Munster 2017 -2018

[fourthirtythree]

https://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/analysis ... ime-143185

"...his second biggest carry... a couple of metres"
"Third man into the breakdown after... the pack [Cian Healy's back was slapped hardest] win a penalty"
"While the Corkman does not play a huge role in Ireland's opening try..."
"He is always looking for the next task. A minute later, and with Ireland still in possession, we see O'Mahony taking his first gulps of air as he stands over yet another ruck, resting on the back of Argentina lock Tomas Lavinini."
"13-0 up and looking good, O'Mahony makes his big carry [three metres]"
"O'Mahony shows his experience when he loses the collision with hooker Agustin Creevy"
"Here we see O'Mahony making an absolute nuisance of himself [below]. Keep an eye out for his boot going missing in the midst of the crush.... Argentina were fortunate to retain possession and score,"

Heroic stuff.

If I read on any further I'm sure he would have done some quality pointing and telling the world class (according to NZ) Sean O'Brien to get up (he really wouldn't have thought of doing so himself). I think O'Mahony is a fine player, the amount of utter shite written about him by his fanbois is unbelievable though.

To buck the general trend here though I think he'd be a really big loss for Ireland (bigger for Munster of course) - he's a word class lineout forward and good international quality otherwise. He's also a great impact sub - for all we mock his angry face he really does come into a game with a point to prove and holding grudges. His game has suffered from the interpretation changes which mostly negated his breakdown threat. 3 or 4 years ago he was a breakdown specialist (his elbows were on the ground but they let it go back then).

I wonder which of O'Mahony and CJ the IRFU rates highest? I would have thought it was CJ but O'Mahony offers something different from our other options. The equivalent for us would have been Heaslip and O'Brien - I'd have worried about losing Heaslip from Leinster more than O'Brien though the IRFU cared, I think, more for O'Brien. Which is why Heaslip has the private money keeping him at Leinster. I can't see why O'Mahony, totemic as he is for Munster, could not do the same.

[sunshiner1]

If it's from an IRFU perspective then Stander is the more valuable player, with Heaslip injured and coming to the end of his career Stander or Conan look most likely to replace him in the national set-up. POM is good but I wouldn't break the bank for him.

[Lar]

I can't believe I am about to say this but ignoring any stats is there not a significant argument that if POM leaves then the floodgates will open for Munster and from an Ireland perspective its only a matter of time before Stander, Murray and Earls etc will follow.

The IRFU need to invest in the provinces and whilst they have kept central contracts the number of them is far smaller than originally and the slack has to be taken up by the provinces (with external support in some instances incl the IRFU I accept).

Its a balance that the IRFU must consider. But getting it wrong could have long term implications for the Irish side if Munster lose even only some of their better players.

But I also think its worth re-reading part of 433's post:

If I read on any further I'm sure he would have done some quality pointing

Chapeau!

[R-Dog]

There is no doubt O'Mahony is a great player on big occasions for Ireland/Munster. But does he ever dominate lesser games in the way SOB or Rocky have done for us in the past?

Is he likely to be able to invoke the same passion and pride for the Blue and White of Racing ?

[Laighin Break]

The problem with O'Mahony is that nobody can ever point to real world examples of why he's good. Like, a proper Murray Kinsella analysis of his impact. Tackles, interventions, linocut disruption etc. I'd love to see one. The suspicion remains that O'Mahony gets respect because of the way he carries himself. Angry, intense, glaring etc. Sure, he's a good player. But is he worth breaking the bank for? I don't think so.

http://www.the42.ie/ireland-peter-omaho ... 6-Oct2015/
http://www.the42.ie/analysis-peter-omah ... 1-Feb2014/
https://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/analysis ... ime-143185

We'll colour me surprised so. I'll have a read.

Bear in mind that Murray seems to be/have been pally with POM.

[FLIP]

http://www.the42.ie/ireland-peter-omaho ... 6-Oct2015/
http://www.the42.ie/analysis-peter-omah ... 1-Feb2014/
https://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/analysis ... ime-143185

We'll colour me surprised so. I'll have a read.

Bear in mind that Murray seems to be/have been pally with POM.

So 2 sources biased due to friendship, and the 3rd by being owned by a member of the Munster coaching staff.

[sunshiner1]

http://www.the42.ie/keith-earls-munster ... 3-Dec2017/
http://www.the42.ie/jaco-taute-peter-om ... 8-Dec2017/

Are Munster players contractually obligated to kiss their fans asses on a weekly basis? This is embarrassing. 2 Articles in 1 day on how Munster players love there club so much.

[Oldschool]

It's fair to say that Munster have been very good tonight against Leicester in the first half.

[paddyor]

On for the bp and it's only ht. Getting a lot leeway from the ref at the breakdown but fairly clinical with their chances.

[CiaranIrl]

Good old Matt O'Connor, eh? Leicester are shambolic.

[cormac]

Good old Matt O'Connor, eh? Leicester are shambolic.

Think you're being generous. Munster have bullied them tonight.

[Dave Cahill]

The sixth best team in the third best league in Europe aren't up to much.

Shocker.

[blockhead]

Very impressive from Munster. Yes, leicester were chyte, but Munster crushed them without getting out of 3rd gear. A well coached team, well done Andy.
Hope Conway is OK, he was flat out of a bit there.
Arnold gets MOM, born and raised in Enland (Leinster Mommy), moved down from Ulster to play for Munster.

[paddyor]

Good old Matt O'Connor, eh? Leicester are shambolic.

Tait threw the ball behind/back of the 8 when they were trying to move it wide at one point. Good luck Leicester!

[neiliog93]

Munster were brilliant again, as they were against Ospreys. Kleyn is really starting to be physically dominant and Cloete looks a great signing; lively, physical, low centre of gravity, excellent in at the breakdown and with ball in hand. Wooton justified starting ahead of Sweetnam. Very encouraging night for them with all the contract shenanigans and new coach.

[neiliog93]

Looking at the snarky post-match comments from MOC there, and as blaming ref/opposition players cheating (and his own players), he managed to use the words 'accurate/inaccurate' about 7 times. God, some things don't change. Insufferable.

[CiaranIrl]

Rhys Marshall was very impressive, I thought.

[nc6000]

Are Munster players contractually obligated to kiss their fans asses on a weekly basis?

Yes. Otherwise they might not bother turning up for games and might be more likely to boo or abuse their own players.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Rhys Marshall was very impressive, I thought.

Yeah he was brilliant, would have been MOTM for me.

Thought Arnold made some errors in attack so wouldn't have given him MOTM but did think he was still really impressive. His defence was outstanding and he was a threat on the ball but just a little off with his decision making and timing, total understandable after how much rugby he's missed though. Hard to believe he's still only 21. I know I keep banging on about it but he really could be great if he stays fit.

Leicester were abysmal. They looked utterly clueless and like they were trying out back moves for the first time out there, it did very much remind me of when MOC was here. Conversely, Munster looked really well drilled and executed superbly, very impressive considering the coaching changes.

[sunshiner1]

by nc6000

sunshiner1 wrote:
Are Munster players contractually obligated to kiss their fans asses on a weekly basis?

Yes. Otherwise they might not bother turning up for games and might be more likely to boo or abuse their own players.

Touche