Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread II

shuffol · 18-04-2013 09:46AM

Rightwing wrote: »

Yes and No.

2 teams from our group are in the semi's. That can't be deemed easy group. I admit we were lucky to get Quins, but other teams may not have been able to turn them over.

Yes but you didnt have to play yourselves.

Rightwing · 18-04-2013 09:49AM

shuffol wrote: »

Yes but you didnt have to play yourselves.

But that makes it hard to judge the other teams in the group because they were up against 2 semi-finalists.

Any group with 2 semi finalists, possible finalists can't be judged easy.

thomond2006 · 18-04-2013 09:55AM

Rightwing wrote: »

But that makes it hard to judge the other teams in the group because they were up against 2 semi-finalists.

Any group with 2 semi finalists, possible finalists can't be judged easy.

Edinburgh have been absolutely rubbish this season. Fact. Coaches have gotten the boot.

Racing were average to poor up until January, been in great form since then: http://www.racing-metro92.com/Calendrier___Resultats-9.html?journee=0

Before the season began, the group looked difficult on paper. However both Edinburgh and Racing grossly underperformed both in the Heineken Cup and domestically during that time period of October to January. I was there in Paris (where Munster were dire outside of the first twenty minutes and Zebo's individual score) and Edinburgh (where Munster couldn't get a bonus point against an Edinburgh side that offered nothing).

Considering the low expectation before the season began, making a semi-final is a great achievement. However if you're evaluating a season long result/performance output, you should look more at the overall scheme of things i.e. Munster's path to the semi-final and how they performed along the way. None of the performances in the group stages filled me with much hope for the quarter final.

Cookiemunster · 18-04-2013 10:04AM

Rightwing wrote: »

But that makes it hard to judge the other teams in the group because they were up against 2 semi-finalists.

Any group with 2 semi finalists, possible finalists can't be judged easy.

In Euro 2012 two teams from Irelands group got to the final. Didn't mean Ireland were any less sh1te though.

Rightwing · 18-04-2013 10:05AM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Edinburgh have been absolutely rubbish this season. Fact. Coaches have gotten the boot.

Racing were average to poor up until January, been in great form since then: http://www.racing-metro92.com/Calendrier___Resultats-9.html?journee=0

Before the season began, the group looked difficult on paper. However both Edinburgh and Racing grossly underperformed both in the Heineken Cup and domestically during that time period of October to January. I was there in Paris (where Munster were dire outside of the first twenty minutes and Zebo's individual score) and Edinburgh (where Munster couldn't get a bonus point against an Edinburgh side that offered nothing).

I know but what made Leinster's group tough for instance was 2 v good teams in it. Now, both Sarries and oursleves have also proven ourselves as v good in the H Cup this season. Dealing with Sarries as Ulster found out was not easy.

Rightwing · 18-04-2013 10:06AM

Cookiemunster wrote: »

In Euro 2012 two teams from Irelands group got to the final. Didn't mean Ireland were any less sh1te though.

I've had many a discussion with people about that very point. I think if you put teams like England in that group, they wouldn't have got a point either.

totallegend · 18-04-2013 10:14AM

Rightwing wrote: »

I know but what made Leinster's group tough for instance was 2 v good teams in it. Now, both Sarries and oursleves have also proven ourselves as v good in the H Cup this season. Dealing with Sarries as Ulster found out was not easy.

The difference was that Scarlets and Exeter gave it their best shot while Edinburgh were officially the weakest team in the pool stages and Racing sent their second string to Thomond in round six.

phog · 18-04-2013 10:26AM

Changes Aplenty For Dragons

Only three of those who started against Leinster last weekend remain in the Munster starting XV for the away trip to Rodney Parade on Friday, ko 7pm.The trio are Denis Hurley, Ian Keatley and Damien Varley who are included in a side comprised mostly of those players who played in the British & Irish Cup win over Cornish Pirates a fortnight ago.
With their interest in the RaboDirect PRO12 understandably superceded by involvement in the Heineken Cup Semi-Final Coach Rob Penney has rested most of his frontliners.

Academy player Ronan O'Mahony will make his RaboDirect PRO12 debut on Friday night while his academy colleague Cian Bohane named in the replacements is also in line for his first Munster senior cap.

Marcus Horan, Munster's most capped forward, is included on the bench.

Munster: D Hurley; R O’Mahony, I Dineen, JJ Hanrahan, J Murphy; I Keatley, C Sheridan; W du Preez, D Varley, S Archer; D Foley, B Holland; Dave O’Callaghan, N Ronan, P Butler.

Replacements: S Henry, M Horan, J Ryan, I Nagle, CJ Stander, D Williams, C Bohane, D Barnes.

Otacon · 18-04-2013 10:29AM

Does this mean we won't have Earls or Howlett for Clermont? I doubt we would throw them in cold.

.ak · 18-04-2013 10:31AM

Howlett you could no bother. He's a bit like Isa in that regards. Oddly enough I'd almost pick Hurley over Earls for the clermont fixture...

trouttrout · 18-04-2013 10:34AM

.ak wrote: »

Howlett you could no bother. He's a bit like Isa in that regards. Oddly enough I'd almost pick Hurley over Earls for the clermont fixture...

Hope to god Penney ain't thinking like you Ak!

We need every game breaker on our team if we're to stand a chance, I can see the logic that Hurley is a stockier defender but Earls is a far superior player and far more likely to make something happen

No point in taking a safe option, we've got nothing to lose

Otacon · 18-04-2013 10:35AM

.ak wrote: »

Howlett you could no bother. He's a bit like Isa in that regards.

Possibly.

Oddly enough I'd almost pick Hurley over Earls for the clermont fixture...

I wouldn't. If we go out there just looking to defend, then we may as well not leave at all.

.ak · 18-04-2013 10:36AM

trouttrout wrote: »

Hope to god Penney ain't thinking like you Ak!

We need every game breaker on our team if we're to stand a chance, I can see the logic that Hurley is a stockier defender but Earls is a far superior player and far more likely to make something happen

No point in taking a safe option, we've got nothing to lose

True, but if there's any game where Munster should try to keep it tight it's this one... Munster shouldn't be aiming to out-score Clermont on the try sheet anyhow. Winning 3-0 would do nicely.

Rightwing · 18-04-2013 10:37AM

.ak wrote: »

True, but if there's any game where Munster should try to keep it tight it's this one... Munster shouldn't be aiming to out-score Clermont on the try sheet anyhow. Winning 3-0 would do nicely.

Exactly. I think POC will be telling him the same thing.

trouttrout · 18-04-2013 10:40AM

.ak wrote: »

True, but if there's any game where Munster should try to keep it tight it's this one... Munster shouldn't be aiming to out-score Clermont on the try sheet anyhow. Winning 3-0 would do nicely.

I see where you're coming from but even taking that approach, which I wouldn't, I still think Earls is a better option. Hurley is a very average winger and his defense isn't even that much better than Earls

opinionatedfan · 18-04-2013 10:42AM

Earls or Hurley, its not going to make much a difference when your facing a in form sivivatu

Rightwing · 18-04-2013 10:44AM

opinionatedfan wrote: »

Earls or Hurley, its not going to make much a difference when your facing a in form sivivatu

I agree it doesn't really matter, but I would also prefer Earls & Howlett in there because they may sneak a try out of nowhere. But the key is not to be throwing it around wildly.

thomond2006 · 18-04-2013 10:44AM

Munster:
D Hurley; R O’Mahony, I Dineen, JJ Hanrahan, J Murphy; I Keatley, C Sheridan; W du Preez, D Varley, S Archer; D Foley, B Holland; Dave O’Callaghan, N Ronan, P Butler.

Replacements: S Henry, M Horan, J Ryan, I Nagle, CJ Stander, D Williams, C Bohane, D Barnes.

The seconds being sent as expected. First senior appearances for both ROM and Bohane.

One slight gripe: Sean Henry is leaving for Connacht and we have both Casey and Scannell being promoted to development contracts next season. Surely we would better off giving one of them gametime over a player who is leaving?

totallegend · 18-04-2013 10:45AM

opinionatedfan wrote: »

Earls or Hurley, its not going to make much a difference when your facing a in form sivivatu

Yes, but if Munster have the ball, I'd rather have Earls running at Sivivatu than Hurley.

flyingoutside · 18-04-2013 10:50AM

Hi lads, i'm unfortunately stuck in Edinburgh for the semi any one know any good pubs over there to watch it in?

ed7890 · 18-04-2013 10:50AM

Hurley might be better at defending if they try to go through him, but if they try to go around him and get a lead on him, he'll get burned for pace. Overall i'd prefer to have Earls in there without doubt. It's starting to look unlikely though, if he's not involved this week.

18-04-2013 10:56AM

flyingoutside wrote: »

Hi lads, i'm unfortunately stuck in Edinburgh for the semi any one know any good pubs over there to watch it in?

Malones on Forrest Road

thomond2006 · 18-04-2013 11:02AM

No Howlett or Earls is worrying. Earls won't have played for six weeks, four for Howlett.

Fireball07 · 18-04-2013 11:03AM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster:
D Hurley; R O’Mahony, I Dineen, JJ Hanrahan, J Murphy; I Keatley, C Sheridan; W du Preez, D Varley, S Archer; D Foley, B Holland; Dave O’Callaghan, N Ronan, P Butler.

Replacements: S Henry, M Horan, J Ryan, I Nagle, CJ Stander, D Williams, C Bohane, D Barnes.

The seconds being sent as expected. First senior appearances for both ROM and Bohane.

One slight gripe: Sean Henry is leaving for Connacht and we have both Casey and Scannell being promoted to development contracts next season. Surely we would better off giving one of them gametime over a player who is leaving?

I like the team tbh...but yeah, I'd have Scannell in there.

Foley starts ahead of Nagle, Stander still only on the bench, Horan returns ahead of Cronin...but good to see Hanrahan and Dineen. ROM on the wing aswell, interested to see how he'll do, he's scored a good few tries at A level.

ssaye · 18-04-2013 11:12AM

Dragons team for Munster
Tom Prydie, Matthew Pewtner, Ross Wardle, Lewis Robling, Tonderai Chavhanga, Steffan Jones; Jon Evans; Aaron Coundley, Hugh Gustafson, Nathan Buck, Andrew Coombs ©, Rob Sidoli,Dan Lydiate, Nic Cudd, Toby Faletau.

Sam Parry, Owen Evans, Tim Ryan, Adam Jones, Jevon Groves, Ieuan Jones, Wayne Evans, Andy Tuilagi.

Rightwing · 18-04-2013 12:44PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

No Howlett or Earls is worrying. Earls won't have played for six weeks, four for Howlett.

That's a big pity. Neither will be in the starting line-up now, the bench at best.

Junior · 18-04-2013 01:58PM

I haven't been scanning this thread in a while, who has Stander pissed off he's fallen so far down the pecking order ?

Mahatma Geansai · 18-04-2013 02:07PM

Junior wrote: »

I haven't been scanning this thread in a while, who has Stander pissed off he's fallen so far down the pecking order ?

He's not in the HEC squad, so little point starting him. Same reason why Nagle is behind Foley I'd imagine.

.ak · 18-04-2013 02:13PM

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

He's not in the HEC squad, so little point starting him. Same reason why Nagle is behind Foley I'd imagine.

Ah c'mon, if it was a case of letting players get game time before the H-Cup then Munster wouldn't be sending out their 2nds.

This is an ideal game for Stander.

ed7890 · 18-04-2013 02:16PM

.ak wrote: »

Ah c'mon, if it was a case of letting players get game time before the H-Cup then Munster wouldn't be sending out their 2nds.

This is an ideal game for Stander.

3 HEC registered guys starting ahead of him for this game. They might be playing to see who gets that bench spot.

It is a shame he hasn't gotten more gametime. He's looked good I think when he's played.

Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread II

Comments