Laulala to munster : 2 year deal

http://www.cardiffblues.com/news/5716.php

Also confirmed by munster. So earls back to wing then you would think.

Also Michael Corcoran has tweeted Bowe to ulster is pretty much done.

So

Murray, ROG, Zebo, Downey, Laulala, earls, jones

Very decent line up.

Get rid of Downey and it's a good backline. Throw in Keatley/Hanrahan or Mafi ahead of him. We need a better backs coach though.

I agree thomond . Gives you options with earls versatility but will this be the death knell for him as Ireland's 13.

If Mafi goes then surely Howlett stays in which case he must start

Good signing for Munster they've lacked depth at centre and this with Downey addresses that problem,how are Munster doing on the NIQ front I know Chambers is gone but will anyone else have to go?

Good news for Earls once the season is over he can concentrate on his best position and hopefully get a proper run on the wing.

Howlett could retire. I don't think we give him an extension anyway.

Real shame for the Blues, especially since he wanted to stay. :/

Wales, why would he leave if he wanted to stay? Did Munster offer more money or something?

Thomond wrote:Wales, why would he leave if he wanted to stay? Did Munster offer more money or something?

From what I gather - The Blues didn't offer him a contract, due to him being NWQ and next years salary cap.0

Seems like a stupid decision to be for a player who is there all year round.

Standulstermen wrote:http://www.cardiffblues.com/news/5716.php

Also confirmed by munster. So earls back to wing then you would think.

Also Michael Corcoran has tweeted Bowe to ulster is pretty much done.

So

Murray, ROG, Zebo, Downey, Laulala, earls, jones

Very decent line up.

Not necessarily - Barry Murphy who had to retire was never replaced and Warwick used to play 12 as well.

Rumour has it that Mafi is away but Howlett is being offered another year (obviously if he gets back to full fitness).

Tony McGahan has also been offered a new 2 year contract extension, but he is taking his time considering it as the family had originally planned to go back to Australia now as they want their kids to grow up there. Axel Foley is the only staff member that has a contract for next season, so there could be changes there as well.

So Earls isn't good enough to hold down the 13 jersey at Munster but he's good enough for Ireland?

In the whole debate about Earls being Ireland's future 13 I think this signing tilts more in the favour of those saying he wont be. Doesnt change the fact that Kidney seems to see him as such though.

Laulala is an absolute class player, big loss for the Blues. He's the type of player the Ospreys have been missing in midfield. Another player leaving a Wales

Great signing, this guy always stands out for the Blues when I watch them. He's a beast of a man and has good hands too.

Could this be the end of Mafi? Mafi has had a really good season but doesn't combine well with Earls.

Interesting signing for Munster - though I do think this is good business for the Blues as although Lualua is class his skills are definately on the slide, and particularly at the start of this season he kept either getting isoloated and turned over or kept trying a miracle pass out of the tackle which weren't coming of and resulted in knock ons.

Henson (IF he ever gets back on form) can replace him, though I know he's not that type of centre I still think him and Roberts could be a good partnership.

Really hope Howlett comes back as he's a great player

Rodders as has been mentioned elsewhere Mafi or Howlett has to go because of next years NIQ restrictions.

With Laulala and Downey siging the assumption is it is Mafi

Artful_Dodger wrote:In the whole debate about Earls being Ireland's future 13 I think this signing tilts more in the favour of those saying he wont be. Doesnt change the fact that Kidney seems to see him as such though.

Brian O'Driscoll will be back for another 2 years from the sounds of how well he is rehabbing which is about the same time as Laulala will be finished with Munster and according to the new rules, Munster cannot replace him with a NIQ player.

Murray, ROG, Zebo, Lualala, Earls, Howlett, Jones ?

Sin é wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:In the whole debate about Earls being Ireland's future 13 I think this signing tilts more in the favour of those saying he wont be. Doesnt change the fact that Kidney seems to see him as such though.

Brian O'Driscoll will be back for another 2 years from the sounds of how well he is rehabbing which is about the same time as Laulala will be finished with Munster and according to the new rules, Munster cannot replace him with a NIQ player.

Seems unlikely to me that Ireland's long term solution at 13 won't be playing there for another 2 years at his province, then will suddenly start playing there again when O'Driscoll retires both provincially and internationally - sounds like a terrible plan in fact.

I'm glad of this signing as I think it moves Earls on to the wing which is where I prefer him hugely.

Murray-Rog
Downey/Keatley-Lualala
Earls-Jones-Howlett/Zebo

Big loss for the Blues, has been their stand-out centre ever since arriving (Roberts isn't used nearly so well by them as by Wales). A great gain by Munster if he can replicate his form, which there's no reason why he shouldn't.

Was he poached from the Blues, oh well never mind pot kettle etc.

Do Munster players like the idea of O'Gara-Downey-Lualala as a combination?

As Stag pointed out a few weeks ago, it is kind of similar to the not so successful partnership of Parks-Roberts-Lualala.

I personally think it could work with a dangerous back 3 of Howlett, Earls and Jones.

I'd be worried putting an over reliance on them as Lualua's and ROG's skills are on the slide and isn't Downey (soz don't know him) a youngster whose just breaking through?

Smirnoffpriest wrote:I'd be worried putting an over reliance on them as Lualua's and ROG's skills are on the slide and isn't Downey (soz don't know him) a youngster whose just breaking through?

Downey is 30+, he spent a few years at Leinster, Connacht and Munster before going to Northampton and becoming a first team player.

Ahh apologies Mickado - so you'll have 3 players all 30+ to get your back 3 moving?

Though as I said I haven't seen much of Downey but it seems like a risk

Has Barnes been given up on? Don't see his name spoken about munster centres here (or did I miss it somewhere).

Artful_Dodger wrote:

Sin é wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:In the whole debate about Earls being Ireland's future 13 I think this signing tilts more in the favour of those saying he wont be. Doesnt change the fact that Kidney seems to see him as such though.

Brian O'Driscoll will be back for another 2 years from the sounds of how well he is rehabbing which is about the same time as Laulala will be finished with Munster and according to the new rules, Munster cannot replace him with a NIQ player.

Seems unlikely to me that Ireland's long term solution at 13 won't be playing there for another 2 years at his province, then will suddenly start playing there again when O'Driscoll retires both provincially and internationally - sounds like a terrible plan in fact.

If that is the case then any Leinster centres who have aspirations of playing for Ireland better move club now. O'Driscoll will probably be still playing rugby for Leinster after Laulala has left Munster.

When Munster had Barry Murphy, Jean de Villiers, Mafi & Earls, Earls managed to start 2 x Heineken cup games at 11, and 6 at 13.

I'd expect both Earls & Laulala to play more than one position - Downey is hardly going to play every game next season and at the moment he would be the only official '12' Munster would have other than 19 Year Old JJ Hanrahan (who has started Munster A games this season at 13, 12 & 10).

No need for apologies!

Yeah, Munster would have 3 30+ players in midfield, but none of them are on zimmerframes just yet. I don’t think age is the problem, it seems pretty balanced.

I think it would depend on how DOwney in particular was used.

Munster are quite poor when it comes to running decoys (other than screens) and support lines in the wider channels. If Downey is used as a one off runner with no one coming from deep on his shoulder then it will be an awful combo because:

1) Very obvious to defend
2) Rog stands too deep for it to be effective at getting over the gainline often
3) Rog won't draw enough defenders away from Downey

If Munster get men running off the two (very powerful) centres then they have a chance of opening the game more and getting guys over the advantage line and making line breaks.

Hit up the middle, brute force rugby like that in the backs in particular is becoming less and less effective.

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Has Barnes been given up on? Don't see his name spoken about munster centres here (or did I miss it somewhere).

Don't think so. I think he is Munster's top try scorer so far this year. Just that Earls has put him on the bench when he hasn't been fit. He generally makes a Munster 22.

New song for the Thomond park terraces –

Casey, Casey you’re the divil
when you get behind the wheel
it was a sad day for the Kerry sheepdogs
when your firestones they did feel

What exactly does the term "skills are on the slide " mean??

I understand 'getting older' and 'loss of form' but that one is a head scratcher.

Sin é wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:

Sin é wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:In the whole debate about Earls being Ireland's future 13 I think this signing tilts more in the favour of those saying he wont be. Doesnt change the fact that Kidney seems to see him as such though.

Brian O'Driscoll will be back for another 2 years from the sounds of how well he is rehabbing which is about the same time as Laulala will be finished with Munster and according to the new rules, Munster cannot replace him with a NIQ player.

Seems unlikely to me that Ireland's long term solution at 13 won't be playing there for another 2 years at his province, then will suddenly start playing there again when O'Driscoll retires both provincially and internationally - sounds like a terrible plan in fact.

If that is the case then any Leinster centres who have aspirations of playing for Ireland better move club now. O'Driscoll will probably be still playing rugby for Leinster after Laulala has left Munster.

When Munster had Barry Murphy, Jean de Villiers, Mafi & Earls, Earls managed to start 2 x Heineken cup games at 11, and 6 at 13.

I'd expect both Earls & Laulala to play more than one position - Downey is hardly going to play every game next season and at the moment he would be the only official '12' Munster would have other than 19 Year Old JJ Hanrahan (who has started Munster A games this season at 13, 12 & 10).

Absolutely not the same thing, as O'Driscoll's game time is very limited now and Leinster aren't signing foreign centres for fun the way Musnter are (Williams,De Villiers, Lualala) all in the last couple of seasons as well as Downey and Mafi there and Barnes coming through - it really doesnt give the impression that Munster see Earls as being a first choice 13 on a permanent basis regardless of getting a lot of game time there.

What other positions does Laulala play? I’ve only ever seen him play in the centre…

Mickado, I'd imagine he would play either 12 or 13.

I think we are as likely to see Laulala and Earls centres as Downey and Laulala.

Especially as (more than likely) Howlett will still be at Munster next year.

As you can see there is a lot of mix and match options available to Munster in the backs:

09 - Conor Murray or Tomas O'Leary
10 - Ian Keatley or Ronan O'Gara
11 - Keith Earls or Simon Zebo
12 - James Downey or Casey Laulala
13 - Casey Laulala or Keith Earls or Danny Barnes
14 - Johne Murphy or Doug Howlett or Danny Barnes
15 - Denis Hurley or Felix Jones

So you could send out Tomas O'Leary, Ian Keatley, Simon Zebo, James Downey, Danny Barnes, Johne Murphy, Denis Hurley in one match and in the next match play: Conor Murray, Ronan O'Gara, Casey Laulala, Keith Earls, Doug Howlett, Felix Jones.

Maybe a little too much choice? A little too hard to see a clear 1st and 2nd choice team.

That’s no harm at all Stag – having a large player pool is a good start in creating a very successful team. once the gameplan is implemented and adhered to, McGahan just has to pick the players that are performing best in training and Munster will be getting the best out of their resources.

Which to you looks more dangerous though backline wise between these two?

Murray-Rog
Downey-Lualala
Earls-Jones-Howlett

or

Murray-Rog
Downey-Earls
Zebo-Jones-Howlett

I'd have to go with the first one myself, I don't think Casey can play 12. At least he hasn't in a while anyways

Munster should sign Cardiff Winger Tom James and shift Earls to fullback and Felix out to the wing.

A back 3 of
James – Earls – Jones
Would certainly bring in the Star Wars crowd.

That was a freebie.

Felix Jones is BACK!!!!

Mickado wrote:Munster should sign Cardiff Winger Tom James and shift Earls to fullback and Felix out to the wing.

A back 3 of
James – Earls – Jones
Would certainly bring in the Star Wars crowd.

That was a freebie.

So is mafi off then?

To Perpignan by all accounts.

He really has served Munster well in all fairness. He has great spirit.

Artful_Dodger wrote:

Sin é wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:

Sin é wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:In the whole debate about Earls being Ireland's future 13 I think this signing tilts more in the favour of those saying he wont be. Doesnt change the fact that Kidney seems to see him as such though.

Brian O'Driscoll will be back for another 2 years from the sounds of how well he is rehabbing which is about the same time as Laulala will be finished with Munster and according to the new rules, Munster cannot replace him with a NIQ player.

Seems unlikely to me that Ireland's long term solution at 13 won't be playing there for another 2 years at his province, then will suddenly start playing there again when O'Driscoll retires both provincially and internationally - sounds like a terrible plan in fact.

If that is the case then any Leinster centres who have aspirations of playing for Ireland better move club now. O'Driscoll will probably be still playing rugby for Leinster after Laulala has left Munster.

When Munster had Barry Murphy, Jean de Villiers, Mafi & Earls, Earls managed to start 2 x Heineken cup games at 11, and 6 at 13.

I'd expect both Earls & Laulala to play more than one position - Downey is hardly going to play every game next season and at the moment he would be the only official '12' Munster would have other than 19 Year Old JJ Hanrahan (who has started Munster A games this season at 13, 12 & 10).

Absolutely not the same thing, as O'Driscoll's game time is very limited now and Leinster aren't signing foreign centres for fun the way Musnter are (Williams,De Villiers, Lualala) all in the last couple of seasons as well as Downey and Mafi there and Barnes coming through - it really doesnt give the impression that Munster see Earls as being a first choice 13 on a permanent basis regardless of getting a lot of game time there.

If De Villiers had stayed for more than a season, it wouldn't have looked as if we had a load of different centres. In fact, if Tipoki hadn't had to retire, we'd probably not have seen de Villiers. Then Barry Murphy had to retire through injury as well (and not forgetting that Sammy Tuitopu didn't work out). Munster also lost Ian Dowling to injury as well.

Chambers was cover for the world mainly - Munster lost Jones & Earls and was down to 2 centres really - (Mafi & Barnes). You recall Johne Murphy playing 12 in Heinken Cup games last season alongside Earls - thats how difficult the injury situation had become.

O'Driscoll always had limited time with Leinster. He just plays in the big games (the ones that these young guys need to be playing in).

I bet that Earls is going to spend quite some time at oc over the coming seasons. And why not he is currently the best oc in Ireland by some distance.