Leinster v Edinburgh

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nidhogg @ Jan 25 2009, 02:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

A mixed bag. The forwards were dominant in the wet conditions, the back-row won good ball at the times, and the rest of the pack worked effectively most times. On the other side, they spend most of the game in the Edinburgh half, and never really looked much like scoring. Whitaker is sooooooooo slow, I could make myself a sandwich, and return to see him still trying to get the ball away. Of the backs only Kearney shone, he and Murphy are neck to neck for the FB spot. The rest of the backs is very much still out of form, or played out of position (D'Arcy and Fitzgerald on the wing).[/b]

Kearney is streets ahead of Murphy for the full back spot even if you're just comparing the 2 performances this weekend.

Forwards did well for Leinster but that's been the story of our season, so many times you hear so called experts questioning the Leinster forwards but for the last 2 seasons it's been the backs who have predominantly failed to deliver when the forwards have fronted up.

 

[Nidhogg]

I wouldn't say Kearney is streets ahead at FB. Murphy was in total control against the Ospreys, AKA a large part of the Welsh international team. Kearney tore up Edinburgh in broken play, but they aren't exactly setting the world alight, I'll take Ospreys over Edinburgh when it's down to what the bigger achievement. I don't think Kearney will get quite as much space as he did against the international teams, and we all know Murphy is golden in space as well. He also has the experience on Kearney, which may sway Ireland to play Murphy as their FB.

I would personally play Kearney over Murphy, but I think their struggle for the FB spot will be quite close, as both excelled this weekend.

 

[feicarsinn]

dear god if murphy plays against the french i will shoot declan kidney

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Firstly the positives:
1. Kearney was phemonenal at fullback. He's emerged as a world class player.
2. Defence. Kurt McQuilkin is the best coach on Leinster's books.
3. The quarter final draw could have been worse.

Negatives:
1. The halfbacks. Whitaker is ponderous, Nacewa can't control a game from 10.
2. That's now three games on the trot without a try. Alan Gaffney should realise what he's preaching patently isn't working. It needs to be sorted out soon or else the former Munster and Sarries boss should be shipped out.
3. The weather. Thank god I was in a covered stand and not in the north or south stand!

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nidhogg @ Jan 25 2009, 05:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I wouldn't say Kearney is streets ahead at FB. Murphy was in total control against the Ospreys, AKA a large part of the Welsh international team. Kearney tore up Edinburgh in broken play, but they aren't exactly setting the world alight, I'll take Ospreys over Edinburgh when it's down to what the bigger achievement. I don't think Kearney will get quite as much space as he did against the international teams, and we all know Murphy is golden in space as well. He also has the experience on Kearney, which may sway Ireland to play Murphy as their FB.[/b]

Only injury will see Murphy play at full back for Ireland, time and time again he's let us down, his defence isn't up to the international game and he's an obvious target when he does start.

He was hardly in total control, Barnes was drooling over some of his bombs but he didn't collect many of them and there wasn't much in terms of line breaks either.

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (snoopy snoopy dog dog @ Jan 25 2009, 05:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Firstly the positives:
1. Kearney was phemonenal at fullback. He's emerged as a world class player.
2. Defence. Kurt McQuilkin is the best coach on Leinster's books.
3. The quarter final draw could have been worse.

Negatives:
1. The halfbacks. Whitaker is ponderous, Nacewa can't control a game from 10.
2. That's now three games on the trot without a try. Alan Gaffney should realise what he's preaching patently isn't working. It needs to be sorted out soon or else the former Munster and Sarries boss should be shipped out.
3. The weather. Thank god I was in a covered stand and not in the north or south stand![/b]

I think 2 is largely down to 1 in fairness. If Leinster could bring in a proper scrum half before the Quins game our chances would increase no end.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Jan 25 2009, 05:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

If Leinster could bring in a proper scrum half before the Quins game our chances would increase no end.[/b]

I agree with you. The only area where I think Quins have an advantage is at halfback where Care and Evans are far superior to Nacewa and Whitaker. Shift Contepomi to 10 and Leinster will improve. Hopefully Paul O'Donohue is given a run at 9 in the two Magners League games before Leinster travel to London (because Chris Keane isn't up to it either).

Longer term, scrumhalf has to be top of the wishlist for next season. As far as I'm aware, Chris Cusiter, Eoin Reddan and Pierre Mignoni are out of comtract at the end of the season. All would be a significant improvement on the current options.

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (snoopy snoopy dog dog @ Jan 25 2009, 05:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Jan 25 2009, 05:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If Leinster could bring in a proper scrum half before the Quins game our chances would increase no end.[/b]

I agree with you. The only area where I think Quins have an advantage is at halfback where Care and Evans are far superior to Nacewa and Whitaker. Shift Contepomi to 10 and Leinster will improve. Hopefully Paul O'Donohue is given a run at 9 in the two Magners League games before Leinster travel to London (because Chris Keane isn't up to it either).

Longer term, scrumhalf has to be top of the wishlist for next season. As far as I'm aware, Chris Cusiter, Eoin Reddan and Pierre Mignoni are out of comtract at the end of the season. All would be a significant improvement on the current options.
[/b][/quote]

well Mignoni is going back to Toulon so that's him off the list, Cusiter looks bound for Clermont so Reddan is the only realistic target of those 3 and the lure of Heineken Cup rugby might well be enough to get him to sign.

 

[MunsterMan]

I get the impression that the only Irish province Reddan will play for is Munster. Peter Stringer is out of contract in the summer as well, Im sure that would go down well with the Leinster fans.

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MunsterMan @ Jan 25 2009, 06:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I get the impression that the only Irish province Reddan will play for is Munster. Peter Stringer is out of contract in the summer as well, Im sure that would go down well with the Leinster fans.[/b]

I'd snap him up if it meant no more Whitaker, his quick service is what Leinster need.

 

[MunsterMan]

He would be a good signing no doubt, but would he be accepted by your average Leinster fan?

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MunsterMan @ Jan 25 2009, 06:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

He would be a good signing no doubt, but would he be accepted by your average Leinster fan?[/b]

I'd like to think so, anyone has to be better than what we currently have and even if there was an element of begrudgers he'd easily win them over with decent performances.

 

[MunsterMan]

I would love to see him stay at Munster, he will always be remembered as a legend for the 2006 win, but we don't need him. Duncan Williams is good enough to be #2 and we have Prendergast as well, plus the possibility of Reddan coming home. It would be good for Irish rugby if ye signed him.

 

[JohnBE]

Whitaker was.. shocking.. honestly how gets a place is beyond me.

His passing was soo slow..



And Kearney has to be starting fullback for ireland, no question.

Murphy never players aswell for ireland anyway

 

[monkeypigeon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MunsterMan @ Jan 25 2009, 06:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I would love to see him stay at Munster, he will always be remembered as a legend for the 2006 win, but we don't need him. Duncan Williams is good enough to be #2 and we have Prendergast as well, plus the possibility of Reddan coming home. It would be good for Irish rugby if ye signed him.[/b]

I hope Reddan goes to Leinster, it'd be a bit daft to have him and O'Leary at Munster at the same time.

 

[JohnBE]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Monkeypigeon @ Jan 25 2009, 07:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MunsterMan @ Jan 25 2009, 06:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would love to see him stay at Munster, he will always be remembered as a legend for the 2006 win, but we don't need him. Duncan Williams is good enough to be #2 and we have Prendergast as well, plus the possibility of Reddan coming home. It would be good for Irish rugby if ye signed him.[/b]

I hope Reddan goes to Leinster, it'd be a bit daft to have him and O'Leary at Munster at the same time.
[/b][/quote]

+1111

lets hope Reddan goes to Leinster.

Both Leinster outhalfs should be changed.. lets hope D'arcy comes in at 12 and Contepomi goes to 10.

 

[An Tarbh]

well we definitely need Dr Phil at 10, O'Driscoll really should move to inside centre with either Fitzgerald or D'Arcy outside him. Nacewa could be a great impact sub either coming in at centre or full back but not delivering at 10 but again how much is that down to the service he's getting from Whitaker? I know his kicking has been atrocious so that's definitely an area he can work on himself.

 

[JohnBE]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Jan 25 2009, 07:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

well we definitely need Dr Phil at 10, O'Driscoll really should move to inside centre with either Fitzgerald or D'Arcy outside him. Nacewa could be a great impact sub either coming in at centre or full back but not delivering at 10 but again how much is that down to the service he's getting from Whitaker? I know his kicking has been atrocious so that's definitely an area he can work on himself.[/b]

well actually I agree with Nacewa being a good impact sub..


but yeah the weak link in Leinster is Whitaker.. he's so bad

 

[An Tarbh]

problem is he's part of the Randwick old boys reunion at Leinster

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MunsterMan @ Jan 25 2009, 06:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

He would be a good signing no doubt, but would he be accepted by your average Leinster fan?[/b]

Stringer would be accepted by Leinster since he's better (far better) than the incumbent. However with him being synonymous with Munster and with his skill set having been picked apart over the years to the extent that he's viewed as a "one trick pony", at the first sign of trouble, he'd be slated just as much as Whitaker is now. For that reason alone, I don't see Stringer joining Leinster despite it seeming like a partnership which would benefit both parties.