Munster centres

Fishooks12

Tox56 wrote: »

I think Munster could have a pretty solid backline next year with these new guys brought in.

Won't be a world beater, but will more than hold its own, probable 4/5 IQ players isn't bad either.

I'd go as far to say that we'll have a backline that could cause serious problems for teams

A lot rests on O Gara's ability to get the best out of Downey

Fireball07

Tox56 wrote: »

I think Munster could have a pretty solid backline next year with these new guys brought in.

Won't be a world beater, but will more than hold its own, probable 4/5 IQ players isn't bad either.

Laulala should be the only NIQ there unless Howlett is re-signed. If Mafi stays, he'll probably have slipped down the pecking order.

If they get a proper gameplan for the backs that suits our team, could be pretty dangerous.

Clegg

It's quite obvious that Laulala has been signed as Munsters main 13 option. Earls is a quality wing and should play in his best position. He's never been that impressive at 13 imo. He had some decent games back in 2009/2010 but never anything to get that excited about. Also, his performance against Castres last month was one of the worst I've ever seen him have. He hasn't shown the passing or vision necessary to be a top quality 13.

A back 3 of Jones/Zebo/Earls has the potential to be amazing. Downey isn't that good but is can get over the gainline which is what Munster need. Laulala adds a bit of poise that Munster lack at 13. Munsters backline could be very good next season.

justsomebloke

Locked till I or another mod can look at this

mikedragon32

Right, I've had a pop at cleaning up the thread.

Anyone who hasn't read the charter yet, do so now. If you have a problem with a post, don't reply to it, report it! Tribal bullsh1t ends here.

MikeMacca is not to post in this thread again.

flutered

not alone will he have a strong contribution on field, but he will mentor the emerging back talent that we have in our squad, so said tony mcgahan.

danthefan

Clegg wrote: »

It's quite obvious that Laulala has been signed as Munsters main 13 option. Earls is a quality wing and should play in his best position. He's never been that impressive at 13 imo. He had some decent games back in 2009/2010 but never anything to get that excited about. Also, his performance against Castres last month was one of the worst I've ever seen him have. He hasn't shown the passing or vision necessary to be a top quality 13.

A back 3 of Jones/Zebo/Earls has the potential to be amazing. Downey isn't that good but is can get over the gainline which is what Munster need. Laulala adds a bit of poise that Munster lack at 13. Munsters backline could be very good next season.

No doubt about it.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Downey Lualua
Earls Jones Zebo

Makes a pretty good back line. I would hope that mentoring is big part of his role. Munster really need to bring through Hanrahan and hopefully another center in the next couple of years.

irishbucsfan

They're definitely short term options. Hanrahan needs to be playing by the end of the year.

Seems Munster are at least 3/4 years away from producing a 13 though. I think Earls could eventually move there full time, but the signing of Laulala would indicate it's not a short term plan.

danthefan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

They're definitely short term options. Hanrahan needs to be playing by the end of the year.

Seems Munster are at least 3/4 years away from producing a 13 though. I think Earls could eventually move there full time, but the signing of Laulala would indicate it's not a short term plan.

Definitely not going to happen, or else they wouldn't have signed Downey. He'll hopefully get a bit of league starts but Downey won't be involved in any Ireland squads most likely so he'll always be available.

irishbucsfan

danthefan wrote: »

Definitely not going to happen, or else they wouldn't have signed Downey. He'll hopefully get a bit of league starts but Downey won't be involved in any Ireland squads most likely so he'll always be available.

I meant to say by the end of next year

[Jackass]

1. Du Preez
2. Varley
3. Botha
4. Ryan
5. O'Connell
6. O'Mahony
7. Ronan
8. Ruddock

9. Murray
10. Keatley
11. Zebo
12. Downey
13. Laulala
14. Earls
15. Jones

Munster falling just short of supplying half of their own team for the future, with only two less Leinster men in the team than Munster men. (5 Leinster players, or one third of team).

The futures bright.

siltirocker

[Jackass] wrote: »

1. Du Preez
2. Varley
3. Botha
4. Ryan
5. O'Connell
6. O'Mahony
7. Ronan
8. Ruddock

9. Murray
10. Keatley
11. Zebo
12. Downey
13. Laulala
14. Earls
15. Jones

Munster falling just short of supplying half of their own team for the future, with only two less Leinster men in the team than Munster men. (5 Leinster players, or one third of team).

The futures bright.

Jesus, when you look at like that. . . well played McGahan, well played.

irishbucsfan

[Quote=[Jackass];77007753]1. Du Preez
2. Varley
3. Botha
4. Ryan
5. O'Connell
6. O'Mahony
7. Ronan
8. Ruddock

9. Murray
10. Keatley
11. Zebo
12. Downey
13. Laulala
14. Earls
15. Jones

Munster falling just short of supplying half of their own team for the future, with only two less Leinster men in the team than Munster men. (5 Leinster players, or one third of team).

The futures bright.[/Quote]
That could be a good long term goal for the leinster academy. Supply enough players for two provinces!

willit

[Quote=[Jackass];77007753]1. Du Preez
2. Varley
3. Botha
4. Ryan
5. O'Connell
6. O'Mahony
7. Ronan
8. Ruddock

9. Murray
10. Keatley
11. Zebo
12. Downey
13. Laulala
14. Earls
15. Jones

Munster falling just short of supplying half of their own team for the future, with only two less Leinster men in the team than Munster men. (5 Leinster players, or one third of team).

The futures bright.[/Quote]

I would say 6. Ruddock 7. POM 8. Butler

bamboozle

Downey will be a great foil at 12 for munster, he'll break the gain line, suck in defenders and this will create space for a sliky runner at 13 whether that is Earls or Lualua.

Earls might thrive playing at 13 alongside downey.

I watched Danny Barnes play for Dolphin last weekend against Clontarf, Lett the clontarf center looked the better 13.
Gleeson has been on a full contract for a few years now with no impact on the senior squad.

ed7890

willit wrote: »

I would say 6. Ruddock 7. POM 8. Butler

I don't think Ruddock is going anywhere

Flincher

I'm not overjoyed with the signing of Laulala to be honest, solely for the reason he will hit 30 before the summer is out. I don't think he has been as effective this year as in previous seasons, and I really hope it isn't age related. (Then again, Tipoki was ancient when he signed, and we all know how effective he was) If he hits his early Cardiff form then he will be a magnificent addition.

I would have preferred a younger player, somebody like Ryan Crotty or Robert Ebersohn who could fit into the team for 6 or so seaons like Mafi has done.

At least we can see where we are going with Downey and Laulala. Downey will hopefully give us a bit of front foot ball off first phase, and Laulala will spark things for the likes of Zebo, Jones and Earls.

Hope Downey and Laulala have an excellent few seasons coming up.

justsomebloke

Flincher wrote: »

I would have preferred a younger player, somebody like Ryan Crotty or Robert Ebersohn who could fit into the team for 6 or so seaons like Mafi has done.

The new NIE rules mean that you can't sign anyone for more then 1 contract term though

totallegend

bamboozle wrote: »

Downey will be a great foil at 12 for munster, he'll break the gain line, suck in defenders and this will create space for a sliky runner at 13 whether that is Earls or Lualua.

Earls might thrive playing at 13 alongside downey.

OK, I'm repeating myself a bit here but someone is going to have to explain this to me; when is Earls going to get the chance to play at 13?

Laulala is a pretty big-name signing and, presumably, is being paid accordingly. He's not being brought over to sit on the bench so Earls will be on the wing for the duration (his best position, IMO) and won't be playing alongside Downey.

Am I missing something?

leftleg

totallegend wrote: »

when is Earls going to get the chance to play at 13?

I have to agree with totallegend; I cant see earls getting time any time at 13 apart from when Lualua is injured. The signing makes no other sense that that that is specified.

Munster and McGahan in particular dont do the whole squad rotation thing that Leinster and Scmidt do. Earls is an ok 13 but his good performances have been few and far between; He played there 5 games in a row and afaik a few of those performances were forgettable. Hes just not consistent enough there to hold down the 13 spot.

Lualua is a specialist 13 no doubts about it; This signing looks to be the nail in the coffin of Keith Earls as a centre. Now if Deccie could take notice maybe wede be able to complain about something else like the weather or the recession.

Amazotheamazing

irishbucsfan wrote: »

That could be a good long term goal for the leinster academy. Supply enough players for two provinces!

We'll see, I suspect Ruddock will stay put and hopefully Butler (who's looked good this season) will come through.

jm08

leftleg wrote: »

I have to agree with totallegend; I cant see earls getting time any time at 13 apart from when Lualua is injured. The signing makes no other sense that that that is specified.

Munster and McGahan in particular dont do the whole squad rotation thing that Leinster and Scmidt do. Earls is an ok 13 but his good performances have been few and far between; He played there 5 games in a row and afaik a few of those performances were forgettable. Hes just not consistent enough there to hold down the 13 spot.

Lualua is a specialist 13 no doubts about it; This signing looks to be the nail in the coffin of Keith Earls as a centre. Now if Deccie could take notice maybe wede be able to complain about something else like the weather or the recession.

Won't bod be around for another couple of years - he isn't ready to give up his 13 jersey yet. munster are going to have to find an ireland qualified centre in 2 years time as munster won't be able to offer a contract to a niq player then.

jm08

willit wrote: »

I would say 6. Ruddock 7. POM 8. Butler

denis hurley was missed out on. could drop zebo on the wing for him.

isn't ruddock an ospreylian

Leslie91

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Whatever else about Earls, I don't see how anyone could say he doesn't run good lines, most his tries look easy because of the line he takes. As I always point out, if they were actually that easy we'd all be internationals.

Anyhow, going back to the OP, I'm reasonably hopeful Hanrahan will be a decent centre and that Smith and Barnes will come through to at least a Pro12 or HEC standard.

That lad Hanrahan reminded me of BOD for a minute the other night. Wonder will he progress?. Who is Smith?.

Amazotheamazing

Leslie91 wrote: »

That lad Hanrahan reminded me of BOD for a minute the other night. Wonder will he progress?. Who is Smith?.

Really don't think it's fair to compare any player to BOD. The man stands alone.

Smith is a young NZ centre with Shannon, on a Munster contract but has been out injured for most of the season after a knee op, played a few times for Munster A last season.

leftleg

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Smith is a young NZ centre with Shannon

How come Munster can churn out Hookers and Wingers but everytime therse something decent in the centre its coming from another country; where are all the Munster Centres gone??

Fishooks12

leftleg wrote: »

How come Munster can churn out Hookers and Wingers but everytime therse something decent in the centre its coming from another country; where are all the Munster Centres gone

What about JJ Hanrahan ?

leftleg

Fishooks12 wrote: »

What about JJ Hanrahan ?

Ok..what about him?? Did he play for the u20's or Munster recently??; looked good alright but thats just 1..anymore??

Fishooks12

leftleg wrote: »

Ok..what about him??

He´s a Kerry born 12 with huge potential playing from Munster, thus negating your point that Munster have no young home grown centres

Jesus even Barnes is more Irish than anything else