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).

valjester wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

valjester wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

valjester wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Munster simply have to get their forwards off the wing, so much lost possession to the touch line it is beyond stupid

Disagree Pete, there younger players are capable of playing that type of game, there have few occasions where they have managed to generate quick ball through having the forwards clearing out on the wings.

Clearing out is fine. No issue with that. But until they learn to hold their depth so the ball isn't passed (badly) into touch or they don't end up running/getting pushed in to touch. The ball has died on the right wing 3 times in 20minutes

You are calling for them to take their fowards of the wing. They won't, Penney has his system and he is going to implement it, it might just take a while for him to get through to some of the players.

What is the goal though?
To create mismatches having forwards running at backs? Is it really a mismatch if the back is George North or Alex Cuthbert, Matt Banahan, Allesandro Tuilagi?
They should upskill the forwards prior to putting them out there.

They are upskilling them, many of the younger forwards are already capable of playing that type of game. Its not about creating a mismatch, its about generating quick, clean ball for the team.

How are they trying to achieve that though? By being first to the ruck? There is no corner to go around the defence will fill in at the centre where Munster won't have that many forwards to make the necessary in roads. If that carry was on the 15m line and the Munster forwards were first then the blindside would have limitless attacking opportunities but as it is they are inside the 5m tram lines

Just there, great direct play by Downey and Ryan and then three forwards on the wing don't recycle where patience was required.

Both sides are playing shockingly bad. Munster aren't helped by Murray going off.

Lewis jones is terrible, he really need a new SH.

These box kicks aren’t doing anything for us. We can't rely on Munster making mistakes.

Blues Rolling maul going 30 yard. My eyes must be blessed.

3-3 @ Halftime. We'd have taken that before them game.

I'm pretty happy.

The blues may not be playing brilliantly, but all the players seem to be giving it a lot.

I have no idea why they didn't try to use that last possession though, even a long range drop goal attempt, Munster wouldn't have ran it back from their own 22 if it fell short and Patchell can kick them. Lewis jones doesn't have the best tactical brain me thinks.

How are richard smith and Owen Williams doing?

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

How are they trying to achieve that though? By being first to the ruck? There is no corner to go around the defence will fill in at the centre where Munster won't have that many forwards to make the necessary in roads. If that carry was on the 15m line and the Munster forwards were first then the blindside would have limitless attacking opportunities but as it is they are inside the 5m tram lines

I'm not entirely sure what you're trying to say there. The idea behind it is to have a 2-4-2 split of forwards across the pitch. Four in the midfield and two on each wing. If you watched any of Canterbury over the last few seasons it is very effective when done right, Munster have used it well at times this season by they still need more time to perfect it.


Poor half by both teams. The Munster backrow has been poor, Williams and Rog haven't been much use and the backs are getting much quality ball. Only the second row have been any use really, along with Kilcoyne. Need to improve if they want to win in the second half.

The Blues don't look too bad. It's just the scrum half Lewis Jones imo. There is no intent or instict to play rugby from this boy. It's all bad passing and kick, plus the way he strolled into touch after his forwards worked hard to make that ground in the dying seconds of the half. Blues fans better hope they are in the market for a number 9 as well as Matthew Rees.

Bring on Keatley already!

Given they need tries in Europe, they can't seriously be considering keeping ROG in the team? He just ships it on, so predictable.

maestegmafia wrote:How are richard smith and Owen Williams doing?

Smith doing okay. Williams the seasoned sevens player couldn't even get on the outise of a front-row forward... The 15 man game might not be for him but he at least deserves a shot in his familiar position of 13.

Just saw Ryans tracking back to stop Patchell scoring. bloody hell does he show some pace and committment to get there

Coleman wrote:Blues Rolling maul going 30 yard. My eyes must be blessed.

3-3 @ Halftime. We'd have taken that before them game.

Yes, good rolling maul and then the SH decides he's had enough and runs into touch!

maestegmafia wrote:How are richard smith and Owen Williams doing?

Williams hasn't looked great, getting dragged into touch by a hooker is his most memorable moment, and been caught out of position in defence a few times.

Smith has looked good defensively, not had a lot of opportunities.

Blues forward are stealing the credit, the second and back row have been excellent.

Roberts has been anonymous...again

SubsBench wrote:

Coleman wrote:Blues Rolling maul going 30 yard. My eyes must be blessed.

3-3 @ Halftime. We'd have taken that before them game.

Yes, good rolling maul and then the SH decides he's had enough and runs into touch!

There rolling maul has been good the last few weeks, they have obviously been working on making their line out a weapon, and it is starting to pay off.

Notch wrote:Bring on Keatley already!

Given they need tries in Europe, they can't seriously be considering keeping ROG in the team? He just ships it on, so predictable.

Considering how poor Edinburgh are, it would be woeful if they didn't go all out for it with Keatley but Rog will still be there. Another feature of his play this season is that he tends to get caught at least once per match with the ball and not knowing what to do with it.

I give up on Roberts in a Blues shirt. He hasnt been good for a long time for us, he knows hes going. So why risk getting hurt when the 6 Nations is around the corner. Lewis Jones seems to be out of his depth as does Sam Hobbs.

If i was a forward i'd be having a strong word with Jones as he is wasting a lot of good work.

wales606 wrote:

SubsBench wrote:

Coleman wrote:Blues Rolling maul going 30 yard. My eyes must be blessed.

3-3 @ Halftime. We'd have taken that before them game.

Yes, good rolling maul and then the SH decides he's had enough and runs into touch!

There rolling maul has been good the last few weeks, they have obviously been working on making their line out a weapon, and it is starting to pay off.

I'm not a Blues supporter but even I was furious at how your SH waltzed into touch instead of using it. No rugby instinct at all. Patchell is up against it with the service he's getting off this guy but he still looks a class act.

Any chance of Murray coming back on?

Coleman - You have a point. If Roberts can't be arsed, they should put the sub on instead.

It's getting a bit foggy there now...we could well be squinting at this game before long.

Nice try there

Cari wrote:Coleman - You have a point. If Roberts can't be arsed, they should put the sub on instead.

It's getting a bit foggy there now...we could well be squinting at this game before long.

Her hasnt cared about the Blues for a long time. He only played for us 5 times last season. I don't see him doing well in France, too fragile.

In other news. Andrews on for Benoit.

Try for the Blues, O.Williams.

Great try for Williams!

3-10.

WTF was Duncan Williams at there?

I cOrrect my previous statement, Roberts is a brilliant passing 12 and Owen Williams is a god among men

3 - 10

Fantastic try, first try the blues have scored for ages...

How stupid do you have to be to do what Cardiff just did there? One of the basic things in rugby don't let the ball bounce, and secondly there concede straight after a score.

Typical. The Blues follow up a try by giving away a penalty.

6-10 at 45 minutes.

And they immediately give away 3pts *sigh*

Really cheap

So Owen Williams is playing ok...?

Hurley is god awful.

He is now. It was a great running line for the try ^_^

maestegmafia wrote:So Owen Williams is playing ok...?

Ran a fantastic line to score that try

Great.

I'm stuck in traffic in France. Thank god 3G is working

Patchell showing Rog how a ten should play tonight.

maestegmafia wrote:Great.

I'm stuck in traffic in France. Thank god 3G is working

I hope you are stuck in that traffic. You shouldn't be driving and using a mobile at the same time!

valjester wrote:Patchell showing Rog how a ten should play tonight.

Umm, how exactly?

wales606 wrote:

valjester wrote:Patchell showing Rog how a ten should play tonight.

Umm, how exactly?

By being on the pitch.

RTE just about cream themselves every time O'Gara kicks to the corner. It's hilarious. Three cheers for Ronan O'Gara!

Dear Easter Bunny,

For Easter could you please get the Cardiff Blues, Rhys Gill, Mathew Rhys and Dwayne Peel (Peel on the cheap please).

Regards

Blues

Fantastic kick from Tovey gains to Blues 30 metres.

And he goes off to be replaced by halfpenny.

LeeHPee on. Stretch his legs before the Six Nations I suppose...

"O'Gara looking to play field position- AND DOING IT IMMACULATELY ONCE MORE!!"

I don't know why they took Tovey off, Halfpenny may be Wales first choice FB, but I think he would be more use on the wing for the Blues with James, czekaj and cuthbert injured.

Munster's lineout has been diabolical.

Notch wrote:"O'Gara looking to play field position- AND DOING IT IMMACULATELY ONCE MORE!!"

Someone needs to grab control of the game, O'Gara has attempted to do just that.


F**k off ye pr**ks.

Munster are awful. Completely clueless in attack.

Notch wrote:"O'Gara looking to play field position- AND DOING IT IMMACULATELY ONCE MORE!!"

S4C Mate, just imagine they're saying what you're thinking and you'll never be disappointed! That’s what I do.

wales606 wrote:I don't know why they took Tovey off, Halfpenny may be Wales first choice FB, but I think he would be more use on the wing for the Blues with James, czekaj and cuthbert injured.

Fish is out as well right?

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Munster are awful. Completely clueless in attack.

Williams coming on for Murray hasn't helped them, nor has Rog playing nearly an hour.