Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

profitius · 19-01-2012 02:03PM

No Borlaise either. A sure sign that hes on his way out.

Foxtrol · 19-01-2012 02:13PM

Podge_irl wrote: »

He hasn't exactly been sat on his arse. He played 12 Rabo games and come on in 3 HEC games. Not bad for his age. There is the problem that most of the players ahead of him are fairly young though.

I’m actually not quite sure how much more game time he'd get with Munster next season. From what I've seen from him for Leinster I don’t think he's currently a better 8 than Coughlan (generally very underrated), if Wallace stays around for another season then I presume he'll be expecting to start at 7 for the big games and that then would leave Leamy, POM and Ruddock fighting for the 6 jersey. That’s making the assumption that none of the current talked up young Munster backrows make the step up next season.

I'd be disappointed to see him leave Leinster but with SOB, Heaslip, Ryan, McLaughlin and the conveyer belt of young backrows coming through the academy it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. If he does go I wouldn't be surprised to see his brother being released by Leinster as well as from the looks of things he is only being kept around as a carrot to keep Rhys in Leinster.

phog · 19-01-2012 02:18PM

Foxtrol wrote: »

That’s making the assumption that none of the current talked up young Munster backrows make the step up next season.

I'd be disappointed to see him leave Leinster but with SOB, Heaslip, Ryan, McLaughlin and the conveyer belt of young backrows coming through the academy it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. .

So Munster's academy players are talked up while Leinster are on a conveyor belt :eek:

[If he does go I wouldn't be surprised to see his brother being released by Leinster as well as from the looks of things he is only being kept around as a carrot to keep Rhys in Leinster

Are Leinster really using that as a carrot? Naive if you ask me.

Fireball07 · 19-01-2012 02:28PM

Laulala is class, I'd love to see him at Munster. He's like Mafi at his best. Downey...meh. He's an option at least, and he does what he does well.

Ruddock could be an excellent signing. Behind fairly young players at Leinster, at Munster we have Coughlan, Wallace, Leamy and Ronan who are all aging. A future back row of Ruddock-O'Mahony-Butler could potentially be brilliant.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 19-01-2012 02:29PM

phog wrote: »

Are Leinster really using that as a carrot? Naive if you ask me.

He is decent and was borderline for the academy, there weren't really any better options at lock. He has developed into more of a 6 which won't earn him gametime in Leinster. He is likely to be released anyway since its his final year in the academy.

I doubt Leinster would keep him as a carrot for Rhys.

profitius · 19-01-2012 02:38PM

Where would Ruddock play? Will they be making a 7 out of POM?

At 6 theres Leamy and POM with DOC2 and Shane Buckley coming along. At 8 theres Coughlan and Butler. Cathal O'Flaherty is an 8 too I think although he is 6ft 6 is he could end up at blindside too.

thomond2006 · 19-01-2012 02:42PM

profitius wrote: »

No Borlaise either. A sure sign that hes on his way out.

They may be negotiating a release right now, Borlase would want a Super Rugby contract in NZ.

Foxtrol · 19-01-2012 02:51PM

phog wrote: »

So Munster's academy players are talked up while Leinster are on a conveyor belt :eek:

Well if Munsters young backrow players were more than talked up then why are they going out to sign Ruddock? If Leinster went to sign a player around the same age or younger than a number of their young players who had been hyped up here on boards then I'd also shift my opinion of how I'd rate talent coming through in that position. For example there was a bit of hype placed on the performance of Flanagan in his first start for Leinster a few weeks ago but if Leinster went out to sign Nagle then I would revise my thinking to being more talk.

Are Leinster really using that as a carrot? Naive if you ask me.

I heard it from several sources that the Ruddocks signing for Leinster were a package deal. Rhys was always seen as the one with more potential. I think it's much more naive to think that Ciaran, who is at best boarderline to kept post academy, would not be effected by the decision of his brother.

CatFromHue · 19-01-2012 02:59PM

The Super rugby season kicks off on 24 Feb and most squads were finalized before Christmas. I can't see any team being interested in Borlaise either. If he were to go home to play rugby it would be for the itm Cup which kicks off early July

Amazotheamazing · 19-01-2012 03:04PM

profitius wrote: »

No Borlaise either. A sure sign that hes on his way out.

Might be travelling as cover for the senior side. He's in the ERC squad list anyway.

Cpt_Blackbeard · 19-01-2012 03:33PM

Surprised to see that Holland is involved with the A-team. We'll definitely be seeing DOC2.0 and MOD on the bench against NH so.

phog · 20-01-2012 07:35AM

From this morning's Examiner

Schmidt sweats as Munster eye up Ruddock
By Brendan O’ Brien

Friday, January 20, 2012

LEINSTER coach Joe Schmidt is hoping Rhys Ruddock will decide to stay in Dublin as reports persist the young and versatile back-row plans a switch south to Munster.

Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/schmidt-sweats-as-munster-eye-up-ruddock-180883.html#ixzz1jyvCDEOq

on Will Chambers.

Meanwhile Will Chambers is set to play his last game in a Munster jersey tonight after signing a three-yearcontract to rejoin Australian rugby league outfit Melbourne Storm.

Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/schmidt-sweats-as-munster-eye-up-ruddock-180883.html#ixzz1jyvhviKA

funky penguin · 20-01-2012 08:08AM

GGGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't help but feel the lad needs this, for his own sake (as well as Munster's of course.....)

But still.....

GGGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE'S OURS!!!! :pac:

phog · 20-01-2012 09:07AM

Got these emailed to me today - I cant embed them as I have no access to youtube from work.

Munster V Saracens - where it all began

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb60jJSVXyc

Munster V Gloucester - Miracle match
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUv75v-G2YM

Munster V Sale
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3hYVgYE9Ks

Toulouse V Munster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFJX3JbO3vU

darragh_haven · 20-01-2012 09:41AM

Foxtrol wrote: »

Well if Munsters young backrow players were more than talked up then why are they going out to sign Ruddock? If Leinster went to sign a player around the same age or younger than a number of their young players who had been hyped up here on boards then I'd also shift my opinion of how I'd rate talent coming through in that position. For example there was a bit of hype placed on the performance of Flanagan in his first start for Leinster a few weeks ago but if Leinster went out to sign Nagle then I would revise my thinking to being more talk.

I heard it from several sources that the Ruddocks signing for Leinster were a package deal. Rhys was always seen as the one with more potential. I think it's much more naive to think that Ciaran, who is at best boarderline to kept post academy, would not be effected by the decision of his brother.

Look at the highlighted - there your problem
1. Taking what is being said on boards as fact.
2. Your opinion - not fact and doesnt have to be every ones elses opinion
3. Several sources - heard it from a drunk fella in a pub near a rugby ground and took it as gospel!

Foxtrol · 20-01-2012 10:16AM

darragh_haven wrote: »

Look at the highlighted - there your problem
1. Taking what is being said on boards as fact.

I think you’re getting confused. It is a fact that several young backrow options have been spoken of very highly on many threads recently, especially those which have questioned Munsters academy output (if you don’t believe me do a seach). Munster trying to sign Rhys flys in the face of that and hence is why I used the term “talked up” to describe the Munster backrow players which caused such offense to phog.

2. Your opinion - not fact and doesnt have to be every ones elses opinion

Boards would be a very boring place if we just dealt in facts. I understand the difference between facts and opinion, hence why I used the term “my opinion”. There are very few facts you can use when talking about young players as a lot of the time you are dealing with potential. Do you not agree that a club going out to try to sign a young player in a given position shows that the club does not rate as highly their own young players in that position?

3. Several sources - heard it from a drunk fella in a pub near a rugby ground and took it as gospel!

No, I heard it from a number of people who are close to the Leinster camp at the time of their signing. Even without that if you look at what we know I’d still come up with the same conclusion. Leinster sign two brothers from Wales. The younger brother (by nearly two years) is clearly the superior player. Neither had lived in Dublin for a number of years so the move would involve quite a change in surroundings. In my opinion it would be extremely naive to think that Rhys signing for Leinster played no part in Ciaran being signed up as well. Do you honestly think Leinster would have gone over to Wales to sign Ciaran Ruddock on his own?

phog · 20-01-2012 10:27AM

Foxtrol wrote: »

No, I heard it from a number of people who are close to the Leinster camp at the time of their signing.

I heard from numerous people that POC would never play rugby again, he depression, cancer, numberous other injuries, guess what, since then he has captianed the Loins, went to the W/C and has had numberous games for his province and country.

I gave up believing hearsay years ago, in fact I gave it up when the man that was "named" to be invloved in the X case turned out be totally untrue.

Foxtrol · 20-01-2012 10:37AM

phog wrote: »

I heard from numerous people that POC would never play rugby again, he depression, cancer, numberous other injuries, guess what, since then he has captianed the Loins, went to the W/C and has had numberous games for his province and country.

I gave up believing hearsay years ago, in fact I gave it up when the man that was "named" to be invloved in the X case turned out be totally untrue.

Good work at conviently ignoring the rest of my post on that subject (just like you ignored my response to your witty comment on my original post). I'll try again:

Even without that if you look at what we know I’d still come up with the same conclusion. Leinster sign two brothers from Wales. The younger brother (by nearly two years) is clearly the superior player. Neither had lived in Dublin for a number of years so the move would involve quite a change in surroundings. In my opinion it would be extremely naive to think that Rhys signing for Leinster played no part in Ciaran being signed up as well. Do you honestly think Leinster would have gone over to Wales to sign Ciaran Ruddock on his own?

Amazotheamazing · 20-01-2012 10:43AM

Leinster might have signed Ciaran Ruddock as they are very low on second rows but I think it'd be foolish to assume Rhys wasn't the primary target.

The question for me is Rhys actually all that good? He's been patchy enough this season (admittedly for a young guy), is he really going to be a Ferris or SOB like talent, which is the standard Munster need to sign.

fitz · 20-01-2012 10:48AM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

The question for me is Rhys actually all that good? He's been patchy enough this season (admittedly for a young guy), is he really going to be a Ferris or SOB like talent, which is the standard Munster need to sign.

I reckon if he joins Munster and gets a regular run of games, he'll settle in and we'll start to see what he's capable of. Would be a great signing, though I'd be disappointed to see him leave Leinster.

ormond lad · 20-01-2012 11:18AM

Costello's Side Face A Tough One
20 January 2012, 10:00 am
By The Editor

Coach Ian Costello and Team Manager Niall O'Donovan will know exactly what to expect from tonight's British & Irish Cup quarter final clash with Ulster in Ravenhill.

The aptly named Ravens went through the Pool stages unbeaten while Costello's side took the scenic route albeit competing in a far more competitive group than their opponents tonight. Whether or which, Ulster have home advantage and the night before Ulster take on Clermont in France, expect Ravenhill to be heaving with supporters who wouldn't be noted for their adventure for travel so associated with their Munster brethren.
Munster have a great Academy structure and have an abundance of talent coming through the ranks." says Ravens coach, the very personable Gary Longwell. " As with all Munster teams, we are expecting a very tough game. They will be strong up front and we will need to match them physically if we want to progress further in this competition. But it's a challenge that the player and coaching staff are all relishing. "
It's a challenge Billy Holland and his corps will meet head-on. Sean Scanlon and Luke O'Dea have RaboDirect PRO12 experience, Duncan Williams and Scott Deasy likewise in abundance.
In training this week the B&I pack gave as good as they got in the scrum set-to with the senior side and there'll be a welcome return to action after injury from the bench by Mick Sherry, Declan Cusack and Ivan Dineen.
Last time the sides met was at the semi final stage in the inaugural year, Munster winning with two tries from Jeremy Manning.
That was a close run affair.
So will this one be tonight.
Munster: Sean Scanlon; Luke O'Dea, Will Chambers, JJ Hanrahan, Ronan O'Mahony; Scott Deasy, Duncan Williams; Dave Kilcoyne, Sean Henry, Christy Condon; Dave Foley, Ian Nagle; Billy Holland capt, Brian O'Hara, Paddy Butler. Replacements: Mike Sherry, John Ryan, Brian Hayes, Shane Buckley, Cathal Sheridan, Declan Cusack, Ivan Dineen.
Ulster Ravens: Conor Gaston; Michael Allen, Chris Farrell, Luke Marshall, Chris Cochrane; Paddy Jackson, Blane McIlroy; Paddy McAllister, Nigel Brady (capt), Jerry Cronin; Tim Barker, Neil McComb; Conor Joyce, Ali Birch, Mike McComish. Replacements: Niall Annett, Conor Carey, Richard Lutton, James Simpson, Iain Henderson, Ian Porter, James McKinney
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/10008.php

You would wonder what goes through the head of Geraghty at times

profitius · 20-01-2012 12:50PM

Munster being linked with Benson Stanley now. Its getting more and more like soccer.

And Leinster name Rhys Ruddock in their starting lineup. The timing is just a coincidence!

CIARAN_BOYLE · 20-01-2012 12:53PM

profitius wrote: »

Munster being linked with Benson Stanley now. Its getting more and more like soccer.

And Leinster name Rhys Ruddock in their starting lineup. The timing is just a coincidence!

Munster were linked with Stanley last season as well but he signed a new contract iirc

Podge_irl · 20-01-2012 02:05PM

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Munster were linked with Stanley last season as well but he signed a new contract iirc

Was that not Connacht who were linked with him?

CIARAN_BOYLE · 20-01-2012 02:10PM

Podge_irl wrote: »

Was that not Connacht who were linked with him?

Connacht were linked but Munster tried to muscle in on negotiations and then he signed a one year deal in NZ. Munster interest shown in linked articles

http://www.examiner.ie/sport/rugby/reds-must-wait-a-year-for-centre-stanley-155540.html
http://www.superxv.com/news/super15_rugby_news.asp?id=29857
http://www.carlow-nationalist.ie/tabId/380/itemId/9633/Players-wages-starting-to-break-ceiling.aspx

CiaranMT · 20-01-2012 05:10PM

profitius wrote: »

And Leinster name Rhys Ruddock in their starting lineup. The timing is just a coincidence!

Bit of a dead rubber, that match.

phog wrote: »

Got these emailed to me today - I cant embed them as I have no access to youtube from work.

Munster V Saracens - where it all began

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb60jJSVXyc

Munster V Gloucester - Miracle match
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUv75v-G2YM

Munster V Sale
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3hYVgYE9Ks

Toulouse V Munster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFJX3JbO3vU

Brilliant stuff.

Podge_irl · 20-01-2012 05:12PM

CiaranMT wrote: »

Bit of a dead rubber, that match.

Need it for a home QF, not dead rubber at all.

CiaranMT · 20-01-2012 05:17PM

Podge_irl wrote: »

Need it for a home QF, not dead rubber at all.

It is in the sense that the outcome is inevitable. Montpelier are out, and aren't going to trouble Leinster.

Podge_irl · 20-01-2012 05:21PM

CiaranMT wrote: »

It is in the sense that the outcome is inevitable. Montpelier are out, and aren't going to trouble Leinster.

They've sent a full team and Leinster are rotating a bit. Think it'll be a fairly scrappy affair for most of the game -doubt we'll see a blow out. Though if your point is that it's not going to be enough to entice Ruddock to stay then I'd tend to agree.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 20-01-2012 05:25PM

Podge_irl wrote: »

They've sent a full team and Leinster are rotating a bit. Think it'll be a fairly scrappy affair for most of the game -doubt we'll see a blow out. Though if your point is that it's not going to be enough to entice Ruddock to stay then I'd tend to agree.

So do I McLaughlin isn't fully fit at the moment. If Ruddock was being picked ahead of McLaughlin it would be different. He is the second choice 6 when Schmidt picks the physical pack.

Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

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