Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

phog · 26-03-2012 06:46AM

More injury worries ahead of two huge games for Munster

Munster could be without their frontline second row for Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 top of the table derby clash with Leinster after Donnacha Ryan joined captain Paul O’Connell on the list of injury doubts for the Thomond Park showdown.

Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/munster-front-row-crisis-deepens-as-key-clashes-loom-large-188429.html#ixzz1qCdZMrey

More here.

budhabob · 26-03-2012 06:48AM

phog wrote: »

More injury worries ahead of two huge games for Munster

More here.

ryan would be a massive loss. Fingers and toes crossed he'll be alright.

irishbucsfan · 26-03-2012 07:09AM

If Ryan misses out who would play in the row? Holland?

irishbucsfan · 26-03-2012 07:17AM

Twitter suggesting Munster are in talks with a high profile Kiwi coach. You'd have to guess that's Wayne Smith. Smith and Foley together would be a great combination.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 26-03-2012 07:18AM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

If Ryan misses out who would play in the row? Holland?

DOC & MOD in the second row
also either 6)DOC 2.0 7)POM 8)Coghlan in the back row or 6)POM 7)TOD 8)Coghlan in the backrow

phog · 26-03-2012 08:05AM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

If Ryan misses out who would play in the row? Holland?

I would normally say MOD but looking at his last two games, I think his age is finally catching up on him, he slipped off a few tackles in both games, something which is most unlike him. In saying that if he has a game like he did last year for us while Paulie was injured then I'd be very happy.

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Twitter suggesting Munster are in talks with a high profile Kiwi coach. You'd have to guess that's Wayne Smith. Smith and Foley together would be a great combination.

Smith has been mentioned in twitter since it became known that McGahan was leaving. As much as I rate Foley, Smith would be my selection.

jamiedav2011 · 26-03-2012 09:26AM

Ryan would be a massive injury worry.

Murray is back though? Thought he was out for longer than that?

Amazotheamazing · 26-03-2012 09:29AM

Might be a chance for Nagle, I wasn't massively impressed with him on Sat but he's a lot bigger than he was. The Leinster game is only a sideshow to the quarter final, we absolutely mustn't get distracted from the bigger picture.

buck65 · 26-03-2012 10:19AM

That's a good point, the Leinster game as much as we want to win it should be used to get lads back into the swing of things, try out a few things and if we win well and good.
Easter Sunday is what it's all about. Ulster at the moment are a more dangerous threat to us. I said it before but I think beating Ulster and making the semi is far more important than the Rabo.
I would go as far as starting Nagle, O Dea and a few others and bringing in the big guns for the second half. Also Botha should be whipped off after 40 mins.
Leinster may have a similar view but maybe not as it is hard to imagine Cardiff winning in Dublin.

Amazotheamazing · 26-03-2012 10:49AM

buck65 wrote: »

That's a good point, the Leinster game as much as we want to win it should be used to get lads back into the swing of things, try out a few things and if we win well and good.
Easter Sunday is what it's all about. Ulster at the moment are a more dangerous threat to us. I said it before but I think beating Ulster and making the semi is far more important than the Rabo.
I would go as far as starting Nagle, O Dea and a few others and bringing in the big guns for the second half. Also Botha should be whipped off after 40 mins.
Leinster may have a similar view but maybe not as it is hard to imagine Cardiff winning in Dublin.

I think both teams are lucky Leinster's winning streak ended last friday, it takes the pressure out of this game somewhat and will allow both teams focus on the HEC. I really think Ulster were the worst team we could have gotten, plenty of good players with a lot to prove.

As for this weekend, I'd happily give guys like Archer and keatley a half to protect Botha and O'Gara but both Botha and O'Gara probably need gametime.

irishbucsfan · 26-03-2012 11:01AM

I think the front row battle in the H Cup will be fascinating. It's hard not to give the edge to Ulster.

Munster need the lineout really.

Amazotheamazing · 26-03-2012 11:05AM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I think the front row battle in the H Cup will be fascinating. It's hard not to give the edge to Ulster.

Munster need the lineout really.

With Afoa and Ferris I think they have the edge in both the front row and the backrow, we'll be in real trouble if they give Peinaar a platform.

d-gal · 26-03-2012 11:32AM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I think the front row battle in the H Cup will be fascinating. It's hard not to give the edge to Ulster.

Munster need the lineout really.

With Afoa and Ferris I think they have the edge in both the front row and the backrow, we'll be in real trouble if they give Peinaar a platform.

Barring injuries, munster have a superior pack. There are a lot of good individuals in Ulster but there is still 1 or 2 areas they're suffering in.

I have been hugely impressed with TOD and DOC2 recently. I thought Ruddock not joining was a massive blow but now not worried at all.
TOD was the reason Munster bet connacht, he was exceptional at the breakdown and made a mockery of Ofisa (who is no slouch). I'm a Connacht fan as well!

Tox56 · 26-03-2012 11:35AM

d-gal wrote: »

Barring injuries, munster have a superior pack. There are a lot of good individuals in Ulster but there is still 1 or 2 areas they're suffering in.

I have been hugely impressed with TOD and DOC2 recently. I thought Ruddock not joining was a massive blow but now not worried at all.
TOD was the reason Munster bet connacht, he was exceptional at the breakdown and made a mockery of Ofisa (who is no slouch). I'm a Connacht fan as well!

I think the pack is very even, a lot depends on POC but Tuohy and Muller are top quality players, the backrow is probably in Ulster's favour because of Ferris but it's even otherwise, and the front-row is hard to call. It's exactly the same story with the backs, it's hard to tell who has an edge.

It will be a very interesting game for neutrals.

Amazotheamazing · 26-03-2012 11:37AM

d-gal wrote: »

Barring injuries, munster have a superior pack. There are a lot of good individuals in Ulster but there is still 1 or 2 areas they're suffering in.

I have been hugely impressed with TOD and DOC2 recently. I thought Ruddock not joining was a massive blow but now not worried at all.
TOD was the reason Munster bet connacht, he was exceptional at the breakdown and made a mockery of Ofisa (who is no slouch). I'm a Connacht fan as well!

Yeah, it's a shame for TOD he got injured in Jan, he was really starting to impress. I'd be happy enough to see him start at 7 against Leinster. I don't think he's up there with Ryan and Ruddock as a future International but he's been doing well.

irishbucsfan · 26-03-2012 11:40AM

I definitely think Ulster have a superior pack, and with injuries in Munsters only area of dominance (the second row) I think its edging more in their favour up front.

In terms of loose play Ulsters front row is probably the best in the Heineken Cup. Their second row is excellent if Muller and Tuohy are fit (although not as good as a fit POC/Ryan). Their back row of Ferris, Henry, Wannenberg has been superb this season in the Heineken Cup. Even allowing for the Thomond effect I think they're the better pack at the moment.

bamboozle · 26-03-2012 11:42AM

Tox56 wrote: »

I think the pack is very even, a lot depends on POC but Tuohy and Muller are top quality players, the backrow is probably in Ulster's favour because of Ferris but it's even otherwise, and the front-row is hard to call. It's exactly the same story with the backs, it's hard to tell who has an edge.

It will be a very interesting game for neutrals.

Front rows are equal - Botha bett than Court but Best better than Varley
Back row - ulster are a far better unit, munster dont have a set back row at the moment.
2nd row- advantage munster although POC could be rusty if he doesnt play this weekend and Muller & Touhy deserve a lot of respect.

2 things stand out in this game to me, Piennar will run amok if given a platform & Ulster have won in TP before and wont be too intimidated.

The likes of Touhy, Gilroy, Cave & Marshall will be looking to prove a point to watching Ireland selectors.

Munster will be hoping the crowd will get behind them and Humphries is fickle otherwise i'd fancy Ulster to sneak the win.

Amazotheamazing · 26-03-2012 11:47AM

bamboozle wrote: »

Front rows are equal - Botha bett than Court but Best better than Varley
Back row - ulster are a far better unit, munster dont have a set back row at the moment.
2nd row- advantage munster although POC could be rusty if he doesnt play this weekend and Muller & Touhy deserve a lot of respect.

2 things stand out in this game to me, Piennar will run amok if given a platform & Ulster have won in TP before and wont be too intimidated.

The likes of Touhy, Gilroy, Cave & Marshall will be looking to prove a point to watching Ireland selectors.

Munster will be hoping the crowd will get behind them and Humphries is fickle otherwise i'd fancy Ulster to sneak the win.

I'd go along with all that, there's other elements at play too though, like which team will respond best to the departure of their coach, etc. There's a lot of intangibles.

totallegend · 26-03-2012 11:53AM

bamboozle wrote: »

Munster will be hoping the crowd will get behind them and Humphries is fickle otherwise i'd fancy Ulster to sneak the win.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the bench, with Pienaar at 10. If I was picking the Ulster team, that's what I'd do anyway.

CatFromHue · 26-03-2012 12:00PM

totallegend wrote: »

I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the bench, with Pienaar at 10. If I was picking the Ulster team, that's what I'd do anyway.

With Humphries and Pienaar starting and finishing against Treviso it doesn't look good for Marshall.

bamboozle · 26-03-2012 12:05PM

totallegend wrote: »

I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the bench, with Pienaar at 10. If I was picking the Ulster team, that's what I'd do anyway.

he started at 10 for Leicester the day they won in TP, dry weather, harder grounds will suit his game.

another factor will be the 1.45 kick-off, the later in the day the more booze on board & more intimidating the atmostphere for the visitors.

either way its going to be a great game for us neutrals...

shuffol · 26-03-2012 12:36PM

Haven't seen Wallace playing since his return, how's he looking, is the general feeling that as long as he proves his fitness he's a nailed on starter for the QF?

padraig.od · 26-03-2012 12:57PM

shuffol wrote: »

Haven't seen Wallace playing since his return, how's he looking, is the general feeling that as long as he proves his fitness he's a nailed on starter for the QF?

He was fairly anonymous Saturday night. Came off at half time.

CiaranMT · 26-03-2012 12:59PM

padraig.od wrote: »

He was fairly anonymous Saturday night. Came off at half time.

I'm not worried about him. I'd imagine he was taken off to make sure he wasn't over-exerted before Leinster and Ulster.

CatFromHue · 26-03-2012 01:05PM

CiaranMT wrote: »

I'm not worried about him. I'd imagine he was taken off to make sure he wasn't over-exerted before Leinster and Ulster.

I think I read it was McGahans plan to just give him a half. He only got 23 mins at Aironi so he won't be up to speed yet. It's a bit different coming back from injury in the middle of the season as everyone else is flying but you need a few games yourself to catch up. It's been pretty much 7 months since he last played so it will take him time.

Amazotheamazing · 26-03-2012 01:08PM

shuffol wrote: »

Haven't seen Wallace playing since his return, how's he looking, is the general feeling that as long as he proves his fitness he's a nailed on starter for the QF?

I can't see him starting tbh, we need a fully fit Wallace but Wallace isn't at that level yet. If we could get a good 20 mins from him it'd be amazing, considering his age and injury.

shuffol · 26-03-2012 01:22PM

I think it'll be important for Munster forwards to try up the tempo, often when I've seen Munster this season their pack has looked a bit sluggish with forwards taking the ball behind the gainline at no real pace. Ferris and Henry will be very quick out of the line to put pressure on the ball carrier so this is something Munster will have to be wary of, dont think the early kick off will help them in this respect either.

I dont think I've been as excited about watching a game all season and I'm not even a fan of either side. Two excellent evenly matched teams with lots of added sub plots, hopefully both sides do themselves justice.

NikNak8 · 26-03-2012 01:29PM

Yea Have to admit I'm a bit worried to be honest. Pienaar has been outstanding in my view and he is the danger man for me, he makes them tick. We will have to really get under his skin to win, if we can do that Ulster are very beatable especially their backline which I think is overrated.

Amazotheamazing · 26-03-2012 01:35PM

NikNak8 wrote: »

Yea Have to admit I'm a bit worried to be honest. Pienaar has been outstanding in my view and he is the danger man for me, he makes them tick. We will have to really get under his skin to win, if we can do that Ulster are very beatable especially their backline which I think is overrated.

They are a great front foot team I think but are also well capable of strangling games. worth remembering Ian Humphreys was the outhalf the day Leicester won there, he'd going to be at his best, imo, and he's well capable of having a great perfomance.

CiaranMT · 26-03-2012 01:48PM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

I can't see him starting tbh, we need a fully fit Wallace but Wallace isn't at that level yet. If we could get a good 20 mins from him it'd be amazing, considering his age and injury.

Don't think age is half as big a factor when Wally is being talked about as most other players.

Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

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