Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

durkadurka · 16-01-2012 03:04PM

Cruciate = season ending ?

Gutted for him, he'd stepped up to the mark

Fireball07 · 16-01-2012 03:23PM

durkadurka wrote: »

Cruciate = season ending ?

Gutted for him, he'd stepped up to the mark

Generally about 8 months...

onlyrocknroll · 16-01-2012 03:34PM

durkadurka wrote: »

Gutted for him, he'd stepped up to the mark

It's a real shame, I was delighted to see him answer his critics* this season.

*I like to pretend that I wasn't one of them.

totallegend · 16-01-2012 03:50PM

profitius wrote: »

I'd go along with that. Munster are probably one of the worst attacking teams in the tournament. Thats saying something and is a very bad reflection on Jason Holland and McGahan.

At least its an area Munster can rapidly improve on if they make a few changes in the summer.

Apart from getting rid of Holland, what do you think they can change?

With Howlett's contract expiring at the end of this year (correct?), they have scope to sign another NIQ and a decent inside-centre has to be top of their list, but is it going to be enough?

Watching the game on Saturday, I was begging O'Gara to take the ball flatter and attack the line. Sitting back and pushing kicks into the corner is only going to get you so far, he has to take the ball on more, that would be a step in the right direction.

Podge_irl · 16-01-2012 04:03PM

totallegend wrote: »

Watching the game on Saturday, I was begging O'Gara to take the ball flatter and attack the line. Sitting back and pushing kicks into the corner is only going to get you so far, he has to take the ball on more, that would be a step in the right direction.

He can't take the ball on though. He just isn't secure enough going into contact. He's certainly not going to get better at that at this stage of his career either, only worse.

profitius · 16-01-2012 06:11PM

totallegend wrote: »

Apart from getting rid of Holland, what do you think they can change?

With Howlett's contract expiring at the end of this year (correct?), they have scope to sign another NIQ and a decent inside-centre has to be top of their list, but is it going to be enough?

Watching the game on Saturday, I was begging O'Gara to take the ball flatter and attack the line. Sitting back and pushing kicks into the corner is only going to get you so far, he has to take the ball on more, that would be a step in the right direction.

Holland, Mafi and Gleeson should be left go. Chambers will be going too. Get in a top class center, let Barnes play as 12, Earls on the wing, Jones, Howlett (I'd say he'll stay for another season) back to full fitness with Zebo, O'Dea, and Scanlon as back up players for the back 3.

Center is the obvious problem. Mafi isn't the answer. Might be a useful squad player. I'd like Munster to get one of the Ulster centers. Ian Witten would be very useful player. Hes big, solid with decent hands.

jacothelad · 16-01-2012 06:19PM

profitius wrote: »

Holland, Mafi and Gleeson should be left go. Chambers will be going too. Get in a top class center, let Barnes play as 12, Earls on the wing, Jones, Howlett (I'd say he'll stay for another season) back to full fitness with Zebo, O'Dea, and Scanlon as back up players for the back 3.

Center is the obvious problem. Mafi isn't the answer. Might be a useful squad player. I'd like Munster to get one of the Ulster centers. Ian Witten would be very useful player. Hes big, solid with decent hands.

Whitten would be a great signing for Munster, Luke Marshall would be even better. Also, Michael Allen would give them other options at 13. Ulster have Wallace, Whitten, Marshall, Farrell and Spence to play 12 plus a few others. Time for the IRFU to look at real possibilities for maximising the spread of talent. Sadly, for many players from Munster or Leinster or Connacht going to Ulster is out of the question because of the tax break at retirement.

profitius · 16-01-2012 06:27PM

jacothelad wrote: »

Whitten would be a great signing for Munster, Luke Marshall would be even better. Also, Michael Allen would give them other options at 13. Ulster have Wallace, Whitten, Marshall, Farrell and Spence to play 12 plus a few others. Time for the IRFU to look at real possibilities for maximising the spread of talent. Sadly, for many players from Munster or Leinster or Connacht going to Ulster is out of the question because of the tax break at retirement.

Luke Marshall would be a great signing but I doubt Ulster would want him to leave.

phog · 16-01-2012 06:32PM

jacothelad wrote: »

Whitten would be a great signing for Munster, Luke Marshall would be even better. Also, Michael Allen would give them other options at 13. Ulster have Wallace, Whitten, Marshall, Farrell and Spence to play 12 plus a few others. Time for the IRFU to look at real possibilities for maximising the spread of talent. Sadly, for many players from Munster or Leinster or Connacht going to Ulster is out of the question because of the tax break at retirement.

There's a whole thread somewhere on that and it's not getting a great welcome

[Jackass] · 16-01-2012 06:42PM

durkadurka wrote: »

Cruciate = season ending ?

Ended my career!

If it didn't, O'Gara would have about 20 Irish caps.

CiaranMT · 16-01-2012 06:49PM

profitius wrote: »

Holland, Mafi and Gleeson should be left go. Chambers will be going too. Get in a top class center, let Barnes play as 12, Earls on the wing, Jones, Howlett (I'd say he'll stay for another season) back to full fitness with Zebo, O'Dea, and Scanlon as back up players for the back 3.

Center is the obvious problem. Mafi isn't the answer. Might be a useful squad player. I'd like Munster to get one of the Ulster centers. Ian Witten would be very useful player. Hes big, solid with decent hands.

Tbh what we need, first and foremost, is a backs coach to replace Dutchy. Even with the players we have, a top coach can make a world of difference.

Some squad suggestions which will likely never happen...

Regarding the squad, if the hype around Hanrahan is to be believed, he could be getting involved at 10 next season, may leave Keatley being played at 12. Not a bad option to have in terms of game control, but I can't imagine it'd be a great defensive line-up.

Anybody else think Mafi would make a good wing? Working on the proviso that Dougie won't be around next season, he could make a damn fine 14. Probably hasn't got absolute blinding pace, but he's explosively quick off the mark, extremely powerful for his size, and has a great step. Strong in defence and the best thing is he isn't in control of distribution. Can't imagine positioning for kicks would be something he naturally has though.

Du Preez's contract is up in May, it'll be interesting to see how Munster go about replacing. Horan's career is winding down, and we'll have limited enough options with the NIQ changes coming in the season after next w/regard to signing a prop for more than a year. Hurley can't be relied upon, really, either. Any decent Irish unknowns floating around at loosehead?

thomond2006 · 16-01-2012 07:06PM

Has du Preez not signed an extension already? In any case, I'd keep him for another season at least, till the dictats come into force.

ed7890 · 16-01-2012 07:11PM

CiaranMT wrote: »

Du Preez's contract is up in May, it'll be interesting to see how Munster go about replacing. Horan's career is winding down, and we'll have limited enough options with the NIQ changes coming in the season after next w/regard to signing a prop for more than a year. Hurley can't be relied upon, really, either. Any decent Irish unknowns floating around at loosehead?

Somebody on MunsterFans was saying he signed a new 2 year deal before christmas

SomeFool · 16-01-2012 07:14PM

will Munster make another short-trem NIQ signing to replace Chambers when he leaves? Have they an option to add again to the HC squad for the knockouts?

CIARAN_BOYLE · 16-01-2012 10:01PM

SomeFool wrote: »

will Munster make another short-trem NIQ signing to replace Chambers when he leaves? Have they an option to add again to the HC squad for the knockouts?

They have options but they would need to space to add players left out of the squad through injury back in ie Wallace Jones and Flannery

CatFromHue · 16-01-2012 11:49PM

ed7890 wrote: »

Unfortunately the word on MunsterFans is that Ronan has done his cruciate. What a sickener, the guy was going so well.

Munster will be without openside flanker Niall Ronan for their clash with the Northampton Saints on Sunday.

The 29-year-old limped off against Castres after just 13 minutes and the Celtic league champions have confirmed he will miss the trip to Franklin's Gardens. The Munster statement read: "Ronan had a scan today that showed he's suffered ligament damage to his left knee but he will have to have further examination before the full extent of the injury can be ascertained.

http://www.espnscrum.com/heineken-cup-2011-12/rugby/story/157718.html

If he's tore his cruciate would they not know in two days? It doesn't sound good whatever it is but maybe not as bad as a torn cruciate.

Fireball07 · 16-01-2012 11:57PM

CiaranMT wrote: »

Tbh what we need, first and foremost, is a backs coach to replace Dutchy. Even with the players we have, a top coach can make a world of difference.

Some squad suggestions which will likely never happen...

Regarding the squad, if the hype around Hanrahan is to be believed, he could be getting involved at 10 next season, may leave Keatley being played at 12. Not a bad option to have in terms of game control, but I can't imagine it'd be a great defensive line-up.

Anybody else think Mafi would make a good wing? Working on the proviso that Dougie won't be around next season, he could make a damn fine 14. Probably hasn't got absolute blinding pace, but he's explosively quick off the mark, extremely powerful for his size, and has a great step. Strong in defence and the best thing is he isn't in control of distribution. Can't imagine positioning for kicks would be something he naturally has though.

Or it could be Keatley at 10 and Hanrahan at 12. Hanrahan seems to have played most of the B & I Cup games at 12. He should probably be breaking into the team for pro12 games next season.

Mafi's played wing before, he's done okay. But I think O'Dea looks really promising, and we already have Zebo and Earls too. Murphy is someone I don't think is good enough for HC. He's versatile so maybe he should be kept around but he's not really good enough imo.

jacothelad wrote: »

Whitten would be a great signing for Munster, Luke Marshall would be even better. Also, Michael Allen would give them other options at 13. Ulster have Wallace, Whitten, Marshall, Farrell and Spence to play 12 plus a few others. Time for the IRFU to look at real possibilities for maximising the spread of talent. Sadly, for many players from Munster or Leinster or Connacht going to Ulster is out of the question because of the tax break at retirement.

I can't see Ulster letting Marshall go, since he's supposed to be the most promising out of all their centres. Could Spence possibly be persuaded to leave? If in the long-term, he'll be behind Marshall and Cave?? He can play at 12, 13 and has played on the wing too so he'd be very useful, but I can't see Ulster wanting either of the 2 to lead.

Eoin Griffin would be a fantastic signing too, but again Connacht won't want him to leave. And he's just signed a new contract.

PhatPiggins · 17-01-2012 12:21AM

Podge_irl wrote: »

He can't take the ball on though. He just isn't secure enough going into contact. He's certainly not going to get better at that at this stage of his career either, only worse.

He doesn't necessarily have to take it into contact much. If he took it flatter he would at least give the centres more time on the ball.

I lost count of the number of times Mafi had to cut back towards the pack on Saturday. By the time he gets the ball he's soo deep that Castres inside centre was on top of him and their outside had gone past him blocking any chance of a pass to Earls. Makes Mafi look like a one dimensional crash baller, well more so than he actually is anyway.

NikNak8 · 17-01-2012 11:52AM

Any thoughts on moving Hurley into 1st Centre. His distribution has improved greatly and is good at offloading in the tackle and is big and strong in the Halsted/Tipoki mould. Don't think he has the pace required for wing/fullback. Has he ever played there befor? I think he is worth a try in the Rabo especially when Jones is back.

thomond2006 · 17-01-2012 06:04PM

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/9991.php

Christy Condon replaces John Hayes in the HEC squad while Felix Jones replaces the now cup tied Peter Stringer.

Borlase is clearly out in the cold now.

CatFromHue · 17-01-2012 06:17PM

Who's Christy Condon? He's not listed on either the Senior or Academy profile pages on the Munster website.

Just from looking at the past 2 B&I Cup games he has started both and then been replaced by Borlase towards the end of the game.

ormond lad · 17-01-2012 06:21PM

CatFromHue wrote: »

Who's Christy Condon? He's not listed on either the Senior or Academy profile pages on the Munster website.

Just from looking at the past 2 B&I Cup games he has started both and then been replaced by Borlase towards the end of the game.

Dolphin prop, signed 6 month training contract with munster before start of season

ed7890 · 17-01-2012 06:42PM

ormond lad wrote: »

Dolphin prop, signed 6 month training contract with munster before start of season

Whats the story with him, I've never seen him play. Is he young or old, is he any good?

phog · 17-01-2012 07:40PM

This season he's played for Munster A against Connacht in TP, Cornish Pirates in Clonmel, Ayr in Tralee and Moseley (England) in which he scored a try.

durkadurka · 17-01-2012 08:12PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/9991.php

Christy Condon replaces John Hayes in the HEC squad while Felix Jones replaces the now cup tied Peter Stringer.

Borlase is clearly out in the cold now.

I notice no attempt to bring back Fla or Wallace.

Edit: just noticed there's another chance before the qf so no surprise then.

colmll · 17-01-2012 09:46PM

What's the story with Borlase? He was supposed to be the "great white hope". Has anyone seen him play with the A team?

PhatPiggins · 17-01-2012 10:27PM

colmll wrote: »

What's the story with Borlase? He was supposed to be the "great white hope". Has anyone seen him play with the A team?

No one of merit was claiming he was the great white hope. He was a bit part NPC player before he got here not a 100 cap Super Rugby player. Project players are a punt, some/most don't work out.

Podge_irl · 18-01-2012 12:34AM

PhatPiggins wrote: »

He doesn't necessarily have to take it into contact much. If he took it flatter he would at least give the centres more time on the ball.

I lost count of the number of times Mafi had to cut back towards the pack on Saturday. By the time he gets the ball he's soo deep that Castres inside centre was on top of him and their outside had gone past him blocking any chance of a pass to Earls. Makes Mafi look like a one dimensional crash baller, well more so than he actually is anyway.

If you take the ball to the line you have to be willing to take it into contact though. The reason the likes of Sexton are better at getting their backs moving is because they offer a variety of options with the ball. He can run straight and pass on the gain line or truck it up, sometimes offloading in the tackle. He fixes a defender no matter what which will free up space out wide, especially with his excellent pass. If ROG goes up to the gain line, people still know he is going to pass because if he doesn't there is a massive chance he will lose the ball. So the defenders are already drifting out to the centres who aren't great to begin with. It's unfortunate as ROG could really release players with his pass (and he did in his early career in fairness) but he simply offers no penetration anymore.

While Munster's 41 phases to get their drop goal against NH was impressive, there is a reason it took 41 phases...

touts · 18-01-2012 06:47AM

PhatPiggins wrote: »

No one of merit was claiming he was the great white hope. He was a bit part NPC player before he got here not a 100 cap Super Rugby player. Project players are a punt, some/most don't work out.

I take it that fella Ryan who just appeared on the pitch one day is gone also. Borlase, Chambers, and a couple of seemingly random selections from the AIL. McGahan is a f**king magnet for attracting world class players. :mad:

thomond2006 · 18-01-2012 07:41PM

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/10001.php

Niall Ronan gone for the season - confirmed by Munster.

Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

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