Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

Wexfordboy89 · 23-05-2012 02:41PM

Kev_2012 wrote: »

Would take Luke Fitz in a heartbeat seeing as he is out of contract.

Nearly take Ruddock because of that weird Dublin/Welsh valleys concoction of an accent he's cultivating. :eek:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNQV9XCZfMs

haha prob one of the oddest accents i have ever heard :pac:

Fishooks12 · 23-05-2012 02:45PM

Monty Burnz wrote: »

That would be a great move from Munster's perspective - Fitz really is first class when he's fit, and can play anywhere after 10 in the backline. I wonder would he play for any other Irish province though?

Would be a stretch of the imagination to see him coming to Munster tbh

Plus I think we're covered in terms of wingers/centres next year

Monty Burnz · 23-05-2012 02:55PM

Fishooks12 wrote: »

Plus I think we're covered in terms of wingers/centres next year

Barring injuries...

Fishooks12 · 23-05-2012 02:58PM

Monty Burnz wrote: »

Barring injuries...

Would need to be a whole pile though

Spudmonkey · 23-05-2012 03:12PM

Fishooks12 wrote: »

Would need to be a whole pile though

Challenge accepted....

Lelantos · 23-05-2012 03:17PM

Fishooks12 wrote: »

Monty Burnz wrote: »

That would be a great move from Munster's perspective - Fitz really is first class when he's fit, and can play anywhere after 10 in the backline. I wonder would he play for any other Irish province though?

Would be a stretch of the imagination to see him coming to Munster tbh

Plus I think we're covered in terms of wingers/centres next year

He's Irish, he's young, I would take him in a flash, Dougie isn't getting any younger & Luke can play either wing or centre....but def not full back

Cpt_Blackbeard · 23-05-2012 03:38PM

The news of Hurley's retirement was always coming, but its still extremely disappointing. He looked a great scrummager whenever I saw him and he was very strong in the loose. Its a huge pity that he never got to fulfill his potential, because he would have been at a similar level to Healy. If it wasn't for Kilcoyne's recent emergence it would be a much harder pill to swallow.

I never highlighted it at the time, but it was very interesting to see Hurley as one of the names mentioned as helping out with the Scrum clinics around the country. Its obviously an area of the game that he is passionate about and hopefully he develops as a top coach.

donfers · 23-05-2012 03:49PM

touts wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0523/1224316551936.html

Does anyone know if Dougie will be fit to play next season given he is holding onto such a critical slot?

Fitzgerald seems like a bit of a wuss from that interview, leinster steaming miles ahead of Munster, Ulster also moving ahead, players retiring and being released left, right and centre and all he seems to be doing is the Pontius Pilate thing (ah sure not much I can do about it lads)

He is the CEO for god's sake, Rome is burning and he is doing SFA about it, the "nothing I can do about it" line is the last thing I would expect from a CEO. Yes you can

- get a top-class project player (yes, believe it or not, if you had half decent scouts you may be able to find one)

- talk to Irish players at other provinces

- negotiate with the IRFU to get special dispensation to get an international backrower in

- hell, pay off the contract of a current non-Irish player Du Preez for example or even cancel the tranfer of Laulala - I mean just do something for god's sake to address the serious issues in the squad that will most likely consign the province to mediocrity if you just sit back and accept your fate

yes i appreciate a lot of the stuff mentioned above is problematic, difficult, tough etc. but isn't that the point of a CEO, to fight for his club/province, to do whatever is necessary to ensure they remain competitive

this guy is doing nothing

-

Higher · 23-05-2012 04:27PM

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

The news of Hurley's retirement was always coming, but its still extremely disappointing. He looked a great scrummager whenever I saw him and he was very strong in the loose. Its a huge pity that he never got to fulfill his potential, because he would have been at a similar level to Healy. If it wasn't for Kilcoyne's recent emergence it would be a much harder pill to swallow.

I never highlighted it at the time, but it was very interesting to see Hurley as one of the names mentioned as helping out with the Scrum clinics around the country. Its obviously an area of the game that he is passionate about and hopefully he develops as a top coach.

Very bold statement to make considering Healy is the best loosehead in Europe right now. I honestly never saw too much of him but didnt know he was that good. Was it a recurring injury or a string of different injuries?

Fishooks12 · 23-05-2012 04:31PM

Higher wrote: »

Very bold statement to make considering Healy is the best loosehead in Europe right now. I honestly never saw too much of him but didnt know he was that good. Was it a recurring injury or a string of different injuries?

Both I think, he never had any luck

He was touted as being one of the most promising young props in Europe at one stage

WeeBushy · 23-05-2012 04:36PM

donfers wrote: »

Fitzgerald seems like a bit of a wuss from that interview, leinster steaming miles ahead of Munster, Ulster also moving ahead, players retiring and being released left, right and centre and all he seems to be doing is the Pontius Pilate thing (ah sure not much I can do about it lads)

He is the CEO for god's sake, Rome is burning and he is doing SFA about it, the "nothing I can do about it" line is the last thing I would expect from a CEO. Yes you can

You are having a right go at him for no reason imo. All your suggestions are unfeasible, so are essentially giving out to him for no reason.

- get a top-class project player (yes, believe it or not, if you had half decent scouts you may be able to find one)

If it was that simple all the Irish provinces would have one. Out of all the project players signed in Ireland over the years only one (Strauss) can be considered a real success.

- talk to Irish players at other provinces

They have. They were turned down (Ruddock).

- negotiate with the IRFU to get special dispensation to get an international backrower in

IRFU will not budge on the number of NIQ players, especially considering that they are tightening up the rules even further.

- hell, pay off the contract of a current non-Irish player Du Preez for example or even cancel the tranfer of Laulala - I mean just do something for god's sake to address the serious issues in the squad that will most likely consign the province to mediocrity if you just sit back and accept your fate

Do you think Munster are made of money? Paying out a contract and then signing a top class player would cost a fortune.

Higher · 23-05-2012 04:37PM

Very unfortuate. Maybe Munster could go for Jack McGrath hes third choice for Leinster and looks to be ready?

Theres not many IQ looseheads around

CatFromHue · 23-05-2012 05:15PM

WeeBushy wrote: »

If it was that simple all the Irish provinces would have one. Out of all the project players signed in Ireland over the years only one (Strauss) can be considered a real success.

That's a pretty good point, Borlase and Sykes were effectively disasters.

Jared Payne has the potential to come very good but I still would be very surprised to see him in an Ireland jersey. I would expect him to head back to NZ and try for an All Black jersey when his contract is up assuming he gets back to the standard he was before he left.

Who else was there? Nikora is still tipping away but I'm not sure if he could be termed a success as he won't be challenging for an Ireland jersey even when he does become qualified.

Tom Court could be in this bracket as I don't think he was up to much before he left Oz. I think he was in the Reds squad.

Monty Burnz · 23-05-2012 05:34PM

CatFromHue wrote: »

Tom Court could be in this bracket as I don't think he was up to much before he left Oz. I think he was in the Reds squad.

Indeed. God help any country that is poaching props from Australia...

phog · 23-05-2012 05:38PM

donfers wrote: »

Fitzgerald seems like a bit of a wuss from that interview-

Fitzgerald has been at the helm for our two wins in the H/Cup too, was there to oversee the redevelopment of TP, was he a wuss then too?

GerM · 23-05-2012 06:13PM

Higher wrote: »

Very bold statement to make considering Healy is the best loosehead in Europe right now. I honestly never saw too much of him but didnt know he was that good. Was it a recurring injury or a string of different injuries?

He was very good for his age and would, in my mind, undoubtedly be an Irish international now. Not sure he would have been quite at Healy's level at this point but he was starting from a similar point. Healy's speed and level of development has been nothing short of phenomenal. If Hurley had developed along the same lines, we'd have some of the best loosehead options around. Ridiculously unlucky with some of his injuries; achilles, back and even eye injuries have ruined a promising career.

donfers · 23-05-2012 07:10PM

phog wrote: »

Fitzgerald has been at the helm for our two wins in the H/Cup too, was there to oversee the redevelopment of TP, was he a wuss then too?

I was rather harsh but his true test begins now, the appointment of Penney was a good start, however that interview was depressingly resigned and maybe he too should consider resigning if he doesn't feel he can affect things anymore

thomond2006 · 23-05-2012 07:20PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster:
Hurley; Howlett, Mafi, Tipoki, Dowling; O'Gara, O'Leary;
Horan, Flannery, Hayes, O'Callaghan, O'Connell (capt), Quinlan, Wallace, Leamy.

Replacements: Sheahan, Buckley, M O'Driscoll, Ryan, Stringer, Warwick, Earls.

9 out of 22 left: 6 starters and 3 replacements.

Retired: Flannery, Hayes, Quinlan, Wallace, Leamy, Dowling, Tipoki, Sheahan, MOD

Left: O'Leary, Mafi, Buckley, Warwick

Thornley just said on OTB that only 6 players from the Munster 22 that won the HEC in 2008 are left.

C'mon Gerry, at least give me some of the credit!

ambid · 23-05-2012 07:21PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster:
Hurley; Howlett, Mafi, Tipoki, Dowling; O'Gara, O'Leary;
Horan, Flannery, Hayes, O'Callaghan, O'Connell (capt), Quinlan, Wallace, Leamy.

Replacements: Sheahan, Buckley, M O'Driscoll, Ryan, Stringer, Warwick, Earls.

9 out of 22 left: 6 starters and 3 replacements.

Retired: Flannery, Hayes, Quinlan, Wallace, Leamy, Dowling, Tipoki, Sheahan, MOD

Left: O'Leary, Mafi, Buckley, Warwick

Good man Thomond. Gerry Thornley just quoted your stat on Newstalk. He'd be lost without you.

Wave to Gerry everybody!

Fishooks12 · 23-05-2012 07:23PM

HI GERRY!

Fireball07 · 23-05-2012 07:25PM

Although...is 6 from 22 not wrong?? Thomond said 9 from 22

durkadurka · 23-05-2012 07:25PM

Gerry what's your username?

durkadurka · 23-05-2012 07:25PM

Fireball07 wrote: »

Although...is 6 from 22 not wrong?? Thomond said 9 from 22

He said six from 15

thomond2006 · 23-05-2012 07:26PM

Fireball07 wrote: »

Although...is 6 from 22 not wrong?? Thomond said 9 from 22

He said 6 starters, same as me.

Fireball07 · 23-05-2012 07:26PM

Oh all right, I wasn't listening to it.

Fair enough, Gerry, at least you're able to copy thomond correctly

Tox56 · 23-05-2012 07:28PM

If Gerry does read here he better have a thick skin.

Or is he really just trolling us?

durkadurka · 23-05-2012 07:29PM

He actually nicked a joke from me before.

Fishooks12 · 23-05-2012 07:29PM

Tox56 wrote: »

If Gerry does read here he better have a thick skin.

Or is he really just trolling us?

I'd imagine he does

Same with any rugby journo worth his salt

I'd say Hugh has done some sobbing into the keyboard reading some of the reaction to his articles!

touts · 23-05-2012 07:30PM

We cant sign any international players and the IRFU are looking to tighten that rule.
We cant seem to attract any fringe players from Leinster (or Ulster)
We can get a project player but only if he is not yet good enough to be an international.
I assume we wont be allowed to raid Connacht as they are in the HEC.

Tis the young lads or nothing i suspect.

Lelantos · 23-05-2012 07:47PM

durkadurka wrote: »

He actually nicked a joke from me before.

I never! :-)

Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

Comments