Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Munster vs Ulster, Fri 7th May 8:15pm, Eir Sport

Options
1235»

Comments

  • Options
    #122
    Jump_In_Jack
    Registered Users Posts: 3,648 ✭✭✭Jump_In_Jack


    shootermacg wrote: »
    Looking to next season, Munster should be able to field a very big physical team. Some seriously big men in the squad. Can really see them ramping up the physicality.

    What’s your take on the KBA approach that was very evident last night?
    It’s fantastic when the ball goes to hand, but I wonder whether we can actually play like that in important matches against the top European sides.
    If the answer to that is yes, and we also have the physicality to hold up the set piece and not soak tackle too much up front, then I’d back Munster against any side.


  • Options
    #123
    Shaka Hislop
    Closed Accounts Posts: 486 ✭✭Shaka Hislop


    Seems that after 2 years of coaching Munster, Larkham has adapted his coaching style after watching 2 ROG interviews :D


  • Options
    #124
    Clegg
    Registered Users Posts: 16,779 ✭✭✭✭Clegg


    I think the provinces are going to struggle in Europe for the next few years. With respect to Munster and Ulster, their packs are inferior to Leinsters by a wide margin. Their tactics work against most Pro 12 sides and some European side, but not against the better European ones. Leinster are similarly starting to struggle against the best French and English (Saracens) packs. We all share the same issue in that we're too rote in our play and can't improvise when our forwards aren't dominant.


  • Options
    #125
    Jump_In_Jack
    Registered Users Posts: 3,648 ✭✭✭Jump_In_Jack


    Shaka Hislop wrote: »
    Seems that after 2 years of coaching Munster, Larkham has adapted his coaching style after watching 2 ROG interviews :D

    Yeah, it does seem that way alright.
    I just think we have the skills to play like that, so why not just go for it.
    Look at what Japan were able to achieve.
    Just needs the coaches to back it, and to change from box kicking by default whenever a big pack drives us backwards.


  • Options
    #126
    Jump_In_Jack
    Registered Users Posts: 3,648 ✭✭✭Jump_In_Jack


    Just to name check a few skilful guys that are excellent at KBA,
    O’Byrne, Beirne, O’Mahony, Coombes, O’Donoghue, and there are high hopes for the likes of O’Sullivan and Hodnett and more besides.
    The backs have great hands when they decide to play expansively, Murray, Scannell, Goggin, Daly, Haley, Earls, and add in De Allende and Zebo, you’ve got the makings of a champagne rugby back line.
    Again, IF the culture moves to adopt that approach, the coaches have to back it, and it’s very frustrating when they haven’t already just gone for it.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #127
    theVersatile
    Registered Users Posts: 1,962 ✭✭✭theVersatile


    Pfftt. Munster have been doing KBA since before it was cool and trendy. :P ;)

    https://youtu.be/Pzz66JtMoxM


  • Options
    #128
    aloooof
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 10,255 Mod ✭✭✭✭aloooof


    Shaka Hislop wrote: »
    Seems that after 2 years of coaching Munster, Larkham has adapted his coaching style after watching 2 ROG interviews :D
    Jump_In_Jack wrote: »
    Again, IF the culture moves to adopt that approach, the coaches have to back it, and it’s very frustrating when they haven’t already just gone for it.

    To be fair, I think we have seen it in spells this season. Look at the try that won try of the year vs Cardiff; there were more offloads in those few phases than we had in full whole games a couple of years ago. (EDIT: theVersatile got there before me).

    We’ve seen John Ryan throw an offload and Archer throw a pop pass off the deck, for example.

    It stuck particularly well last night, but I don’t think that means it’s something completely new.


  • Options
    #129
    shootermacg
    Registered Users Posts: 4,834 ✭✭✭shootermacg


    Clegg wrote: »
    I think the provinces are going to struggle in Europe for the next few years. With respect to Munster and Ulster, their packs are inferior to Leinsters by a wide margin. Their tactics work against most Pro 12 sides and some European side, but not against the better European ones. Leinster are similarly starting to struggle against the best French and English (Saracens) packs. We all share the same issue in that we're too rote in our play and can't improvise when our forwards aren't dominant.

    I think the Munster pack has been in transition. Throw in Knox/Salanoa, Killer, Kleyn, Snyman, Beirne at 6, Coombes at 8 with Fineen/Thomas Ahern/Jenkins on the bench and I doubt Leinster will have the upper hand in physicality at all.

    Then you'll have the backs, Haley, Daly, Zeebo, DDA, Farrell / Goggin, Murray (all 6'2+). Give the backs go-forward ball and it will be a long, long day for the opposition.


  • Options
    #130
    TomsOnTheRoof
    Registered Users Posts: 1,018 ✭✭✭TomsOnTheRoof


    shootermacg wrote: »
    I think the Munster pack has been in transition. Throw in Knox/Salanoa, Killer, Kleyn, Snyman, Beirne at 6, Coombes at 8 with Fineen/Thomas Ahern/Jenkins on the bench and I doubt Leinster will have the upper hand in physicality at all.

    Then you'll have the backs, Haley, Daly, Zeebo, DDA, Farrell / Goggin, Murray (all 6'2+). Give the backs go-forward ball and it will be a long, long day for the opposition.

    If Knox or Salanoa come good we're only missing a top class hooker in the pack.


  • Options
    #131
    thomond2006
    Registered Users Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Clegg wrote: »
    I think the provinces are going to struggle in Europe for the next few years. With respect to Munster and Ulster, their packs are inferior to Leinsters by a wide margin. Their tactics work against most Pro 12 sides and some European side, but not against the better European ones. Leinster are similarly starting to struggle against the best French and English (Saracens) packs. We all share the same issue in that we're too rote in our play and can't improvise when our forwards aren't dominant.

    When you say 'struggle' though, the reality is you're really only referring to a few sides that are probably better than Munster. Munster should be making the QF stage, after that comes down to the draw and the performance on the day.

    As for the pack, if Snyman can return fit and available and Jenkins is a success, then Munster should be able to compete. We are reliant on Knox or Salanoa making a breakthrough at TH however and I agree with Tom that we are lacking at hooker. I think a NIE signing there will be a priority next summer.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #132
    Clegg
    Registered Users Posts: 16,779 ✭✭✭✭Clegg


    I'm definitely referring to the better Champions Cup sides in my post. I just don't see where the provinces can make up for the shortfall in power. If it prompts a switch to a more all round style of play then I'm all for it. There's a lack of invention in Irish rugby right now.

    I'm more pessimistic on Munster's outlook as I am with Leinster's. Going forward we can't rely on the South African contingent staying long term at Munster and the front row becomes a problem once Kilcoyne starts to decline through age. Leinster similarly lack that bit of power in the second row and other than a top quality signing, which isn't guaranteed to happen, I can't see where that extra grunt comes from.


  • Options
    #133
    thomond2006
    Registered Users Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Clegg wrote: »
    I'm definitely referring to the better Champions Cup sides in my post. I just don't see where the provinces can make up for the shortfall in power. If it prompts a switch to a more all round style of play then I'm all for it. There's a lack of invention in Irish rugby right now.

    I'm more pessimistic on Munster's outlook as I am with Leinster's. Going forward we can't rely on the South African contingent staying long term at Munster and the front row becomes a problem once Kilcoyne starts to decline through age. Leinster similarly lack that bit of power in the second row and other than a top quality signing, which isn't guaranteed to happen, I can't see where that extra grunt comes from.

    I think there will always be a need for Munster to sign powerful forwards from elsewhere. I imagine Munster will try to retain one of Snyman or Jenkins and then look to make a signing in the front row depending on how Wycherley, French, Barron, Knox and Salanoa are performing in their respective positions.

    Snyman's loss to Munster this year can't be overstated. Skelton's performance against Leinster was the kind of dominance you'd hope Snyman would have delivered.


  • Options
    #134
    phog
    Registered Users Posts: 23,788 ✭✭✭✭phog


    Have to say I'm very happy with our performance on Friday evening, weather turned bad during the game but we played good rugby, albeit against a very underwhelming Ulster team. Like others have said the ref was good and has shown he's a capable ref in his previous games, like most officials he missed a few things but in general I think he did a good job. How good is Coombes, he's a beast, a joy to watch.

    My motm would have been a forward the pack won that game for us but hard to crib about Haley getting it either.

    Rinse and repeat again next week against Connacht and it will be a great start to the competition for Munster.


  • Options
    #135
    leakyboots
    Registered Users Posts: 5,938 ✭✭✭leakyboots


    Haley has had a very impressive season, he's far more consistent now and I just love him with ball in hand - great stepper and capable of a bit of magic out of nothing. Zebo has a big fight on his hands for the 15 jersey


  • Options
    #136
    phog
    Registered Users Posts: 23,788 ✭✭✭✭phog


    leakyboots wrote: »
    Zebo has a big fight on his hands for the 15 jersey

    This is exactly what we want for every position, be great if we had players of the caliber of Haley and Zebo fighting it out for places across the starting 15.


  • Options
    #137
    Shaka Hislop
    Closed Accounts Posts: 486 ✭✭Shaka Hislop


    There's also a very good chance that Zebo has been brought back as a winger


  • Options
    #138
    Jerry Attrick
    Closed Accounts Posts: 243 ✭✭Jerry Attrick


    Shaka Hislop wrote: »
    There's also a very good chance that Zebo has been brought back as a winger

    Missing h there?


  • Options
    #139
    Shaka Hislop
    Closed Accounts Posts: 486 ✭✭Shaka Hislop


    Jerry Attrick wrote: »
    Missing h there?

    Jerry hAttrick ?


Advertisement