Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
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- simonokeeffe
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Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
essentially what we have in our second rows this season is no stand out players like Hines, Thorn etc but 5 or 6 players you'd be happy with as your 2nd or 3rd best second rows (Leo has fitness issues this year)
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Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
That genius that the "top five" should be injury-stricken backrow Rocky Elsom.LeinsterLeader wrote:In an interesting angle on this (or maybe not that interesting) I heard Franno on Matt Cooper on Friday and he said unequivocally that what 'we have' won't do. He said if we don't go out and buy a top 5 we will not retain the HEC this year.Donny B. wrote:Thorn can't be a stop-gap forever. Gotta trust in what we have. Especially Dev.
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Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
Oh yeah! Forgot about that. Carry on folks nothing to see hearDonny B. wrote:That genius that the "top five" should be injury-stricken backrow Rocky Elsom.LeinsterLeader wrote:In an interesting angle on this (or maybe not that interesting) I heard Franno on Matt Cooper on Friday and he said unequivocally that what 'we have' won't do. He said if we don't go out and buy a top 5 we will not retain the HEC this year.Donny B. wrote:Thorn can't be a stop-gap forever. Gotta trust in what we have. Especially Dev.
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Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
Franno is right. We wont win it without another worldclass second row.
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Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
Maybe this is the wrong thread for pieces of second hand gossip but..A friend was talking with Brad last year, as both had kids in the same class in Mary's, and he couldn't rate Devin highly enough. Gave a real vote of confidence in him as the future for Leinster Rugby.
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Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
I dont doubt thats what he said, but was he really going to come out with "Jeez, Leinster are f%~ked mate, yer man Toner is really sh!t"StrangeButBlue wrote:Maybe this is the wrong thread for pieces of second hand gossip but..A friend was talking with Brad last year, as both had kids in the same class in Mary's, and he couldn't rate Devin highly enough. Gave a real vote of confidence in him as the future for Leinster Rugby.
Get in the f%~king bag.
Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
Wouldn't agree. Our pack this year is better than the one that won the HEC in 2009. It's slightly weaker in the second row (but with better depth) and stronger in the front and back row (better depth and back row is a better overall unit now for me). In 2009 we only made two changes in the pack to bring in John Fogarty and Ronnie McCormack. Now we can introduce VdM, Cronin and Jennings who are all regular HEC starters and internationals. There are still only a couple of packs that are arguably better in Europe.Experimental wrote:Franno is right. We wont win it without another worldclass second row.
Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
Would definitely agree with that, don't buy too much into the second row issue at all, bar perhaps our bench options.ceemec wrote:Wouldn't agree. Our pack this year is better than the one that won the HEC in 2009. It's slightly weaker in the second row (but with better depth) and stronger in the front and back row (better depth and back row is a better overall unit now for me). In 2009 we only made two changes in the pack to bring in John Fogarty and Ronnie McCormack. Now we can introduce VdM, Cronin and Jennings who are all regular HEC starters and internationals. There are still only a couple of packs that are arguably better in Europe.Experimental wrote:Franno is right. We wont win it without another worldclass second row.
Cullen, Toner and Browne should be enough to get us through the group stages at very least, and then it's all down to the draw.
Clermont don't have two world class second rows and they're one of the best teams in the tournament, plus we've got horses for courses in the difference between Browne and Toner.
Leo staying fit is really key though.
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Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
Also agree that the second row situation is not that bad. Would love to see Thorne back but it's not likely to happen- and maybe that's for the best anyway. We need to make that leap of faith and trust the likes of Devon, Browne (who's defintely justified his signing), Roux and Denton to take their chance. I'm not looking for barnstorming performances, just solid work.wixfjord wrote:Would definitely agree with that, don't buy too much into the second row issue at all, bar perhaps our bench options.ceemec wrote:Wouldn't agree. Our pack this year is better than the one that won the HEC in 2009. It's slightly weaker in the second row (but with better depth) and stronger in the front and back row (better depth and back row is a better overall unit now for me). In 2009 we only made two changes in the pack to bring in John Fogarty and Ronnie McCormack. Now we can introduce VdM, Cronin and Jennings who are all regular HEC starters and internationals. There are still only a couple of packs that are arguably better in Europe.Experimental wrote:Franno is right. We wont win it without another worldclass second row.
Cullen, Toner and Browne should be enough to get us through the group stages at very least, and then it's all down to the draw.
Clermont don't have two world class second rows and they're one of the best teams in the tournament, plus we've got horses for courses in the difference between Browne and Toner.
Leo staying fit is really key though.
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Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
I've a sneaky suspicion Roux is going to prove a shrewd signing come summer 2013.
Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
He was certainly very highly rated in SA. The Stormers coach was very sure to make it clear the door was open if Roux decided one year was enough.AdamK wrote:I've a sneaky suspicion Roux is going to prove a shrewd signing come summer 2013.
Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
Yeah, I have absolute faith that we have enough between the guys we have signed and Toner / Browne / Cullen. I think the shrewdest move of all was signing both Roux and Denton at the same time in a similar enough role. They'll be really competitive with each other, and it will seriously push Toner on to have those lads nipping at his heels. Both have lots of promise, as does Mark Flanagan. I think we're in good shape. Or at least, we will be when we get everyone back 100% fit.
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Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
I think so too.AdamK wrote:I've a sneaky suspicion Roux is going to prove a shrewd signing come summer 2013.
But I also think Dev has to be considered a top contender in the second row. We may lack that enforcer role from him, but we do have an extremely abrassive pack when fit, our front row and back-row couldn't really be more menacing, and many are skilled in the dark arts, no more so than Leo.
You must be better every single year to keep winning Heineken Cups. If we stand still we wont win a thing. I think the 2009 team is irrelivent and I think many Heineken Cup teams would beat an exact replica of that 2009 team now. Every season teams get better, and the one who improves the most, or at least started far enough ahead and improved enough, wins the competition.
Someone needs to step up big time in the second row, but we have many players capable of doing that. I hope at least one of them does (and whilst I back Dev as a very solid option, Roux might be the man to step up as the widow maker that Rocky, Hines and Thorn were in previous winning years.)
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- simonokeeffe
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Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
management seem to rate Roux highly and he could well in future be a Thorn or Botha, key thing is if he stays fit
and longer term if he stays with us beyond this season
and longer term if he stays with us beyond this season
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Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
Now that is the worry! Remember he's only contrcated for one season. I hope he gets an injury-free run, so we can assess him- as well as get the best from him this season. It would be really frustrating if he went home after an injury-ravaged season and then performed really well back in SA.simonokeeffe wrote:management seem to rate Roux highly and he could well in future be a Thorn or Botha, key thing is if he stays fit
and longer term if he stays with us beyond this season
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Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
He tweeted that he's struggling with injuries. Hopefully he mends wellAdamK wrote:I've a sneaky suspicion Roux is going to prove a shrewd signing come summer 2013.
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Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
What is it with us breaking saffers (excl. Ollie le - iron/steel all round good guy - Roux)?sarah_lennon wrote:He tweeted that he's struggling with injuries. Hopefully he mends wellAdamK wrote:I've a sneaky suspicion Roux is going to prove a shrewd signing come summer 2013.
I though playing "super" rugby was as intense as it gets.....?
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Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
The long haul flights - osteoporosis sets in....Peg Leg wrote:What is it with us breaking saffers (excl. Ollie le - iron/steel all round good guy - Roux)?sarah_lennon wrote:He tweeted that he's struggling with injuries. Hopefully he mends wellAdamK wrote:I've a sneaky suspicion Roux is going to prove a shrewd signing come summer 2013.
I though playing "super" rugby was as intense as it gets.....?
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Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
I think we've been putting CJ, Sykes, Roux all in the same rented house that has been cursed ever since Owen Finnegan and Bryce Williams used it
*to add to my theory it took 5 goes to actually post this
*to add to my theory it took 5 goes to actually post this
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Re: Brad Thorn coming to Leinster?
Sh*te weather.