Munster 2013/14

First topic message reminder :

Some news of players leaving Munster.

Doug Howlett has announced his retirement.

Other departures from the current squad - besides Peter Stringer who remains with Bath, Marcus Horan who announced his retirement recently, Sean Scanlon (Rotherham Titans) and Sean Henry (Connacht) - include Wian du Preez who returns to his native South Africa, Scott Deasy and Christy Condon.

BJ Botha will continue on with Munster having signed a two year contract extension while Danny Barnes has not been re-contracted but is understood to have negotiated an opportunity to play abroad and news of that will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Golden wrote:Whats happening to Treviso next season? Will they revert to Benetton and join their Domestic league?

Thought I had read somewhere that they would be playing in the Pro12

Was there not going to be another region set up to take their place?

Could be wrong I dont follow the Europe threads too much

Why are there so few people in Thomond Park tonight?!

Well done Downey, thought if he stepped in it would have made it easier for him instead he nearly gets pushed into touch.

Another howler from the TMO. Hand in touch. Plus obvious knock on a few phases back. WTF!!!

This TMO/Ref combo is awful.

Blimey. Treviso can feel aggrieved after those two TMO decisions tonight.

Great to see the Munster faithful turn up in their droves for this game  
Jeez thought Leinster were sh1te last nite, munster running them close in sh1teness

Whats the point in having a TMO if they get the decisions wrong?

Notch, you must have been happy with Murphy for the Brumbies this morning. He was very impressive in the scrum, even gettting a penalty try for his efforts in the final minutes.

Here's Zebo!!!

Great kick by DOC  

I actually didn't see that game Gael- sounds promising though   

Could be interesting - Keatley on but JJ off - rather than Keatley going to 12!

Notch wrote:Whats the point in having a TMO if they get the decisions wrong?

What exactly was wrong with both tries?

First one very obvious forward pass- second one, knock on in the build up and in the grounding.

Lucky or what.
Stupid knock on by Keatley and Munster only escape due to even more stupid knock on by treviso

Notch wrote:First one very obvious forward pass- second one, knock on in the build up and in the grounding.

His hands went backwards for first try new rule and the Tmo wasn't asked to check the knock on that the ref standing next to said went backwards

BlueMuff wrote:

Notch wrote:First one very obvious forward pass- second one, knock on in the build up and in the grounding.

His hands went backwards for first try new rule and the Tmo wasn't asked to check the knock on that the ref standing next to said went backwards

BM

Agree that the interpretation could be as you say - but Munster are playing rubbish and are only winning because of dubious decvisions in a game they should have put to bed given all the possession they have had

BlueMuff wrote:

Notch wrote:First one very obvious forward pass- second one, knock on in the build up and in the grounding.

His hands went backwards for first try new rule and the Tmo wasn't asked to check the knock on that the ref standing next to said went backwards

Is it comedy hour or something? Also did Varley just tell the ref to shut the f up? Yhis is a strange game. 3-0 to treviso is the real score.

BlueMuff wrote:

Notch wrote:First one very obvious forward pass- second one, knock on in the build up and in the grounding.

His hands went backwards for first try new rule and the Tmo wasn't asked to check the knock on that the ref standing next to said went backwards

Like I say, it's poor officiating. Hands going backwards doesn't matter when the player is ahead of the ball carrier before the pass is thrown! Thats very clearly forward.

KiaRose wrote:

BlueMuff wrote:

Notch wrote:First one very obvious forward pass- second one, knock on in the build up and in the grounding.

His hands went backwards for first try new rule and the Tmo wasn't asked to check the knock on that the ref standing next to said went backwards

BM

Agree that the interpretation could be as you say - but Munster are playing rubbish and are only winning because of dubious decvisions in a game they should have put to bed given all the possession they have had

Kia didn't way we that we were playing good in fact it's turgid stuff Leinster will roast us next week with a performance like this

Agree BM -really really rubbish. Absolutely nothing to cheer one up before the enxt two weeks.

Notch wrote:

BlueMuff wrote:

Notch wrote:First one very obvious forward pass- second one, knock on in the build up and in the grounding.

His hands went backwards for first try new rule and the Tmo wasn't asked to check the knock on that the ref standing next to said went backwards

Like I say, it's poor officiating. Hands going backwards doesn't matter when the player is ahead of the ball carrier before the pass is thrown! Thats very clearly forward.

We are due some luck terrible Tmo decisions against Scarlett's and robbed with last maul against ulster that would have won us the game swings and round abouts

I'm not saying Munster don't deserve to win the game, I'm just saying those decisions were wrong.

Munster should have won this much easier, obviously they've been poor but Treviso have been pretty terrible as well. I'm glad Munster didn't get the BP on the back of it but 4 points is fair enough.

Great to see Earls back and motoring. Best winger in Munster?

Should have been 3-0 to treviso.

BlueMuff wrote:

Notch wrote:First one very obvious forward pass- second one, knock on in the build up and in the grounding.

His hands went backwards for first try new rule and the Tmo wasn't asked to check the knock on that the ref standing next to said went backwards

Lol come on BM you can't be serious? It was clearly forward, open your other eye mate!

It was clearly forward, but it was the ref that made the call, making the decision before the TMO could rule either way. I think?

BlueMuff wrote:

Notch wrote:

BlueMuff wrote:

Notch wrote:First one very obvious forward pass- second one, knock on in the build up and in the grounding.

His hands went backwards for first try new rule and the Tmo wasn't asked to check the knock on that the ref standing next to said went backwards

Like I say, it's poor officiating. Hands going backwards doesn't matter when the player is ahead of the ball carrier before the pass is thrown! Thats very clearly forward.

We are due some luck terrible Tmo decisions against Scarlett's and robbed with last maul against ulster that would have won us the game swings and round abouts

I don't believe in saying swings and round abouts when there is video evidence available. If the deision goes to the TMO and it's clear and obvious, well then they should get it right every time, no excuses. Just because Munster were robbed two weeks ago doesn't justified the poor calls tonight.

It doesn't matter whether his hands went forward or backward, or earls was ahead of him or behind him, the try was given as was the Downey try.

Simple fact is that at one point in the second half Munster had a whole series of penalties on the Treviso line and did not score, in fact the sequence ended by them giving awaay a penalty - serious poor play by them; also we were told at one point that they had 82% possession and did not score except for one try when treviso were down to 14 men.

However one looks at it, this was a poor display.

Nobody impressed with Earls?

GunsGerms wrote:Nobody impressed with Earls?

I think again he showed he is not a centre he was put into space in the middle of second half and drifted in pitch and eventually threw a howler to d Ryan! Great to see him back though and overall had a good game

Yeah he was very good, threw one dodgy pass to Donnacha Ryan though, which is the main criticism of him playing as a centre. Looked very sharp with ball in hand though.

Also, why on earth does Stander never start? Honestly, he is far better than Butler (who was driven back by a 9 off the scrum) and he always seems to make an impact. Makes a lot of ground, a lot of big tackles and is surprisingly good on the deck. Could be a superb 8.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:When did Munster attendences start to dip so drastically? I know the likes of Treviso aren't the most attractive but They couldn't even sell out against Leinster at the start of the season and against Glaws in the HC.

Awful weather, and then two games coming up that are possible to get to.

As for the Leinster game not selling out. It takes two to tango. Leinster sent back most their allocation. Seem to remember less than a 1000 turned up.   

By the way, you do realise 26K is selling out - 8K more than the RDS and the new Ravenhill (I think both are 18K now).

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Yeah he was very good, threw one dodgy pass to Donnacha Ryan though, which is the main criticism of him playing as a centre.  Looked very sharp with ball in hand though.

Also, why on earth does Stander never start?  Honestly, he is far better than Butler (who was driven back by a 9 off the scrum) and he always seems to make an impact.  Makes a lot of ground, a lot of big tackles and is surprisingly good on the deck.  Could be a superb 8.

I'd love to know what went on with cj he is head and shoulders above both of them.

Sin é wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:When did Munster attendences start to dip so drastically? I know the likes of Treviso aren't the most attractive but They couldn't even sell out against Leinster at the start of the season and against Glaws in the HC.

Awful weather, and then two games coming up that are possible to get to.

As for the Leinster game not selling out. It takes two to tango. Leinster sent back most their allocation. Seem to remember less than a 1000 turned up.   

By the way, you do realise 26K is selling out - 8K more than the RDS and the new Ravenhill (I think both are 18K now).

I'm travelling from Waterford to Dublin next week and then again to limerick the following week not made of money to be able to go to every game

KiaRose wrote:Agree BM -really really rubbish.  Absolutely nothing to cheer one up before the enxt two weeks.

1. Some of them haven't played for months - (Varley & Earls last played in January, Felix has been out injured as well).
2. The conditions were terrible.

Ah that was rubbish sin kept going left to right right to left all day presume next week will be a totally different affair.

On a positive note I thought jones was brilliant

Sin é wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:When did Munster attendences start to dip so drastically? I know the likes of Treviso aren't the most attractive but They couldn't even sell out against Leinster at the start of the season and against Glaws in the HC.

Awful weather, and then two games coming up that are possible to get to.

As for the Leinster game not selling out. It takes two to tango. Leinster sent back most their allocation. Seem to remember less than a 1000 turned up.   

By the way, you do realise 26K is selling out - 8K more than the RDS and the new Ravenhill (I think both are 18K now).

I read a quote from a munster fan on boards today talking about this. He said he went to an Ospreys match in the 09/10 league which had over 20k in attendance. He said attendences have been falling since 2011.

Munster should be always selling out HC games especially, and as for Leinster sending back tickets they should be snapped up by Munster fans then!

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Sin é wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:When did Munster attendences start to dip so drastically? I know the likes of Treviso aren't the most attractive but They couldn't even sell out against Leinster at the start of the season and against Glaws in the HC.

Awful weather, and then two games coming up that are possible to get to.

As for the Leinster game not selling out. It takes two to tango. Leinster sent back most their allocation. Seem to remember less than a 1000 turned up.   

By the way, you do realise 26K is selling out - 8K more than the RDS and the new Ravenhill (I think both are 18K now).

I read a quote from a munster fan on boards today talking about this. He said he went to an Ospreys match in the 09/10 league which had over 20k  in attendance. He said attendences have been falling since 2011.

Munster should be always selling out HC games especially, and as for Leinster sending back tickets they should be snapped up by Munster fans then!

So what's your point?

BlueMuff wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Sin é wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:When did Munster attendences start to dip so drastically? I know the likes of Treviso aren't the most attractive but They couldn't even sell out against Leinster at the start of the season and against Glaws in the HC.

Awful weather, and then two games coming up that are possible to get to.

As for the Leinster game not selling out. It takes two to tango. Leinster sent back most their allocation. Seem to remember less than a 1000 turned up.   

By the way, you do realise 26K is selling out - 8K more than the RDS and the new Ravenhill (I think both are 18K now).

I read a quote from a munster fan on boards today talking about this. He said he went to an Ospreys match in the 09/10 league which had over 20k  in attendance. He said attendences have been falling since 2011.

Munster should be always selling out HC games especially, and as for Leinster sending back tickets they should be snapped up by Munster fans then!

So what's your point?

I'm wondering why the attendances are dropping. We need great attendances across all the provinces to compete financially with the french.

Attendances will always drop when performances drop. It doesn't help that the old Lunsters have morphed into Lulsters now.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

BlueMuff wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Sin é wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:When did Munster attendences start to dip so drastically? I know the likes of Treviso aren't the most attractive but They couldn't even sell out against Leinster at the start of the season and against Glaws in the HC.

Awful weather, and then two games coming up that are possible to get to.

As for the Leinster game not selling out. It takes two to tango. Leinster sent back most their allocation. Seem to remember less than a 1000 turned up.   

By the way, you do realise 26K is selling out - 8K more than the RDS and the new Ravenhill (I think both are 18K now).

I read a quote from a munster fan on boards today talking about this. He said he went to an Ospreys match in the 09/10 league which had over 20k  in attendance. He said attendences have been falling since 2011.

Munster should be always selling out HC games especially, and as for Leinster sending back tickets they should be snapped up by Munster fans then!

So what's your point?

I'm wondering why the attendances are dropping. We need great attendances across all the provinces to compete financially with the french.

There was 23,754 (not 20K) people at the Munster v Ospreys game in 09/10. It was Munster's last home game of the season.

Attendances have been falling. But you do realise that Limerick has been really hard hit with the recession. Then there is the trend of people migrating to Dublin for work, if not abroad. The attendance in the RDS didn't look too healthy last night either.

According to the Pro12 site, there was 13,946 at the game tonight. There was 14,855 in the RDS last night.

Just as well Munster can use the stadium for concerts and stuff to earn a bit of extra cash. Sugar Ray Leonard is there next week and of course the World Club 7s in August.

GunsGerms wrote:Attendances will always drop when performances drop. It doesn't help that the old Lunsters have morphed into Lulsters now.

I don't know about that Guns ... the guy who writes the Ross O'Carroll Kelly stuff was saying recently that the Munster flags are still up where he lives in Wicklow  

Sin é wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

BlueMuff wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Sin é wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:When did Munster attendences start to dip so drastically? I know the likes of Treviso aren't the most attractive but They couldn't even sell out against Leinster at the start of the season and against Glaws in the HC.

Awful weather, and then two games coming up that are possible to get to.

As for the Leinster game not selling out. It takes two to tango. Leinster sent back most their allocation. Seem to remember less than a 1000 turned up.   

By the way, you do realise 26K is selling out - 8K more than the RDS and the new Ravenhill (I think both are 18K now).

I read a quote from a munster fan on boards today talking about this. He said he went to an Ospreys match in the 09/10 league which had over 20k  in attendance. He said attendences have been falling since 2011.

Munster should be always selling out HC games especially, and as for Leinster sending back tickets they should be snapped up by Munster fans then!

So what's your point?

I'm wondering why the attendances are dropping. We need great attendances across all the provinces to compete financially with the french.

There was 23,754 (not 20K) people at the Munster v Ospreys game in 09/10. It was Munster's last home game of the season.

Attendances have been falling. But you do realise that Limerick has been really hard hit with the recession. Then there is the trend of people migrating to Dublin for work, if not abroad. The attendance in the RDS didn't look too healthy last night either.

According to the Pro12 site, there was 13,946 at the game tonight. There was 14,855 in the RDS last night.

Just as well Munster can use the stadium for concerts and stuff to earn a bit of extra cash. Sugar Ray Leonard is there next week and of course the World Club 7s in August.

I did say over 20k, so I was right. i'm not too worried about what the attendances were this round, I'm more worried about the fact that they couldn't sell out for the Leinster derby game and HC games. I always just thought they were a given. I guess the recession has had a big effect.

Sin é wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:Attendances will always drop when performances drop. It doesn't help that the old Lunsters have morphed into Lulsters now.

I don't know about that Guns ... the guy who writes the Ross O'Carroll Kelly stuff was saying recently that the Munster flags are still up where he lives in Wicklow  

Haha sinners always clinging onto fiction.

Attendances are dropping because the good old Munster branch followed the traditional line (i.e the clubs got favorable status) rather than follow the same way as the leinster branch who were a lot smarter in their approach.
Secondly building the shiny shed in limerick was brilliant business because it makes great sense to have all the Shiite games in your biggest market..

also we were crap tonight but wouldn't be too worried about it

GunsGerms wrote:

Sin é wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:Attendances will always drop when performances drop. It doesn't help that the old Lunsters have morphed into Lulsters now.

I don't know about that Guns ... the guy who writes the Ross O'Carroll Kelly stuff was saying recently that the Munster flags are still up where he lives in Wicklow  

Haha sinners always clinging onto fiction.

You accusing this young fellow of lying. 1 minute in. 12th birthday trip to Thomond Park. He is from Wicklow. Quinny asks him if he gets slagged by his friends for supporting Munster. He said no. Some of them also support Munster.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/matchdaytv/
Behind The Scenes - Munster v Connacht 03/01/2014. (Page 3 in videos) About 1 minute in.

Well that was definitely the worst match I've ever been to in my life including some pretty dire U-12 camogie matches!

For the first time ever half way through the 2nd half I wished I was on my couch watching it in front of a fire rather than being there.

Astounded by the number of Treviso supporters around me in the West Stand.

Sin é wrote:
You accusing this young fellow of lying. 1 minute in. 12th birthday trip to Thomond Park. He is from Wicklow. Quinny asks him if he gets slagged by his friends for supporting Munster. He said no. Some of them also support Munster.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/matchdaytv/
Behind The Scenes - Munster v Connacht 03/01/2014.  (Page 3 in videos) About 1 minute in.

That must make you immensely proud. Who cares Sin?

Id probably support Munster more too if their fans werent so bloody needy.

GunsGerms wrote:

Sin é wrote:
You accusing this young fellow of lying. 1 minute in. 12th birthday trip to Thomond Park. He is from Wicklow. Quinny asks him if he gets slagged by his friends for supporting Munster. He said no. Some of them also support Munster.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/matchdaytv/
Behind The Scenes - Munster v Connacht 03/01/2014.  (Page 3 in videos) About 1 minute in.

That must make you immensely proud. Who cares Sin?

Id probably support Munster more too if their fans werent so bloody needy.

Its always nice to be able to prove you are wrong, Guns. Again.