A great big Munster thread

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Snoop lets not forget IRFU had input in this signing and well I not saying Declan Kidney sanctioned this but Borlase was not a panic buy.
We never registered him for europe which shows that. He has/had a good reputation back home and well is burnt out.
He has been playing rugby non-stop since Dec 2009 (Canterbury started pre-season) and that's a long slog. We all seen that with Kearney who after the Lions tour to this present day is only a mediocre player who hopefully returns better after getting the much needed rest.
I'm not saying he will be any good but at least give the guy a fair shot.

I'll answer this here because it has nowt to do with Wales v Ireland.

If Borlase wasn't a panic buy, whoever scouted him and sanctioned his signature should be fired*. He's had 6 games for Munster in the ML (and an appearance against Australia). I'm not basing my opinion on him on 20 minutes, I'm basing it on quite a bit of action. He's been so bad that Munster haven't picked him in a month. He's struggling for the A team and from what I hear he's decidedly average in the AIL too. Not registering him for Europe is a sign that management realise they bought a dud. Bringing in BJ Botha to start next season and giving Stephen Archer plenty of game time over the last few weeks shows they've no faith in the kiwi. I don't buy the "he's tired" argument either. He played a grand total of 2 games for the Crusaders and 14 games for Canterbury last season. Would you not agree that Rodney Ah You (who signed for Connacht from Canterbury at the same time that Borlase joined Munster) has looked a far better player than Borlase?

The IRFU had no more say in signing Borlase than they had when Leinster signed Richardt Strauss or Ulster signed Robbie Diack. They merely had to sign off on the deal to take those players to their provinces. I'm sure they were aware that all could become available for Ireland but that's not the same as earmarking them as future internationals.

On another note, good news that Felix Jones (another Leinster reject!) is close to a return to action. He has a great chance to make the 15 jersey his own next season with Paul Warwick out of the way.

Bad news though that Denis Hurley is out for the foreseeable future. He's been impressive this season and has come on a lot since moving to the wing.

*I wonder was it the same guy who also signed Mike Kingsbeer, Jeremy Manning, Mike Storey and Clinton Huppert from New Zealand.

 

[munstermuffin]

Hurley will probably be out for rest of season but Felix is back doing contact and hopefully will play an A game next week.
On Borlase though I'm just waiting to see how he does get on but can 100% say IRFU had part in this transfer but don't get me wrong I'm not saying he was just lamped on us, we actually wanted him too. I know he wasn't a panic buy because Adam Jone couldve been in and we'd still have preffered Buckley and Bull. You know that yourself. I'm not saying Vorlase will be up to Irish level and accept he hasn't been great so far but I'm willing to give him until Dec before going to town on him.

Also Du Preez is another who was known for good scrummaging yet has been up and down since he came so maybe it the scrum coach making players bad.

But I can accept your point but won't judge myself until he gets a summer of rest and pre season

 

[profitius]

On another note, good news that Felix Jones (another Leinster reject!) is close to a return to action. He has a great chance to make the 15 jersey his own next season with Paul Warwick out of the way.

Jones wasn't a Leinster reject. Cheika was said to be very angry when Jones told him he was leaving. Jones made the right decision and showed ambition.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Jones wasn't a Leinster reject. Cheika was said to be very angry when Jones told him he was leaving. Jones made the right decision and showed ambition.

and look what it got him, two years on the treatment table while others who showed loyalty to Leinster like Dave Kearney, Eoin O'Malley and Fergus McFadden have gone from strength to strength.

I know he's not a Leinster reject hence the exclamation point in my post. We realy need a sarcasm emoticon! Jones is a very good player who'll learn a lot at Munster before coming back to Ireland's premier province once he's ironed out the kinks in his game.

 

[munstermuffin]

In saying that I really feel the next 18 months will make or break Jones. This is probably the best chance he will have of nailing a spot in starting 15. I hope he can get fit and stay fit because he has talent and if he makes a strong comeback in next weeks A game I'd like to see him on bench against Leinster and to get European experience asap

 

[munstermuffin]

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/8756.php

Nice team for tomorrow

 

[profitius]

and look what it got him, two years on the treatment table

Thats another point although I hope he's not another injury prone player like Barry Murphy.

 

[munstermuffin]

Don't think Felix is injury prone he was just unlucky to have 2 serious injuries 1 after the other and before his recent injury he was very close to breaking into first team

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/8756.php

Nice team for tomorrow

Munster: J Murphy, D Howlett, L Mafi, P Warwick, S Zebo, D Cusack, C Murray, M Horan, D Fogarty, S Archer, I Nagle, M O'Driscoll capt; D Ryan, J Coughlan, D Leamy. Replacements: D Varley, W du Preez, T Buckley, A Quinlan, T O'Donnell, P Stringer, S Tuitupou, D Barnes.

It's a different looking team alright. I like the fact that the coach is picking so many up and coming players. It seems like Tony McGahan put out his strongest 23 every week until they built up a big enough buffer and is now giving younger players a chance to shine. It's wise that he's stuck Warwick at 12 to help Cusack out. The half backs and front row don't look particularly strong but every other area is more than good enough. Zebo seems to be forcing his way into the first team picture of late with Nagle not far behind him.

Munster should win but I don't think they'll claim a bonus point. That won't matter though since they're miles clear of everyone else.

 

[lucky number 7]

Munster: J Murphy, D Howlett, L Mafi, P Warwick, S Zebo, D Cusack, C Murray, M Horan, D Fogarty, S Archer, I Nagle, M O'Driscoll capt; D Ryan, J Coughlan, D Leamy. Replacements: D Varley, W du Preez, T Buckley, A Quinlan, T O'Donnell, P Stringer, S Tuitupou, D Barnes.

It's a different looking team alright. I like the fact that the coach is picking so many up and coming players. It seems like Tony McGahan put out his strongest 23 every week until they built up a big enough buffer and is now giving younger players a chance to shine. It's wise that he's stuck Warwick at 12 to help Cusack out. The half backs and front row don't look particularly strong but every other area is more than good enough. Zebo seems to be forcing his way into the first team picture of late with Nagle not far behind him.

Munster should win but I don't think they'll claim a bonus point. That won't matter though since they're miles clear of everyone else.

I want to see Buckley at 8 or first centre before he is off to Sale...muffin can you make this happen

 

[munstermuffin]

I'll do my best to put Mushy at 12

But Snoop I think it a mixture of we are close to a home semifinal and we need to stop the staleness in team and freshen things up.
Half backs aren't spectacular but Murray I think is going to be better than Williams and Declan Cusack is a player who can be excellent or awful so hopefully they do themselves proud tomorrow.
Nagle really is getting foot in door now but I'd like O'Donnell to see more time too. As you pointed out Warwick is there to help the 2 lads inside him.
And with Denis Hurley injured this is a massive chance for Zebo to continue his rise and nail a spot. I'm happy because alot of youngsters are stepping up and challenging and I hope when Amlin comes that they are rewarded.
I do worry about our starting frontrow though

 

[Peat]

While a big cheer for Munster actually playing players this side of 25 and taking a risk, I find it utterly ridiculous that Coughlan is at 7 and O'Donnell on the bench.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

38-17, bonus point win for Munster. It was a scrappy enough game but there were some massive positives for the home team. Simon Zebo and Conor Murray looked very lively at this level and put their hands up for further selection. I was surprised at how good Stephen Archer looked because he was out of his depth every other time I saw him. While the Dragons aren't the strongest scrummagers it was noticable that the scrum buckled once Buckle replaced him. Archer too deserves another few games, probably at the expense of Hayes and Borlase.

On the downside, Denis Leamy is a clown. He's always given away penalties because he plays the game on the edge of the laws but he's now giving away idiotic penalties due to hot headedness. I can't believe I'm saying this but James Coughlan, Dominic Ryan or Chris Henry should be on Ireland's bench ahead of Leamy until he curbs his idiotic streak. Giving him the captaincy at the start of the season didn't have the required effect.

 

[durbutter]

38-17, bonus point win for Munster. It was a scrappy enough game but there were some massive positives for the home team. Simon Zebo and Conor Murray looked very lively at this level and put their hands up for further selection. I was surprised at how good Stephen Archer looked because he was out of his depth every other time I saw him. While the Dragons aren't the strongest scrummagers it was noticable that the scrum buckled once Buckle replaced him. Archer too deserves another few games, probably at the expense of Hayes and Borlase.

On the downside, Denis Leamy is a clown. He's always given away penalties because he plays the game on the edge of the laws but he's now giving away idiotic penalties due to hot headedness. I can't believe I'm saying this but James Coughlan, Dominic Ryan or Chris Henry should be on Ireland's bench ahead of Leamy until he curbs his idiotic streak. Giving him the captaincy at the start of the season didn't have the required effect.

+1

Running after the Dragons 8 to continue a game of handbags was stuuuuuupid/


Chuckin was great tonight, def. not a 7 but whatever.

 

[coonor]

Yeah I have always rated Zebo and I think he is one of the few Munster outside backs that is showing any proper potential. Conor Murray looked very good as did Stringer when he came on. MOD was really good and Nagle grew into the game. I think Tommy O'Donnell added abit of zap into the back row aswell when he came on.

 

[munstermuffin]

I think Saturday was huge success. Murray was good and probably with bit more experience will be a nice option. It isn't often I put a player down but I agree what Leamy did was stupidity especially when we had decent possession and an advantage. Zebo showed glimpses of magic and Howlett showed that he is still one of the deadliest finishers. Tommy O'Donnell is a lad I'd like to see get more time now we've finally settled on a position for him.
On Archer snoop he did well but I'm still unsure over him and I've seen him with Con been destroyed in AIL.
Only other downside is I though Cusack didn't turn up at all in what was a good chance for him.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I see Stephen Archer, Damien Varley and Danny Barnes have all signed new two year deals with Munster. Varley staying is very good news. I haven't seen much from Archer to make me think he's worthy of a 2 year deal although he had a decent game last weekend. Barnes is well spoken of but I'm not overaly familiar with him so can't give a strong opinion one way or another.

 

[lucky number 7]

That Ian Nagle fellow played well..if thats the lad I am thinking of ?

 

[munstermuffin]

Yes good to see the 3 signing. Archer I think got it because he's young and TH is a problematic spot for us I think a squad ML player is max he can be.
Barnes is built up alot and people say he has alot more potential and skill than Zebo but still has to show that.
Varley well speaks for himself and his improvements have been superb.

 

[profitius]

Yes good to see the 3 signing. Archer I think got it because he's young and TH is a problematic spot for us I think a squad ML player is max he can be.
Barnes is built up alot and people say he has alot more potential and skill than Zebo but still has to show that.
Varley well speaks for himself and his improvements have been superb.

Good signings I suppose. Barnes, Zebo and Jones have all potential. At least they'll add some speed to the backline if nothing else. A few more young backs in the academy would be nice too.

Archer played well the last time out. I didn't rate him at all but one swallow doesn't make a summer. The jury is still out.

Varley is a good squad player but I think Sherry will overtake him in the next season or two. Any news on Sean Henry going to Saints?