Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

Fireball07 · 05-12-2011 01:51AM

I'd have to disagree. Howlett makes a few mistakes but he's human, everyone does. I think he makes fewer than the majority of players and he's a very solid defender.

phog · 05-12-2011 07:26AM

The stats for our backs from the W/C - I know stats dont tell the full story but it gives a view of each of the players.

Player Caps Min Try Kick Pass Run MR CB DB OL TO Tackle Mis T Pen
Tommy Bowe 4 320 2 7 13 23 200 2 5 2 8 8 2 1
Gordon D'Arcy 4 290 0 0 18 24 101 2 4 0 4 18 2 0
Keith Earls 5 360 5 2 17 34 241 2 6 3 6 10 1 0
Rob Kearney 4 315 1 12 17 36 240 0 6 5 5 7 1 1
Fergus McFadden 1 80 1 1 6 10 71 0 0 1 2 2 1 0
Brian O'Driscoll 4 314 1 9 21 18 84 3 0 2 5 25 3 0
Andrew Trimble 5 122 1 2 4 11 106 3 4 0 1 2 1 0

profitius · 05-12-2011 07:38AM

Earls' weaknesses get highlighted possibly more than any other player I'd say. As a Munster fan, we have more solid players but Earls gives the team an extra attacking dimension. His try scoring record for Munster is impressive especially considering the backline he has to play in.

On a positive note, Denis Hurley should be kept at 15. He has been superb in the last 2 games and his offloads set up many attacking opportunities. Swap himself and Murphy for the weekend.

GerM · 05-12-2011 08:13AM

For the record, I said Earls wouldn't make Munster any stronger for this game, not that he would weaken them. I said Scarlets would look to attack him with their big runners which several teams have done in the past.

He's fantastic with the ball in hand and running but, more than likely, those opportunities won't be presenting themselves next week unless Munster try to beat Llanelli at their own game.

Some of the responses have been beyond precious, bordering on the infantile. Reasoned debate is way beyond some people it would seem.

profitius · 05-12-2011 08:33AM

GerM wrote: »

For the record, I said Earls wouldn't make Munster any stronger for this game, not that he would weaken them. I said Scarlets would look to attack him with their big runners which several teams have done in the past.

He's fantastic with the ball in hand and running but, more than likely, those opportunities won't be presenting themselves next week unless Munster try to beat Llanelli at their own game.

Some of the responses have been beyond precious, bordering on the infantile. Reasoned debate is way beyond some people it would seem.

You might be right because the way Munster are playing Earls might not get any ball to cause damage.

Its a big area of concern for me. Jason Holland looks out of his depth and I'm not sure if McGahan has much of a clue about it either. When Munster play Llanelli next weekend they'll have to keep it tight because Llanelli are far more dangerous attacking than Munster.

Benny Cake · 05-12-2011 09:00AM

phog wrote: »

The stats for our backs from the W/C - I know stats dont tell the full story but it gives a view of each of the players.

Player Caps Min Try Kick Pass Run MR CB DB OL TO Tackle Mis T Pen
Tommy Bowe 4 320 2 7 13 23 200 2 5 2 8 8 2 1
Gordon D'Arcy 4 290 0 0 18 24 101 2 4 0 4 18 2 0
Keith Earls 5 360 5 2 17 34 241 2 6 3 6 10 1 0
Rob Kearney 4 315 1 12 17 36 240 0 6 5 5 7 1 1
Fergus McFadden 1 80 1 1 6 10 71 0 0 1 2 2 1 0
Brian O'Driscoll 4 314 1 9 21 18 84 3 0 2 5 25 3 0
Andrew Trimble 5 122 1 2 4 11 106 3 4 0 1 2 1 0

Jesus Phog! Facts like these have no place on the boards rugby forum!!

Now, back to the Earls bashing......

phog · 05-12-2011 09:19AM

GerM wrote: »

For the record, I said Earls wouldn't make Munster any stronger for this game, not that he would weaken them. I said Scarlets would look to attack him with their big runners which several teams have done in the past.

He's fantastic with the ball in hand and running but, more than likely, those opportunities won't be presenting themselves next week unless Munster try to beat Llanelli at their own game.

Some of the responses have been beyond precious, bordering on the infantile. Reasoned debate is way beyond some people it would seem.

For the record, I've said that Earls has weaknesses but imho his defence is no more suspect than what's currently available to Munster and his attack is far more cutting and we may need to to take any scoring opportunity that we get.

In backing up your initial post by naming players that have retired or that are out injured for a game that's to be played next week is so far off the mark it beggars belief.

Burgo · 05-12-2011 10:37AM

Anyone catch off the ball last week? Pretty good interview with DOC.

http://media.newstalk.ie/podcast_xml.php?id=8644 (for some reason it won't work in chrome for me

)

smurphy29 · 05-12-2011 11:10AM

Benny Cake wrote: »

Jesus Phog! Facts like these have no place on the boards rugby forum!!

Now, back to the Earls bashing......

Those stats are a nonsense. Ealrs missed five of eight attempted tackles in the Wales match alone.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=522&objectid=10758271

bamboozle · 05-12-2011 11:13AM

smurphy29 wrote: »

Those stats are a nonsense. Ealrs missed five of eight attempted tackles in the Wales match alone.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=522&objectid=10758271

and he knocked on in contact in the first minute of that game which saw Wales go up the other end and score their opening try. Great finished but he needs to work on strength and defence.

smurphy29 · 05-12-2011 11:53AM

I like Earls and think he has huge value to Ireland as an outastanding finisher - he is far better at this skill than Luke or Trimble, and this is borne out by his try count. But if people think he is a good, solid defender they are living in cloud cookoo-land.

Benny Cake · 05-12-2011 12:07PM

smurphy29 wrote: »

I like Earls and think he has huge value to Ireland as an outastanding finisher - he is far better at this skill than Luke or Trimble, and this is borne out by his try count. But if people think he is a good, solid defender they are living in cloud cookoo-land.

I dont think anybody here defending Earls would mantain his defence is as solid as it needs to be. What started all this was someone saying Munster would not benifet from Earls' presence in the team against the Scarelts this weekend. That, IMO, is just plain wrong...

GerM wrote: »

Win the set piece and the forward battle and you win the game. The backs need to make their tackles when called upon. Earls wouldn't make Munster any stronger for this particular game. In fact, I think the Scarlets would look to target him. Their back line will only be as good as the ball they get.

jm08 · 05-12-2011 01:03PM

smurphy29 wrote: »

Those stats are a nonsense. Ealrs missed five of eight attempted tackles in the Wales match alone.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=522&objectid=10758271

These stats could also be a nonense if you consider that elsewhere on the site the author states clearly that if a player is assisted with the tackle, the first to the tackle is regarded as not having made the tackle. According to this statistician its: ' Either you're nailing the ball carrier or you've stuffed it up! '

Secondly, its useful if the person doing the stats can actually count, add and substract.

from the comments to the link you supplied.

Golden Oldie (New Zealand)
08:41 AM Wednesday, 12 Oct 2011
The stats don't lie ? I quote "South Africa conceded just four penalties, which was three less than their tournament average of 9.25 per match during pool play" ! Hmmm when I went to school 4 + 3 = 7. Please take a course in arithmetic before starting your career as a statistician, Tracey.

phog · 05-12-2011 01:07PM

smurphy29 wrote: »

Those stats are a nonsense. Ealrs missed five of eight attempted tackles in the Wales match alone.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=522&objectid=10758271

The Stats I quoted are from Scrum.com.

GerM · 05-12-2011 05:43PM

phog wrote: »

In backing up your initial post by naming players that have retired or that are out injured for a game that's to be played next week is so far off the mark it beggars belief.

You're either being deliberately obtuse or simply incapable of grasping the example I was using to illustrate a point i.e. the best players overall aren't always the best selection for a particular game. The fact that the players are unavailable was completely erroneous to the point being made (given that I actually acknowledged that in my post).

RuggieBear · 05-12-2011 06:46PM

and that's enough on that please. move on.

thomond2006 · 05-12-2011 09:16PM

http://www.rugbynetwork.net/boards/read/s104.htm?107,12881860

Sarries fans are delira with Stringer's arrival!

phog · 05-12-2011 09:29PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

http://www.rugbynetwork.net/boards/read/s104.htm?107,12881860

Sarries fans are delira with Stringer's arrival!

Why wouldnt they, they got a gem there and I really hope it pays off for them and Stringer. If he gets H/Cup gametime then other options might open up for him.

As an aside, I'd love to see him get the 2 caps to bring him to the 100 for his country.

Podge_irl · 05-12-2011 09:31PM

Would have been brilliant if he'd gone to Connacht this year.

phog · 05-12-2011 09:35PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

http://heroesrugby.org.uk/teams/

Gleeson is not in the lineup anymore.

Dont know what happened with the lineup, first Gleeson was named then seemed to have been dropped but he played on Saturday and had a decent enough game. Quinny was Quinny, had a couple of jokes with Chris White during the game.

It turned out to be a good game of rugby too much better than the Ba Bas match the previous week.

phog · 05-12-2011 09:36PM

Podge_irl wrote: »

Would have been brilliant if he'd gone to Connacht this year.

Yes, especially since they got into the H/C.

thomond2006 · 05-12-2011 09:38PM

phog wrote: »

Dont know what happened with the lineup, first Gleeson was named then seemed to have been dropped but he played on Saturday and had a decent enough game.

I thought he might have been withdrawn to be 24th man in Wales.

Legion2008 · 05-12-2011 11:25PM

Poite to ref the game this weekend

Cpt_Blackbeard · 05-12-2011 11:31PM

Just thought that I'd say that I saw Sherry in the UL library today. He was wearing a brace on his foot so, I'd safely say that he is still a bit away from a full recovery.

thomond2006 · 05-12-2011 11:39PM

We need him back soon...

Fireball07 · 05-12-2011 11:51PM

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Just thought that I'd say that I saw Sherry in the UL library today. He was wearing a brace on his foot so, I'd safely say that he is still a bit away from a full recovery.

In the library?

Studying something?

Pity about his injury...he's not played many games but he seems lesser error-prone than Varley and certainly Fogarty.

I'm really worried about the Llanelli game tbh.

CiaranMT · 05-12-2011 11:58PM

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Just thought that I'd say that I saw Sherry in the UL library today. He was wearing a brace on his foot so, I'd safely say that he is still a bit away from a full recovery.

Has been for quite a while.

Still throwing dead as an arrow on the sprint track though

budhabob · 06-12-2011 03:34PM

Just read on breakingnews, Dougie is out for the season. Fecking disaster. http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/rugby/howlett-out-for-the-season-531180.html

RuggieBear · 06-12-2011 03:35PM

wow. that's ****

ed7890 · 06-12-2011 03:37PM

What a disaster

Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

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