Munster vs Edinburgh

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THOMOND PARK - 8.30pm - Live on BBC Alba

Edinburgh XXIII:

15 Chris Paterson

14 Sep Visser
13 Jim Thompson
12 James King
11 Tom Brown

10 Phil Godman
9 Mike Blair

1 Kyle Traynor
2 Steven Lawrie CAPTAIN
3 Jack Gilding
4 Sean Cox
5 Steven Turnbull
6 Netani Talei
7 Ross Rennie
8 Stuart McInally

Substitutes
16 Andrew Kelly
17 Robin Hislop
18 Lewis Niven
19 Esteban Lozada
20 Roddy Grant
21 Greig Laidlaw
22 Harry Leonard
23 Gregor Hunter

Matt Scott and Dumper Denton still injured, Ross Ford, Tim MacVisser (altho little brother Sepp plays) Le Jones, NDL and Grant Gilchrist rested from the pack after their heroics vs RM, Lozada takes a break on the bench with Turnbull packing down with the returning-after-ban Sean Cox, Andy Kelly back from injury, (good)Godman gets his chance returning from a long injury, Traynor and Gilding not the strongest front row, with Hislop and Niven as cover. Jim Thompson moves to OC to make way for Mossy, and Tom Brown moves to the wing for Jones. Youngsters Leonard and Hunter on the bench will hopefully get some more gametime to continue with their development

Ha ha.. Sin E is correct yet again and frightens the fantasy rugby players off with some facts.

Pete if you dont like players then just say its because you are not a munster supporter dont start some mealy mouthed opinion when its clearly clouded by prejudice. For example you think mod is not great the amount of irish caps he has says otherwise. You never liked tol as a scrumhalf, his getting picked for the lions by no less than mcgeechan. The evidence is clear. You are guilty as charged

We seriously need a scrummaging tighthead. If Newcastle go down at the end of the season, The SRU must make a bid for the reverend.

Good start by gunners, try by tom brown unconverted by Godman

13 - 10

Just give the ball to zebo..ffs

Zebo has looked very good for me, looks like an out and out attacker.

Crazy succession of scrum penalties given away by Edinburgh. Two men in the bin...!

Penalty try

Keatly converts neatly 20 - 10

How does he expect us to scrum when hes binned two of our props? just give them the penalty try and be done with it...

Ref trips and ends up bottom of the ruck, very funny

zebo is a class broken field runner. Would like to see him get the ball more

Come on Gunners

I was going to say Tommy O'Donnell looks a good prospect as well but he's actually 24. Hmmmm not sure what to make of him.

Zebo really deserved that for his performance, Will Chambers impressive again apart from butchering a 3 on 2 earlier in the game.

Well that may well have killed the game now

27 - 10

Big bench changes for munster, Hayes and Oleary on...

Gunners play some great running rugby, is it a try in the corner?

Disallowed for being inconclusive...

Laidlaw try. This guy is just on fire this season

Try Ladlaw...

27 - 17

72 mins gone

Try munster, Zebo's second I think

It was O'Dea for the 4th try, thats the bonus point for Munster.

Good try too...!

Tidy young player

Great win for Cork Con.

Was impressed by Keatley (bar his embarrassing attempt at a chip over the top which led to the try..), I think he offers so much more than O'Gara and looks just as composed at his kicks. He made them look easy! Was also impressed by Zebo who must start for Munster, and Chambers was great also bar his butchering of the try.

Dont agree regarding keatley, too many mistakes and lack of control. Barnes at 12 wasnt too bad, thought there was much more structure to them ( with chambers). Hurley vg again.

Zebo...mcgahan is slow to move him on. Like o'mahoney i think he was ready last year. His defence is good and he is very exciting going forward. Tols passing was very crisp and got quick ball.

Some talent starting to come through in the backs..

He made two silly mistakes, the chip and the kick out on the full. Otherwise I thought he played very well from and brought out the most in the Munster attack. Something O'Gara rarely does, which is why he has to score these drop goals and save the day so often.

Rory, that is the usual non Munster supporter anti rog biased rubbish to be honest with you.

Keatley never fixed the defence and while he is showing promise his decision making is still suspect.

Have you polled Munster supporters recently. How many do you think would start keatley instead of rog? Do you think its nostalgia or that they want to win? Your rather facetious comment on rog and his backline is hilarious. He has been playing extremely well the last few games especially getting the ball wide. The Munster problems and deficiencies are elsewhere but of course to you and the other non munster paranoia brigade ( in case rog starts for Ireland) cant see past your small minded views and react childishly when challenged. Its amazing the amount of ulster / leinster supporters who come on munster threads saying its rog this or tol that or earls the other.

I think you have lots more to be worried about yourselves. We will worry for our own and be alright i reckon. We always are

Just so you know, people are allowed to say if a Munster player isn't good.. you can disagree (which you will of course) but people are entitled to their opinions. What I find hilarious is your arrogance when it comes to Munster. I was suggesting that I prefer Keatley to O'Gara which I do. Why would I waste my time doing a poll to see what Munster supporters think. If they are all like you (which thankfully they aren't) they will pick ROG anyways even if he was on one leg, as Keatley is from Connacht.

Also you are completely overreacting. Get over yourself and grow up. This is my opinion, that Keatley is more creative than O'Gara, and that if he started maybe O'Gara wouldn't have to resort to these winning drop goals which make him seem good even if he hasn't played great the rest of the game. That hardly makes me anti-munster or anti-ROG. It is an opinion. On a munster player and another munster player. Now wise up mate

Rory of course you are entitled to your opinion but seriously you are completely over estimating kearney didn't see anything tonight to back up what you are saying its like a fixation at this stage! That said he is a decent player

Thought Barnes was superb tonight

All in all great result with young team

Keatleys from leinster not connacht. Nothing wrong with expressing your opinion but dont be surprised when you get called up for talking rubbish or if your opinion is based on nothing more than some childish attempt at analysing a players capabilities so that you can put forward your favourite player like a 10 year old while only being capable of putting out a tabloid type headline.

As i said munsters problems are elsewhere at the moment. If you want to discuss why we had to rely on rog kicking the dg at the end of both games then fine. But it doesnt appear you are capable of that.

Would suggest you go back to the ulster thread and try worry about your own problems, or talk up the journeymen you think are international standard

Keatleys good but not a chance should he start over ROG. Very naiive to think all our problems would disappear with a new 10. Chambers I felt was poor. Butchered a try, was durectly at fault for a try and seemed to just run straight and try offload. I expect bettee. I like Hurley at 15.

DOD wrote:Keatleys from leinster not connacht. Nothing wrong with expressing your opinion but dont be surprised when you get called up for talking rubbish or if your opinion is based on nothing more than some childish attempt at analysing a players capabilities so that you can put forward your favourite player like a 10 year old while only being capable of putting out a tabloid type headline.

As i said munsters problems are elsewhere at the moment. If you want to discuss why we had to rely on rog kicking the dg at the end of both games then fine. But it doesnt appear you are capable of that.

Would suggest you go back to the ulster thread and try worry about your own problems, or talk up the journeymen you think are international standard

Sorry but you are completely delusional DOD.. you think me and pete earlier, and other people in the past are just trying to get at Munster or ROG or other players. Last week I was saying for all the stick O'Gara gets, he is some player being able to do another great drop goal. You can't take any criticism for any Munster players or for your team. You are one arrogant individual.. I never said he was international standard but atm I would like to see Keatley above O'Gara as to me he offers more. If you were any decent type of guy, you would have a response like the one above to disagree with my comments. Favourite player? Who says Keatley is my favourite player? You are pulling stuff from your ass as usual.

Please do not respond to anything I post if you are going to be rude and delusional. Thank you

BlueMuff wrote:Rory of course you are entitled to your opinion but seriously you are completely over estimating kearney didn't see anything tonight to back up what you are saying its like a fixation at this stage! That said he is a decent player

Thought Barnes was superb tonight

All in all great result with young team

He made a few mistakes yes, which I have pointed out. He is still a young player and it would be expected in my view, but he shown glimpses of how good he can be. I am very impressed with his kicking, as he kicked some very hard angles today. Also I think he was a fantastic pivot for the backline which led to many exciting pieces of rugby, which I haven't seen all that much of from Munster. I think Zebo contributed a lot to that as well, he is a real livewire! Would love to see more from him.

Hurley at 15

the only thing was that zebo was positioned as fb for the edinburgh kicks. But hurley had a good game

ah now, dont you just love the "please dont argue with me if you disagree or find my arguments (sic) silly and childish, otherwise i'll scweam and scweam and go off in a huff "

Rock on boy will yeah...

For those who understand...

Keatley played well, has lots of promise but still nothing special against a poor Edinburgh team ( which should put things in perspective). Still a long way off being no.1. Winning games is not about promise but ability.

On another note luke o'dea looks like someone with a good future in munster. Looks a bit of a livewire

Check your PMs DOD. I am not bickering with you on a public forum.

Fair enough Ozzy, apologies.

To reiterate. I dont read pms. If you cant argue the point dont bother with using another outlet on a public forum.

OK from a neutrals POV (Cardiff Blues) and well done BBC - so far I've managed to see Ulster and Munster this weekend thanks to this years expanded coverage.

I thought Munster looked pretty good considering that was largely an inexperienced side. Zebo looks set to replace Doug at the end of the year - you have got problems at Centre as neither looked that good to be honest although both put in huge hits defensively. I thought Keatley played really well - different player to O'Gara but needs game time going forward.

No ones mentioned O'Callaghan - seems to me he plays better without O'Connell or at least takes more on himself - thought he had a great game. O'Leary seems to be getting back to his best as well. Plenty of positives and although there was a penalty try from scrums its still a weak point - saw Archer get pulverised in Wales earlier this year - think it was the Dragons though could be wrong and the lineout is still not the weapon it was but all in all considering the side that was put out- pretty good stuff I thought.

and one last thing - we'd die for crowds in Wales like that against the top sides (no offence to Edingburgh) - Heineken Cup matches here are not producing Rabbo size crowd in Ireland.

Will Dougie be gone at the end of the year? I don't know he is still prodcuing the goods so we shall see, I was impressed with Zebo though.

Keatley is playing pretty well at the moment. It is not his time yet. He made 2 big mistakes but besides that he didn't do too bad, few times I though kicking may have been a better option when he chose pass but ROG seems to be doing that all the time aswell. He put in a marvellous grubber for the last try. Very good performance from some of the youngsters and experienced heads.

Well played Munster, but something has to be said about this Edinburgh team, there is something special there.

If Munsters pack had not have pushed the Gunners into conceding 2 yellows within about five minutes then this game would have been a lot closer...

Full respect to Munsters fabulous pack for doing so. But Edinburgh have a wonderful running game, there is something special happening there.

red_stag wrote:Keatleys good but not a chance should he start over ROG. Very naiive to think all our problems would disappear with a new 10. Chambers I felt was poor. Butchered a try, was durectly at fault for a try and seemed to just run straight and try offload. I expect bettee. I like Hurley at 15.

I think Chambers didn't have a great game last night but he is clearly very talented. He glides through tackles and makes defenses look utterly stupid a lot of the time, decision making is what he needs to work on. I see him getting a lot of game time for Munster this season especially given that Mafi isn't setting the world alight and Barnes is still very green. I think Will Chambers has been a very good signing because lets be honest, he aint being paid close to what you would pay Conrad Smith or someone of that caliber so I'm not sure Munster fans should expect to have a player that good in Chambers.

PS.

I also think NIQ players get a lot more criticism than local players when they make mistakes.

Godman cant kick that seriously cost them too. Rennie did well. Lot of HEC selection headaches for Munster

I thought Munster looked in good fettle considering how many first choice players were missing. This could be an excellent year in the Rabbo if the rugby is this good.

stevetynant wrote:OK from a neutrals POV (Cardiff Blues) and well done BBC - so far I've managed to see Ulster and Munster this weekend thanks to this years expanded coverage.

I thought Munster looked pretty good considering that was largely an inexperienced side. Zebo looks set to replace Doug at the end of the year - you have got problems at Centre as neither looked that good to be honest although both put in huge hits defensively. I thought Keatley played really well - different player to O'Gara but needs game time going forward.

No ones mentioned O'Callaghan - seems to me he plays better
without O'Connell or at least takes more on himself - thought he had a great game. O'Leary seems to be getting back to his best as well. Plenty of positives and although there was a penalty try from scrums its still a weak point - saw Archer get pulverised in Wales earlier this year - think it was the Dragons though could be wrong and the lineout is still not the weapon it was but all in all considering the side that was put out- pretty good stuff I thought.

and one last thing - we'd die for crowds in Wales like that against the top sides (no offence to Edingburgh) - Heineken Cup matches here are not producing Rabbo size crowd in Ireland.

Good analysis Steve always good to get a neutrals Point of view. You raised some good points firstly Doc is not finished yet and had a storming game lastnight. Thought front row did ok and I have to say that I am looking forward to seeing more of Archer.

I was surprised Zebo didn't start more games while world cup was on but he definitely took his chance last night.

Definitely agree with hurley at 15.

Good crowd last night as well.

Finally have to agree with a lot of the posters Edinburgh played some great rugby at times really good to watch

Well overall it was a good performance by Munster although there were a few bad decisions made by Chambers and Keatley who seems to have taken a slight step backwards since ROG came back form the WC in flying form, he is still a work in progress truth be told so I'm not ecpecting him to be up to ROG's standards or even Sexton's in recent games. Zebo really should start alot more he played very well last night, same with Hurley.

I wouldn't mind seeing a back 3 of Howlet, Hurley and Zebo.

The back 3 was really good last night. Liked the look of O' Dea always tried to beat his man, and zebo seems to have stepped up a lot.

Any idea why Godman was kicking instead of Patterson?

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Was impressed by Keatley (bar his embarrassing attempt at a chip over the top which led to the try..), I think he offers so much more than O'Gara and looks just as composed at his kicks. He made them look easy! Was also impressed by Zebo who must start for Munster, and Chambers was great also bar his butchering of the try.

I was impressed by keatley as well, still has to work on stuff but he is quite good at get his backline into the game and fixing defenders to leave space for those outside him, he will be brought into the team gradually throughout the season but probably won't be first choice until next season.

Zebo looks lively but he really needs to learn to run with the ball in two hands, so that he can keep the defenders guessing. Not really sure how he can start though as when earls is back he won't get a look in unless earls goes back to the centre.

Hurley looks a much better fullback than murphy which really shouldn't be a surprise considering how much rugby he has played there, he looks like he has gotten over his problems with the highball and should really be ahead of murphy for the 15 shirt.

So is Barnes or JMurphy at 11 then

red_stag wrote:So is Barnes or JMurphy at 11 then

Depends if earls is back or not, I would say that mcgahan would go for murphy at 15, hurley 11 until earls is back but I'm not sure if that is the right decision.