Ulster vs Munster, Sat 2 Jan 6pm Match Thread

thomond2006

ROG said in his autobiography that the team struggle to be motivated for the ML.

Munster won the ML last season because their second XV was excellent throughout. This season they have been shambolic away from home. For me it's worrying that the second string are in bad form because you'd feel they would be motivated to play well in the ML and try to break into the HEC XV / XXII.
e.g No Munster reserve backrow has put their hand up (imo) to come in for the injured Denis Leamy.

To be honest, the only ML games that equal HEC standard are Leinster vs Munster.

I've watched many Welsh derbies and Scottish derbies and neither come close in terms of passion and intensity.

I do think the competition is improving though and the showpiece final at the end of the season should heighten interst in the tournament in the future.

I agree with Stevo about Cardiff, their season is over now that they're out of Europe.

danthefan

ROG says lots of things to be fair.

Podge_irl

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

I wouldn't think it's that unfair. The bulk of the Ospreys teams has won two Grand Slams, ever seen much evidence of that in the ML? The teams just don't care about it.

The Ospreys are also utterly useless in the HEC, which they presumably do care about.

I have no problem with people claiming teams prioritise the HEC, as they obviously do, which makes sense as it is a step above every NH league. but Leinster winning the ML was an important catalyst towards HEC success and it was a success the team clearly cared about. The ML is improving in terms of the product on display and in terms of the competitiveness of the league.

Look at how they played in Perpignan and compare it how they play against Glasgow. They clearly don't care as much about the league.

Of course they don't. But neither do they ever really want to lose games. Besides, they're other three HEC games were closer to the standard they are currently producing in the ML. All teams will get more motivated in a do or die situation, which obviously the ML isn't at this stage.

PhatPiggins

thomond2006 wrote: »

ROG said in his autobiography that the team struggle to be motivated for the ML.

Munster won the ML last season because their second XV was excellent throughout. This season they have been shambolic away from home. For me it's worrying that the second string are in bad form because you'd feel they would be motivated to play well in the ML and try to break into the HEC XV / XXII.
e.g No Munster reserve backrow has put their hand up (imo) to come in for the injured Denis Leamy.

To be honest, the only ML games that equal HEC standard are Leinster vs Munster.

I've watched many Welsh derbies and Scottish derbies and neither come close in terms of passion and intensity.

I do think the competition is improving though and the showpiece final at the end of the season should heighten interst in the tournament in the future.

I agree with Stevo about Cardiff, their season is over now that they're out of Europe.

I think the playoff system has made it worse to be honest. Teams only need to win about 66% of their games to make the playoffs so can play weakened teams far too often without consequence.

premierstone

danthefan wrote: »

ROG says lots of things to be fair.

Would'nt have been a very good book if he didnt say anything

ALH-06

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I think the playoff system has made it worse to be honest. Teams only need to win about 66% of their games to make the playoffs so can play weakened teams far too often without consequence.

While we're all off topic... I think the above point is true, but that it's a positive thing for Celtic rugby. Although teams are not required to win nearly every game in order to win the league any more, the play offs will nonetheless reward consistency throughout the season. And the fact that teams can afford to lose a few games means the increased use of squad / development players, which is definitely a good thing going forward.

I for one enjoyed watching the recent Leinster V Dragons game, having a look at the young players coming up etc.

thomond2006

premierstone wrote: »

Would'nt have been a very good book if he didnt say anything

Well said.

wixfjord

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

I wouldn't blame drinking for Munster's lackluster performance, we just don't rate the ML. It's a joke of a comp.

Bit knee jerk after a poor performance against Ulster isnt it! Will you be saying the same if Munster are playing Leinster in a ML final at Thomond??
Also when you say we are you speaking for you, or all of Munsters fans and players? A joke of a competition indeed!

PhatPiggins

ALH-06 wrote: »

While we're all off topic... I think the above point is true, but that it's a positive thing for Celtic rugby. Although teams are not required to win nearly every game in order to win the league any more, the play offs will nonetheless reward consistency throughout the season. And the fact that teams can afford to lose a few games means the increased use of squad / development players, which is definitely a good thing going forward.

I for one enjoyed watching the recent Leinster V Dragons game, having a look at the young players coming up etc.

Consistency is the best team winning 80% of their games and winning it out without the made for TV playoff series.

phog

Des wrote: »

I don't think it's trolling

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Both post had no proof and clearly intended to provoke a reaction

Is it acceptable to post based on 2nd hand information that players are drinking before games without naming the players.

I asked for the poster to name the offenders and s/he choose to ignore it and then try to defend their op by claiming because Munster played so poorly that was proof.

Is this open season for rumours???????

Amazotheamazing

wixfjord wrote: »

Bit knee jerk after a poor performance against Ulster isnt it! Will you be saying the same if Munster are playing Leinster in a ML final at Thomond??
Also when you say we are you speaking for you, or all of Munsters fans and players? A joke of a competition indeed!

I actually didn't think it was that poor a performance, we were missing Horan, Flannery, Hayes, POC, DOC, Quinlan, Wallace and Leamy, plus our starting halfbacks. We also lot Williams and Ronan to injury so were were playing a pretty inexperienced pack. Ulster were playing pretty much their first choice team but once we settled they didn't get a look in.

I just don't really rate the league. The play-offs have really killed it for me but the disinterest of the players is obvious either way.

phog

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

I actually didn't think it was that poor a performance, we were missing Horan, Flannery, Hayes, POC, DOC, Quinlan, Wallace and Leamy, plus our starting halfbacks. We also lot Williams and Ronan to injury so were were playing a pretty inexperienced pack. Ulster were playing pretty much their first choice team but once we settled they didn't get a look in.

I just don't really rate the league. The play-offs have really killed it for me but the disinterest of the players is obvious either way.

Where is the evidence of players being disinterested in the ML? I've seen players being very disappointed when a move they try doesn't come off or total dejection when they have lost a game.

The ML is the bread and butter for the Irish provinces, what kind of developement would they have it they played 6 H/C pool games every year and 6 Interpros because that would be there limit if the ML dies.

Munster, Leinster and to a lesser degree Ulster make good money from the ticket sales for the ML so I don't see why the management would have low regard for it either as I'm sure it has allowed McGahon and Cheika to use this revenue to lure players to sign for them.

Size=everything

phog wrote: »

Where is the evidence of players being disinterested in the ML? I've seen players being very disappointed when a move they try doesn't come off or total dejection when they have lost a game.

The ML is the bread and butter for the Irish provinces, what kind of developement would they have it they played 6 H/C pool games every year and 6 Interpros because that would be there limit if the ML dies.

Munster, Leinster and to a lesser degree Ulster make good money from the ticket sales for the ML so I don't see why the management would have low regard for it either as I'm sure it has allowed McGahon and Cheika to use this revenue to lure players to sign for them.

It's just a cop out for people when their team are outplayed in the ML.

OldJay

phog wrote: »

Where is the evidence of players being disinterested in the ML?

There isn't any.
Particularly with the Irish players who will have at least one of the national coaches or analysts watching them play. They will be very keen to ensure they're kept in mind for selection.

Amazotheamazing

Justind wrote: »

There isn't any.
Particularly with the Irish players who will have at least one of the national coaches or analysts watching them play. They will be very keen to ensure they're kept in mind for selection.

DOC and O'Gara have both spoken how hard it can be to get motivated for the ML. It's just not a big deal to the guys who are winning grand slams and triple crowns.

OldJay

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

DOC and O'Gara have both spoken how hard it can be to get motivated for the ML. It's just not a big deal to the guys who are winning grand slams and triple crowns

Every player in the Ireland camp is playing to impress and trying to make sure they get a place in the squad.
Don't believe me if you don't want to but I'll call 'bullsh' on your claim.

Amazotheamazing

Justind wrote: »

Every player in the Ireland camp is playing to impress and trying to make sure they get a place in the squad.
Don't believe me if you don't want to.

Fine, I choose not to believe you.

OldJay

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Fine, I choose not to believe you.

No worries.
Next team camp I'll quote you for a laugh.

PhatPiggins

Justind wrote: »

No worries.
Next team camp I'll quote you for a laugh.

Are you pretending to be a player?

Can I be DOC?

Amazotheamazing

Justind wrote: »

No worries.
Next team camp I'll quote you for a laugh.

I wouldn't say it to POC or BOD, they play so little ML they mightn't even know what league you're talking about. MOD's a league legend though, he'll sit you down and talk about the passion.

_blank_

I'm locking this because it has gotten ridiculous.