Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

castie · 22-01-2012 05:20PM

donfers wrote: »

if racing metro had beaten cardiff who would we have got lads?

what were the permutations for us on the last day? edinburgh at home would have been the handiest

If racing won wed of had biarritz.

thomond2006 · 22-01-2012 05:42PM

With the Irish players being rested on and off for the meetings of Munster v Ulster, it will be great to see the undisputed first choice sides against each other for a change.

Cpt_Blackbeard · 22-01-2012 05:59PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

With the Irish players being rested on and off for the meetings of Munster v Ulster, it will be great to see the undisputed first choice sides against each other for a change.

I think we'll need some luck with injuries if we're to beat them. A returning, Jones, Wallace, Sherry (possibly on bench) will do wonders to bring some dynamism to the team.

Clareman · 22-01-2012 06:09PM

Even though the backrow did very well yesterday I can't but fear for what would happen if they were up against Ferris & Henry, we need as many of the lads back from injury and hope none of the lads get injured in the 6N. The quarter final is going to be billed as a fight to be number 1 contenders to Leinster's crown as best in the land.

As for ToL going to France, that could only be good for him, Murray is clearly the best 9 we have at the moment, imvho Duncan Williams has what it takes to be brilliant.

thomond2006 · 22-01-2012 06:11PM

Williams has been crap to average anytime I've seen him.

phog · 22-01-2012 06:13PM

Happy enough with the Q/Fs and the draw. Ulster will be hard to beat but if we want to win the H/C then beat them we'll have to do.

We play Connacht and Leinster in the two PRO12 games between the 6Ns and the Q/Fs, hopefully, we'll get a run without further injuries.

Brian P · 22-01-2012 06:27PM

Clareman wrote: »

As for ToL going to France, that could only be good for him, Murray is clearly the best 9 we have at the moment, imvho Duncan Williams has what it takes to be brilliant.

Last time I saw Williams against Ulster I thought he was appalling when we lost two of our own scrums and Ulster scored tries from both. Hopefully it was a once off nightmare for him . . . and for our scrum:(

Clareman · 22-01-2012 06:31PM

He has never really regained the form he showed that led to him being picked for the Lions, that was a nasty injury, getting a starting berth in a good team could be nothing but good for him.

Brian P · 22-01-2012 06:42PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

I don't agree, I think it was more satifising to see that our backline can actually play rugby.

We saw our backline play wondrous rugby in France last year in the Amlin and scored numerous tries to get us a home semi final . We then tried the same thing against Harlequins in Thomond Park and failed miserably and we were well beaten at the end. Everything went well for us yesterday barr the scrum. All I'm saying is that in a tight game, if Ulster get on top at the scrum (which they did a month ago in Belfast when we conceded two tries from our own scrum) and if our back line should slip back to their old habits of leaving two or three tries behind them in each game up to yesterday, then we could be in real trouble. If we get the basics right we will beat Ulster well, but if not then we could be looking at a very difficult afternoon.We must get that scrum sorted.

Clareman · 22-01-2012 07:43PM

That is a serious pack Northampton have, they destroyed Leinster for 40" minutes in the final last year, against Ulster we'll have Botha who should know their game plan inside and out (hopefully). It's a shame it 2 and a half months away, it would be a cracker of a game, there isn't going to be much in it, I've already had requests in from friends in Belfast looking for a place to stay, bring it on

irishbucsfan · 22-01-2012 08:38PM

I dont know how Williams was still starting ahead of Murray only just over a year ago. I just don't see what Munster see in him. Nearly as frustrating as seeing POD get gametime for Leinster last year!

Amazotheamazing · 22-01-2012 08:54PM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I dont know how Williams was still starting ahead of Murray only just over a year ago. I just don't see what Munster see in him. Nearly as frustrating as seeing POD get gametime for Leinster last year!

Williams was class against Oz, just hasn't happened for him since. Too many injuries maybe.

irishbucsfan · 22-01-2012 08:57PM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Williams was class against Oz, just hasn't happened for him since. Too many injuries maybe.

Hardly a night for scrum halves though.

phog · 22-01-2012 08:58PM

Q/F Ticket Update (of sorts)

No price hike either, which is welcome.

Following yesterday's win away to Northampton Saints and the conclusion of the other Heineken Cup Pools, Munster have now qualified for a home Quarter Final against Ulster which is to be played on the Easter weekend.

ERC will confirm the date and kick off times for all the quarter final matches in February.

Tickets for this game will be allocated through the Munster Rugby Clubs and the Munster Rugby Supporters Club. Should any tickets remain after these allocations have been processed, they may be released on general sale.

Ticket Prices for this game will be as per our Heineken Cup pool matches are as follows:-

Cat A Stand - €50
Cat B Stand - €40
Adult Terrace - €30

Amazotheamazing · 22-01-2012 09:01PM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Hardly a night for scrum halves though.

Actually, that's why I thought he was good, he really organised the forwards and took a lot of responsibility.

Cpt_Blackbeard · 22-01-2012 09:03PM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Williams was class against Oz, just hasn't happened for him since. Too many injuries maybe.

That was the general opinion but, I didn't really think so. I can remember his passing being pretty sloppy but, the conditions do have to be taken into account.

Amazotheamazing · 22-01-2012 11:11PM

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

That was the general opinion but, I didn't really think so. I can remember his passing being pretty sloppy but, the conditions do have to be taken into account.

Before really knowing about Williams, I hope we get to see him behind a decent pack, must scrumhalves are poor behind one getting taken apart.

Sindri · 22-01-2012 11:25PM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Before really knowing about Williams, I hope we get to see him behind a decent pack, must scrumhalves are poor behind one getting taken apart.

Not Genia.

JustinDee · 23-01-2012 09:38AM

Sindri wrote: »

Not Genia.

Yes, Genia.
Even against lowly old Ireland, he has been shown up.

phog · 23-01-2012 10:03AM

Kind of annoys the hell out of me but still great to see

Amazotheamazing · 23-01-2012 10:16AM

Sindri wrote: »

Not Genia.

Didn't Ferris pick him up and walk him back about 10m's the last time we played Oz?

Brian · 23-01-2012 01:25PM

720P cap is out on AtT

PhatPiggins · 23-01-2012 01:53PM

phog wrote: »

Kind of annoys the hell out of me but still great to see

Seeing a young man celebrate a try against a quality team in his debut HC season ! Lighten up, you'll live longer.

the_blackstuff · 23-01-2012 10:06PM

What's peoples opinion on o.mahony's performance at 7 over the last 2 games? I've want to see him there for a while as I thought he might make one? Did ok with out setting the place on fire.

Amazotheamazing · 23-01-2012 10:14PM

the_blackstuff wrote: »

What's peoples opinion on o.mahony's performance at 7 over the last 2 games? I've want to see him there for a while as I thought he might make one? Did ok with out setting the place on fire.

I genuinely thought no player could live up to the hype POM has had for a few years. Then he gets MOTM in his first ever HEC start, as a 6. He then comes back from injury and looks like he's played 7 for his entire career.

There's weaknesses in his game and maybe he still lacks the raw power that Ferris and SOB have, but he's been very good so far.

PhatPiggins · 23-01-2012 10:30PM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Before really knowing about Williams, I hope we get to see him behind a decent pack, must scrumhalves are poor behind one getting taken apart.

We've seen more then enough of Williams to know his limitations. Not every game he played was behind a pack that got a hiding like in the Ulster game. Lots of average players have raised their games in big one of games, Timmy Ryan was escellent against the AB's !, but its not a true indication of their quality. I've seen enough of Williams at club, A and Provincial level to be sure in my opinion of his prospects. I'd be gutted if we lost TOL and kept Williams. At least with the former you know there is the potential of a huge improvement

the_blackstuff · 23-01-2012 10:48PM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

I genuinely thought no player could live up to the hype POM has had for a few years. Then he gets MOTM in his first ever HEC start, as a 6. He then comes back from injury and looks like he's played 7 for his entire career.

There's weaknesses in his game and maybe he still lacks the raw power that Ferris and SOB have, but he's been very good so far.

I think its that lack of raw power that makes me think he might work better at 7. He's super in contact. THe amount of ball he rips and gets to on the ground is amazing. He's really mobile to add. I was worried that he was a bit hot headed earlier this season but he seems to have calmed a bit. We need a good 6 now to allow him develop as a 7. Wallys not going to be around for ever unfortunately.

Amazotheamazing · 23-01-2012 11:18PM

the_blackstuff wrote: »

I think its that lack of raw power that makes me think he might work better at 7. He's super in contact. THe amount of ball he rips and gets to on the ground is amazing. He's really mobile to add. I was worried that he was a bit hot headed earlier this season but he seems to have calmed a bit. We need a good 6 now to allow him develop as a 7. Wallys not going to be around for ever unfortunately.

Maybe, I don't know if Ferris-like power can be developed, tbh, but of he was really considered a 7 he'd be first choice there with Ryan at 6, surely?

Tox56 · 23-01-2012 11:21PM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Maybe, I don't know if Ferris-like power can be developed, tbh, but of he was really considered a 7 he'd be first choice there with Ryan at 6, surely?

I don't know how much more extra power he would need. It would be a bonus, but his carrying was very good against a big Northampton team, his lineout jumping excellent, and his work on the ground was surprisingly good. If he could become a traditional 7 but give those other options, he could be an extremely useful player, and wouldn't necessarily need Ferris-like power for any of those.

the_blackstuff · 23-01-2012 11:45PM

I know Ryan has had a few good games lately at 6 but I think he just might be a bit slow to by a top class 6. The Leinster game at home last season sticks in my mind as a game where he got caught a few times not being able to get to their back row breaking away. There was one major missed tackle of one of there centers as well that was down to a lack of speed. Don't get be wrong I'm a fan of Ryan and really happy he's taking his chance right now!

Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

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