Ospreys v Munster Pro12 Semi Final match thread

by mrzimmerman Mon 07 May 2012, 2:35 pm

First topic message reminder :

Teams announced;

Ospreys

15 Richard Fussell
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Andrew Bishop
12 Ashley Beck
11 Shane Williams
10 Dan Biggar
9 Kahn Fotuali'i
1 Paul James
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Adam Jones
4 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
5 Ian Evans
6 Ryan Jones
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Joe Bearman

Replacements:

16 Scott Baldwin
17 Ryan Bevington
18 Aaron Jarvis
19 James King
20 Tom Smith
21 Rhys Webb
22 Matthew Morgan
23 Tom Isaacs

Munster: F Jones; J Murphy, K Earls, L Mafi, S Zebo; I Keatley, C Murray; W du Preez, M Sherry, BJ Botha; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; D Ryan, T O'Donnell, P O'Mahony.

Replacements: D Fogarty, D Kilcoyne, S Archer, Dave O'Callaghan, P Butler, T O'Leary, R O'Gara, I Dineen.

Big game Friday night. Any other Welsh region would be underdogs against one of the 3 main Irish teams in a big match either home or away BUT the Ospreys aren't. Reason being they aren't afraid of Munster, Leinster or Ulster as results this year have shown. The home side are favourites(this was further cemented by POC being announced as injured for the match). Saying this, there's no way that Munster will fear travelling to the Liberty. They are a strong, physical unit and will be desperate to win the Pro12 and retain their Celtic league crown.

I'm hoping for a flowing game but think both teams will play to their strengths in their respective packs. Where as to an extent the other semi is a David v Goliath I'd say this is far more evenly matched.

Looking forward to hearing everyone's views on the likely teams, key battles and anything else related.

Will update the post with teams as announced tomorrow. Have removed the dr strangelove ref from the title of the thread, got fed up of seeing it after a while.

by valjester Fri 11 May 2012, 8:55 pm

Morgannwg wrote:Is Dave O'Callaghan a 2nd row, and is he big enough for that position? I thought he looked very good at 7 for Munster A.

Another nice try by the way, OSpreys.

He played 2nd row for the Irish u20s and has the potential to be an very good one. The problem for him again is that there are a load of 2nd rows in Munster so he might play in the backrow for a while. He is not a 7 though.

God Munster are hopeless, POM the only one showing up for them.

by Guest Fri 11 May 2012, 8:56 pm

lovely round of applause for Paul James there as he leaves the pitch, the O's most capped player, that was potentially his last game for them.

by Morgannwg Fri 11 May 2012, 8:56 pm

Hanno is a Boer from the USA. He's an Osprey thru n thru though. Always been a very good player for them.

by **Notch** Fri 11 May 2012, 8:57 pm

rugbydreamer wrote:
Notch wrote:Ospreys so clearly want this more. The disparity in intensity between the two sets of forwards... They are much more deserving of a place in the Final.

Munster looked like they did want it to begin with, but I've been quite disappointed how their heads have dropped since going behind though. They look leaderless.

I agree. O'Mahony has been unimpressive as Captain. Early on he seemed to think leadership was the same as trying to pick a fight with every Os player he bumped into and he's been unable to rally his troops. He'll learn.

by Pot Hale Fri 11 May 2012, 8:57 pm

Roland's interpretation of the breakdown is interesting.

When either side get tackled, the other is on them immediately, and the tackled player gets pinged for holding on. He's meant to allow time for the player to place the ball. That hasn't happened all game.

by Guest Fri 11 May 2012, 8:58 pm

Zebo is having a game to forget, so many errors from him tonight.

by Morgannwg Fri 11 May 2012, 8:58 pm

This is very un-munster.

by valjester Fri 11 May 2012, 8:58 pm

rugbydreamer wrote:
Notch wrote:Ospreys so clearly want this more. The disparity in intensity between the two sets of forwards... They are much more deserving of a place in the Final.

Munster looked like they did want it to begin with, but I've been quite disappointed how their heads have dropped since going behind though. They look leaderless.

Rog coming on has destroyed any chances they had of getting something out of the game. He has been appalling, along with the second rows.

by Mickado Fri 11 May 2012, 8:58 pm

As long as he's even there can be no complaints.

by Guest Fri 11 May 2012, 8:59 pm

Pot Hale wrote:Roland's interpretation of the breakdown is interesting.

When either side get tackled, the other is on them immediately, and the tackler gets pinged for holding on. He's meant to allow time for the player to place the ball. That hasn't happened all game.

Welcome to a Scarlet fans view of him Wink

In seriousness though, this is how he always refs the breakdown (or seems to), tis one of the reasons I don't like him as a ref.

by Pot Hale Fri 11 May 2012, 8:59 pm

Morgannwg wrote:This is very un-munster.

See?! Even you're saying it now. Smile

. They're bluddy awful.

by Mickado Fri 11 May 2012, 9:00 pm

Yep, that's Hibbards bumhole alright...

by valjester Fri 11 May 2012, 9:02 pm

Notch wrote:
rugbydreamer wrote:
Notch wrote:Ospreys so clearly want this more. The disparity in intensity between the two sets of forwards... They are much more deserving of a place in the Final.

Munster looked like they did want it to begin with, but I've been quite disappointed how their heads have dropped since going behind though. They look leaderless.

I agree. O'Mahony has been unimpressive as Captain. Early on he seemed to think leadership was the same as trying to pick a fight with every Os player he bumped into and he's been unable to rally his troops. He'll learn.

I think you're being harsh on him, he's the only one of the forwards playing, he's trying to lead by example its not his fault the others aren't up to it.
The trying to pick a fight thing is something he always seems to do, he has captained the team quite well on the occasions he has had to do it this season.

by Guest Fri 11 May 2012, 9:03 pm

I dont believe my eyes, Andrew Bishop scores a try?

by **Notch** Fri 11 May 2012, 9:04 pm

Donal Leinhan talking about how young Munster lads will learn a lot from this- he's putting a brave face on things, but Munster are being humiliated. Thats the truth.

by Mickado Fri 11 May 2012, 9:04 pm

Ouch.

by Morgannwg Fri 11 May 2012, 9:04 pm

Even if that isn't a try I sense another one to be scored anyway, maybe even two! Ospreys just look so dominant. This would have been the other way around two seasons ago.

by Mickado Fri 11 May 2012, 9:04 pm

Payback for the HC QF in 2009?

by Pot Hale Fri 11 May 2012, 9:04 pm

The new guy at Munster needs to pin this result up on the dressing room wall for the start of the new season.

Just so they don't forget how bad they were tonight.

I've a funny feeling Ronan O'Gara may have a change of heart about continuing on with his career after this season.

by valjester Fri 11 May 2012, 9:05 pm

Rog not even attempting to tackle.

by **Notch** Fri 11 May 2012, 9:06 pm

Mickado wrote:Payback for the HC QF in 2009?

Absolutely. Munster looked twice the side against Ulster last week- but if they want to recapture fading glories they've got to learn to play like that when they've no chip on the shoulder.

by Morgannwg Fri 11 May 2012, 9:07 pm

Mickado wrote:Payback for the HC QF in 2009?

Yep! And Munster even thrashed them in the league at Limerick following on from that game! I believe it the last game of the season, Munster won the league but there were no play-offs.

by Rava Fri 11 May 2012, 9:07 pm

Notch wrote:Donal Leinhan talking about how young Munster lads will learn a lot from this- he's putting a brave face on things, but Munster are being humiliated. Thats the truth.

Have to agree. Ospreys have been very good. Very clinical.

On this showing Munster will struggle next year.

by Guest Fri 11 May 2012, 9:08 pm

even Biggar is making good tackles....wonders will never cease.

by Pot Hale Fri 11 May 2012, 9:08 pm

Rolland suddenly policing the offside line properly.

Hilarious.

by valjester Fri 11 May 2012, 9:09 pm

Rava wrote:
Notch wrote:Donal Leinhan talking about how young Munster lads will learn a lot from this- he's putting a brave face on things, but Munster are being humiliated. Thats the truth.

Have to agree. Ospreys have been very good. Very clinical.

On this showing Munster will struggle next year.

Poc will be back which will make a huge difference. I don't think you would see this type of performance from Munster if he was playing.

by **Notch** Fri 11 May 2012, 9:10 pm

Rava wrote:
Notch wrote:Donal Leinhan talking about how young Munster lads will learn a lot from this- he's putting a brave face on things, but Munster are being humiliated. Thats the truth.

Have to agree. Ospreys have been very good. Very clinical.

On this showing Munster will struggle next year.

Aye, we keep saying that but they always seem to find a way to win more than their fair share of games. I don't think they'll win silverware but I'd be surprised if they missed out on the playoffs. The Heineken Cup all comes down to what kind of group they get.

by Pot Hale Fri 11 May 2012, 9:10 pm

Fair play to your man O'Mahony - he battles on.

The comedy of errors in the backline is just laughable.

by Rava Fri 11 May 2012, 9:12 pm

POC is an icon. But even he can't keep going forever.
Would he really have made a big difference tonight?

by valjester Fri 11 May 2012, 9:12 pm

Now that Wallace is gone, Rog really has to go as well. He has no one to babysit him anymore and is contributing nothing.

by Mickado Fri 11 May 2012, 9:12 pm

Bah. Earls will have to learn more than that one trick if he wants to stake a claim for the 13 jersey next year. Fake pass-step back-run.

Taking a leaf out of ROGs book of whinging to the media when you want to get your way...

by Artful_Dodger Fri 11 May 2012, 9:12 pm

Great performance from the Ospreys - very disappointing from Munster.

by Guest Fri 11 May 2012, 9:13 pm

Ryan Jones and AWJ clap

absolutely brilliant performances from both of them, fair dos.

by valjester Fri 11 May 2012, 9:13 pm

Mickado wrote:Bah. Earls will have to learn more than that one trick if he wants to stake a claim for the 13 jersey next year. Fake pass-step back-run.

Taking a leaf out of ROGs book of whinging to the media when you want to get your way...

Jesus off all the players to have a go at, you pick Earls. Big difference between what he said to the media and what Rog did.

by Guest Fri 11 May 2012, 9:14 pm

There is singing in the Liberty! From the actual home fans! I honestly can't believe it!

by Guest Fri 11 May 2012, 9:15 pm

what a try!!

Beautiful, beauitful rugby, love it! clap

by valjester Fri 11 May 2012, 9:15 pm

Rog at fault for about three or four tries.

by **Notch** Fri 11 May 2012, 9:15 pm

This isn't a war... it's a massacre! Erm

by Mickado Fri 11 May 2012, 9:16 pm

Im not picking players to have a go at but there was only one player talked about on the newstalk podcast this week and it put my nose out of joint.

by Morgannwg Fri 11 May 2012, 9:17 pm

So is this Ospreys first ever thrashing of Munster? Beating those guys 3 out of 3 in a season is top notch stuff. Da Iawn Ospreys. Transfer it to the Heineken Cup next season why don't you?

*EDIT - I haven't seen a team this disorganised in defence in ages, not since cardiff blues anyway!

by Morgannwg Fri 11 May 2012, 9:18 pm

Anyone else find it odd to see a player smaller than Shane? Poor Matthew!

by Guest Fri 11 May 2012, 9:19 pm

this is reminding me of the O's v Scarlets delayed boxing day game of 2010. That was v painful as a Scarlets fan so I can sympathise somewhat with Munster here.

I can't believe a semi final play off has been so one sided.

by valjester Fri 11 May 2012, 9:19 pm

Mickado wrote:Im not picking players to have a go at but there was only one player talked about on the newstalk podcast this week and it put my nose out of joint.

Well if that put your nose out of joint, I'd hate to think what happened when Rog spoke after the Oz match. He's not the only player to speak about wanting to play a certain position. Luke Fitz says in nearly every interview that he wants to be a full back. Earls has been playing well at 13 and is as good an option there as any other player to replace Bod, its good that he has the confidence to talk about it.

by Morgannwg Fri 11 May 2012, 9:20 pm

rugbydreamer, the Bulls v Chiefs S14 final was about 10 times more one-sided. Did you catch that one?

by Mickado Fri 11 May 2012, 9:21 pm

Fitz said his favourite position is fullback. Earls said he's going to march into Penneys office and tell him he only wants to play at. 13. Big difference.

by **Notch** Fri 11 May 2012, 9:21 pm

Earlier, I saw a Munster fan on twitter confidently predicting a hammering for the Ospreys when Munster went 7-0 up Shocked

by Rava Fri 11 May 2012, 9:22 pm

Morgannwg wrote:So is this Ospreys first ever thrashing of Munster? Beating those guys 3 out of 3 in a season is top notch stuff. Da Iawn Ospreys. Transfer it to the Heineken Cup next season why don't you?

*EDIT - I haven't seen a team this disorganised in defence in ages, not since cardiff blues anyway!

Not sure Ospreys will contest HC too well but with they will definately be a massive in the Rabo.

by **Notch** Fri 11 May 2012, 9:22 pm

Morgannwg wrote:rugbydreamer, the Bulls v Chiefs S14 final was about 10 times more one-sided. Did you catch that one?

That was insane, I remember that game. Unbelievable.

by Guest Fri 11 May 2012, 9:22 pm

Morgannwg wrote:rugbydreamer, the Bulls v Chiefs S14 final was about 10 times more one-sided. Did you catch that one?

nah I never manage to watch much S14 unfortunately.

by GunsGerms Fri 11 May 2012, 9:23 pm

Where's all the munster "heart" the Munster "dog" and pride in the jersey and all the usual Munster related cliches?

Some very average players in this Munster team. ROG has been terrible, Sherry and Mod woeful. Mafi and Zebo really over rated as is Murray. Tol his usual poor self.

Earls is probably Munsters best player followed by Pom.

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