Munster v Saracens

First topic message reminder :

This place really is going to the dogs...1:00pm the day before a huge European night with the teams named for over 2 hours and no tread up yet?!?!

Munster
Jones, Conway, Smith, Hurley, Zebo; Keats, Murray; Cronin, Casey, BJ; Foley, PO’C; P O’M (capt), TO’D, CJ Stander

Replacements: Guinazu, Kilcoyne, Archer, B Holland, Copeland, Williams, JJ, GvdH

Saracens
15. Alex Goode, 14. Chris Ashton, 13. Marlcelo Bosch, 12. Brad Barritt ©, 11. David Strettle; 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Neil de Kock; 1. Richard Barrington, 2. Jamie George, 3. Petrus Du Plessis, 4.George Kruis, 5. Jim Hamilton, 6. Kelly Brown, 7. Will Fraser, 8. Billy Vunipola.

Replacements; 16. Scott Spurling, 17. Rhys Gill, 18. James Johnston, 19. Mouritz Botha, 20. Jackson Wray, 21. Richard Wigglesworth, 22. Charlie Hodgson, 23. Duncan Taylor.

Why do Munster always kick it away when they have a free play in a attacking position??? Its just awful.

nothing in that challenge. sarries players were under the ball so they can pretty much do what they like.

Does the lad Conway always wave his arms around and appeal to the ref after he knocks the ball on? That's twice now.

Munster looking organised. A far cry from the first half last week. Farrell needs to take control of the Sarries team. At the minute he's a passenger. If this pressure keeps mounting It'll be a home victory. Sarries need to switch up the play.

quinsforever wrote:nothing in that challenge. sarries players were under the ball so they can pretty much do what they like.

If you're talking about Goode then no. You can't turn away from the ball and strike out at a guy in the air. You definitely can't do that.

conway fell over ashtons back who was under the ball but hadnt jumped. as he is perfectly entitled to do.

farrell not exactly making his case for the AIs!

Do the tacklers not need to release the ball carrier in the Pro12? Or is it in France and Munster have done their research?

"How respectful were the Munster fans while Farrell was lining up the kick? You couldn't hear a pin drop."

Thanks for that, Lawrence.

IanBru wrote:"How respectful were the Munster fans while Farrell was lining up the kick? You couldn't hear a pin drop."

Thanks for that, Lawrence.

Not enjoyed it so far, far too much box kicking.

Jaysus Mr Keatley.

At a certain point, describing this as 'a game for the purists' just becomes taking the urine.

Martin Bayfield makes everybody he stands next to look like a child, jeez it must be cold up there!

saracens are a strong team.

munster seem to be relying on boxkicks, and crowd pressure on ref to get the 50/50 decisions there way. then rolling mall inside oppo 22.

makes for pretty dull rugby, although a compelling contest as Sarries appear unwilling to throw the ball around either

Munster might regret not turning early pressure into more points. It's unlikely they'll enjoy the same territory in the second half, although they are obviously capable of it. Like everyone else I'm hoping for a something much better in the next 40, don't even care who from.

I told you Farrell shouldn't have started. He's not match fit!

This game has been pretty dire IMO.

Hopefully both teams up the ante in the 2nd half!

beshocked wrote:I told you Farrell shouldn't have started. He's not match fit!

He looks fit enough so far, but nowhere near match sharp. He's going to need more games.

Dreadful game. Munster look more tired. I can see Saracens winning. Although you can't right of Munster blah blah.

sarries backs look too much for munster here. they are always looking to try to beat their man which munster dont seem to want to do.

Sarries have upped the pace & quality this half

omg give the guy an oscar. not even a penalty.

40,000 refs in the stands having their say LOL.

but look how he milked it by rolling on the floor. that was worthy of football.

I see that happen so many times at the break down and literally never see even a penalty given...

still think sarries may well do it. munster seem idealess thus far. kick, kick, kick, hope for penalty, rolling maul.

even a man down.

Wow this is the ref that sent off Payne for an accidental collision and then he bottles it when a player is lifted and dumped on his head.Sarries get the benefit both times.

Sarries are doomed. 3 Scots are on the pitch.

Cumbrian wrote:I see that happen so many times at the break down and literally never see even a penalty given...

I'd love to see examples.

George Carlin wrote:Sarries are doomed. 3 Scots are on the pitch.

It's Friday night, there is no way I am sifting through youtube right now.

No try? WHAT?!

Erm??? Surely that was a try?

Oh my.

Justice

Glad they got that try, but still that is one of the worst decisions I have ever seen! Saracens are one jammy team.

Thank goodness - honour is served.

perfectly executed rolling maul

silly high tackle.

Looks as though the dubious yellow changed the course of the game.

two mistakes by sarries after the kickoff and munster bore their way to another 3 points

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Looks as though the dubious yellow changed the course of the game.

It was not dubious in the slightest

Saracens are being outplayed. Farrell seems to be a passenger.

malky1963 wrote:

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Looks as though the dubious yellow changed the course of the game.

It was not dubious in the slightest

It was a home decision -

Would O'Connoll have been tolerated to back chat to the ref like he did at any other ground?

HammerofThunor wrote:Saracens are being outplayed. Farrell seems to be a passenger.

Agreed

FecklessRogue wrote:Munster look more tired. I can see Saracens winning.

Vintage FecklessRogue.

All Munster shame the kicking is poor

How can Keatley be so accurate from hand and god awful from the tee?

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:

malky1963 wrote:

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Looks as though the dubious yellow changed the course of the game.

It was not dubious in the slightest

It was a home decision -

Would O'Connoll have been tolerated to back chat to the ref like he did at any other ground?

There is no referee home or away that would not have given yellow for that - their instructions are clear.
With this ref's track record he's lucky he didn't see red (which would have been the wrong call)

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Looks as though the dubious yellow changed the course of the game.

You don't think tipping men beyond the horizontal and dropping them is a yellow card offense? Fortunate that other players in the ruck broke his fall so he didn't land on the ground, otherwise probably red.

Gill has had a stinker. Scrum looks weaker and that yellow card was moronic. Felt a bit sorry for him as I don't think the Munster needed the treatment the Munster medics were so eager to give him.

Farrell came into the game a bit after half time but no try when they had the pressure will cost them dearly. On current form Farrell shouldn't be starting for England.

That sums Saracens up a little this game. Ashton tripping over himself.