super 15 champions and prior to that played Rugby League with Melbourne Storm.

He made his Super Rugby debut off the bench against NSW Waratahs in Feb 2010 in the Suncorp Stadium but soon after cemented his place as first choice centre ending that season as joint leading try scorer.

Tony McGahan: "We're delighted to be able to secure the services of a quality player whose experience gleaned at Super 15 club level will stand us in good stead in the immediate future while our players are on RWC duty and in the crucial period of the Heineken Cup Pool stages."

Link

Tbh, I'm not sure what the purpose of this signing is.

It's only a short term contract to cover ''while our players are on RWC duty and in the crucial period of the Heineken Cup Pool stages."

The only centre/wing we have at the WC is Earls. Does this suggest Barnes/Zebo/Hurley isn't going to get a shot at the HC?

Now it's quite possible he'll be amazing when he comes over and that'd be great but, I'd like to have seen more of the players we have get an opportunity.

GerM · 08-09-2011 09:42AM

I reckon it's a wait and see signing. If he is successful, the contract will be extended. He's no longer with the Reds, they released him a month ago so he's playing for a contract. Interesting signing.

wixfjord · 08-09-2011 09:48AM

Interesting one indeed. There's probably another new signing on the way, I'd still reckon. How many NIQ does this bring them up to now?

Am I correct in saying that this guy is really really quick?

GerM · 08-09-2011 09:53AM

wixfjord wrote: »

Interesting one indeed. There's probably another new signing on the way, I'd still reckon. How many NIQ does this bring them up to now?

Chambers brings them up to their limit. Botha, Howlett, Mafi, Chambers, WdP and Borlase. Either Chambers moves on or no more NIQ signings.

Don't know a huge amount about him. He seems to be a decent enough player but not at the top level. I didn't really notice him this year in the S15 anyway but he only had a couple of starts. Still young and is a big bloke also. Very much up in the air as to how he works out. He's a 13 more often than not though so it would seem Danny Barnes might be dropping down the pecking order again.

Risteard · 08-09-2011 09:55AM

GerM wrote: »

I reckon it's a wait and see signing. If he is successful, the contract will be extended. He's no longer with the Reds, they released him a month ago so he's playing for a contract. Interesting signing.

I hadn't realised that he was released, it's quite possible then that this could be a 'trial period' as you say, in which case it wouldn't be as confusing.

Though I hope it's not to the detriment of Barnes who should be given a chance in the HC.

theboss80 · 08-09-2011 09:58AM

He was Reds joint top try scorer I read is that right?

touts · 08-09-2011 10:00AM

He is so good the Reds have been trying to get rid of him for months. And this was the "world class centre" we were promised.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/queensland-reds-centre-will-chambers-uncertain-of-future-in-rugby-after-struggling-with-form-in-2011/story-e6frf4qu-1226054820858

JustinDee · 08-09-2011 10:03AM

GerM wrote: »

Chambers brings them up to their limit. Botha, Howlett, Mafi, Chambers, WdP and Borlase. Either Chambers moves on or no more NIQ signings.

Don't know a huge amount about him. He seems to be a decent enough player but not at the top level. I didn't really notice him this year in the S15 anyway but he only had a couple of starts. Still young and is a big bloke also. Very much up in the air as to how he works out. He's a 13 more often than not though so it would seem Danny Barnes might be dropping down the pecking order again.

He was a very promising NRL player (at centre mainly) and would have done even better had he stayed on. Other teams were offering big money for him.
Strong runner with a wicked offload.

phog · 08-09-2011 10:29AM

He's only 23 so I hope he's better than our own or it's a waste of a signing. I wonder is the short term signing a wait and see will he perform or is do we need a back rower.

I wonder does he cover fullback, with Jones out it would be great to have options for cover there too.

am I missing something - -when doe he arrive to us?

Monty Burnz · 08-09-2011 10:32AM

phog wrote: »

I wonder doe she cover fullback

She do. :pac:

ormond lad · 08-09-2011 11:24AM

Four Changes For Trip To Scotland.
7 September 2011, 11:16 am
By The Editor

One change to the backline, three up front is what Munster are serving up for the trip to Glasgow and the RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Sean Lineen's Warriors on Friday night (7.30).

That sole backline change sees Simon Zebo slot into the left wing berth at the expense of Denis Hurley who picked up a slight hamstring injury last Saturday while in the front row, Tony McGahan by and large, just reverses the order from last weekend, with Wian du Preez, Damien Varley and John Hayes starting on this occasion ahead of Marcus Horan and Stephen Archer. Mike Sherry misses out with a shoulder knock sustained against Dragons.
Following their defeat in Ravenhill, Lineen was keen to accentuate the positives although bemoaning the fact that their usually reliable line-out didn't function while admitting they may have been the architects of their own downfall giving away two intercept tries.
McGahan for his part expressed his pleasure with his side's first half performance but can have been none too pleased with a second half that saw Munster at one stage reduced to thirteen after Damien Varley was yellow carded, Peter O'Mahony already in the bin, Lifeimi Mafi not long back on before the skipper took his place.
"We had three (cards) against London Irish the week before and we had three against Dragons. Clearly not good enough. he said."
Nor was he using the referee's relative inexperience as an excuse for his players. "Not at all. We need to cop on to that regardless of the referee's interpretation. There will be some 50/50 calls. Same for both sides. But we saw retaliation, repeated penalties, high tackles. That's not what we're about. We need to address that."
What must have pleased him though was the rear-guard action Munster mounted in that period that saw the visitors restricted to just two penalties. He will look for more of the same tomorrow in a fixture that has always been one of the most difficult of the season.
Munster: J Murphy; D Howlett, D Barnes, L Mafi, S Zebo; I Keatley, P Stringer; W du Preez, D Varley, J Hayes; B Holland, M O'Driscoll; P O'Mahony capt, N Ronan, J Coughlan. Replacements: D Fogarty, M Horan, S Archer, D Foley, T O'Donnell, D Williams, S Deasy, T Gleeson
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/9366.php

Flincher · 08-09-2011 11:39AM

He's not a bad player. He had an excellent 2010 when I thought he was going to break in to the Wallabies squad, and he struggled a bit for form last year. He's not the lovechild of Nonu and Fourie but I've no doubt he'll cover 13 and wing if needed to a decent enough standard for us. There's no suggestion of Barnes or anyone else slipping down the pecking order.

touts wrote: »

He is so good the Reds have been trying to get rid of him for months. And this was the "world class centre" we were promised.

Firstly, I don't recall us being promised a world class centre, but the reality is we're short bodies across the backline. Who is our next option after Barnes? Look at the string of players that are missing out tomorrow. Substitute Sherry and Hurley for Barnes and Mafi and we're in serious trouble. It's a short term deal, worse case scenario it offers us cover in an area we're weak. Best case, he replicates his 2010 form, adapts well to NH rugby, and we've a star on our hands.

Secondly, this doesn't rule out a world class player being brought in after the World Cup. Dougie joined us in January. There's no reason why a new signing could not do the same, and take a short break after the World Cup before joining us after Christmas, or whenever Chambers' contract is up.

sock puppet · 08-09-2011 01:08PM

JustinDee wrote: »

He was a very promising NRL player (at centre mainly) and would have done even better had he stayed on. Other teams were offering big money for him.
Strong runner with a wicked offload.

He still does have a few offers doesn't he? No guarantee he'll want to stay on after his contract's up.

Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

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