Ospreys v Munster Pro12 Semi Final match thread

[mrzimmerman]

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.

[valjester]

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.

And fair play to him, I really fail to see what is wrong with that. Penney might tell him to f off but there is no harm in asking.

[Morgannwg]

finished 67-10 or something I think. Notch was right, very dominant from the Bulls.

Does nobody think the Ospreys will compete better in the HC next season? although I suppose some people expect that every year.

[valjester]

POM with another turnover, pity everyone else has been so sh**e.

[Notch]

Congratulations Ospreys

Should be a great final. Ospreys love playing our provinces in this competition, they won't fear Leinster if the make it. Just saw the stat that Ospreys have won 8 out of 9 games against the Irish provinces this season.

Only defeat they've had against our teams was a very tight 15-14 win for Ulster at Ravenhill which they nearly sneaked at the death.

[valjester]

Congratulations Ospreys

Should be a great final. Ospreys love playing our provinces in this competition, they won't fear Leinster if the make it. Just saw the stat that Ospreys have won 8 out of 9 games against the Irish provinces this season.

Only defeat they've had against our teams was a very tight 15-14 win for Ulster at Ravenhill which they nearly sneaked at the death.

When you take into consideration that Leinster will be hopefully wrecked and reeling from their loss to Ulster the previous week, Ospreys should be favourites to win the final.

[thebluesmancometh]

Good performance from Ospreys but I think we need to put it into perspective, Munster stole 2 wins at the death in the groups of the HC and went out a an ok Ulster side.

[Notch]

Hehe, we'll see how that pans out

[Guest]

what a great game!

Thoroughly enjoyed that, some cracking tries (I shall refrain form my usual gripes about the breakdown )

Defence was superb from the O's and the counter tries were brilliant.

Just a great game for a neutral so thanks to both sides

[Rory_Gallagher]

That was pretty embarrassing to watch..

[Rava]

Congratulations Ospreys

Should be a great final. Ospreys love playing our provinces in this competition, they won't fear Leinster if the make it. Just saw the stat that Ospreys have won 8 out of 9 games against the Irish provinces this season.

Only defeat they've had against our teams was a very tight 15-14 win for Ulster at Ravenhill which they nearly sneaked at the death.

A bit disrespectful of you Notch. Glasgow will surely give Leinster a much bigger test than Munster did tonight.

[Imperialbigdave]

From a neutral who rarely supports Ospreys, can I just say that was brilliant. Absolutely fantastic rugby at times, congratulations!

Ps. Can we scots get Ashley Beck before you guys cap him? youve got Jiffy, Jawbone and Scott Williams, you dont really need him do you....?

[Rory_Gallagher]

One positive - future Munster backrow in O'Callaghan, O'Donnell and O'Mahony. They could be a real unit in the future IMO.

[Rava]

what a great game!

Thoroughly enjoyed that, some cracking tries (I shall refrain form my usual gripes about the breakdown )

Defence was superb from the O's and the counter tries were brilliant.

Just a great game for a neutral so thanks to both sides

Ah Dreamer never a neutral when a Welsh team play against an Irish one methinks

[GunsGerms]

Massacre. Men v girls, Earls and Pom.

[Rava]

One positive - future Munster backrow in O'Callaghan, O'Donnell and O'Mahony. They could be a real unit in the future IMO.

Right Rory.

They will struggle at half back though unless Murray gets a grip. I've been very unimpressed with him since the 6-nations.

[Notch]

Congratulations Ospreys

Should be a great final. Ospreys love playing our provinces in this competition, they won't fear Leinster if the make it. Just saw the stat that Ospreys have won 8 out of 9 games against the Irish provinces this season.

Only defeat they've had against our teams was a very tight 15-14 win for Ulster at Ravenhill which they nearly sneaked at the death.

A bit disrespectful of you Notch. Glasgow will surely give Leinster a much bigger test than Munster did tonight.

Hey Rava, I said they won't fear Leinster if they make it! Those four little words make a big difference to that sentence

I'm definitely not writing Glasgow off, thats for sure.

[Guest]

what a great game!

Thoroughly enjoyed that, some cracking tries (I shall refrain form my usual gripes about the breakdown )

Defence was superb from the O's and the counter tries were brilliant.

Just a great game for a neutral so thanks to both sides

Ah Dreamer never a neutral when a Welsh team play against an Irish one methinks

Seriously though, it takes a lot for me to support a team based in Swansea, It goes against all the views on Welsh rugby I was raised with!

[Rava]

Ah fairynuff Notch. I admit I was a tad quick off he mark there.

[Rory_Gallagher]

One positive - future Munster backrow in O'Callaghan, O'Donnell and O'Mahony. They could be a real unit in the future IMO.

Right Rory.

They will struggle at half back though unless Murray gets a grip. I've been very unimpressed with him since the 6-nations.

You know, it could end up being a fully Munster backrow for Ireland in the future, that is how promising they look IMO. Agreed though on Murray. Murray, O'Gara, O'Leary and Keatley are all crap right now. Aren't Munster getting Stringer back? They will need him.

[J_D]

Magnificent performance

[Rava]

The one thing about tonight is that Ospreys really looked like they wanted this. In the past their big players haven't always done it for them.
This could be a massive for Welsh regional Rugby.

[Pot Hale]

Magnificent? Munster were trash. Any team would have managed to look good against them. Well maybe not Worcester.

[Guest]

The one thing about tonight is that Ospreys really looked like they wanted this. In the past their big players haven't always done it for them.
This could be a massive for Welsh regional Rugby.

+1

AWJ, Ryan, Adam, Beck (i know he hasn't been capped yet) all just looked so hungry for this. They know what they need to do to help make the region work, and a working O's is brilliant for Welsh rugby (as much as it pains me to type that )

[GunsGerms]

Keatley played very well at 10 until he was sent to fb when Murphy got injured.

[GunsGerms]

You got to admire how the ospreys have turned things around. Got rid of all the galacticos and Hollywood players and look much better for it.

[Rava]

I realise they may well have to travel to Dublin for the Final and that is not dismissive of Glasgow, but I hope the Ospreys fans do get behind their team and make the trip.

[Rory_Gallagher]

I have to say, I thought Rolland was crap. When you try to be as strict as that at the breakdown, you have to be very precise and be just as strict for both teams (impossible), and it just spoils the game and the momentum for both sides. Having watched some super rugby lately, the referees seem to be letting the players fight it out at the breakdown, without blowing their whistles for every wee infringement. Just over complicates things when a referee tries to be that strict.

[Guest]

I have to say, I thought Rolland was crap. When you try to be as strict as that at the breakdown, you have to be very precise and be just as strict for both teams (impossible), and it just spoils the game and the momentum for both sides. Having watched some super rugby lately, the referees seem to be letting the players fight it out at the breakdown, without blowing their whistles for every wee infringement. Just over complicates things when a referee tries to be that strict.

Man, the Irish aaaalways moan about the ref, can't they just comment on the game?


(this is a joke btw Rory, what you've just said is what I said about Rolland after the Scarlets v Munster game*, but apparently I wasn't allowed to comment on the ref as I'm Welsh )

*although actually my complaint was that he wasn't strict enough, looks like he went too far the other way, bless him he's no chance of pleasing everyone

[Taffineastbourne]

Ospreys were fantastic,Munster were poor.Great game to watch as a neutral.Stuffed me in Sportsguru as my prediction was O's by 5!!

[Notch]

(this is a joke btw Rory, what you've just said is what I said about Rolland after the Scarlets v Munster game*, but apparently I wasn't allowed to comment on the ref as I'm Welsh )

Sorry dreamer- rules are rules. No Welsh posters are allowed to have opinions of their own. Surely as an admin you understand

[Guest]

(this is a joke btw Rory, what you've just said is what I said about Rolland after the Scarlets v Munster game*, but apparently I wasn't allowed to comment on the ref as I'm Welsh )

Sorry dreamer- rules are rules. No Welsh posters are allowed to have opinions of their own. Surely as an admin you understand

Tis such a hard life

Taff - same here, think I had the O's by only 6. At least I got the winner right if not the points margin

[Rory_Gallagher]

I have to say, I thought Rolland was crap. When you try to be as strict as that at the breakdown, you have to be very precise and be just as strict for both teams (impossible), and it just spoils the game and the momentum for both sides. Having watched some super rugby lately, the referees seem to be letting the players fight it out at the breakdown, without blowing their whistles for every wee infringement. Just over complicates things when a referee tries to be that strict.

Man, the Irish aaaalways moan about the ref, can't they just comment on the game?


(this is a joke btw Rory, what you've just said is what I said about Rolland after the Scarlets v Munster game*, but apparently I wasn't allowed to comment on the ref as I'm Welsh )

*although actually my complaint was that he wasn't strict enough, looks like he went too far the other way, bless him he's no chance of pleasing everyone

I knew someone was going to tell me off for saying anything about the ref.

I don't think he was good for either team. In fact, I think especially at the end he gave Munster a lot of chances, and Munster just completely blew it. I don't think I have seen Munster play that badly before in my life. They just looked bored.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Are the welsh fans really neutrals when watching a different region play? I am completely supporting Munster/Leinster/Connacht whenever they are not playing Ulster! In the order of Connacht, then Leinster, then Munster.

[Guest]

I like to see the other Welsh regions do well, but I find the O's hardest to support though, but that's harking back to the old days of the Llanelli v Swansea rivalry. Just can't forget it!

I think it's more that we like to see the other regions do well, but aren't overly fussed if they don't. As things stand with the regions at the moment though, think most of us can see we need as many of them to be as successful as possible

[Rava]

Rolland was excellent tonight. Can't see why anyone would want to comment otherwise.

[Cari]

What a fantastic performance from the O's. I'm so so proud of them. Really pleased for Tandy too. They really should've got him in sooner. Still, they've come this far at the end of what has been a bit of a turbulent season in Ospreylia and things should only get better for them. Was quite emotional at the end of all that seeing all the lads walking about on the pitch afterwads. Well done PJ on the MOTM, thoroughly deserved, although it could've gone to half the team!

See you at the final...come on Glasgae!!! (Apologies Leinster fans, but it's easier for me to get to Swansea than Dublin!! )

[Cari]

Rolland was excellent tonight. Can't see why anyone would want to comment otherwise.

He was. Very consistent, although I was laughing at Jiffy's commentary when Tippy tackled I think it was, Maafi

[Rava]

I like to see the other Welsh regions do well, but I find the O's hardest to support though, but that's harking back to the old days of the Llanelli v Swansea rivalry. Just can't forget it!

I think it's more that we like to see the other regions do well, but aren't overly fussed if they don't. As things stand with the regions at the moment though, think most of us can see we need as many of them to be as successful as possible

That's a great attitude to go forward with. I just hope enough of you feel the same.

[Taffineastbourne]

(this is a joke btw Rory, what you've just said is what I said about Rolland after the Scarlets v Munster game*, but apparently I wasn't allowed to comment on the ref as I'm Welsh )

Sorry dreamer- rules are rules. No Welsh posters are allowed to have opinions of their own. Surely as an admin you understand

Tis such a hard life

Taff - same here, think I had the O's by only 6. At least I got the winner right if not the points margin

You are doing fine!Once I have shaken off Kiwireddevil I will be after you.May have left it a bit late mind!!!

[Rory_Gallagher]

Rolland was excellent tonight. Can't see why anyone would want to comment otherwise.

I guess it depends what you prefer to see Rava. I prefer the referees letting the players fight it out at the breakdown, as it allows for a fast paced game, and both teams can compete properly. Rolland was very strict, and like I said, that meant he had to be pretty perfect in order to avoid inconsistencies. I suppose in that respect he was consistent enough, but he was far too quick to blow his whistle IMO.

[Liam]

How good was that, best Ospreys performance I have probably ver witnessed. The intesnsity in defence and at the breakdown won the game for them tonight, coupled off with some outstanding backs play. Special mentions go to:

Beck
Hibbard
James
Ryan
AWJ
Ianto
Biggar
O'mahney (sp?)

All round brilliant performance, and imo, I actually don't think Munster were that bad at all.

[Guest]

Rolland was excellent tonight. Can't see why anyone would want to comment otherwise.

I thought he was much better tonight then he was for the Scarlets v Munster match.

How's that for diplomatic


He didn't have a negative influence on the game anyways I don't think, which for me is a lot of what matters.

[Cari]

I thought the O's forwards were superb tonight. POM was fantastic for Munster and I thought Earls looked really good as well at times. There were some bum passes being thrown about between the Munster bunch though.

[Liam]

Rolland was excellent tonight. Can't see why anyone would want to comment otherwise.

I guess it depends what you prefer to see Rava. I prefer the referees letting the players fight it out at the breakdown, as it allows for a fast paced game, and both teams can compete properly. Rolland was very strict, and like I said, that meant he had to be pretty perfect in order to avoid inconsistencies. I suppose in that respect he was consistent enough, but he was far too quick to blow his whistle IMO.

I'm not a big Rolland fan, but tonight, I thought he got the breakdown spot on. I noticed he gave it a couple of seconds despite obvious infringements, seeing if there was anything that could occur from the situation. If there wasn't, he gave the penalty and that was that. I thought the no.7 for Munster should have got a blatant yellow card in the first half when clearly on the wrong side of the ruck, then kicking the ball away. Instead, Rolland had a word and kept 15 vs 15 on the field.

[Cari]

Rolland was excellent tonight. Can't see why anyone would want to comment otherwise.

I thought he was much better tonight then he was for the Scarlets v Munster match.

How's that for diplomatic


He didn't have a negative influence on the game anyways I don't think, which for me is a lot of what matters.

Jiffy summed it up perfectly, he said the game should be about both sides not the man in the orange shirt. And it wasn't.

[Guest]

Rolland was excellent tonight. Can't see why anyone would want to comment otherwise.

I thought he was much better tonight then he was for the Scarlets v Munster match.

How's that for diplomatic


He didn't have a negative influence on the game anyways I don't think, which for me is a lot of what matters.

Jiffy summed it up perfectly, he said the game should be about both sides not the man in the orange shirt. And it wasn't.

+1

Hope you enjoyed that game Cari!

[Rory_Gallagher]

Ryan Jones is in the form of his life it seems. I honestly rate him higher than Lydiate currently.

[Notch]

Cari, congrats. You must be so delighted.

A new generation of players at the Ospreys are beginning to make a name for themselves. Hopefully with the egos and celebrity delusions that used to hold the team back.

[Thomond]

Shoite, pure shoite, utterly pathetic. ROG ,I've wanted you gonoe for a season now, the doors open and slam it shut behind you.

[Cari]

Absolutely loved it. Lovely to see Tommy at the end too wandering about looking scrummy

R-Jo seems to just get better these days, it's like he's having a second wind or something. It's great to see because in rugby terms he's middle aged! So proud of Alywyn too. I felt a smidge of sadness as PJ wandered off, but he got the MOTM award which is a perfect ending for the player who's made the most appearances in an O's shirt ever. Also Danny made 1000 points for the O's, so I'm chuffed for him too.

Thomond If it's any consolation, Munster seemed to have produced another hot no.7. I thought he looked tasty anyhoo...

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