A great big Munster thread

[Groundhog]

It is odd, and it worries me how a lot of our ex players seem to be united in installing an 'old guard' with a fair few being vocal in the lead up to Foley's appointment and a couple (David Wallace wrote an article on TheScore) pointing out the flaws of Penneys regime some of which were very unfair. I'll remain optimistic and reserve judgement but it's a strange string of appointments with very little experience.

 

[munstermuffin]

Got to say Munster's coaching shift is an odd one. I thought they were looking to evolve and bring in fresh ideas, seems they have dumped all that and gone for a setup entirely from within.

To be honest Duck a lot want to evolve and most wanted Rob to stay on with a new outsider backs coach but it's a combination of 2 things. 1. The minority with most power want to keep it in house as they see it safest option and 2. The funds are not there at all.
But Axel is his own man and will try new things but it's a grey area

 

[profitius]

I think Walsh will be fine. Hes supposed to be a bit of a maverick, smart and has plenty of ideas.

Shame to see some of the comments about Penney but thats from mostly outside the camp. His mistake was hiring a cabbage as a backs coach.

 

[munstermuffin]

I think Walsh will be fine. Hes supposed to be a bit of a maverick, smart and has plenty of ideas.

Shame to see some of the comments about Penney but thats from mostly outside the camp. His mistake was hiring a cabbage as a backs coach.

He actually didn't pick Mannix directly as his backs coach. Being honest I don't think many had anything bad to say about Penney. He's done well.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Sherry out till the new year: http://www.independent.ie/sport/rug...sherry-out-for-up-to-six-months-30520310.html

 

[munstermuffin]

Sherry out till the new year: http://www.independent.ie/sport/rug...sherry-out-for-up-to-six-months-30520310.html

Yeah Mick had his progress test last week and shoulder still catching so hope to get him back by Dec/Jan. And he was very fit in preseason which is pity.
Varley will be back in 4 weeks hopefully once foot rested.
Earls was injured last week with Ireland and will be out for few weeks with knee.
Van Den Heever and O'Dea same after injuries with 7s.
Donnas ha Ryan back doing some training.

Hopefully this is our bad period with injuries

 

[profitius]

Yeah Mick had his progress test last week and shoulder still catching so hope to get him back by Dec/Jan. And he was very fit in preseason which is pity.
Varley will be back in 4 weeks hopefully once foot rested.
Earls was injured last week with Ireland and will be out for few weeks with knee.
Van Den Heever and O'Dea same after injuries with 7s.
Donnas ha Ryan back doing some training.

Hopefully this is our bad period with injuries

An injury list before Munsters first pre season game doesn't bode well.

 

[munstermuffin]

An injury list before Munsters first pre season game doesn't bode well.

No but a lot is from last season. I'm hopeful that if we manage it right they'll clear up proper.

 

[Groundhog]

Munster (v Gloucester): Stephen Fitzgerald; Ronan O'Mahony, Cian Bohane, Ivan Dineen, Darren Sweetnam; Johnny Holland, Duncan Williams; Alan Cotter, Ger Slattery, BJ Botha; Donncha O'Callaghan (c), Sean McCarthy; Shane Buckley, Barry O'Mahony, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Niall Horan, Kevin O'Byrne, John Ryan, John Madigan, Ryan Murphy, Cathal Sheridan, David Johnston, Ned Hodson, Rory Scannell, Ryan Foley, Greg O'Shea

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Munster (v Gloucester): Stephen Fitzgerald; Ronan O’Mahony, Cian Bohane, Ivan Dineen, Darren Sweetnam; Johnny Holland, Duncan Williams; Alan Cotter, Ger Slattery, BJ Botha; Donncha O’Callaghan (c), Sean McCarthy; Shane Buckley, Barry O’Mahony, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Niall Horan, Kevin O’Byrne, John Ryan, John Madigan, Ryan Murphy, Cathal Sheridan, David Johnston, Ned Hodson, Rory Scannell, Ryan Foley, Greg O’Shea

And the beginning of what will be known as 'The Foley disaster' begins.

Like he's picked a fella from One Direction as sub hooker, basket case.

 

[Groundhog]

It's an interesting side anyway. I'm interested to see O'Shea from the bench, he was a very good schools sprinter.

 

[munstermuffin]

And the beginning of what will be known as 'The Foley disaster' begins.

Like he's picked a fella from One Direction as sub hooker, basket case.

He's actually a prop if you did your homework

And not a bad squad considering options available. Also great opportunity. Sweetman Fitzgearld Bohane and O'Shea all flying it. In pack there's experience but a few eager lads too and while I don't expect us to win I know we will be trying a lot of new ideas and lads will get great crack this week and next in Waterford

 

[profitius]

Just heard Foley on the radio. He said Munster will play with 2 10s this season ie a 2nd 5/8. Looks like Hanrahan and Keatley will play both 10 and 12, Bleyendaal will be a 12 and Johnny Holland will be a 10.

 

[munstermuffin]

Just heard Foley on the radio. He said Munster will play with 2 10s this season ie a 2nd 5/8. Looks like Hanrahan and Keatley will play both 10 and 12, Bleyendaal will be a 12 and Johnny Holland will be a 10.

Exactly and Holland will see plenty of time this year with plenty of switching. Game plan is you can have a playmaker left and right so options are plentiful and hopefully we can set the talent out wide free. Tyler and Holland can play 10/12 too.
Expect us to be **** until October but then when it clicks see how we go

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

http://www.newstalk.ie/Anthony-Foley-on-Munsters-centre-options-and-evolving-the-tactics

"Rob (Penney) had his way of playing and at times it didn't engage that gain line and at times it became very lateral. Some days that worked, some days it didn't against better teams," said Foley.

We criticize coaches for not speaking their mind so it's hard to have a go at Foley for voicing his opinion. That aside, perhaps some things should be left unsaid! To say that Rob Penney's style was ineffective against good teams is pretty harsh on his former boss!

 

[Gavin]

Is this style of 2 play makers essentially the style which was implemented by Penny? It is a Kiwi style of play.

 

[munstermuffin]

We criticize coaches for not speaking their mind so it's hard to have a go at Foley for voicing his opinion. That aside, perhaps some things should be left unsaid! To say that Rob Penney's style was ineffective against good teams is pretty harsh on his former boss!

I think he came out wrong. Like to see what they're at in training is clear. He wants to take a lot of what Penney done but develop it with few tweaks. It'll be exciting if it works and well my opinions of Brian Walsh especially as a coach have risen highly in last few weeks. But everyone in Munster has nothing but respect and appreciation for what Penney did here.

@Gavin yes it'll be building on what he started with few alterations and a bit of Axels own stamp.

 

[Amiga500]

Exactly and Holland will see plenty of time this year with plenty of switching. Game plan is you can have a playmaker left and right so options are plentiful

Not necessarily.

You'd ideally* want your full back doing that - as he can run from deep and join the line late, giving him the chance to spot a potential overload and reducing the time for the defence to plug it.

2 guys either side at the head of organised lines only reduces the numbers in each line and thus reduces your chances of overloading. It also allows for a more set defence to be formed.


*I supposed you'd ideally want a range of players capable of being the ball pivots, so when play breaks up you can exploit any gaps. i.e. 7/8/9/10 can act as scrum-half, 9/10/12/15 as fly half.


NH rugby in general is far too structured in terms of roles on a broken field (structured set piece stuff is an obvious necessity due to the weather).

 

[munstermuffin]

Not necessarily.

You'd ideally* want your full back doing that - as he can run from deep and join the line late, giving him the chance to spot a potential overload and reducing the time for the defence to plug it.

2 guys either side at the head of organised lines only reduces the numbers in each line and thus reduces your chances of overloading. It also allows for a more set defence to be formed.


*I supposed you'd ideally want a range of players capable of being the ball pivots, so when play breaks up you can exploit any gaps. i.e. 7/8/9/10 can act as scrum-half, 9/10/12/15 as fly half.


NH rugby in general is far too structured in terms of roles on a broken field (structured set piece stuff is an obvious necessity due to the weather).

Can I ask what are you on about? Not necessarily what? Any coach can design any plan they want hell it can be 2 props standing in 10 channel if a coach wanted.
And it can work in structured or unstructured play if you have personnell right. Will it be a success I don't know but been honest I can't argue much as I haven't a clue what you on about. I wasn't saying it's strictly 2 on each side but a playmaker eachside so it keeps all options open and players can be switching. It worked well last year with JJ and Keatley and it's building on that so again I don't know what you are on about with your * but it sounds good.

 

[profitius]

Luckily Hanrahan and Keatley are good centres in their own right. Personally I think its a good idea. The advantage that has over using the fullback as Amiga said is that 10s generally are more creative. That's especially so compared to Munsters fullbacks. Toulon's secret weapon has been Matt Giteau playing 12. He gives them an extra dimension.