Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

Clegg

Brad Thorn? Good God!!

He's getting on a bit but he'd be be a brilliant stop gap for a few months.

Lock is the weakest area in Leinsters squad. Cullen is injured and Browne/Toner will do a job but they're not steller either.
Thorn lining out in the Pro 12 would be a laugh.

Cpt_Blackbeard

molloyjh wrote: »

Brad Thorn for Leinster????

Its these short-term signings of players that will never contribute anything much to club/national rugby in this country that has partially caused the IRFU's new dictates on NIQs. Leinster and Ulster are doing nothing but, helping prove the IRFU's case by bringing in pensioners ahead of promoting youngsters or bringing in younger players (<30 for a start) who may end up contributing to rugby in this country.

Leinster's first port of call should have been, publicly sounding out Munster about loaning someone to lend a hand. If that wasn't possible, then you go looking for for someone to come in and do a job - albeit the IRFU should never sanction the signing of such an old (but great) player.

Players such as Wian du Preez and to a lesser extent, Will Chambers, should be the type of players you try to get in - youngish players with a point to prove - not, players hitting their 40's and looking for a quick buck.

Admittedly, it would be a fantastic signing and great to see him lining out for an Irish province but, he should never be allowed sign.

danthefan

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Its these short-term signings of players that will never contribute anything much to club/national rugby in this country that has partially caused the IRFU's new dictates on NIQs. Leinster and Ulster are doing nothing but, helping prove the IRFU's case by bringing in pensioners ahead of promoting youngsters or bringing in younger players (<30 for a start) who may end up contributing to rugby in this country.

Leinster's first port of call should have been, publicly sounding out Munster about loaning someone to lend a hand. If that wasn't possible, then you go looking for for someone to come in and do a job - albeit the IRFU should never sanction the signing of such an old (but great) player.

Players such as Wian du Preez and to a lesser extent, Will Chambers, should be the type of players you try to get in - youngish players with a point to prove - not, players hitting their 40's and looking for a quick buck.

Admittedly, it would be a fantastic signing and great to see him lining out for an Irish province but, he should never be allowed sign.

More utter rubbish, what a surprise. Will Chambers has been god awful for Munster only you (and maybe one or two others on here) could hold him up as a good example of a short term signing. What the hell difference does it make if a 3 month signing is 29 or 39? Absolutely none.

molloyjh

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Its these short-term signings of players that will never contribute anything much to club/national rugby in this country that has partially caused the IRFU's new dictates on NIQs. Leinster and Ulster are doing nothing but, helping prove the IRFU's case by bringing in pensioners ahead of promoting youngsters or bringing in younger players (<30 for a start) who may end up contributing to rugby in this country.

Leinster's first port of call should have been, publicly sounding out Munster about loaning someone to lend a hand. If that wasn't possible, then you go looking for for someone to come in and do a job - albeit the IRFU should never sanction the signing of such an old (but great) player.

Players such as Wian du Preez and to a lesser extent, Will Chambers, should be the type of players you try to get in - youngish players with a point to prove - not, players hitting their 40's and looking for a quick buck.

Admittedly, it would be a fantastic signing and great to see him lining out for an Irish province but, he should never be allowed sign.

Ah yes Munster are the model we should all be following when it comes to recruiting foreign players. They are the ones the IRFU want us all to be like. Putting foreign props as first team players ahead of Irish ones.

Jesus that post is just total and utter rubbish. The guy will be there as injury cover for a couple of months, if he's there at all. Believe it or not Munster aren't the be all and end all...

vinny chase

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Its these short-term signings of players that will never contribute anything much to club/national rugby in this country that has partially caused the IRFU's new dictates on NIQs. Leinster and Ulster are doing nothing but, helping prove the IRFU's case by bringing in pensioners ahead of promoting youngsters or bringing in younger players (<30 for a start) who may end up contributing to rugby in this country.

Leinster's first port of call should have been, publicly sounding out Munster about loaning someone to lend a hand. If that wasn't possible, then you go looking for for someone to come in and do a job - albeit the IRFU should never sanction the signing of such an old (but great) player.

Players such as Wian du Preez and to a lesser extent, Will Chambers, should be the type of players you try to get in - youngish players with a point to prove - not, players hitting their 40's and looking for a quick buck.

Admittedly, it would be a fantastic signing and great to see him lining out for an Irish province but, he should never be allowed sign.

I don't think you could possibly be any more wrong on this.

Regarding the highlighted part; I think if we are only to bring in a handful of NIQ players then those who we bring in (and this goes for all the provinces) should be proven internationals of the very highest quality.

I'd much rather a top class player coming to try and win something than a journeyman who has achieved nothing anywhere and simply wants a contract anywhere he can get it.

He's not adding to the number of NIQ's since Leinster just lost Steven Sykes, and are missing Leo Cullen for the next 8-10 weeks. Mark Flanagan has looked okay this season in brief patches, but still don't think he's able for the highest level. Better for him to learn from one of the greatest second rows of the past couple of years for a few months.

At the end of the day; if adding Brad Thorn helps Leinster win trophies; he'll have been a successful signing from the perspective as well of maintaining rugby's burgeoning popularity and luring the next batch of youngsters into the game.

irishbucsfan

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

molloyjh wrote: »

Brad Thorn for Leinster????

Its these short-term signings of players that will never contribute anything much to club/national rugby in this country that has partially caused the IRFU's new dictates on NIQs. Leinster and Ulster are doing nothing but, helping prove the IRFU's case by bringing in pensioners ahead of promoting youngsters or bringing in younger players (<30 for a start) who may end up contributing to rugby in this country.

Leinster's first port of call should have been, publicly sounding out Munster about loaning someone to lend a hand. If that wasn't possible, then you go looking for for someone to come in and do a job - albeit the IRFU should never sanction the signing of such an old (but great) player.

Players such as Wian du Preez and to a lesser extent, Will Chambers, should be the type of players you try to get in - youngish players with a point to prove - not, players hitting their 40's and looking for a quick buck.

Admittedly, it would be a fantastic signing and great to see him lining out for an Irish province but, he should never be allowed sign.

I can actually smell the jealousy.

Teferi

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Its these short-term signings of players that will never contribute anything much to club/national rugby in this country that has partially caused the IRFU's new dictates on NIQs. Leinster and Ulster are doing nothing but, helping prove the IRFU's case by bringing in pensioners ahead of promoting youngsters or bringing in younger players (<30 for a start) who may end up contributing to rugby in this country.

Leinster's first port of call should have been, publicly sounding out Munster about loaning someone to lend a hand. If that wasn't possible, then you go looking for for someone to come in and do a job - albeit the IRFU should never sanction the signing of such an old (but great) player.

Players such as Wian du Preez and to a lesser extent, Will Chambers, should be the type of players you try to get in - youngish players with a point to prove - not, players hitting their 40's and looking for a quick buck.

Admittedly, it would be a fantastic signing and great to see him lining out for an Irish province but, he should never be allowed sign.

If Munster where in this situation and this was posted in the Munster thread you would be shouting up and down about how this was a great call for Munster. Posts like this are why you will never be taken seriously.

Putting this into context for you - Signing Thorn would be good, short term to get us over the line in the Heineken Cup. Especially since Sykes has just gone, Cullen has just had an operation and second row is arguably where our depth is weakest. Asking around the other provinces who are still in the Heineken Cup for a spare second row is utterly ridiculous because they still have everything to play for.

Cpt_Blackbeard

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Its these short-term signings of players that will never contribute anything much to club/national rugby in this country that has partially caused the IRFU's new dictates on NIQs. Leinster and Ulster are doing nothing but, helping prove the IRFU's case by bringing in pensioners ahead of promoting youngsters or bringing in younger players (<30 for a start) who may end up contributing to rugby in this country.

Leinster's first port of call should have been, publicly sounding out Munster about loaning someone to lend a hand. If that wasn't possible, then you go looking for for someone to come in and do a job - albeit the IRFU should never sanction the signing of such an old (but great) player.

Players such as Wian du Preez and to a lesser extent, Will Chambers, should be the type of players you try to get in - youngish players with a point to prove - not, players hitting their 40's and looking for a quick buck.

Admittedly, it would be a fantastic signing and great to see him lining out for an Irish province but, he should never be allowed sign.

BJ Botha though, what a fine example of a young hungry player eager to prove.

Tox56

What is the source for all of this?

smurphy29

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Its these short-term signings of players that will never contribute anything much to club/national rugby in this country that has partially caused the IRFU's new dictates on NIQs. Leinster and Ulster are doing nothing but, helping prove the IRFU's case by bringing in pensioners ahead of promoting youngsters or bringing in younger players (<30 for a start) who may end up contributing to rugby in this country.

Leinster's first port of call should have been, publicly sounding out Munster about loaning someone to lend a hand. If that wasn't possible, then you go looking for for someone to come in and do a job - albeit the IRFU should never sanction the signing of such an old (but great) player.

Players such as Wian du Preez and to a lesser extent, Will Chambers, should be the type of players you try to get in - youngish players with a point to prove - not, players hitting their 40's and looking for a quick buck.

Admittedly, it would be a fantastic signing and great to see him lining out for an Irish province but, he should never be allowed sign.

What's the difference? It's a three/four month emergency signing. Whatever age he is, he's still an NIQ just like du Preez and Chambers.

Edit: oh I see everyone has already piled in! What a daft post it was.

Neil3030

I don't think anyone who started a world cup final only 90 odd days ago could be labelled "past it".

Gracelessly Tom

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Its these short-term signings of players that will never contribute anything much to club/national rugby in this country that has partially caused the IRFU's new dictates on NIQs. Leinster and Ulster are doing nothing but, helping prove the IRFU's case by bringing in pensioners ahead of promoting youngsters or bringing in younger players (<30 for a start) who may end up contributing to rugby in this country.

Ah yes, Munster the conveyor belt of young talent. Tis Leinster and Ulster who are forcing the IRFU's hand.

Pull the other one.

smurphy29

Tox56 wrote: »

What is the source for all of this?

Brendan 'Inside Track' Fanning has it on his blog.

http://brendanfanningrugby.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/leinster-line-up-thorn/

danthefan

Neil3030 wrote: »

I don't think anyone who started a world cup final only 90 odd days ago could be labelled "past it".

Definitely.

And Leinster, who have been going out of their way to have as many Irish starters as humanely possible in recent weeks including a starting XV of all Irish players, and who will (or should with a real coach) provide 8 or 9 starters for the national team in the 6N, are doing nothing to dissuade the IRFU from the new policy. Yessirreeeee.

totallegend

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Its these short-term signings of players that will never contribute anything much to club/national rugby in this country that has partially caused the IRFU's new dictates on NIQs. Leinster and Ulster are doing nothing but, helping prove the IRFU's case by bringing in pensioners ahead of promoting youngsters or bringing in younger players (<30 for a start) who may end up contributing to rugby in this country.

What age is BJ Botha again? What age was Howlett when he signed his last contract?

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Leinster's first port of call should have been, publicly sounding out Munster about loaning someone to lend a hand. If that wasn't possible, then you go looking for for someone to come in and do a job - albeit the IRFU should never sanction the signing of such an old (but great) player.

When are these things ever done publicly? And who would Munster loan us, when POC, DOC and Ryan are going to be on Six Nations duty? Mick O'Driscoll? No thanks.

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Players such as Wian du Preez and to a lesser extent, Will Chambers, should be the type of players you try to get in - youngish players with a point to prove - not, players hitting their 40's and looking for a quick buck.

Or Richardt Strauss or Isa Nacewa or Ruan Pienaar or Jared Payne or Heinke van der Merwe?

You're nothing but a troll, and I'm as bad for taking the bait. I'm ashamed of myself. Good luck.

jacothelad

molloyjh wrote: »

Brad Thorn for Leinster????

http://brendanfanningrugby.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/leinster-line-up-thorn/

I wonder will this unleash the shytstorm avalanche of opprobrium that descended on Ulster for signing Terblanche in even more difficult circumstances? As it isn't Ulster I doubt it.

danthefan

jacothelad wrote: »

I wonder will this unleash the shytstorm avalanche of opprobrium that descended on Ulster for signing Terblanche in even more difficult circumstances? As it isn't Ulster I doubt it.

Not particularly. And Thorne is a much higher quality player, their ages are comparable but that's about it.

mikedragon32

totallegend wrote: »

You're nothing but a troll, and I'm as bad for taking the bait. I'm ashamed of myself. Good luck.

And did you report the post? No.

Folks. Let's all take a deep breath.

If you have an issue with a post, report it and let the mods deal with it. It's in the charter! Yellow/Red cards will issue if this continues!

jacothelad

Gracelessly Tom wrote: »

Ah yes, Munster the conveyor belt of young talent. Tis Leinster and Ulster who are forcing the IRFU's hand.

Pull the other one.

I think you are being a little graceless there Tom. After all they do have young Jones and Keatley albeit from Leinster and they do have Zebo who looks a prospect of the highest order, a shed load of young forwards like POM, DOC2, etc who will be international players come hell or high water I would imagine ............................ and Murray :eek: who looks like an AIL 2 player.

smurphy29

totallegend, Micko wouldn't even be eligible for the HEC as he's already appeared for Munster. I presume he's talking about Foley or Nagle. I'm sure Munster would be only too happy to hand over players that are about to be in their Pro12 matchday squad given they're three locks down for the 6N.

The public sounding out would have been so comical as to be surreal.

'Leinster Rugby announced today that they want to go cap in hand to their nearest rivals for any halfway decent second rows they have lying around the back of the training paddock.'

Utter daftness.

Cpt_Blackbeard

danthefan wrote: »

More utter rubbish, what a surprise. Will Chambers has been god awful for Munster only you (and maybe one or two others on here) could hold him up as a good example of a short term signing. What the hell difference does it make if a 3 month signing is 29 or 39? Absolutely none.

Where did I say that Chambers worked out? :rolleyes: I said, he is the type of player who should be signed.

He is a young talented player who could have worked out. As it happens, he hasn't but, had he worked out, Munster would have had a young promising player who could play for them for 10years and qualify for Ireland.

But, don't try and be reasonable. Jump ahead with your only tactic: being a confrontational ____.

molloyjh wrote: »

Ah yes Munster are the model we should all be following when it comes to recruiting foreign players. They are the ones the IRFU want us all to be like. Putting foreign props as first team players ahead of Irish ones.

No chance. Munster's signings have been terribly flawed as, is a lot of the whole Munster setup. This is the one place where some success has been achieved in recent years though.

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I can actually smell the jealousy.

Nothing to do with jealousy. Just bitterness that, the IRFU's new dictate has been brought in partially because of cases like this but, even though the provincial coaches oppose the new rules, they don't do anything but, worsen their argument.

Teferi wrote: »

If Munster where in this situation and this was posted in the Munster thread you would be shouting up and down about how this was a great call for Munster. Posts like this are why you will never be taken seriously..

Not after the IRFU's rules. Once they are inforced, we will never be able to sign NIQs on these short deals to cover injury again. The provinces should at least be trying to find someone who may opt to stay on and help rugby going forward or, someone who has given a lot to Irish rugby in the past (John Hayes)

Deleted User wrote: »

BJ Botha though, what a fine example of a young hungry player eager to prove.

As usual, gtfo

Very gifted prop who has shown while at Ulster, how he can contribute massively both on and off the field. There is a huge difference between a 2 year and a 3 month deal.

Gracelessly Tom wrote: »

Ah yes, Munster the conveyor belt of young talent. Tis Leinster and Ulster who are forcing the IRFU's hand.

Pull the other one.

I never said they do. Our academy and youth setup is a few years behind Leinster's and behind Ulster's too. Munster have made terrible judgement calls in the past (mostly with centres) but, players have to be brought in where clubs are weak.

The short-term deal for NIQs is going to be abolished. The provinces should be showing the IRFU that it is a valuable opportunity that shouldn't be taken away. The only way to do this is by firstly looking at Irish, then potentially irish (Chambers), then potentially good club player (WdP) and finally opting for an old proven hand when all other options are extinguished (Terblance).

danthefan wrote: »

And Leinster, who have been going out of their way to have as many Irish starters as humanely possible in recent weeks including a starting XV of all Irish players, and who will (or should with a real coach) provide 8 or 9 starters for the national team in the 6N, are doing nothing to dissuade the IRFU from the new policy. Yessirreeeee.

If Thorn is the first port of call, it is undoing a lot of the great work. We should be demonstrating how healthy the current rules are, rather than showing the IRFU how flawed they can be.

danthefan

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Where did I say that Chambers worked out? :rolleyes: I said, he is the type of player who should be signed.

He is a young talented player who could have worked out. As it happens, he hasn't but, had he worked out, Munster would have had a young promising player who could play for them for 10years and qualify for Ireland.

But, don't try and be reasonable. Jump ahead with your only tactic: being a confrontational ____.

The type of player we should sign is the type who has been a massive failure. Can you not see how daft that is?

irishbucsfan

Captain, which Irish qualified H Cup eligible player would you suggest Leinster should sign?

smurphy29

I could have been a great rugby player, but as it happens I'm not. Maybe Leinster should sign me. Or Munster for that matter.

Cpt_Blackbeard

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Very gifted prop who has shown while at Ulster, how he can contribute massively both on and off the field. There is a huge difference between a 2 year and a 3 month deal.

Are you saying that World Cup Winner Brad Thorn has never shown he's able to contribute on and off the field?

Have you any idea what you're talking about?

Search Rugbydump for some of the clips of him training, he's not just a captain, he's a machine.

Yup, a 3 month deal allows us to delay the problem for 2 months, and give us a bit of breathing space and experience to bring through Flanagan and get Browne and Toner playing together regularly.

A 2 year contract on the other hand, allows a management team completely neglect the problem on hand for a very long time.

danthefan

Hopefully we play Munster in the final, win by 50, and Thorn scores a hattrick. That would be so damn sweet.

Cpt_Blackbeard

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Captain, which Irish qualified H Cup eligible player would you suggest Leinster should sign?

I'm not aware of every HC-eligible lock in the world but, I know there have to be some great ones lying about who would love to get a chance to prove themselves at the European champions.

Anyway, there is no reason that Leinster should be looking for a HC starter anyway. They have lost only one member of their HC matchday squad. The player they get in should be someone who can do a job from the bench or a player eligible for the HC but, who will be used in the Rabo PRO12 unless injury hits again. Toner and Browne should be trusted as the starting partnership.

Cpt_Blackbeard

danthefan wrote: »

The type of player we should sign is the type who has been a massive failure. Can you not see how daft that is?

Massive failure my hole. He did some very good things in attack and defense and could have been a very good player had he settled. The biggest issue was that he signed a deal to return to League after he came here, so it became much smarter to invest our time in someone who will be at Munster for the long haul - as we hoped Chambers might have been.

danthefan

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Massive failure my hole. He did some very good things in attack and defense and could have been a very good player had he settled. The biggest issue was that he signed a deal to return to League after he came here, so it became much smarter to invest our time in someone who will be at Munster for the long haul - as we hoped Chambers might have been.

You're delusional. Will stop wasting my time now.

tolosenc

Well, if Toner does get into the Ireland squad, we'll have Browne, Locky and Flanagan as our 3 SR options. Locky is a bakrow player, and Flanagan is just out of the academy. There are generally 3 SRs in a matchday 23. One injury and we would be at bare bones. If Toner is staying for the 6N, we're still only an injury away.

Though, I might take offence if Thorn starts wearing black head gear...