Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

phog · 15-01-2023 9:35pm

Gavin Coombes makes the Midi Olympique's team of the weekend

Akrasia · 15-01-2023 9:46pm

Gavin Coombes was outstanding (again)

If he wasn't playing, Munster lose that game and don't even get a LBP

From start, to the literal last moment of that game he was an engine of power and determination

I'd also like to praise Niall Scannell

His lineout throwing was fantastic in difficult conditions, and he put in an enormous amount of work for the full 80 minutes with multiple big moments in that game and very few errors

phog · 15-01-2023 10:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120113219#Comment_120113219

The hookers did a warm up before the game in front of us with Andi Kyriacou holding the net, the amount of balls that went astray was unreal but in fairness Niall got his target during the game

jcon1913 · 15-01-2023 10:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120108006#Comment_120108006

Ref did his best to avoid giving a red card to the Northampton hooker. There was head contact on Carbury which was drawn to his attention.

JOD was a RC all day

ref missed a late front shoulder on Coombes in the last movement before JOD scored

15-01-2023 10:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120108006#Comment_120108006

Never mix water and electrical goods.

aloooof · 16-01-2023 12:45am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120113360#Comment_120113360

You were at the right side for the action so, phog. Anyone down the town end only had 3 points scored in front of them, the other 47 were all scored down the Ballynanty end.

aloooof · 16-01-2023 12:50am

A few thoughts on that one after getting to watch it back:

Similarities to the first game; primarily attacking in the first half, defending in the second. The difference was the attacking was improved and the defending was in large part down to the red card.
Felt like it should've been more comfortable than it was, but down to 14 men for 60 minutes was never gonna be easy.
And on the 2 incidents, I think the difference between them is that while the one on Joey could have been a red card, JOD's was a red card, if that makes sense.
I think the conditions, and wind in particular were very changeable and often worse than they came across on tv. Carbery seemed to lose the flight of one catch early on and Casey took one from kick-off. A lot of the kicking after seemed to take a lower trajectory.
Lovely variations on our lineout and 5m tap for the first try. I've been critical of our 5m tap with Niall Scannell in the past so that was good to see.
And some good patience for the 2nd try, really super score. Originated from a Crowley intercept and super quick transition off the back of a Northampton maul just outside our 22. Haley with a brilliant kick, Crowley ran it back to their 10m line and 12 phases later we were over.
A lot of players, and obviously Coombes in particular, put in a serious shift. Coombes and Crowley seemed to be battered and on one leg by the end of it.
Great to see Crowley was his usual abrasive self tho. Involved in 2 choke tackles leading to unplayable mauls.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned is Frisch's poor kicking. Reminiscent of DDA's kicking vs Toulouse last year and I'd wager is why we don't see it all that often.
With the 14 men, we couldn't maintain our usual linespeed in defence, but we showed some brilliant resolute defending at the end to close out what could've been a very nervy finish. Shane Daly's tackle in particular was quality.
The restart at the very end, I expected Crowley to just go for distance. He didn't, made it contestable, and Nash legally tied up the catcher to form the maul. Clearly called and well excuted stuff. Our re-starts in general have been much better this season; they were problematic at times last year.
I think Patterson's passing needs to improve, was wayward and fired at guys at times. He's still only started 6 games for us, which you'd nearly forget given his impact this season.
But on that note, Murray would've been absolutely perfect off the bench to finish that one out.

Akrasia · 16-01-2023 1:18am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120113395#Comment_120113395

The very last play, Nash ran in behind the catcher and joined the maul from behind, which is perfectly legal but would have needed to be pre-planned. It was a stroke of genius that they must have worked on in the training field. I think Munster's coaching ticket are properly smart, and able to translate that into fully executed moves on the pitch.It's very encouraging.

leakyboots · 16-01-2023 1:24am

It begs the question - why don't teams do it the whole time? Very clever play

phog · 16-01-2023 1:33am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120114104#Comment_120114104

Probably because it's a maul from a kick & the team in possession would get the scrum. Yesterday, that didn't matter because it was full time. All we wanted to do yesterday was make the ball unplayable.

phog · 16-01-2023 1:35am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120114028#Comment_120114028

I jokingly suggested to our group that we should move up to the Mayorstone end for the second half to get a closer look at all the scores 🤭

aloooof · 16-01-2023 2:04am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120114115#Comment_120114115

I think that's spot on tbh, wasn't there a law change around that recently or something?

leakyboots · 16-01-2023 2:05am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120114115#Comment_120114115

I thought the ref could have called held up for a choke tackle sooner- and before the 80 elapsed on the stadium clock - I had hopes of us even still going for the bonus. He let that go on longer than I thought (or was it because it was moving?)

aloooof · 16-01-2023 10:16am

Just had a look at Coombes' stats for the last 8 games, all of which he's started. He's averaging 42.9m off 16.6 carries and 12.7 tackles a game.

6 tries in those 8 games as well. He's in a brilliant vein of form.

lawrencesummers · 16-01-2023 10:59am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120114095#Comment_120114095

They gave coombes the plaudits for that play on the TV because his strength secured the maul, but it was nash that made it possible in the first place.

lawrencesummers · 16-01-2023 11:00am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120114142#Comment_120114142

It wouldnt have been a muster scrum had he called it sooner.

phog · 16-01-2023 11:12am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120114603#Comment_120114603

That's correct, the team that catches the ball from a kick retains the possession if the ball becomes unplayable.

I'm a bit confused though as I thought a maul couldn't be formed from a re-start.

phog · 16-01-2023 11:14am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120114443#Comment_120114443

His try assist for JOD try is worth noting too, that's the kind of stuff a coach likes to see and it wasn't just a pass, it was sublime.

almostover · 16-01-2023 1:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120114648#Comment_120114648

There's definitely a case to use Coombes as a decoy in some situations. He will draw in more than one defender who are fearful of him making a big carry. He could be used to put others into space as a variation. He has a good pair of hands as shown for that try yesterday.

razorblunt · 16-01-2023 1:48pm

Loved seeing Crowley's eagerness to enter a ruck. Even better when he got a whollop from Jean Kleyn and told to get the fck out of there sharpish!

Youthful enthusiasm!

phog · 16-01-2023 2:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120115320#Comment_120115320

There is that but you don't really want your playmaker getting involved in rucks especially if you want your team to attack from turnovers

razorblunt · 16-01-2023 2:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120115435#Comment_120115435

Ah yeah I know. It was just funny to see happen in real time too.

lawrencesummers · 16-01-2023 2:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120115195#Comment_120115195

Which is exactly what he did against the lions recently in musgrave park, he was being very well marshelled by their 8, a great player as well, and put his hands to good use many times. There was a very good example posted here which linked TRK or some twitter account

Unreal to think we are not even missing a player of CJ Standers quality!!!

Poorside · 16-01-2023 2:59pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120115195#Comment_120115195

Think he was used as a decoy off a lineout that nearly had Jack away, on their 22, ball was tapped down to Jod who threw a massive dummy to his left, all the saints players bought it, and he peeled around the front, was a cracking move and I reckon we'll see it again, closer to the line and its a try

Jump_In_Jack · 16-01-2023 3:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120111704#Comment_120111704

The new format makes it very interesting.

All teams chasing either Qualification or a Home round of 16.

Leicester at home Friday night should beat Ospreys.

Northampton at home could upset La Rochelle, but expecting La Rochelle to go all out for the best ranking they can get.

Stormers at home should beat Clermont, a draw would be ideal.

Ulster at home should be able to beat Sale, after the 39-0 spanking from the reverse fixture it's doubtful though. This result alone would send Munster through to the last 16.

Montpellier at home should beat London Irish.

Toulouse should be favourites to beat Munster, but hopefully Munster could at least get a LBP, or just keep the points difference better than teams chasing us, playing last might give an advantage.

Interesting from a Toulouse point of view, if the Ospreys don't win, and the Stormers don't win, Toulouse will have a Home round of 16 wrapped up before playing Munster.

aloooof · 16-01-2023 3:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120115651#Comment_120115651

Ya, I think that was the lineout just prior to the 5m tap for the 2nd try. As far as I remember, Casey stood at the front of the lineout with someone else as 9, Casey looped around as the decoy with Coombes trailing him, and JOD was away down the blindside.

I think JOD even had someone outside him that he maybe should've passed to, would've been almost certain try. Fwiw, I thought JOD was having a really good game, that mistake excepting, up until he got the red.

phog · 16-01-2023 3:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120115911#Comment_120115911

The hooker was outside him and I think he was a decoy too to draw their guy closer to the corner flag but their defence followed the ball carrier.

I'd need to see it on TV but I think Scannell was initially out of the field of play.

aloooof · 16-01-2023 3:47pm

Also, we've Bennetton the week after Toulouse, and then the break for the 6 Nations; it's possible only at that point will Jean Kleyn get a very well deserved break. He's started every week for us going back to Connacht on 26th November.

Quin_Dub · 16-01-2023 3:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120115781#Comment_120115781

Ospreys could surprise Leicester , but think they'll have enough at home but probably won't get a BP.

Not a chance that Northampton will beat La Rochelle , they might stop them picking up a BP though.

Stormers should win comfortably , Clermont are a shadow of the side they used to be - The sacking of Gibbes might prompt a response , but don't see it making a difference.

You'd hope that Ulster will get a response at home , both from the dreadful performance in the earlier fixture but also from the near miss but hugely improved performance at the weekend but it will be tight either way.

Montpelier will be well up for it and London Irish can't seem to keep 15 on the pitch these days so MTP to collect all 5 I think.

Toulouse should win , but a good performance from Munster could see them picking up a BP and maybe prevent Toulouse from getting one. A good start will be essential..

All that means that it could be very tight indeed for the last couple of slots for the last 16 in the Group.

La Rochelle, Toulouse , Leicester and Stomers have the Top 4 locked and any/all of the 1st 3 could finish on 18 points so places will come down to PD.

Think Montpelier are locked in for 5th place , but the order of the last few slots are absolutely up for grabs

I see both Ospreys and Munster getting a LBP which puts them in 6th/7th place respectively with Sale and Ulster basically playing for 8th place.

But if either Munster or Ospreys don't get the LBP and Sale win then they could leap frog above them.

phog · 16-01-2023 3:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120115945#Comment_120115945

Yes, our lock injury list must be taking it's toll on him, we'll surely be without JOD for those games too.

Short turn around too for those games considering we're traveling away for both of them.

Cookiemunster · 16-01-2023 4:35pm

Rowntree said last week that Fineen W should be back for the Benetton game and that Edogbo should be back for the Ospreys game.

sprucemoose · 16-01-2023 5:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120106091#Comment_120106091

sometimes its about picking the best player for the game in question rather than the best player overall

phog · 16-01-2023 9:38pm

JOD's disciplinary hearing is by video conference on Thursday.

lawrencesummers · 16-01-2023 10:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120117430#Comment_120117430

Maybe he can use the cian healy defense, whatever that is.

letowski · 16-01-2023 10:25pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120115320#Comment_120115320

Crowley is a real competitor, you can see that out in the field. Even against Leinster a couple of weeks back, when Leinster were on the Munster line at the end, Crowley was playing pillar on defense and trying to go for jackel turnovers. Or even on Saturday, he was in the wars after picking up some knocks, but he was never coming off the field. You have to love that about him.

razorblunt · 16-01-2023 11:07pm

What's the story with Okeke? I had a quick Google and there's not much about him.

Two articles about a Snapchat scam that went to court but they're behind a pay wall it seems.

Akrasia · 16-01-2023 11:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120117430#Comment_120117430

How's he supposed to bring fancy biscuits to a zoom meeting?

Akrasia · 16-01-2023 11:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120117874#Comment_120117874

Okeke had surgery in October on a hamstring injury which put him out of action. He should be coming to the end of his rehab soon enough

Lost Ormond · 16-01-2023 11:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120117874#Comment_120117874

he has been out injured for good chunks this season so far. That case was early last year. cant discuss it more and nothing more came out of it.

snotboogie · 17-01-2023 12:17am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120117977#Comment_120117977

Why can’t it be discussed more? The case has been closed, he plead guilty but was deemed to have a minor role and escaped a criminal conviction. He was paid very small money (think it was €50) to let a friend who was running the scam (advertise iPhones on Snapchat, take the money but not deliver any phone) use his bank account. All of the details of the case are out in the public, even if they are behind a paywall. IMO a saying he was involved in a “Snapchat scam” that can’t be discussed makes his role sound a lot worse than what it actually was.

phog · 17-01-2023 12:39am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120118147#Comment_120118147

I'm not sure that OL was trying to stop the discussion, I think he was more or less saying that he couldn't discuss it as that's all he knew about it.

Maybe I'm wrong but that's how I read his post.

Akrasia · 17-01-2023 12:59am

It was a youthful indiscretion

It's completely irrelevant to his rugby career.

It seems the case is closed so the social media case should close along with it.

I did some things when I was his age that could have ended up in court if I had gotten caught.

I reckon lots of people on this forum have some things in their past that they 'got away with'

I'm amazed that any person survives adolescence. It's a perfect storm of hormones and exuberance and rebellion.

lawrencesummers · 17-01-2023 12:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120118251#Comment_120118251

Except now it plays out online or in videos and there is always a record.

I had it lucky being young when there weren't video cameras everywhere

phog · 17-01-2023 2:17pm

Ben Healy included in Scottish Squad

https://twitter.com/Scotlandteam/status/1615336230119669766?t=1DFnjm-hldDcTnZeTwWvHA&s=19

CONSI · 17-01-2023 2:35pm

Fair play to Ben, hope it goes well for him

phog · 17-01-2023 2:45pm

Well Ben is certainly following his dreams to play international rugby. This is the first step towards that dream. Hopefully, it will work out for him and I hope he gets loads of caps with Scotland.

lawrencesummers · 17-01-2023 2:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120120002#Comment_120120002

As much as Finn Russell does right in any game he counteracts with mistakes as well, that number 10 jersey is not completely out of reach at all.

Im sure he will get capped in the 6N this year to have him tied down but it could be the summer before he gets a chance to lay claim to his place in the team.

Akrasia · 17-01-2023 2:52pm

Could be a good opportunity for Tony Butler to be brought in for the Benetton game

I know Technically healy could be called back, but he'll have missed the prep due to being in Scottish camp

I also know Rory Scannel can play 10, but why not bring in Butler to give him minutes against a Benetton team who will be missing their pretty much their entire first team

Eod100 · 17-01-2023 2:58pm

Ireland's RWC pool just got a bit more interesting so

Former Former Former · 17-01-2023 3:02pm

Well, jaysus. Fair play to him.

Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

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