Madigan's MOTM performance

Last night, I think we witnessed the coming of age of this young, trend setting, flyhalf. Saturday night's performance, had everything, from place kicking(6 from 6), to a little chip kick on his own try line(Cooper-esque), to scoring a result defining try.From start to finish, he looked every bit the real deal, in what was his most complete performance on a rugby field.
After watching Jackson's meltdown on Friday, and Madigan's on Saturday, it makes Kidney's decision to pick Jackson all the more ludicrous.I now feel confident that with Sexton gone for Leinster, MAD DOG-Madigan can grow and grow the same way Sexton did after Contepomi's departure in 2009.
Due to the serious lack of quality in the outhalf department, I wouldn't rule out Madigan touring Australia with the Lions!

Sweet lord!

Nobody would have a link to the famous chip?

BODisGOD wrote:Last night, I think we witnessed the coming of age of this young, trend setting, flyhalf. Saturday night's performance, had everything, from place kicking(6 from 6), to a little chip kick on his own try line(Cooper-esque), to scoring a result defining try.From start to finish, he looked every bit the real deal, in what was his most complete performance on a rugby field.
After watching Jackson's meltdown on Friday, and Madigan's on Saturday, it makes Kidney's decision to pick Jackson all the more ludicrous.I now feel confident that with Sexton gone for Leinster, MAD DOG-Madigan can grow and grow the same way Sexton did after Contepomi's departure in 2009.
Due to the serious lack of quality in the outhalf department, I wouldn't rule out Madigan touring Australia with the Lions!

Thats was some sleep, seems Ive slept right through to April 1st

Madigan isnt first choice for Leinster and is 3rd choice for Ireland and you think one good performance is going to get Gatland to overlook Flood, Biggar, Wilkinson etc if we are to assume that Sexton and Farrell are already on the plane?

He had one outstanding game and now he is a Lion !

Get a sense of perspective.
He is an exciting player and should get some game time for Ireland but please less of the hyperbole

In fairness Geoff it has been far more than one game, I believe that is his third MOTM performance for Leinster in a row. He also was our bet player against Italy.

geoff998rugby wrote:He had one outstanding game and now he is a Lion !

Get a sense of perspective.
He is an exciting player and should get some game time for Ireland but please less of the hyperbole

He has had more than one good game geoff in fairness but I agree with the sentiment. Massively exciting prospect.

Now for an unashamed thread jack

Any word on our injuries. Mulligan was tweeting positively but no specifics

marty2086 wrote:

BODisGOD wrote:Last night, I think we witnessed the coming of age of this young, trend setting, flyhalf. Saturday night's performance, had everything, from place kicking(6 from 6), to a little chip kick on his own try line(Cooper-esque), to scoring a result defining try.From start to finish, he looked every bit the real deal, in what was his most complete performance on a rugby field.
After watching Jackson's meltdown on Friday, and Madigan's on Saturday, it makes Kidney's decision to pick Jackson all the more ludicrous.I now feel confident that with Sexton gone for Leinster, MAD DOG-Madigan can grow and grow the same way Sexton did after Contepomi's departure in 2009.
Due to the serious lack of quality in the outhalf department, I wouldn't rule out Madigan touring Australia with the Lions!

Thats was some sleep, seems Ive slept right through to April 1st

Madigan isnt first choice for Leinster and is 3rd choice for Ireland and you think one good performance is going to get Gatland to overlook Flood, Biggar, Wilkinson etc if we are to assume that Sexton and Farrell are already on the plane?

If there has to be a bolter on the plane, I think he has a good a chance as any, and he also offers versatility. Although his goal kicking has been very good, there is always Halfpenny to take that responsibility off him (I'm not saying he should be the starting 10, but I have considered him for Australia before Saturday's performance.)

I don't see it happening but I wouldn't be all that surprised either.

Who saw uncapped Keith Earls going on tour in 2009? Who saw Leigh Halfpenny going then?

Flood, Wilkinson, Biggar etc are probables but they aren't such world class established players that it is a guarantee. I see it being Farrell, Sexton and another player.

That could be literally anyone IMO (maybe not ROG!). James Hook, Dan Biggar, Jonny Wilkinson, Ian Madigan, Toby Flood.

Biggar got in due to Priestland being injured. Madigan offers something different to the others and also covers fullback if needed. He would be a good midweek player - certainly as able as anyone else.

I don't see Gatland picking a Bolter at 10. To be honest I don't want madigan on the Lions anyway. With a new coaching set up I would prefer to see him with Ireland

Standulstermen wrote:I don't see Gatland picking a Bolter at 10. To be honest I don't want madigan on the Lions anyway. With a new coaching set up I would prefer to see him with Ireland

I think he would - look at how he backed Rhys Priestland over the experienced Stephen Jones and James Hook when push came to shove.

We have an open position with no stand out candidate. Madigan may very well travel especially if he continues to deliver for Leinster with Sexton injured.

He was very good at the weekend alright, and has been very good for the last few months. He's got a number of very big games for Leinster coming up (Sexton will be out until May) so he could well put himself into the shop window but lets not let the hype get away from us just yet.

Quality player, very exciting, needs a haircut.

Mickado wrote:He was very good at the weekend alright, and has been very good for the last few months. He's got a number of very big games for Leinster coming up (Sexton will be out until May) so he could well put himself into the shop window but lets not let the hype get away from us just yet.

Quality player, very exciting, needs a haircut.

Amen!

I think Madigan will get picked for the Lions. Sexton and Farrell are quite similar to eachother and are very reliable and acomplished 1st and 2nd choice test starters.

Of the back up options Biggar, Flood, Priestland are all really good too but are fairly similar to Sexton and Farrell whereas Madigan offers something else that could light up the midweek games.

One more performance like that and he will be a Lion no matter what International experience he has.

To be honest I was more thinking about Sexton, Biggar and Madigan. Farrell offers little without the boot, and Sexton and Halfpenny are quality goalkickers.

BODisGOD wrote:Last night, I think we witnessed the coming of age of this young, trend setting, flyhalf. Saturday night's performance, had everything, from place kicking(6 from 6), to a little chip kick on his own try line(Cooper-esque), to scoring a result defining try.From start to finish, he looked every bit the real deal, in what was his most complete performance on a rugby field.

That 'Cooper-esque' little chip could easily have gone to a Glasgow player and resulted in a try. It was crazy play and certainly not commendable. He should have dotted down and made do with the five-metre scrum.

Mickado wrote:
Quality player, very exciting, needs a haircut.

Yes he definitely needs to tone down the "image". Heaslip really needs to be given a boot in the hole as he seems to be influencing a new wave of douche bag/hipster behaviour in Leinster. Its starting to grate.

Whatever about the Lions (thats crazy talk - he is unproved even at HC level) he is defo way ahead of Jackson.

He may even challenge Sexton next year.

Oh god can you imagine himself and Danny Care in the same half back pairing.

Its like a walking advert for Peter Marks.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

BODisGOD wrote:Last night, I think we witnessed the coming of age of this young, trend setting, flyhalf. Saturday night's performance, had everything, from place kicking(6 from 6), to a little chip kick on his own try line(Cooper-esque), to scoring a result defining try.From start to finish, he looked every bit the real deal, in what was his most complete performance on a rugby field.

That 'Cooper-esque' little chip could easily have gone to a Glasgow player and resulted in a try. It was crazy play and certainly not commendable. He should have dotted down and made do with the five-metre scrum.

Madigan chased it up and at worst he would have tackled the guy receiving the ball which is a similar result to a 5 meter scrum. It did pay off though and it seemed to lift Leinster's spirits. Sometimes a team needs a guy to pull of something audacious to set the wheels in motion again.

BlueMuff wrote:Whatever about the Lions (thats crazy talk - he is unproved even at HC level) he is defo way ahead of Jackson.

He may even challenge Sexton next year.

Its not crazy talk because every Lions tour someone a bit special gets picked with very little experience. Madigan takes the ball to the line so much he looks very well suited to a tour in Australia.

GunsGerms wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

BODisGOD wrote:Last night, I think we witnessed the coming of age of this young, trend setting, flyhalf. Saturday night's performance, had everything, from place kicking(6 from 6), to a little chip kick on his own try line(Cooper-esque), to scoring a result defining try.From start to finish, he looked every bit the real deal, in what was his most complete performance on a rugby field.

That 'Cooper-esque' little chip could easily have gone to a Glasgow player and resulted in a try. It was crazy play and certainly not commendable. He should have dotted down and made do with the five-metre scrum.

Madigan chased it up and at worst he would have tackled the guy receiving the ball which is a similar result to a 5 meter scrum. It did pay off though and it seemed to lift Leinster's spirits. Sometimes a team needs a guy to pull of something audacious to set the wheels in motion again.

Audacious is one way of looking at it. For me it was panic and he was fortunate that it turned out as it did.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

BODisGOD wrote:Last night, I think we witnessed the coming of age of this young, trend setting, flyhalf. Saturday night's performance, had everything, from place kicking(6 from 6), to a little chip kick on his own try line(Cooper-esque), to scoring a result defining try.From start to finish, he looked every bit the real deal, in what was his most complete performance on a rugby field.

That 'Cooper-esque' little chip could easily have gone to a Glasgow player and resulted in a try. It was crazy play and certainly not commendable. He should have dotted down and made do with the five-metre scrum.

But he had advantage.

I don't remember advantage being played, but I'm happy to be corrected.

I keep saying this. If he kicks a knock on advantage it is nearly always advantage over. I don't think that kick is commendable. I'm surprised more leinster ones aren't criticising it.

It's the sort of play that humph Jr used to pull off for ulster. Didn't always work though. I love watching it, just not from my team. I would massively surprised if Schmidt didn't mention it to him after.

The most impressive thing about madigan for me was his solidity in the first 60mins. Glasgow were well on top in the pack and bar one kick out on the full I thought that madigan took a lot on himself and eased the pressure on his team through some good running and good kicking. That will stand to him far more than those little chips

Madigan is a poor mans Ian Humphreys .

Guns its is crazy talk because all of those bolters had 2, 3 or even 4 top class games in HC.

Madigan does not have that. He has no International or HC experience to speak off and wont get the chance this year.

Murray / Earls are the bolters referred to above but all had played crucial HC matches.

Madigan is class but the Lions has come too soon for him.

rodders wrote:Madigan is a poor mans Ian Humphreys .

Jesus don't start that. I will be lynched!

Seriously though Farrell has led England to wins over NZ and 4/5 in the 6N.
Sexton is currently the frontrunner for the lions because he is that bloody good. 3 HECs.

They are certainly not similar players either

Biggar has juste led the welsh to a 6N championship.

All three will travel ahead of young Ian I feel. Let him go to the US with Ireland with a view to gametime in the AIs against top level opposition.

To be honest I think people are getting a bit carried away with Madigan.

He's a great player and to be honest I would have had him in the 6 nations squad behind Sexton and ahead of Jackson (Rog not in squad for me). But it was near 50/50 between Jackson and Madigan, and didn't mind which one got the nod.

On the weekends performance I wouldn't just leap Madigan ahead of Jackson, I'd still have it near 50/50, it will take a number of weekends for one to show a clear advantage over the other, Jackson has had 3 poor games, but to be fair these were the H-cup final 6 nations against Scotland and the weekend.

2 of these 3 were big high pressure games and to be fair Madigan hasn't been tested at that level yet, (ok he has played in H--cup finals, but he wasn't starting).

My opinion hasn't changed from before 6 nations, Madigan for me shades it, but it's still very close.

I think he still had the advantage after the kick but I take your point, it was high risk stuff. He’s a high risk player though, you’re going to get a few moments like that in every game with him, I remember he (playing from fullback mind you) tried to run the ball out of his 22 against Munster in Lansdowne this season, got caught and turned over, Munster scored a try a few phases later. But then in the same game, he gives the assist to BOD for a try in the corner, a pass that probably nobody on the field could have done any better.

Right now, he knows he’s going to be first choice for Leinster next season and he’s just been handed the keys to the kingdom a few months early with Sexton out, so he’s probably trying his arm more than he will when he’s settled down, yes it’s risky, but I wouldn’t like to think he’s going to have his wings clipped. Just leave him off, and when he takes the ball to the gainline, somebody follow him because he’s probably going to break!

Denis Leamy is a bit like that.

Ulster fans will remember Leamy making a cross field kick within his own ingoal area a few years ago which eventually led to Munster getting the winning bonus point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thjigUCMWwY

Come on down to Munster, Ian - loads of your pals are here already like Andrew Conway, Luke Fitzgerald and Felix Jones.

You'll fit right in!

He's an exciting player, no question, Mickado. On balance, I'd rather have an outside half who tried things than one who never tries anything at all.

Denis Leamy is the second* best outhalf that Ireland never had.

The first being Ross Kyle McBride O’Carroll Kelly, of course…

red_stag wrote:
Come on down to Munster, Ian - loads of your pals are here already like Andrew Conway, Luke Fitzgerald and Felix Jones.

You'll fit right in!

By jeebus thats a right old squad of Leinster rejects yous lads are building.

Mickado wrote:Denis Leamy is the second* best outhalf that Ireland never had.

The first being Ross Kyle McBride O’Carroll Kelly, of course…

I know. If it wasn't for the Kark Mafia we'd have had Dinnie Leamy as Munsters main flyhalf. ROG would have had to retire in shame years ago and Munster would just play all the rugby in Semple Stadium, Thurles.

rodders wrote:

red_stag wrote:
Come on down to Munster, Ian - loads of your pals are here already like Andrew Conway, Luke Fitzgerald and Felix Jones.

You'll fit right in!

By jeebus thats a right old squad of Leinster rejects yous lads are building.

I know yea - Leinsters boys are jumping ship and we're just offering a friendly home for the oppressed.

Apparently its a form of social protest against the Hipster Generation of Leinster. They prefer the more simple life in Munster

BlueMuff wrote:Guns its is crazy talk because all of those bolters had 2, 3 or even 4 top class games in HC.

Madigan does not have that. He has no International or HC experience to speak off and wont get the chance this year.

Murray / Earls are the bolters referred to above but all had played crucial HC matches.

Madigan is class but the Lions has come too soon for him.

Madigan has played in two Heineken cup finals. Granted only a few minutes in the first one but the second one he set up a try with a very nice pass. He has featured in the Heineken cup and has two International caps. Not that unlike:

2009 - Earls didnt have many caps when he got picked for the lions.
2005 - Olly Smith had a few England caps. featured in one Lions test.
1997 -Eric Millar had only 4 caps when he was a test starter for the 97 Lions.

Madigan does have an outside chance particularly as this tour would really suit him.

red_stag wrote:

rodders wrote:

red_stag wrote:
Come on down to Munster, Ian - loads of your pals are here already like Andrew Conway, Luke Fitzgerald and Felix Jones.

You'll fit right in!

By jeebus thats a right old squad of Leinster rejects yous lads are building.

I know yea - Leinsters boys are jumping ship and we're just offering a friendly home for the oppressed.

Apparently its a form of social protest against the Hipster Generation of Leinster. They prefer the more simple life in Munster

Would it be fair to say that Munster are now to Leinster what Exeter are to Ulster? .....

Also, didn’t Murray go to the world cup without playing in the HC for Munster?

Mickado wrote:Also, didn’t Murray go to the world cup without playing in the HC for Munster?

I'm pretty sure he did. I think that we put the Heino up on a too big a pedestal in Ireland and it makes good players fall through the cracks somewhat.

He did Mick.

Can we lay off youngfellas gettin fancy haircuts please? We all did it to some extent. I had a particulaly fetching undercut tied back with a bobbin for a time. I could do something similar now only in reverse.

Have finally seen the chip and it wasn't nearly as ludicrous as I imagined.

Firstly there is an advantage, and the advantage is not over until Cronin has the ball in his hands from Madigan's offload.

Secondly, even if there wasn't an advantage, and the bounce wasn't so kind for Madigan, it was hardly a certain try, no worse than conceding a 5m scrum, in which you are being dominated in.

On the haircut - I was only slagging, he can play with a green perm for all I care.

theslosty wrote:Have finally seen the chip and it wasn't nearly as ludicrous as I imagined.

Firstly there is an advantage, and the advantage is not over until Cronin has the ball in his hands from Madigan's offload.

Secondly, even if there wasn't an advantage, and the bounce wasn't so kind for Madigan, it was hardly a certain try, no worse than conceding a 5m scrum, in which you are being dominated in.

Agree to disagree

theslosty wrote:Have finally seen the chip and it wasn't nearly as ludicrous as I imagined.

Firstly there is an advantage, and the advantage is not over until Cronin has the ball in his hands from Madigan's offload.

Secondly, even if there wasn't an advantage, and the bounce wasn't so kind for Madigan, it was hardly a certain try, no worse than conceding a 5m scrum, in which you are being dominated in.

That's how I saw it too more or less. If O'Gara did it though it would be a diffferent story.

Madigan will not tour with the Lions off the back of a good game in the Rabo.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Madigan will not tour with the Lions off the back of a good game in the Rabo.

Its a good thing he has played lots of good games then.

I wouldn't rule out Gatland calling up Madigan. It's unlikely to happen and Gatland can be fairly conservative when it comes to selection, but if he sees something he likes in a player, he's not afraid to take a punt on him.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Madigan will not tour with the Lions off the back of a good game in the Rabo.

Well Keith Earls managed it without the good game.