Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

PhatPiggins · 19-02-2012 09:35PM

totallegend wrote: »

My point about Zebo letting himself down for the Wolfhounds was more in relation to his brainfart on his own try line in the second half and his butchering of a try in the first half, not sure how either instance was affected by lack of time together.

But read my initial post, I'm not criticising him, in fact I'm very positive and optimistic about him, but D Kearney is the more complete player at this stage.

I like Kearney as a player but I think he'd be more suitable as a full back. Do you think he's fast enough to be an international winger? I think he'd be as good as Rob at 15.

Benny Cake · 19-02-2012 10:31PM

donfers wrote: »

Our backs are grand, i've no concerns on that front with regard to the playing staff but maybe a top-class backs coach might be a good idea to bring the best out of them

but with the new signings in the centres we'll wait and see how they get on, ideally I'd like two more signings - a back rower and a loose head prop and if TOL leaves then maybe a scrum-half

Our NIQs will be: Botha, Du Preeze, Laulalalalala, Dougie (if he doesn't retire) & Mafi (if he stays)

I expect Mafi to go with a utility back taking his NIQ spot. Could be the guy we signed this week if he impresses. No way we will sign a loosehead & even if TOL goes as expected I don't see a new signing to replace him. Stringer will come back to fulfil his tax requirements by retiring in Ireland.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 19-02-2012 10:39PM

Has WDP signed up for next season? I know his contract expired at the end of the season. If not they might sign a top class NIQ.

Speaking of LHs signing up has Horan or Hurley renewed their contracts both were scheduled to end at the end of this season. I don't think I've seen any announcements for any of the three.

If none of the three sign Munster might be in a bit of a lurch and somewhat desperate to find LHs.

thomond2006 · 19-02-2012 10:50PM

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Has WDP signed up for next season? I know his contract expired at the end of the season. If not they might sign a top class NIQ.

Speaking of LHs signing up has Horan or Hurley renewed their contracts both were scheduled to end at the end of this season. I don't think I've seen any announcements for any of the three.

If none of the three sign Munster might be in a bit of a lurch and somewhat desperate to find LHs.

AFAIK du Preez signed on for another 2 years.

The word is Hurley is being released or is retiring, not surprising tbh. He's been plagued by injury, a shame because he has looked good when fit.

totallegend · 19-02-2012 10:56PM

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Has WDP signed up for next season? I know his contract expired at the end of the season. If not they might sign a top class NIQ.

Speaking of LHs signing up has Horan or Hurley renewed their contracts both were scheduled to end at the end of this season. I don't think I've seen any announcements for any of the three.

If none of the three sign Munster might be in a bit of a lurch and somewhat desperate to find LHs.

Good lord, if du Preez is not staying then LH is priority number one for Munster, the fact that there has been no talk of signing a prop would indicate he is staying. Horan is just not up to it anymore and Hurley hasn't played all year, has he?

ed7890 · 19-02-2012 10:57PM

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Has WDP signed up for next season? I know his contract expired at the end of the season. If not they might sign a top class NIQ.

Speaking of LHs signing up has Horan or Hurley renewed their contracts both were scheduled to end at the end of this season. I don't think I've seen any announcements for any of the three.

If none of the three sign Munster might be in a bit of a lurch and somewhat desperate to find LHs.

I think DuPreez signed a new contract not too long ago, he definitely here for another season, maybe more.

Some on Munster fans saying Hurley might be forced to retire because of all the injuries. No clue how true that is.

Hopefully Kilcoyne and Ryan get some time before the end of the season, so we can see if they're any good.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 19-02-2012 11:02PM

totallegend wrote: »

Good lord, if du Preez is not staying then LH is priority number one for Munster, the fact that there has been no talk of signing a prop would indicate he is staying. Horan is just not up to it anymore and Hurley hasn't played all year, has he?

no hasn't played, injury issues, I just mentioned him since the contract is expiring at the end of the season

thomond2006 wrote:

AFAIK du Preez signed on for another 2 years.

If you could find me the announcement I would be delighted since I can't find it anywhere.

jm08 · 19-02-2012 11:31PM

totallegend wrote: »

Good lord, if du Preez is not staying then LH is priority number one for Munster, the fact that there has been no talk of signing a prop would indicate he is staying. Horan is just not up to it anymore and Hurley hasn't played all year, has he?

not too sure about writing Horan off just yet. Thought the scrum improved against Triviso when he came on and its doubtful that would be solely down to archer coming on.

Teferi · 20-02-2012 12:10AM

phog wrote: »

You dissed his efforts against Treviso but fail to take that into account for the others that Amazo listed. His highest try count in one game was in a H/C game away to Northampton.

Okay :rolleyes:

Amazotheamazing · 20-02-2012 01:12AM

ed7890 wrote: »

I think DuPreez signed a new contract not too long ago, he definitely here for another season, maybe more.

Some on Munster fans saying Hurley might be forced to retire because of all the injuries. No clue how true that is.

Hopefully Kilcoyne and Ryan get some time before the end of the season, so we can see if they're any good.

Best chance of seeing Kilcoyne, outside the AIL, is going to the B&I semi-final I'd say. Can't see him getting time while Horan's still around. I think we're still smarting over how bad our scrum was last year and really aren't taking much chances on props this year, except Archer, who we've really no choice about.

ed7890 · 20-02-2012 08:59AM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Best chance of seeing Kilcoyne, outside the AIL, is going to the B&I semi-final I'd say. Can't see him getting time while Horan's still around. I think we're still smarting over how bad our scrum was last year and really aren't taking much chances on props this year, except Archer, who we've really no choice about.

Ah i'm hopefully we'll get to see somebody else given a run before the end of the season. There's a good few pro12 games left, and they really need to start bring some more options.

phog · 20-02-2012 10:16AM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Best chance of seeing Kilcoyne, outside the AIL, is going to the B&I semi-final I'd say. Can't see him getting time while Horan's still around. I think we're still smarting over how bad our scrum was last year and really aren't taking much chances on props this year, except Archer, who we've really no choice about.

Kilcoyne got about 15 minutes against Connacht in the Pro12 and has featured in most if not all of the "A" Friendlies and B&I Cup so far this season. Still a big step-up to a regular starter in the Pro12 or the H/C.

bamboozle · 20-02-2012 10:47AM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Best chance of seeing Kilcoyne, outside the AIL, is going to the B&I semi-final I'd say. Can't see him getting time while Horan's still around. I think we're still smarting over how bad our scrum was last year and really aren't taking much chances on props this year, except Archer, who we've really no choice about.

what about the Considine prop playing with Dolphin, they seem to get a penalty try every match through their scrum, so he can obviously scrummage if nothing else

Amazotheamazing · 20-02-2012 10:53AM

bamboozle wrote: »

what about the Considine prop playing with Dolphin, they seem to get a penalty try every match through their scrum, so he can obviously scrummage if nothing else

You're thinking of Condon, same boat as Cotter from what I can see, good trechnical prop who seemingly is short on other aspects of pro play. Considine is the former Munster u20's prop who's switched to backrow for Young Munster.

20-02-2012 10:57AM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

You're thinking of Condon, same boat as Cotter from what I can see, good trechnical prop who seemingly is short on other aspects of pro play. Considine is the former Munster u20's prop who's switched to backrow for Young Munster.

These are the kind of guys that need to be worked with though. You've pretty much described the Mike Ross that arrived at Leinster. "Can Scrummage - not much else".

Seems like it's easier to turn a scrummager into a rugby player than turn a rugby player into a scrummager.

We're not exactly loaded with guys who can do both.

Amazotheamazing · 20-02-2012 11:00AM

Deleted User wrote: »

These are the kind of guys that need to be worked with though. You've pretty much described the Mike Ross that arrived at Leinster. "Can Scrummage - not much else".

Seems like it's easier to turn a scrummager into a rugby player than turn a rugby player into a scrummager.

We're not exactly loaded with guys who can do both.

True, you'd hope that's what they are doing. Condon has played a few games for Munster A this season. I'd have no huge issue with having either ahead of Archer but I guess Archer is seen as the more advanced work in progress.

bamboozle · 20-02-2012 11:09AM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

You're thinking of Condon, same boat as Cotter from what I can see, good trechnical prop who seemingly is short on other aspects of pro play. Considine is the former Munster u20's prop who's switched to backrow for Young Munster.

yes Condon, as Emmett points out, a prop who can scrummage is a good starting point.

Fireball07 · 20-02-2012 07:05PM

bamboozle wrote: »

yes Condon, as Emmett points out, a prop who can scrummage is a good starting point.

Definitely. The way the game is at the moment, scrummaging is hugely important and other aspects of the game are more easily worked on.

Flincher · 20-02-2012 09:00PM

Cotter started at loosehead with Young Munster again at the weekend. Again, it was a very solid scrum.

He carried a bit of ball as well, which was good to see.

Amazotheamazing · 21-02-2012 04:25PM

Should Munster take a punt on Whitten? Decent 12, Irish qualified.

profitius · 21-02-2012 04:34PM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Should Munster take a punt on Whitten? Decent 12, Irish qualified.

I would like to see him in Munster. They would then have Downey, Lualala, Barnes and Whitten with Hanrahan getting more games also. That would be the centers sorted and much stronger than it currently is. Thats froma selfish point of view.

Whitten might be better off going to Connacht where he would be guaranteed more games if not at 12 or 13 then on the wing.

Otacon · 21-02-2012 04:35PM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Should Munster take a punt on Whitten? Decent 12, Irish qualified.

I would have preferred him to Downey TBH. Only 24, a bit of experience already and a very handy centre.

The fact that we have already signed Downey and Lualala though means its very unlikely we will sign another centre.

profitius · 21-02-2012 04:35PM

Flincher wrote: »

Cotter started at loosehead with Young Munster again at the weekend. Again, it was a very solid scrum.

He carried a bit of ball as well, which was good to see.

Is he better at loosehead or tighthead? I was hoping he would be a tighthead.

Also for tightheads the number one priority should be scrummaging and not turn down any tighthead because he isn't good around the field. Loosehead is another matter.

Amazotheamazing · 21-02-2012 04:39PM

Otacon wrote: »

I would have preferred him to Downey TBH. Only 24, a bit of experience already and a very handy centre.

The fact that we have already signed Downey and Lualala though means its very unlikely we will sign another centre.

conversely, he might look at how little we've played gleeson and dineen and assume he's better off elsewhere. He's suited to the AP at any rate.

Amazotheamazing · 21-02-2012 04:43PM

profitius wrote: »

I would like to see him in Munster. They would then have Downey, Lualala, Barnes and Whitten with Hanrahan getting more games also. That would be the centers sorted and much stronger than it currently is. Thats froma selfish point of view. Whitten might be better off going to Connacht where he would be guaranteed more games if not at 12 or 13 then on the wing.

Wiith Tonetti and McSharry and Leader (who's seriously good imo) to play at 12, it's arguable Munster need him more.

buck65 · 21-02-2012 05:11PM

Gleeson and Dineen are decent AIL players who wouldn't be out of place in the Pro 12. Neither are HCup standard players. Whitten would be a big step up from both.

Flincher · 21-02-2012 06:42PM

profitius wrote: »

Is he better at loosehead or tighthead? I was hoping he would be a tighthead.

Also for tightheads the number one priority should be scrummaging and not turn down any tighthead because he isn't good around the field. Loosehead is another matter.

I hadn't seen him play at LH before the Shannon match, but he has done really well there over the last 2 weeks, so he seems to be able at both sides of the scrum.

Bar one game up in Dublin before Christmas, that Young Munster scrum has rarely been in difficulty over the past couple of seasons, and Cotter has been a part of that.

I don't know enough to tell you which side is his stronger, I'm sure there are others here know more about the technicalities.

profitius · 21-02-2012 07:19PM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Wiith Tonetti and McSharry and Leader (who's seriously good imo) to play at 12, it's arguable Munster need him more.

True. I'd like to see him there instead of Fa'aili or going abroad.

phog · 22-02-2012 11:45AM

A few photos of Munster training yesterday - more here

Save Tokula

Dougie out injured but not forgotten

Wally

and a one man scrum

Great to see Wally making a comeback.

CatFromHue · 22-02-2012 11:48AM

Waht's up with Wally's arm? and what are those shin guard like things on his Achilles?

Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

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