Blues v Munster

First topic message reminder :

Munster: F Jones; D Howlett (capt), K Earls, J Downey, DHurley; R O'Gara, C Murray; D Kilcoyne, M Sherry, S Archer; D Foley, D Ryan; T O'Donnell, S Dougall, J Coughlan.

Replacements: S Henry, W du Preez, BJ Botha, B Holland, CJ Stander, D Williams, I Keatley, C Laulala.

Blues: Jason Tovey; Owen Williams, Richard Smith, Jamie Roberts, Harry Robinson; Rhys Patchell, Lewis Jones; Sam Hobbs, Rhys Williams, Benoit Bourrust, Bradley Davies, Lou Reed, Josh Navidi (capt), Sam Warburton, Robin Copeland.

Replacements: Kritian Dacey, Paetru Tamba, Scott Andrews, James Down, Luke Hamilton, Alex Walker, Ceri Sweeney, Leigh Halfpenny.

Live on S4C and RTE.

Roberts back for the Blues, be nice to see him play well for the us as he is normally lacklustre. Would be interesting to see the Romanian prop Tamba off the bench, a lot of Blues fans have been asking for a gnarly Eastern European Tighthead (I think hes a Tighthead).

Well yes, but Blues have hardly been inspirational. They've looked good when they get it wide but this has been a bit like two bald men, comb etc. etc.

Munster look dead on their feet.

valjester wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Munster need a scrum half. They should try get Cooney.

Why? He is beyond average, they have scrumhalves coming through in Sheridan, and Haugh is supposed to be excellent.

Cooney has been playing well for us. He also has the experience of playing in a HC final. He'll only be 2nd choice behind Murray and hes much better than Williams.

They could sign him for 2 years while they develop the players you mentioned. Or they could sign Luke Mcgrath?

Golden wrote:

valjester wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Munster need a scrum half. They should try get Cooney.

Why? He is beyond average, they have scrumhalves coming through in Sheridan, and Haugh is supposed to be excellent.

I thought that too before this season but he looked very good at the start of the season when he got games. Huge improvement from him

He's still not a player Munster should be looking at, Haugh definitely has more potential than him. They really should just be shooting Williams and giving the time to Sheridan until Haugh is ready.

When did Hamilton come on? I wouldn't have taken Copland off unless he was injured. Hamilton has played at 6 recently

wales606 wrote:If they blues can hold on, this would be a huge, much needed confidence booster. The performance has been pretty good in certain areas and there are a lot of positives.

Backrow playing well by the sounds of it, set piece holding up too...!

maestegmafia wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:Worst performance and result for Munster in a long long time.

It sounds like the Blues are playing good rugby, some credit must go their way too...?

I wouldn't say good rugby, but it's certainly more intelligent rugby.

Downey and Lualala look good in the centre together. What do Munsterites think of that?

I'm sorry, but I’ve only missed one home game this season, so I NEED this! Our level of play has been a huge improvement on the dross we have been playing at home. Our back row has destroyed yours. We deserve some credit!

And...Hamilton knocks on at the base of a retreating scrum

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

valjester wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Munster need a scrum half. They should try get Cooney.

Why? He is beyond average, they have scrumhalves coming through in Sheridan, and Haugh is supposed to be excellent.

Cooney has been playing well for us. He also has the experience of playing in a HC final. He'll only be 2nd choice behind Murray and hes much better than Williams.

They could sign him for 2 years while they develop the players you mentioned. Or they could sign Luke Mcgrath?

Anyone is better than Williams, if Munster want to give game time to a youngster I'd prefer they gave it to Sheridan. McGrath won't be allowed to move.

Right four minutes to go, but Munster are still plugging away. Going for the corner...and they could well score here.

wales606 wrote:When did Hamilton come on? I wouldn't have taken Copland off unless he was injured. Hamilton has played at 6 recently

Both Copeland and Hamilton have looked better than Pretorious all season...!

Coleman wrote:I'm sorry, but I’ve only missed one home game this season, so I NEED this! Our level of play has been a huge improvement on the dross we have been playing at home. Our back row has destroyed yours. We deserve some credit!

I agree, Munster haven't help themselves with silly errors, but their back row and second row have been completely outplayed

maestegmafia wrote:

wales606 wrote:When did Hamilton come on? I wouldn't have taken Copland off unless he was injured. Hamilton has played at 6 recently

Both Copeland and Hamilton have looked better than Pretorious all season...!

Pretorious is not an 8

wales606 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

wales606 wrote:When did Hamilton come on? I wouldn't have taken Copland off unless he was injured. Hamilton has played at 6 recently

Both Copeland and Hamilton have looked better than Pretorious all season...!

Pretorious is not an 8

True...!

Pathetic from Munster.

This Romanian lad is a HUGE improvement on Hobbs. Like what I’m seeing.

wales606 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

wales606 wrote:When did Hamilton come on? I wouldn't have taken Copland off unless he was injured. Hamilton has played at 6 recently

Both Copeland and Hamilton have looked better than Pretorious all season...!

Pretorious is not an 8

So what is Pretorious then? Every time he has played this season he's had a stinker where as Robin Copeland has had a stormer.

Things just getting worse for Munster. I wouldn't say they've gone backwards, they just fold under pressure. The players and coaches are still there to build another European contender.

Things just getting worse for Munster. I wouldn't say they've gone backwards, they just fold under pressure. The players and coaches are still there to build another European contender.

And halfpenny makes a mistake! But he will FINALLY be on a winning team after about 10months.

Patchell is MOTM I think. Odd decision, it would be navidi, Copland or Warburton for me.

Morgannwg wrote:

wales606 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

wales606 wrote:When did Hamilton come on? I wouldn't have taken Copland off unless he was injured. Hamilton has played at 6 recently

Both Copeland and Hamilton have looked better than Pretorious all season...!

Pretorious is not an 8

So what is Pretorious then? Every time he has played this season he's had a stinker where as Robin Copeland has had a stormer.

Couldn't agree more

just as clock turned red, Casey made 15 metres from a scrum. Munster then did their double screen play and lost 20

Morgannwg wrote:

wales606 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

wales606 wrote:When did Hamilton come on? I wouldn't have taken Copland off unless he was injured. Hamilton has played at 6 recently

Both Copeland and Hamilton have looked better than Pretorious all season...!

Pretorious is not an 8

So what is Pretorious then? Every time he has played this season he's had a stinker where as Robin Copeland has had a stormer.

He was player of the season at 6. He would be behind navidi and Paterson though.

FT 6 -17 A badly needed win for the Blues. The fact it was away as well, will put a smile on their faces.

valjester wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

valjester wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Munster need a scrum half. They should try get Cooney.

Why? He is beyond average, they have scrumhalves coming through in Sheridan, and Haugh is supposed to be excellent.

Cooney has been playing well for us. He also has the experience of playing in a HC final. He'll only be 2nd choice behind Murray and hes much better than Williams.

They could sign him for 2 years while they develop the players you mentioned. Or they could sign Luke Mcgrath?

Anyone is better than Williams, if Munster want to give game time to a youngster I'd prefer they gave it to Sheridan. McGrath won't be allowed to move.

Why would McGrath not be allowed move. He's only in the academy. Im sure he would jump at the chance of getting a senior contract and being 2nd choice.

Two wins in a row! Wheeeeeeey ^_^

wales606 wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:

wales606 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

wales606 wrote:When did Hamilton come on? I wouldn't have taken Copland off unless he was injured. Hamilton has played at 6 recently

Both Copeland and Hamilton have looked better than Pretorious all season...!

Pretorious is not an 8

So what is Pretorious then? Every time he has played this season he's had a stinker where as Robin Copeland has had a stormer.

He was player of the season at 6. He would be behind navidi and Paterson though.

He's behind Copeland at the moment, is club captain and signing a new contract...! Not a wise move by the blues

I think in future if I see a Munster squad with Williams in it, I might be best advised skipping the match. That was awful to watch, truly appalling. I don't know where Munster are hoping to go from here but surely Rog has done more than enough to get himself dropped at this stage. He is beyond woeful.

KICK TO THE CORNER! MIRACLE MATCH! WHO IS THIS JOHNNY SEXTON FELLA?!!



I agree with Ralph Keyes. We need to return to 'traditional Munster values'.

maestegmafia wrote:

wales606 wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:

wales606 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

wales606 wrote:When did Hamilton come on? I wouldn't have taken Copland off unless he was injured. Hamilton has played at 6 recently

Both Copeland and Hamilton have looked better than Pretorious all season...!

Pretorious is not an 8

So what is Pretorious then? Every time he has played this season he's had a stinker where as Robin Copeland has had a stormer.

He was player of the season at 6. He would be behind navidi and Paterson though.

He's behind Copeland at the moment, is club captain and signing a new contract...! Not a wise move by the blues

It’s not fair to say that. He is a good player. But he is having a bad run of form at the moment. If we get one injury in the next few weeks we will need him. Sam and I assume Josh will be off with Wales. Depending on who gets hurt that doesn’t leave us much to choose from.

Great result for the blues. Hope I set the box to record at home...!

Sounded like a good game. Beating Munster away is a massive result for any side.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

valjester wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

valjester wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Munster need a scrum half. They should try get Cooney.

Why? He is beyond average, they have scrumhalves coming through in Sheridan, and Haugh is supposed to be excellent.

Cooney has been playing well for us. He also has the experience of playing in a HC final. He'll only be 2nd choice behind Murray and hes much better than Williams.

They could sign him for 2 years while they develop the players you mentioned. Or they could sign Luke Mcgrath?

Anyone is better than Williams, if Munster want to give game time to a youngster I'd prefer they gave it to Sheridan. McGrath won't be allowed to move.

Why would McGrath not be allowed move. He's only in the academy. Im sure he would jump at the chance of getting a senior contract and being 2nd choice.

Leinster won't let him go, and I doubt he would want to go to Munster. Boss and Reddan don't have long left, if Munster came sniffing, I would imagine that Leinster would encourage him to stay one way or another.

valjester wrote:I think in future if I see a Munster squad with Williams in it, I might be best advised skipping the match. That was awful to watch, truly appalling. I don't know where Munster are hoping to go from here but surely Rog has done more than enough to get himself dropped at this stage. He is beyond woeful.

We agree on that Val. Rog is one of the worst players in Munster at the moment and the clincher is.....he has the most affect on how the team plays....

When does Copeland's contract end with the blues?

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

valjester wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

valjester wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Munster need a scrum half. They should try get Cooney.

Why? He is beyond average, they have scrumhalves coming through in Sheridan, and Haugh is supposed to be excellent.

Cooney has been playing well for us. He also has the experience of playing in a HC final. He'll only be 2nd choice behind Murray and hes much better than Williams.

They could sign him for 2 years while they develop the players you mentioned. Or they could sign Luke Mcgrath?

Anyone is better than Williams, if Munster want to give game time to a youngster I'd prefer they gave it to Sheridan. McGrath won't be allowed to move.

Why would McGrath not be allowed move. He's only in the academy. Im sure he would jump at the chance of getting a senior contract and being 2nd choice.

Well in fairness hes only 19/20 and in a couple of years both Reddan and boss will be gone or going leaving just himself and Cooney. So theres every chance of him establishing himself quickly at his home province which should be a big draw to stay.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:When does Copeland's contract end with the blues?

He signed with us for two years i believe, so after next season. Keep your mitts off!

Coleman wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

wales606 wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:

wales606 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

wales606 wrote:When did Hamilton come on? I wouldn't have taken Copland off unless he was injured. Hamilton has played at 6 recently

Both Copeland and Hamilton have looked better than Pretorious all season...!

Pretorious is not an 8

So what is Pretorious then? Every time he has played this season he's had a stinker where as Robin Copeland has had a stormer.

He was player of the season at 6. He would be behind navidi and Paterson though.

He's behind Copeland at the moment, is club captain and signing a new contract...! Not a wise move by the blues

It’s not fair to say that. He is a good player. But he is having a bad run of form at the moment. If we get one injury in the next few weeks we will need him. Sam and I assume Josh will be off with Wales. Depending on who gets hurt that doesn’t leave us much to choose from.

He seems like an unwise big wage to me. If he was putting in the sort of performances that, for example, Rush put in at his prime, then he would be well worth his wage. But he isn't first choice.

valjester wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

valjester wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

valjester wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Munster need a scrum half. They should try get Cooney.

Why? He is beyond average, they have scrumhalves coming through in Sheridan, and Haugh is supposed to be excellent.

Cooney has been playing well for us. He also has the experience of playing in a HC final. He'll only be 2nd choice behind Murray and hes much better than Williams.

They could sign him for 2 years while they develop the players you mentioned. Or they could sign Luke Mcgrath?

Anyone is better than Williams, if Munster want to give game time to a youngster I'd prefer they gave it to Sheridan. McGrath won't be allowed to move.

Why would McGrath not be allowed move. He's only in the academy. Im sure he would jump at the chance of getting a senior contract and being 2nd choice.

Leinster won't let him go, and I doubt he would want to go to Munster. Boss and Reddan don't have long left, if Munster came sniffing, I would imagine that Leinster would encourage him to stay one way or another.

Leinster wouldn't be able to do anything if Munster came with a good offer and if he was told he was the 2nd choice SH. Its only a suggestion. I know it would probably never happen.

"How many times did Munster get pushed out of touch!?" -Shane Horgan

Legend

Well another mention for Navidi anyway. They guy is playing his heart out every week. Would like to see more of him back at 7 though.

maestegmafia wrote:He seems like an unwise big wage to me. If he was putting in the sort of performances that, for example, Rush put in at his prime, then he would be well worth his wage. But he isn't first choice.

No one has ever put in the performances that Xav did for us in his pomp. But when he does play well he is a good player and a dogged one. I don't know how much he is on so i don't know if he is expensive. But i would assume he is.

Horgans a very good pundit. Sticks out a mile on RTE

Team P W D L F A BP PTS
1 Ulster 13 12 0 1 364 212 4 52
2 Glasgow 13 9 0 4 267 179 5 41
3 Leinster 13 9 0 4 321 250 4 40
4 Ospreys 13 9 0 4 269 178 3 39
5 Scarlets 13 8 0 5 252 253 6 38
6 Munster 13 8 0 5 266 193 5 37
7 Blues 13 6 0 7 205 267 4 28
8 Treviso 13 6 0 7 209 253 3 27
9 Edinburgh 13 4 0 9 272 318 6 22
10 Connacht 13 4 0 9 196 223 4 20
11 NGD'gons 13 3 0 10 201 310 2 14
12 Zebre 13 0 0 13 159 345 6 6

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:
We agree on that Val. Rog is one of the worst players in Munster at the moment and the clincher is.....he has the most affect on how the team plays....

They really need a clear out of players and some of the senior staff need to be shot. Whoever sanctioned some of the contract extensions and player signings must be on crack. They could really do with doing what happened in Ulster with D. Humpreys coming in and changing the set up into a professionally run province. Ronan still has another year on his contract despite being unlikely to get much game time. Downey and LLL were two extremely stupid signings, not too mention Rog still being involved.

Morgannwg wrote:Well another mention for Navidi anyway. They guy is playing his heart out every week. Would like to see more of him back at 7 though.

He'll be at seven for blues all through fem and march.

Definitely third in the open side table for Wales at the moment.

Won't make the squad yet though.

valjester wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:
We agree on that Val. Rog is one of the worst players in Munster at the moment and the clincher is.....he has the most affect on how the team plays....

They really need a clear out of players and some of the senior staff need to be shot. Whoever sanctioned some of the contract extensions and player signings must be on crack. They could really do with doing what happened in Ulster with D. Humpreys coming in and changing the set up into a professionally run province. Ronan still has another year on his contract despite being unlikely to get much game time. Downey and LLL were two extremely stupid signings, not too mention Rog still being involved.

100% agree.
Munster have got too many old suits in charge who are archaic in vision.

maestegmafia wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:Well another mention for Navidi anyway. They guy is playing his heart out every week. Would like to see more of him back at 7 though.

He'll be at seven for blues all through fem and march.

Definitely third in the open side table for Wales at the moment.

Won't make the squad yet though.

Hes playing better at 6 then anyone else in Wales at the moment. So i do think he'll be in the squad.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:"How many times did Munster get pushed out of touch!?" -Shane Horgan

Legend

Wish he'd actually show some courage and have a go at the problem, ie Rog, but no like everyone else he is too much of a coward to criticise someone he played with.