Ospreys v Leinster 02/09/11

First topic message reminder :

The team to face Leinster this weekend in the Ospreys first game of the new Pro-12 is as follows:

15 Richard Fussell
14 Kristian Phillips
13 Andrew Bishop
12 Ashley Beck
11 Hanno Dirksen
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb

1 Duncan Jones
2 Mefin Davies
3 Cai Griffiths
4 Ian Gough
5 Ian Evans
6 Tom Smith
7 Justin Tipuric (Capt)
8 Jonathan Thomas

Replacements

16 Matthew Dwyer
17 Ken Dowding
18 Joe Rees
19 James King
20 Morgan Allen
21 Tom Isaacs
22 Matthew Morgan
23 Sonny Parker

We're missing a few key players who are all on international duty - and some off with injuries. If anyone's got the Leinster team, please post it in reply.

Bah. I confess I'm also a soccer fan. I'll have to watch Ireland v Slovakia. Will RTE or TG4 be doing a highlight show at all?

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Don't mean to sound arrogant but our backline looks unreal compared to theirs in every position except possibly 9

Its the 9/10 positions that are important though, and the Ospreys have their 1st choice 9/10

Webb was very good last season
Biggar is still quality despite being dropped by Wales, he did beat Leinster in the ML Grand final.

Ive never even heard of the Leinster 9/10 - No Boss, Reddan, Sexton... :/

I think berquist could be something special for us

jonny better practice playing 12 cause there is a new kiwi points machine on the radar not seen since david holwell

holwell was great he was a kicking machine

Berquist was the back up to Carter with the All Blacks for quite some time, I think it safe to say he is pretty good. Totally accept your point on 9's.

Don't really rate Biggar that much tbh but love Fussell

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Mickado wrote:Anyone know when Nathan White arrives? Also, anyone know if he’s any use? All I’ve seen of him is a digging match he got into on youtube…

You can see him Captaining Waikato in the ITM Cup Final Live on Sky on Saturday morning.

I have downloaded all their games from acrossthetasman.com Only watched a couple but he is the real deal. Starts for the chiefs too in the S15. He would probably be ahead of Tony Buckley if he was Irish. Too old to be a project player though.

Anyone know for sure whether he is going home after the WC or he is here for the season?

Leinster have 4 injured BTW. Horgan, Sheridan,Sykes and Conway. 14 at the WC, and 1 retired yesterday.
That's nearly a matchday squad missing.

True Jenifer. How could I forget Shaggy? I mean... for shame Gibbo. For shame.

Just hope this is a good open game between us. Could do with some decent weather. And a decent crowd. Ok, Im asking for too much.

Grey. That was brilliant man. One of the funniest quotes Ive seen on here.

wales606 wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Don't mean to sound arrogant but our backline looks unreal compared to theirs in every position except possibly 9

Its the 9/10 positions that are important though, and the Ospreys have their 1st choice 9/10

Webb was very good last season
Biggar is still quality despite being dropped by Wales, he did beat Leinster in the ML Grand final.

Ive never even heard of the Leinster 9/10 - No Boss, Reddan, Sexton... :/

True Wales. True. Given enough go-forward and control by your pack, ye could muller us there.
Hmmmm.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Berquist was the back up to Carter with the All Blacks for quite some time, I think it safe to say he is pretty good. Totally accept your point on 9's.

Don't really rate Biggar that much tbh but love Fussell

Sorry Pete

While Berquist looked incredible for Leinster in the 2 x friendlies to date, and he looks like he will really suit NH Rugby.

He was never an All Black. He was Carter's backup for the Crusaders, not NZ.

Cooney at 9 looks sharp, but totally unproven at any senior level.

My wishlist:

1) A win
2) No injuries
3) A good performance

That's the obvious stuff out of the way

4) Fitzgerald to go and show some form and do the basics well
5) Big games from O'Malley and Ryan (my favourite Leisnter players atm)
6) The scrum and lineout to go well
7) Winning bonus point (ok now I'm just plain greedy!)

Huh!? Could have sworn he was an All Black! Sorry

Gibson wrote:

wales606 wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Don't mean to sound arrogant but our backline looks unreal compared to theirs in every position except possibly 9

Its the 9/10 positions that are important though, and the Ospreys have their 1st choice 9/10

Webb was very good last season
Biggar is still quality despite being dropped by Wales, he did beat Leinster in the ML Grand final.

Ive never even heard of the Leinster 9/10 - No Boss, Reddan, Sexton... :/

True Wales. True. Given enough go-forward and control by your pack, ye could muller us there.
Hmmmm.

Not my pack... ...Ospreys ...Im a Blues man (though I will be supporting the O's, im just glad that they we beat them last year in the ML and they didnt beat us )

Any ideas who is gonna be better in the lineout?

7 Welsh internationals in the pack, and 9 in the team.
Hopefully we can dominate up front and take this leinster team apart.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Don't mean to sound arrogant but our backline looks unreal compared to theirs in every position except possibly 9

watch out for dirksen our winger, the boy is going to be special

we have a decent pack but agree leinster back line stronger and ruddock is a class act at 8, looks like an away win

where is bearman?
ps if joe rees comes in he is a top young prop can really scrummage

Love how in games llike this we get to see players we wouldn't normally see, really looking forward to this now.

One thing I was wondering last night was, is Luke going to be a weapon at 12 for us or a weakness????

He's got great feet, great defence and runs good lines and offloads well but on the other hand his passing and handling has become shockingly bad of late and he won't have as much time too

I'm surprised by all of the interest around Fitzgerald playing 12. He's played there a few times before for Ireland and the Lions and was pretty poor.

In my opinion he doesn't have any of the skills to play there. He's not big or powerful enough to break the gainline and he doesn't have the footballing brain or skills to play the 1st 5/8th role. He also steps too much before contact, rather than straightening the line and doesn't have the acceration to compensate for his lack of size.

Maybe he can develop his game to play there but I don't think he's suited to playing center.

I think he had the skill set awhile ago, I remember he was one of the best in the team at looking to give and get offloads and his step in traffic was quite good, now I don't know where to put him

wing=isn't actually that fast and doesn't score many tries
fullback=not dependable enough
centre=not a good enough passer

anyone know if you can get bbc wales on UPC?

caoimhincentre wrote:anyone know if you can get bbc wales on UPC?

Yes. I know. No. You can't.
UPC does have the advantage in the WC though. Both ITV and Setanta Ireland on the EPG. Neither on Sky.

Thankfully I have both. (Now where's the smug ba$tard icon?)

Balls

caoimhincentre wrote:Balls

Keily's? Or your mate's house who has Sky (and hates soccer)

I'm considering Keilys for the match. Would prefer to find somewhere closer to home though, anyone know if anywhere in Rathmines /Rathgar would be showing it?

Mickado - I know it's not as good as the pub, but could you download a tidy stream for it?

Mickado wrote:I'm considering Keilys for the match. Would prefer to find somewhere closer to home though, anyone know if anywhere in Rathmines /Rathgar would be showing it?

Downside of Keily's is the Match traffic heading for Lansdowne rd. Time for a cycle. If it lashes rain, lock up your bike and get a taxi.

No Soccer hating Sky owning mates in Talafornia? I'll do you a dvd of it if you miss it.

Cari wrote:Mickado - I know it's not as good as the pub, but could you download a tidy stream for it?

I could, but then i'm tied in to watching whatever steams are available, and my lap top over heats and the picture quality could be rubbish, i'd prefer to go to the pub, watch the game, have 3 pints and head home afterwards.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Mickado wrote:I'm considering Keilys for the match. Would prefer to find somewhere closer to home though, anyone know if anywhere in Rathmines /Rathgar would be showing it?

Downside of Keily's is the Match traffic heading for Lansdowne rd. Time for a cycle. If it lashes rain, lock up your bike and get a taxi.

No Soccer hating Sky owning mates in Talafornia? I'll do you a dvd of it if you miss it.

I do, but he's in work! I shouldn't miss it but i'll keep you on stand by with that DVD offer? Much appreciated!

For the Leinster fans on this thead, are you all season ticket holders? where do you sit? we should have a pint next week before the dragons game, banter she wrote!

Just rang Comans (my new local) and asked about the match. They said the football and rugby will both be on but “just so you know, rugby will ALWAYS get priority in the bar”.

I think I’m going to cry…

Sorted Mick

Think I'm heading to Kiely's. Live out in Greystones and not risking any of the locals that may show the soccer instead, not taking any chances!

Ha, there’s a new team just moved into the office beside me, I noticed one of them wearing a Leinster hoodie, mentioned the game tonight and we were all chat, he’s from Argentina, we were chatting about Felipe. Man I miss that guy.

Ah, he's just in the next office. I'm sure you'll meet him again.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Think I'm heading to Kiely's. Live out in Greystones and not risking any of the locals that may show the soccer instead, not taking any chances!

Dart will be Jammers Pete

greybeard wrote:Ah, he's just in the next office. I'm sure you'll meet him again.

True I'll go straight from work though, working in town.

Hate not being able to rewatch a game I have to say but am recording the Ulster one at home so I'll have something to look at I guess.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:True I'll go straight from work though, working in town.

Hate not being able to rewatch a game I have to say but am recording the Ulster one at home so I'll have something to look at I guess.

There's a website called acrossthetasman.com it's basically a forum where people post torrents of almost every rugby game that's on tv globally. If you wanted to rewatch it you could always try there. I'm going to build up a library of all of our games this season.

For the Leinster fans on this thead, are you all season ticket holders? where do you sit? we should have a pint next week before our loss in the dragons game, banter she wrote!

Fixed that for you Kado

Ya roysh!

Comans is showing the Leinster game? Happy days, guess I know where I'll be going this evening.

Mickado - are you setting a restriction that only bonafide card carrying leinster persons can be included in the pint scenario? I'll be setting up the bandwagon in the grandstand yet another season.

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Comans is showing the Leinster game? Happy days, guess I know where I'll be going this evening.

Mickado - are you setting a restriction that only bonafide card carrying leinster persons can be included in the pint scenario? I'll be setting up the bandwagon in the grandstand yet another season.

Every team needs a bandwagon! You’ll be more than welcome pal.
Sure I might even see you for a pint in Comans? I’ll be in the smoking area if its on out there, if not, I’ll be within striking distance of it!

Mickado wrote:

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Comans is showing the Leinster game? Happy days, guess I know where I'll be going this evening.

Mickado - are you setting a restriction that only bonafide card carrying leinster persons can be included in the pint scenario? I'll be setting up the bandwagon in the grandstand yet another season.

Every team needs a bandwagon! You’ll be more than welcome pal.
Sure I might even see you for a pint in Comans? I’ll be in the smoking area if its on out there, if not, I’ll be within striking distance of it!

A Smoker? Jasus! I'm glad I didn't invite you to me gaff now

Glasgow game may be better for pints as it's not a Friday. I'm Grandstand too. Since we moved from the 'Brook. I'm afraid to give them up as I would never get as good seats again.

We had grandstand tickets, gave them up to get “back to our roots”, wish I never did. They were epic seats. Hold on to them for the love of BOD!

Driftin away from the title, but totally agree on the seats front. We've got 2 together would love to try and go for 4 together but it is impossible to try and sort it out. Even the single seat season ticket holder beside me is actually the 5th in a group and the other 4 are back about 12 rows up the stand - and there doesn't seem any hope to getting that group together (and freeing up space beside me!).

I'm sure the Ospreys have similar problems trying to accomodate all their season ticketholders at the Liberty?

I asked this on another thread. Do any Ospreys fans think their attendances will be affected by the Soccer team being in the Poofterball Premiership?

Mickado wrote:

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Comans is showing the Leinster game? Happy days, guess I know where I'll be going this evening.

Mickado - are you setting a restriction that only bonafide card carrying leinster persons can be included in the pint scenario? I'll be setting up the bandwagon in the grandstand yet another season.

Every team needs a bandwagon! You’ll be more than welcome pal.
Sure I might even see you for a pint in Comans? I’ll be in the smoking area if its on out there, if not, I’ll be within striking distance of it!

By the way Mickado, just on to Comans in Rathgar apparently the Ulster game is the only one they are showing tonight!

thebandwagonsociety wrote:

Mickado wrote:

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Comans is showing the Leinster game? Happy days, guess I know where I'll be going this evening.

Mickado - are you setting a restriction that only bonafide card carrying leinster persons can be included in the pint scenario? I'll be setting up the bandwagon in the grandstand yet another season.

Every team needs a bandwagon! You’ll be more than welcome pal.
Sure I might even see you for a pint in Comans? I’ll be in the smoking area if its on out there, if not, I’ll be within striking distance of it!

By the way Mickado, just on to Comans in Rathgar apparently the Ulster game is the only one they are showing tonight!

What?! But but but, i rang them this morning and was told that since the football was terrestrial and the rugby was on Sky they could show both!? might just go down and wreck the place instead. Keep an eye on the news headlines tomorrow for me...

You might have been chatting to a more IT savvy barman than I was.

The rathmines inn next door is great for rugby games lad and you can get pitchers for €9

also re the season ticket holders, have you all seen that munsters sales are down and all other provinces are up

D24tress wrote:The rathmines inn next door is great for rugby games lad and you can get pitchers for €9

also re the season ticket holders, have you all seen that munsters sales are down and all other provinces are up

you might be thinking of "The Rathgar" (Without the "Inn") The Rathmines Inn is about a mile away. Both pubs (Comans and The Rathgar) were opened during the famine. The Dropping Well too.

I still call it the 108 and am yet to actually go into it.

I'm going to head over and hope for the best.

Sorry your right the rathgar

The morgue in templeogue was opened during the famine and aptly named aswell.

The rathgar was formely the 108 was it not

D24tress wrote:Sorry your right the rathgar

The morgue in templeogue was opened during the famine and aptly named aswell.

The rathgar was formely the 108 was it not

It was always "The Rathgar" there was just a big 108 (The address) on the sign so people called it that.

tbf the O's pack isint lacking experience, nice to see morgan on the bench does this mean he is 2nd fly half for the O's now?