Munster 2017 -2018

[ronk]

He’s entitled to his opinions, but there’s an expectation that team members are team members on and off the field.

Madigan got dropped internationally, Moore got dropped too.

It hasn’t been a secret that Joe and Zebo are not BFFs. Zebo is probably lowering his chances of playing for Ireland by being antagonistic and current Irish internationals are potentially being put in the middle if Zebo airs dirty laundry in public.

Complaining in the media about a coaches systems after being dropped is bad form. I never saw Joe say anything negative about Zebo’s play. Zebo has thrived in Munster with the license to do whatever he wants. He’s done very well for Ireland without replicating the try count, but he clearly hasn’t enjoyed fitting into the system rather than having it built around him. He’s not the first, he won’t be the last but you get very little latitude to question it in public.

[simonokeeffe]

If those are his exact words, hes dumb af

Saying (to Joe) a rigid system doesnt bring the best out of me or even suits me, that to me would be perfectly fine and honest

He clearly did play in that system so whats he on about then?

[artaneboy]

He’s entitled to his opinions, but there’s an expectation that team members are team members on and off the field.

Madigan got dropped internationally, Moore got dropped too.

It hasn’t been a secret that Joe and Zebo are not BFFs. Zebo is probably lowering his chances of playing for Ireland by being antagonistic and current Irish internationals are potentially being put in the middle if Zebo airs dirty laundry in public.

Complaining in the media about a coaches systems after being dropped is bad form. I never saw Joe say anything negative about Zebo’s play. Zebo has thrived in Munster with the license to do whatever he wants. He’s done very well for Ireland without replicating the try count, but he clearly hasn’t enjoyed fitting into the system rather than having it built around him. He’s not the first, he won’t be the last but you get very little latitude to question it in public.

On his freedom to play “his way” in the Munster system. Was that really ever the case? Or was it more a factor of his indiscipline being tolerated/ unpunished by coaches. He had some great moments, but it can’t be claimed that we were all sipping turnip-champagne in wonder at their back play. In fact they shipped a lot of scores as oft as not.


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[Dave Cahill]

Or was it more a factor of his indiscipline being tolerated/ unpunished by coaches.

I think that was the case alright, Erasmus was a complete spoofer who's only interest was in his paycheck. He didn't actually do anything at all there.

[paddyor]

Plus Munsters system was very rigid from what I remember. They basically played the kick chase game Ireland played in 2015 (when all the Munster fans hated) and relied heavily on their defense.

[Oldschool]

Thought Munster were a bit unlucky not to beat Racing today but two things undid them.
Discipline - they gave away too many silly penalties.
POM - gave the ref some lip just before ht and the ten metres conceded resulted in 3 points to Racing.
National captaincy material my eye.

[blockhead]

Awful standard of rugby. Racing are really poor. Result was a lottery.
Poor oul Keatley just can't get a break. Played really well then near the end 1 miss kick to touch ends up as a try for Racing. That's what will be remebered. Expect Munster to wrap up the group next week, although Casters still have something to play for.
POM is plonker, tried to stare the ref out of it and got marched back 10meters.
Keith Earls is as good as he has ever been, maybe better. Has lost not one iota of pace or zip. Zebo is out of shape and lazy.

[johng]

Wrong thread

[wixfjord]

Would have absolutely no qualms about facing that Racing side. Big, lumbering and one paced. Limited game intelligence. If you can keep them contained and limit their momentum they offer little else. That'd be a game Larmour would thrive in particularly.

With Carter might be a different story, but he's pretty much shot at this stage.

[CiaranIrl]

I can't for the life of me understand why such a fuss is made about how good O'Mahony is. Jordi Murphy has been streets ahead of him this season. In his near hour of play, he gave away two stupid penalties, a critical 10 metres, missed two tackles, and managed all of 6 meters from his 5 runs. For all his lineout prowess, one ball was thrown to him.

[johng]

I can't for the life of me understand why such a fuss is made about how good O'Mahony is. Jordi Murphy has been streets ahead of him this season. In his near hour of play, he gave away two stupid penalties, a critical 10 metres, missed two tackles, and managed all of 6 meters from his 5 runs. For all his lineout prowess, one ball was thrown to him.

Just like very few women can perceive the offside rule in soccer. Very few Leinster fans can perceive the incredible qualities of POM.

Munster fans struggle with Jamie Heaslip. They find it hard to accept that this 5 x test lion with more medals than POC or BOD can be anything but muck.

[johng]

Just like very few women can perceive the offside rule in soccer.

NB. This may have changed since the 1970s

[blockhead]

I can't for the life of me understand why such a fuss is made about how good O'Mahony is. Jordi Murphy has been streets ahead of him this season. In his near hour of play, he gave away two stupid penalties, a critical 10 metres, missed two tackles, and managed all of 6 meters from his 5 runs. For all his lineout prowess, one ball was thrown to him.

Just like very few women can perceive the offside rule in soccer. Very few Leinster fans can perceive the incredible qualities of POM.

Munster fans struggle with Jamie Heaslip. They find it hard to accept that this 5 x test lion with more medals than POC or BOD can be anything but muck.

Well that's it init?
Joe has picked POM on many an occasion, so he must be good at something. Gatland picked him for the 1st Lions test, although dropped out of the squad entirely after that.
Same as Jamie with his extensive medal collection, nominations for this and that. The Munster folk just don't like Israelis.

[simonokeeffe]

As tends to happen when hes in the news Zebo did some great things and some awful things to leave debates wide open

POM certainly hasnt had any big performances this year. What he offers Ireland is balance in the backrow and hes the best lineout forward in the country especially defensively. Our carrying 7 being ruled out changes that balance though and puts pressure on POM

[simonokeeffe]

Btw Racing were very sneaky in subbing their tighthead before a yellow card could be issued. Bit of a black mark against the official for that

[Laighin Break]

Btw Racing were very sneaky in subbing their tighthead before a yellow card could be issued. Bit of a black mark against the official for that

I was quite surprised there wasn't a yellow card issued but just before the conversion, you could hear someone (probably POM) asking the ref about a yellow card, and the ref saying no.

Interesting as well that there was no replay of the intentional knock on. They showed the initial break up to the pass, and then skipped to the final phase in the try.

[olaf the fat]

I only watched part of the game, Munster going ahead, going behind, going ahead, then losing the head.

Its hard the figure where they really are, they have some great players in good form - Earls, Murray, Stander -although not at his previous levels. Some average players playing well but a lot of guys blowing hot and cold. They play well but at the same time seem to be a bit of a rabble - as exposed by their poor discipline.

Maybe its the off field stuff. Apart from the coaching mess, the bok migration, guys like POM and stander carrying out contract negotiations in the media, and Zebo leaving but in a"look at me" type of way and losing Ryan previously all have to have a negative impact on the squad.

At this stage I hope we bump into them in the knock outs of either competition.

[janeymac08]

It hasn’t been a secret that Joe and Zebo are not BFFs. Zebo is probably lowering his chances of playing for Ireland by being antagonistic and current Irish internationals are potentially being put in the middle if Zebo airs dirty laundry in public.

Complaining in the media about a coaches systems after being dropped is bad form. I never saw Joe say anything negative about Zebo’s play. Zebo has thrived in Munster with the license to do whatever he wants. He’s done very well for Ireland without replicating the try count, but he clearly hasn’t enjoyed fitting into the system rather than having it built around him. He’s not the first, he won’t be the last but you get very little latitude to question it in public.

The way I see it, is that Schmidt's Ireland style doesn't suit Simon (or a few other players). Remember Rob Penney's tall poppy comment. In fairness to Simon (unlike maybe Gilroy, O'Halloran etc), he knuckled down and played the system. Now that he knows he can do it, he doesn't want to. He was never going to have the full confidence of Schmidt in him, so since it was always his intention to play in France, now is a good time to go because Schmidt will probably move on after the next world cup and with a new Ireland coach, he would be back in the picture.

It will be interesting to see how Stockdale and Lamour do with Schmidt as their Ireland coach.

[BlueBlue]

Zebo said he cant play in Joe's rigid structure.

That sounds like a conclusion. What's all the fuss about.

[simonokeeffe]

Btw Racing were very sneaky in subbing their tighthead before a yellow card could be issued. Bit of a black mark against the official for that

I was quite surprised there wasn't a yellow card issued but just before the conversion, you could hear someone (probably POM) asking the ref about a yellow card, and the ref saying no.

Interesting as well that there was no replay of the intentional knock on. They showed the initial break up to the pass, and then skipped to the final phase in the try.

If the ref had already decided it was not a yellow thats a horrendous decision.
If he was influenced by the quick tap that is still poor

Not sure on protocols (tmo) but wouldve thought the ref wouldve had a word in his ear if that was possible, even just to confirm the number