Munster bring in centre Tokula

[TRF_Cymro]

Munster have signed Waikato's versatile back Savenaca Tokula on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

http://www.espnscrum.com/rabodirect-pro12-2011-12/rugby/story/159621.html
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[munstermuffin]

Peter Borlase gone to Connacht too

 

[cyRil]

The only pic ESPN could find was of him getting smashed by a Counties player? Good move!

 

[Groundhog]

Is this guy any good

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I don't know anything about Tokula but he's covering for another departed NIE player in Will Chambers so I don't have any issue with this signing. If he can cover centre better than Danny Barnes, he'll be a useful addition.

What did Connacht do to deserve Peter Borlase?!

 

[Feicarsinn]

Some Munster people were throwing Leinster a lot of flak for going after Thorne instead of persisting with just Toner, Flanagan and an injured Damien Browne (if you want proof see http://www.munsterfans.com/threads/30828-Brad-Thorn-to-Leinster) In light of this, lol.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

The same logic which existed when signing Thorn exists when signing Tokula. Thorn is "blocking" Cullen and Browne in my opinion. Neither will ever play for Ireland in the future. His work ethic and power at the breakdown should rub off on Toner and Flanagan. Tokula is blocking Barnes, Gleeson and Hircock. None are good enough to play for Ireland in the future. If Thorn and Tokula were blocking genuine future superstars, I'd be completely against those signings. They aren't and as such each signing makes a lot of sense.

Is Borlase's contract with Munster up at the end of the season?

 

[psychic duck]

The fact Connacht have signed Borlazy suggests that Maguire has been pants

Borlazy is on a two year contract with an option for another year ... can't think why Munster would want to keep him for another year

Tokula is a Fijian born New Zealand sevens representative, has been in the Chiefs squad for the last couple of years but on the fringes not played much as Kahui plays his favoured 13 position, however in the ITM Cup he is a regular for Waikato ,he was not included in this year's Chiefs squad

 

[munstermuffin]

No duck his contract is up in October and Munster have option of extending not Borlase. I presume Connacht may sign him if he does well And Snoop Gleeson others are out for season but I agree with your point. At end of day yes provinces will try help national team but we have to be greedy in a way too.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Some Munster people were throwing Leinster a lot of flak for going after Thorne instead of persisting with just Toner, Flanagan and an injured Damien Browne (if you want proof see http://www.munsterfans.com/threads/30828-Brad-Thorn-to-Leinster) In light of this, lol.

Be fair that's a great rant.

 

[Peat]

Some Munster people were throwing Leinster a lot of flak for going after Thorne instead of persisting with just Toner, Flanagan and an injured Damien Browne (if you want proof see http://www.munsterfans.com/threads/30828-Brad-Thorn-to-Leinster) In light of this, lol.

Nothing compared to the carry-on about Terblanche tbh, although that is some rant.

 

[big ginger 8]

Some Munster people were throwing Leinster a lot of flak for going after Thorne instead of persisting with just Toner, Flanagan and an injured Damien Browne (if you want proof see http://www.munsterfans.com/threads/30828-Brad-Thorn-to-Leinster) In light of this, lol.

I'd like to tell him no you couldn't replace Borlase with Woodcock they're different positions; they do not know there props at all.

Good rant I guess. I never heard any rumors about Cooper coming to Leinster, did anyone else? Kind of reaching when he names other place kickers only one of whom's an out-half.

 

[Feicarsinn]

I'd like to tell him no you couldn't replace Borlase with Woodcock they're different positions; they do not know there props at all.

Good rant I guess. I never heard any rumors about Cooper coming to Leinster, did anyone else? Kind of reaching when he names other place kickers only one of whom's an out-half.

I seem to remember it floating about, but I don't think there was ever anything serious to it. We were looking for someone who could stand in for Johnny while he was at the world cup and share the 22 jersey with Madigan while the latter developed. Hardly going to be a marquee signing. As it happened, Madigan developed a bit quicker than expected so Berquist's injury wasn't as badly felt as it might have been.


Anyway, any of the Super 14 guys know if he's any use?

 

[profitius]

Some Munster people were throwing Leinster a lot of flak for going after Thorne instead of persisting with just Toner, Flanagan and an injured Damien Browne (if you want proof see http://www.munsterfans.com/threads/30828-Brad-Thorn-to-Leinster) In light of this, lol.

Theres also plenty of Munster fans not happy about this signing.

 

[Darwin]

Anyway, any of the Super 14 guys know if he's any use?

Depends what you want from your centre. He is a very powerful player, and deceptively quick, therefore he has the ability to break the line single-handedly with ball in hand. Unfortunately that is where his strengths end. He is an average (at best) distributor - he is much more likely to have a go himself rather than feed his wingers. His major downfall however is his weak defense. He gets caught out of position a lot on defense, and even when he is in position to make the tackle he often misses simple one-on-one tackles. Because of this glaring weakness he has been given few chances at Super Rugby level. He is capable on the wing, and personally I think he would be better specializing as a wing where the defensive responsibilities are less, and he can play the role of a finisher, rather than a creator.

 

[nickdnz]

I personally think he's good. As Darwin mentions, his distributing isn't brilliant and his defense is fairly average. If i had to compare him to a player style wise, I think he's like a considerably better version of Ayoola Erinle, but with good finishing abilities.

He's a very strong runner and is pretty damn quick. I would say I prefer him one the wing, but I don't know if he's THAT quick to really stand out there. Non the less, I think he should have got more time at the Chiefs to be honest.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Fantastic on attack, poor on defence. He almost always breaks the first up tackle. He also almost always misses his first tackle

That being said, I was annoyed he wasn't in the Chiefs, so he's not a bad signing.

 

[cyRil]

As Darwin mentions

Sounds like you're delivering a Theology lecture!