Isa Nacewa to retire

First topic message reminder :

Isa looks set to retire at the young age of 30. Not sure if this is an injury issue but the Irishtimes have written that he wants to return to New Zealand with his young family. Does injury have a role in this?

A great player for the club game, very expressive, very positive and outstandingly creative. He was capped for Fiji and thus never got to fulfill his dream of playing for the All Blacks and boycotted the International game by refusing continuous invitations to play by Fiji.

As a Leinster fan, he has been an amazing player and character for us. He shall be missed and I'm sure I speak for many here in wishing him the best, the very best and nothing but the best.

Íosa

This could be the making of Macken or O'Malley but time will tell. Will the IRFU want Henshaw remaining in Connacht if they don't have HEC rugby? Or if they do will Griffin be available given Layden is coming through at 15 and Henshaws natural position is 13.

Nacewa was a star though and won't be easy to replace.

On Conway Ulster were talking to him 18 months ago - he just didn't want to come North.
Maybe Leinster didn't convince him they wanted him.

Ulster are kicking out D'Arcy and Cochrane if you want back three cover.
Cochrane is going west I think, D'Arcy would not be a bad call as cover.

I think Henshaw might be persuaded to stay at 15 - in truth Ireland need him there.

Payne is a year away and Nelson is just a good prospect at this stage
With Felix Jones not hitting the sweet spot this year I cant see anyone at Munster who convinces.
In truth Henshaw is probably number 2 in Ireland already - witnessed by the fact we have seen Fitzgerald, Earls, Zebo and at club level Gilroy and Bowe playing 15.

With regard to signing foreigners remember that Dublin are pressurizing all Provinces to have only 3 NIQ (including Project type players) for 2014/15 - unless a very convincing exception can be justified.

Having said that Leinster have some leeway in this respect

geoff998rugby wrote:On Conway Ulster were talking to him 18 months ago - he just didn't want to come North.
Maybe Leinster didn't convince him they wanted him.
Ulster are kicking out D'Arcy and Cochrane if you want back three cover.
Cochrane is going west I think, D'Arcy would not be a bad call as cover.

I think Henshaw might be persuaded to stay at 15 - in truth Ireland need him there.

Payne is a year away and Nelson is just a good prospect at this stage
With Felix Jones not hitting the sweet spot this year I cant see anyone at Munster who convinces.
In truth Henshaw is probably number 2 in Ireland already - witnessed by the fact we have seen Fitzgerald, Earls, Zebo and at club level Gilroy and Bowe playing 15.

With regard to signing foreigners remember that Dublin are pressurizing all Provinces to have only 3 NIQ (including Project type players) for 2014/15 - unless a very convincing exception can be justified.

Having said that Leinster have some leeway in this respect

I don't really buy that, he was given a 2 year contract and played in 13 games this season (including his HC debut).

You may be right but it seems a little strange he was talking to Ulster and then 18 months later is off to Munster - suggests an unsettled player to me

red_stag wrote:Have Connacht got a backline as good as (if not better) than Leinster:

Connacht
09 Kieran Marmion
10 Dan Parks
11 Tiernan O'Halloran
12 Dave McSharry
13 Eoin Griffin
14 Fionn Carr
15 Robbie Henshaw

Leinster
09 Eoin Reddan
10 Ian Madigan
11 Dave Kearney
12 Gordon Darcy
13 Eoin O'Malley
14 Fergus McFadden
15 Rob Kearney

I'll bet 5 euro Henshaw and McSharry will be at Leinster before long, maybe Marmion and O'Hallaran too......

If Schmidt becomes next Ireland coach it will be a shrewd move.

He will have taken over Leinster as they reached their peak. He managed to make people forget that a year before his arrival Leinster were European Champions.

They leave Leinster when Nacewa, O'Driscoll, Sexton start to leave. Ireland are at rock bottom (mainly due to a massive injury crisis) and catch them on the upward curve.

Was browsing PR there stag and I read someone say that Paddy Power had closed the betting on the next Irish coach. I had read the Schmidt odds had come in significantly.

Would be serious change at Leinster if Schmidt were to go

It's not so much that Schmidt worked miracles at Leinster but they were (by a stretch) the best team in Europe when he was there. Delivering back to back HECs isn't to be sniffed at no matter what playing reserves you have as witnessed by Toulouse

Oh no Stand don't get me wrong. He is a very good coach and I'd happily welcome him as Ireland coach.

Just saying its all about timing and knowing when to take a job and when to leave one.

That's a fair call. That being said it took time. He was a couple of defeats away from the knives being out when he first arrived. Madness to think about that now

Standulstermen wrote:That's a fair call. That being said it took time. He was a couple of defeats away from the knives being out when he first arrived. Madness to think about that now

I try to remind my Munster brethren about this when they are giving out about Rob Penney.

rodders wrote:

red_stag wrote:Have Connacht got a backline as good as (if not better) than Leinster:

Connacht
09 Kieran Marmion
10 Dan Parks
11 Tiernan O'Halloran
12 Dave McSharry
13 Eoin Griffin
14 Fionn Carr
15 Robbie Henshaw

Leinster
09 Eoin Reddan
10 Ian Madigan
11 Dave Kearney
12 Gordon Darcy
13 Eoin O'Malley
14 Fergus McFadden
15 Rob Kearney

I'll bet 5 euro Henshaw and McSharry will be at Leinster before long, maybe Marmion and O'Hallaran too......

I'd give you a fiver for every one of those players that sign within the next 5 years. And when none of them do, you can give me 20 quid on March 21st 2018

Henshaw and McSharry are already arguing over Nacewas dressing room spot Mick.....

Double post

red_stag wrote:If Schmidt becomes next Ireland coach it will be a shrewd move.

He will have taken over Leinster as they reached their peak. He managed to make people forget that a year before his arrival Leinster were European Champions.

They leave Leinster when Nacewa, O'Driscoll, Sexton start to leave. Ireland are at rock bottom (mainly due to a massive injury crisis) and catch them on the upward curve.

You see...we always told our Munster brothers that Schmidt has brains

Meanwhile, people from Ulster, Connacht and Munster might (want to ) forget that Leinster were European Champions before Schmidt arrived...Leinster people don't

Schmidt Didn't Create Leinster is the motto in these parts. Neither did Schmidt create Leinster's desire to run a ball or two for showoff purposes ......Dublin 4 always knew how to drive a Merc with the roof off

Why has Conway moved to Munster. He would be probably starting for us next season now.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Why has Conway moved to Munster. He would be probably starting for us next season now.

No idea. Conway in all likelihood won't start for Munster. Probable team next season:

01 Dave Kilcoyne
02 Mike Sherry
03 BJ Botha
04 Donnacha Ryan
05 Paul O'Connell
06 Peter O'Mahony (c)
07 Tommy O'Donnell
08 James Coughlan
11 Simon Zebo
12 James Downey
13 Casey Laulala
14 Keith Earls
15 Felix Jones

16 Damien Varley
17 Wian du Preez
18 Stephen Archer
19 Donnacha O'Callaghan
20 CJ Stander
21 Cathal Sheridan
22 JJ Hanrahan
23 Andrew Conway

POM ahead of Stander?? ...O'Mahoney should be carrying CJ's kit bag!

Stag, I guess that it'll be Murray and Keats at 9/10? :wink:

red_stag wrote:

13 Keith Earls
14 Andrew Conway
15 Felix Jones

23 Casey Laulala

Keet has it written into his contract that he plays 13. ffs. And that's BEFORE Jones gets injured.

red_stag wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Why has Conway moved to Munster. He would be probably starting for us next season now.

No idea. Conway in all likelihood won't start for Munster. Probable team next season:

01 Dave Kilcoyne
02 Mike Sherry
03 BJ Botha
04 Donnacha Ryan
05 Paul O'Connell
06 Peter O'Mahony (c)
07 Tommy O'Donnell
08 James Coughlan
11 Simon Zebo
12 James Downey
13 Casey Laulala
14 Keith Earls
15 Felix Jones

16 Damien Varley
17 Wian du Preez
18 Stephen Archer
19 Donnacha O'Callaghan
20 CJ Stander
21 Cathal Sheridan
22 JJ Hanrahan
23 Andrew Conway

Playing without half backs...tough


You sure you have BJ next year

Oops yes Murray/Keatley at 10.

As for Earls as a 13 my understanding of things was that was an IRFU request same way that Tom Court has been asked to play at 3 before.

red_stag wrote:Oops yes Murray/Keatley at 10.

As for Earls as a 13 my understanding of things was that was an IRFU request same way that Tom Court has been asked to play at 3 before.

So absouloutely nothing to do with him asking to be played ONLY at 13 through the media then?

If he were to retire at the end of this season i'd love to see him represent the BaaBaas against the Lions before he does say farewell to the game

red_stag wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Why has Conway moved to Munster. He would be probably starting for us next season now.

No idea. Conway in all likelihood won't start for Munster. Probable team next season:

01 Dave Kilcoyne
02 Mike Sherry
03 BJ Botha
04 Donnacha Ryan
05 Paul O'Connell
06 Peter O'Mahony (c)
07 Tommy O'Donnell
08 James Coughlan
11 Simon Zebo
12 James Downey
13 Casey Laulala
14 Keith Earls
15 Felix Jones

16 Damien Varley
17 Wian du Preez
18 Stephen Archer
19 Donnacha O'Callaghan
20 CJ Stander
21 Cathal Sheridan
22 JJ Hanrahan
23 Andrew Conway

I can't recall ever seeing Keith Earls play 14.
Who do you think will replace Laulala - he is on a 2 year contract which is up at the end of next season?

Shame to see him leave.

Loved watching him play for Leinster in the HC, along with Rocky he's one i'll never forget.

Does he have an injury? Or is it an accumilation of little things?

On a happier note him leaving will give you a lot of cash and it's not as if there isn't a shed load of talent in the SH just waiting to be planted, grown and nurtered on the emerald isle.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

red_stag wrote:Oops yes Murray/Keatley at 10.

As for Earls as a 13 my understanding of things was that was an IRFU request same way that Tom Court has been asked to play at 3 before.

So absouloutely nothing to do with him asking to be played ONLY at 13 through the media then?

My understanding of this is that he said he wanted to find one position and that he preferred playing in the centre. Other players (Luke Fitzgerald) have said similar when asked.

The way you portray it he has a clause in his contract insisting on it and has used the media as a tool to achieve his ends.

Personally I think that we need to see less of this so called versatility which has rarely been a positive attribute. I had thought that Earls remarks were that he would play anywhere he was asked to but that he wants to settle down in the centre.

Whats the problem?

What's the problem? You have seen him play centre?

Anyway. this is an Isa thread, and every so often someone chips in with an "Isa is great" comment to try and get us back on track. I don't want to further derail the thread.

Isa Nacewa = God. Fantastic player. Fantastic bloke. Fantastic attitude. No one can replace him. In any of those three attributes never mind them all.

Jenifer - I dont think Earls is as good a centre as he is a wing. But he said he likes playing there. So what? Thats his issue.

I made the point that Ive heard that during O'Driscolls lengthy injuries Munster were asked to accommodate him at 13 by the IRFU.

Anwyay, Isa Nacewa = God. Fantastic player. Fantastic bloke. Fantastic attitude. No one can replace him. In any of those three attributes never mind them all.

Agree on all counts!

Fitz to Munster....?

If this deal goes through that could mean Munster lining up with a back line containing nearly all Leinstermen next season. A Munster team full of more Leinstermen than Munstermen- Sin would have a heart attack.

................will................................

Seems that the big incentive for Fitz is that he will play in centre for Munster.

I think that the decisions of Joe Schmidt, Brian O'Driscoll and Luke Fitzgerald between now and May will be crucial to Leinster.

They could have all three next season. They might have none.

So we bring Fitz through the academy then into our starting team, always pick him to start in all the big games when he's fit, stick by him through all his injuries and then he ups and leaves to ........ our biggest rivals? Wtf?

Feckless Rogue wrote:So we bring Fitz through the academy then into our starting team, always pick him to start in all the big games when he's fit, stick by him through all his injuries and then he ups and leaves to ........ our biggest rivals? Wtf?

I know makes no sense.

Especially when Shane Horgan and Isa Nacewa have retired with Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon Darcy are on the way out.

Fitzgerald would be a guaranteed starter. By contrast things are less certain at Munster.

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:If this deal goes through that could mean Munster lining up with a back line containing nearly all Leinstermen next season. A Munster team full of more Leinstermen than Munstermen- Sin would have a heart attack.

One of two Leinster players that I'd love to have at Munster. I have always been a fan.

By the way, Luke Fitz started his rugby playing career with Cork Con as a kid - welcome home Luke.

Feckless Rogue wrote:So we bring Fitz through the academy then into our starting team, always pick him to start in all the big games when he's fit, stick by him through all his injuries and then he ups and leaves to ........ our biggest rivals? Wtf?

em, I think Luke skipped the Academy and got a contract straight away (on the basis that Munster would give him a contract)! I think he had also played for Ireland before he had played for Leinster!

Luke's formative years were spent in Cork by the way (age 6-12). He started playing rugby for Cork Con (his Dad also played for Cork Con), and went to a gael scoil. After that he went to Blackrock College.

I'm surprised really that he would move now - but maybe he just wants a fresh start after a couple of miserable years of injury etc. I'm sure he would fancy getting into a Munster backline that would have Murray, JJ, Earls & Zebo for starters and the start of another great munster team emerging.

red_stag wrote:Seems that the big incentive for Fitz is that he will play in centre for Munster.

I think that the decisions of Joe Schmidt, Brian O'Driscoll and Luke Fitzgerald between now and May will be crucial to Leinster.

They could have all three next season. They might have none.

That is what the Indo is saying.

He will be getting gametime at 13 for Leinster I'd say next year if he wants it. That's where I would like to see him play in the future, his try scoring rate is poor and he is slow for a winger.

I want to hold on to him though. I don't see why he would move to Munster where there will be a lot of competition compared to Leinster where there is currently so little

A really interesting question is where this leaves Keith Earls. He has openly voiced that he wants to play 13 but perhaps Penny has finally realised what most people outside of Kidney and the deluded have long known that Earls just hasn't got the skills to be a centre.

I reall don't see this move happening. If it does I would be seriously worried for Leinster next season. No wonder Sexton moved and Nacewa has retired

Munster need Earls pace on the wing. apart from Zebo (and now Conway) we lack pace out wide.

Also a chance of a Fitzgerald and Earls pairing.

Fitzgerald and Earls in the centre would be seriously lightweight. Earls should go to the wing where he is best and get his place back a a starting wing for Ireland.

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:Fitzgerald and Earls in the centre would be seriously lightweight. Earls should go to the wing where he is best and get his place back a a starting wing for Ireland.

I agree especially with Howlett on the way out.

So you think Earls will be shoved out on the wing to accommodate Luke who has never really played there?

I've always thought Luke would make a very good outside centre. But I take your point. He's never really played there.

However its being reported in the Irish media that playing in the centre is the carrot Munster are offering him.

Begs the question though, what happens if he signs for Munster, gets a run there and turns out not to be very good?

Feckless Rogue wrote:I've always thought Luke would make a very good outside centre. But I take your point. He's never really played there.

However its being reported in the Irish media that playing in the centre is the carrot Munster are offering him.

Begs the question though, what happens if he signs for Munster, gets a run there and turns out not to be very good?

Then Connacht will be allowed to sign him as a fullback.

Sin é wrote:So you think Earls will be shoved out on the wing to accommodate Luke who has never really played there?

Luke hasn't really played anywhere You can have that one for free, Sin.

Feckless Rogue wrote:I've always thought Luke would make a very good outside centre. But I take your point. He's never really played there.

However its being reported in the Irish media that playing in the centre is the carrot Munster are offering him.

Begs the question though, what happens if he signs for Munster, gets a run there and turns out not to be very good?

Maybe its inside centre, a position he has played in a few times for Leinster recently. I don't think he has ever played outside centre.

Saw a quote in the newspaper where Schmidt said he hoped to keep Luke Fitz and would talk to him this week (he hasn't seen him for a few weeks). Maybe Luke is just feeling a bit unloved by Leinster at the moment.

Guy Easterby said a few weeks back that we've made Luke an offer. And he was given a contract by Leinster while he was injured last year and the IRFU had pulled their contract.

Anyone can make an offer. You gotta make him an offer he can't refuse.

If Leinster finally get his talent onto the field for an extended period..so be it. If Munster are the side to do it, so be it. Fitz getting onto a field and proving - finally - that his talent is real would be the bonus, regardless of where he ends up. Time is running out for him...

He's possibly had the most bizarre career of any rugby player in Ireland. A constant name onto which so much hope is placed, so little time given to him (injury, bad form etc) to prove it.