Munster v Australia

[coonor]

The Sony Ericcson Challenge
Munster v Australia
Thomond Park (Limerick)
Tues 16 Nov
8:00pm

Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Alan Lewis, David Wilkinson (both Ireland)
Television Match Official: Tony Redmond (Ireland)



MUNSTER: Johne Murphy; Doug Howlett, Keith Earls, Sam Tuitupou, Denis Hurley; Paul Warwick, Duncan Williams; Wian du Preez, Damien Varley, Peter Borlase, Billy Holland, Ian Nagle, Peter O'Mahony, Niall Ronan, James Coughlan (capt).

Replacements: Mike Sherry, Stephen Archer, Brian Hayes, Tommy O'Donnell, Conor Murray, Scott Deasy, Barry Murphy.



AUSTRALIA: Lachie Turner (NSW Waratahs); Rod Davies (Queensland Reds), Pat McCabe (Brumbies), Anthony Faingaa (Queensland Reds), Luke Morahan (Queensland Reds); Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs) (capt), Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs); Ben Daley (Queensland Reds), Saia Faingaa (Queensland Reds), Salesi Ma'afu (Brumbies), Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs), Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds), Scott Higginbotham (Queensland Reds), Matt Hodgson (Western Force), Richard Brown (Western Force).

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs), James Slipper (Queensland Reds), Van Humphries (Queensland Reds), Pat McCutcheon (NSW Waratahs), Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels), Matt Giteau (Brumbies), Peter Hynes (Queensland Reds)


A highly anticipated game, where i'm sure the atmosphere will be great. Both teams are capable of winning and I'm sure both teams want to win, but for different reasons.

 

[Gavin]

Is this match going to be televised somewhere?

 

[munstermuffin]

Match will be on rte site. Streamed worldwide and on TV too.

It will be a superb atmosphere and alot of these Munster lads are up for it with a chance to show off what they can do to McGahan or Kidney.

Aus have a nice team out and Munster are very strong despite being without Internationals.
I really think we could win this

 

[coonor]

Hopefully this can live up to the AB v Munster match 2008 but with Munster winning. Good to see Borlase getting game time and it seems that Nagle is impressing Munster. I personally think Munster have the stronger and more experienced first 15 and of course the Thomond but Australia have a really good bench more than capable of changing the game and they are still an international team. Although it may not be strong I think its great to see Munster with a young bench and hopefully Barry Murphy can get some game time and slot back into the Munster game.

 

[munstermuffin]

Munster have a young but capable bench.

Mike Sherry - well capable of performing and is playing well
Stephen Archer - Has been around a few seasons now and is a decent player.
Brian Hayes - Big ask but he is a good lad and will enjoy experience
Tommy O'Donnell - Very unlucky to miss out on starting
Connor Murray - Will be a Munster starter in the future
Barry Murphy - Would be sniffing around international scene if it wasn't for injury
Scott Deasy - Is a good squad player

 

[Feicarsinn]

Pretty strong Munster side all things considered. Backline looks like it could do some serious damage should the rain stay off. The lack of John Hayes in the squad worries me deeply from an Irish perspective.

Munster by less than a try.

 

[munstermuffin]

John Hayes will start for Ireland.
Will be interesting if Borlaise plays well it will possibly mean The Bull will be 3rd choice for Munster and 2nd choice for Ireland.

Although Borlaise will be watched carefully as we should remember he should be on a holiday now.

 

[Feicarsinn]

John Hayes will start for Ireland.
Will be interesting if Borlaise plays well it will possibly mean The Bull will be 3rd choice for Munster and 2nd choice for Ireland.

Although Borlaise will be watched carefully as we should remember he should be on a holiday now.

 

[munstermuffin]

It fact and well known that he is in 22 and do you think John Hayes would make a good impact sub - No

 

[coonor]

If John Hayes were to quit international rugby now he would go down as an even bigger legend. I think its touch and go to whether he will make it to the world cup. I think he will either not be fit enough, his lack of game will give kidney no choice but to drop him or something in Kidneys mind will click and he will be dropped. Lets remember the scrum is perhaps the most dangerous part of the game and if he is costantly collapsing it the risk of injury especially for a 37 is very high. hopefully we'll get to see alot of the bench as I am relatively unfamilar with most of them. I think comparing to what has been said about Munster they actually have some good strength in depth and they seem to be playing alot of young players this season. Would love to see Munster get a win here and the team is capable of doing so. Lets face it this team could give the Ireland 1st team a good game.

 

[lynam1104]

2nded

 

[coonor]

Does anyone know where I can watch this online form Guernsey?

 

[Gavin]

Can watch it on RTE player, but I can't figure out how to use it.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I know the weather is terribly, but Burgesses passing has been absolutely atrocious

 

[Jockstap]

God I hate George Hook, the man's an embarrassment who know's nothing about rugby. Even for a Paddy he's ridiculously negative and that's saying something.

 

[Jockstap]

Duncan Williams and Nagle are looking very good for Munster.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Is George Hook the....portly....gentleman in the beige blazer at halftime?
He was a bit of a tool

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Is George Hook the....portly....gentleman in the beige blazer at halftime?
He was a bit of a tool

That's him. He's a clown, He's already written Peter Borlase off as a bad signing..............based on two scrums.

Very impressed with Ian Nagle. He'll be playing first team rugby this time next year, if not with Munster then somewhere else. Duncan Williams is having a good outing too.

 

[Jockstap]

Australia really are cack tonight.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Huge credit to Munster. Oz have been shite but Munster have smothered them and completely dominated position and possession.

Nagle awarded MoM.