JJ Hanrahan

Could he manage to oust Ronan O'Gara this season for Munster?

Highlights of him in action against SA in the JRWC - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvK57bRwA6g&feature=g-all-u

I dont understand how Munster have never played him.

If the new Munster coaches have any wit, they'll stick Hanaran at 13 outside Downey....... best 13 in Irish rugby since O'Driscoll except no one realises it yet.... ......

.... just remember you heard it here 1st stag.....

But Earls is Munster 13...........

or is it Lualua..............

Nah rodders I seriously think Hanrahan would be wasted at 13. His lightning pass and ability to put others into space will be crucial. He will bring out the best in whoever does play 13. I think Hanrahan should play 10 for Munster, 12 for Ireland.

One thing is for sure, the future axis of 10-12 will involve Madigan and Hanrahan. Would Madigan-Hanrahan or Hanrahan-Madigan be better?

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Nah rodders I seriously think Hanrahan would be wasted at 13. His lightning pass and ability to put others into space will be crucial. He will bring out the best in whoever does play 13. I think Hanrahan should play 10 for Munster, 12 for Ireland.

One thing is for sure, the future axis of 10-12 will involve Madigan and Hanrahan. Would Madigan-Hanrahan or Hanrahan-Madigan be better?

Who cares, I'd just love to see the BBC commentry team trying to keep up with that

You are all fools ...me and JJ are going to take over the world .....

Last chance to jump on the bandwagon... when Hanaran has 90 caps and 55 tries, 12 drop goals and 3 IRB world player of the year trophies, as an outside centre then apologies and humble pie shall not suffice

I think there are a couple of Ulster boys who might dispute the Madigan-Hanrahan combo.

One thing is for sure things are starting to look reasonably healthy in that area for Ireland.

9 Mcgrath
10 Madigan
11 Zebo
12 Jackson
13 Hanaran
14 Gilroy
15 Kearney jr

geoff998rugby wrote:I think there are a couple of Ulster boys who might dispute the Madigan-Hanrahan combo.

One thing is for sure things are starting to look reasonably healthy in that area for Ireland.

Who apart from Jackson? I don't think Jackson has the potential of Madigan/Hanrahan.

Luke Marshall surely. Last year i was thinking he was going to be the next big thing but Hanarahan might pip him to a few caps. Both will be brilliant players i think. Im expecting a big season from marshall next year.

rodders wrote:9 Mcgrath
10 Madigan
11 Zebo
12 Jackson
13 Hanaran
14 Gilroy
15 Kearney jr

Ive seen this quite a few times do people actually think Dave kearney will take his brothers place? Dont get me wrong im a hgue fan of his but i dont think he is as good as his brother.

Or is this just a list of uncapped future players?

Its the latter Golden..... its not real man, its fiction...relax.... you want a dose of reality go to the Irish thread and read Thornleys team..... .....

Ha been there rodders doesnt make for pleasant reading, although pretty sure everyone knew it was coming.

Was just wondering on the Kearneys cause ive seen it on a few different threads.

So rodders Hanarhan or Marshall?

Hanrahan for me. They are both similar, I just think Hanrahan is better.

As for Kearney Jr, I think he will play second fiddle to Sr as a full back.

Marshalls not even in the picture right now Golden...if he establishes himself with Ulster again next season I'll discuss him again but right now he's not at the races...

Hanaran looks fantastic... I think he's a centre and as I said above I have a hunch he'd be better at outside centre but thats like just my opinion man...

Kearney Jr looks class, different to his bro.... very classy in attack.

Hmm.. could it be possible that Madigan is going to get the most game time as a 12, with Hanrahan as a 10, for their respective provinces? Sexton is the man in possession at Leinster, so to get Madigan game time he could be at 12. Hanrahan is the best option at 10 for Munster.

rodders wrote:Marshalls not even in the picture right now Golden...if he establishes himself with Ulster again next season I'll discuss him again but right now he's not at the races...

Hanaran looks fantastic... I think he's a centre and as I said above I have a hunch he'd be better at outside centre but thats like just my opinion man...

Kearney Jr looks class, different to his bro.... very classy in attack.

But neither is hanarhan. He has zero appearances for Munster. If he was to miss a year through injury or competition for places hell be in the same boat as Marshall.

I know thats a bit unfair but something about marshall just got me excited. hmmmm that could be taken the wrong way but im sure you get my meaning

Is there two JJ Hanrahan's at Munster? I swear the JJ that played 12 in the Junior 6Ns isn't the same player that played 10 against the Baby Boks. The two performances couldn't have been more different. Against England in the 6N JJ looked slow, weak in contact and about as skilled as the average prop. Compare that to the calm and assured play making presence he provided for Ireland in the JWC and I'm thoroughly confused. The 6N performance was dire and I was not expecting the tactical brain and well placed kicking he showed the other day.

Hanrahan had an excellent 6 nations, apart from that England game, where it was men against boys. Everyone was woeful.

How the flip has our pack improved so much since last seasons u-20s RWC and the 6N that's the real question??

Hanrahan had an excellent 6 nations, apart from that England game, where it was men against boys. Everyone was woeful

I just remember him being shrugged off by the English full back Watson (one of the smallest players outside the SHs on the pitch) as Watson danced through the Irish defence for the opening try of the night. Should have been a good solid tackle any day of the weak and to my mind he just looked frail from then on out. Paddy Jackson did okish and the big backrower off the Irish bench was probably your best player from memory.

Someone has obviously worked with him since then because he looked a different player against the Baby Boks. A very O'Gara esque kicking technique from hand is always a good thing so see in a young 10.

I dont think our front row was anything special to be honest but the work at the breakdown was excellent.

I certainly wouldn't describe Hanrahan as O'Gara-esque honestly. Different player.

Me neither.... I thought his kicking from hand has shoite too so maybe there are three Hanarans now..... ....

I certainly wouldn't describe Hanrahan as O'Gara-esque honestly. Different player.

I was thinking only in the sense of his kicking from hand. He aims it low, almost on the volley, over the head of the wingers and into the space behind. It's like O'Gara's signature kick (normally with ROG is bounces into touch inside the 22 as well). He's not the best tactical kicker I've seen in an under 20s side but he's got the vision and is trying to put the ball into the right spot even if his accuracy isn't 100% just yet. You can always coach kicking technique (somebody clearly has been) but you can't coach vision.

I would like to see hanrahan at 10. Looks on the way to top class IMO

rodders wrote:If the new Munster coaches have any wit, they'll stick Hanaran at 13 outside Downey....... best 13 in Irish rugby since O'Driscoll except no one realises it yet.... ......

You take Laulaula one of the best 13's in the pro12 (the best who isn't on international duty the whole time) - and now to don't want to play him! But you would play Downey! We'll have him back then if you don't mind, he is a better centre than Roberts for the Blues.

Laulala was great in the barbarians game. He will start at 13 for Munster I think, despite Earls wanting to play there.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Laulala was great in the barbarians game. He will start at 13 for Munster I think, despite Earls wanting to play there.

He is class, his defence has come on a LOT with Roberts, his offloading is second to none in the league and he can cut angles and make runs as good as any centre about - he is powerful in the tackle and able to sidestep slow forwards. Munster would be insane not to start him.

If he moved back to NZ now, I wouldn't bet against him getting some more caps - even with SBW, Smith and Nonu about.

Can't see them buying in Lualala only to not use him. Would love to see Murray, Keatley and Hanrahan together as the 9/10/12 combo with Lualala at 13 and a back three of Howlett, Zebo and Earls. There's your new Munster! Tasty.

Notch wrote:Can't see them buying in Lualala only to not use him. Would love to see Murray, Keatley and Hanrahan together as the 9/10/12 combo with Lualala at 13 and a back three of Howlett, Zebo and Earls. There's your new Munster! Tasty.

That would be a very attacking backline. With this seasons results, do you think Munster will be looking to phase O'Gara out and change their style of play from the one that won them the HC?

Think they will always keep Munster elements, like lots of picking and driving at the opposition line and focus on the breakdown, no doubt they are moving towards playing a wider game though and they certainly have the backs to do it.

His name reminds me of the political reporter off Chris Morris' spoof news show 'The Day Today'

wales606 wrote:

Notch wrote:Can't see them buying in Lualala only to not use him. Would love to see Murray, Keatley and Hanrahan together as the 9/10/12 combo with Lualala at 13 and a back three of Howlett, Zebo and Earls. There's your new Munster! Tasty.

That would be a very attacking backline. With this seasons results, do you think Munster will be looking to phase O'Gara out and change their style of play from the one that won them the HC?

DEFINITELY!!! We have the players (enhanced by foreign signings) to play a successful brand of rugby under a new coach. I do feel that a big signing in the backrow is necessary.

The backline has some very promising players - Conor Murray, JJ Hanrahan, Simon Zebo, James Downey, Casey Laulala, Keith Earls, Felix Jones, Doug Howlett - while in the pack there are some good players like BJ Botha, Paul O'Connell, Peter O'Mahony, Donnacha Ryan etc but the losses of David Wallace, Alan Quinlan and Denis Leamy in the last 12 months means that a signing is needed if Musnter are to win anything next season.

Isn't it great that a player has one good game against an underperforming u20 side and he's now on the fringes of Test selection!

I watched JJ in the u20s and he was solid but not spectacular - in fact very similar to Spence in that team. In the u20 interpro between Ulster and Munster Peter Nelson played 12 opposite him and outplayed him. JJ took the place kicks though and nailed every one.

Hanrahan plays 10 for Bohs and looks far more like an outhalf than a centre to me, but considering Horan's abilities I'd say Ruddock decided JJ was the best option at 12 especially with Jackson at 10.

JJ Hanrahan really is on the fringes of Test selection though as Kidney will draft him up as his only match fit 10 should Sexton or ROG pick up a knock.

I have seen a lot of promise from Hanrahan TGA, before this game. I have rated him above Marshall for a while now.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Is there two JJ Hanrahan's at Munster? I swear the JJ that played 12 in the Junior 6Ns isn't the same player that played 10 against the Baby Boks. The two performances couldn't have been more different. Against England in the 6N JJ looked slow, weak in contact and about as skilled as the average prop. Compare that to the calm and assured play making presence he provided for Ireland in the JWC and I'm thoroughly confused. The 6N performance was dire and I was not expecting the tactical brain and well placed kicking he showed the other day.

The best I've seen him play was against England in the 2011 6 nations, playing at 10. Ireland got hammered that night. George Ford was superb and got MOTM but Hanrahan was on another level. He made breaks, turned the ball over a few times, kicked well and put players through gaps with his passing. I thought if he could become consistent he could be a star.

We must be cautious though. Plenty of players at that age have not lived up to their potential and most good players get a lot of hype, especially players from countries like Ireland. So I hope hes not hyped up too much. I'd say of the Ireland U20 team, himself, Farrell, Henderson and Furlong will go on to play for Ireland. Theres a few others who will be there or there abouts too and some players look like they might not make it at provincial level. Not bad for an U20 team.

Playing at 12 can require some of the same skills but the big difference is the 10 makes most of the decisions. He would be a decent 12 but wasted there IMO.

Profitus - luckily he looks more likely to see gametime at 10 rather than 12 for Munster I would say

red_stag wrote:Profitus - luckily he looks more likely to see gametime at 10 rather than 12 for Munster I would say

Penney will see his potential I'd say. I think next season will be ROGs last season as a starter. Keatley needs a big improvement and Deasy is ok as a squad player but thats all. Hes far too inconsistent.

Summed up well

red_stag wrote:Profitus - luckily he looks more likely to see gametime at 10 rather than 12 for Munster I would say

Stag - do you prefer him as a 12 or a 10?

At 10 by a country mile

Very interesting. If you consider the fact that Hanrahan will be the best option to play 10 for Munster, and that Madigan will most likely play 12 alongside Sexton for the next few seasons, that could be a future partnership for Ireland.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Very interesting. If you consider the fact that Hanrahan will be the best option to play 10 for Munster, and that Madigan will most likely play 12 alongside Sexton for the next few seasons, that could be a future partnership for Ireland.

Will Madigan play 12? I though Sexton would and Madigan would play 10?

He is a very solid outhalf, looked great at centre for the As during the B&I campaign too. Want to see him play outhalf for Munster, Deasy/Keatley are around the same level at the moment and JJ will fidn it toguh to get gametime next year but I hope he does at some point. He is a very exciting talent. Really looking forward to seeing him develop, who knows if he makes it to the top level but it will be interesting to see how he goes on with his career

wales606 wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Very interesting. If you consider the fact that Hanrahan will be the best option to play 10 for Munster, and that Madigan will most likely play 12 alongside Sexton for the next few seasons, that could be a future partnership for Ireland.

Will Madigan play 12? I though Sexton would and Madigan would play 10?

This season Madigan has came on and played 12 a few times alongside Sexton. I haven't seen it the other way round yet.

cough... he's a 13...cough....

Worth noting that at the start of his career, Carter played about 3 seasons mainly starting at 12. In fact his 2nd season he didn't play outhalf once.

Think Penney was the Academy head for Canterbury when Carter was coming through, so I wouldn't be too surprised to seeing JJ featuring there a bit for a year or so.