Ulster vs Munster, Mon 1st Jan 5:35pm; BBCNI/TG4

Don Kiddick

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prawnsambo wrote: »

I missed the YC; had to step out for a bit, but I thought Ulster were getting a bit more width on the ball and keeping possession better and putting Munster under some pressure, No?

I genuinely didn't think so...I thought the red card was harsh..but after that Ulster got the run of anything from the ref..not complaining... Ulster took their chance and hammered us in the second half.. but at the season end...this game won't count for much in Munsters calendar...it might keep Les Kiss in a job for another season though

Sephiral

Sephiral wrote: »

That is a sending off every single time. Not sure how anyone can argue against it. It is head contact at force and no real mitigation.

Arnold could have whipped out a lightsaber and dismembered Lealiifano and you'd have Munster fans on here arguing that it was a rugby incident.

Munster never commit acts of foul play if you read this forum.

It was a red card all day long, I said it to my pals the instant we saw the first replay, ref got it spot on.

molloyjh

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prawnsambo wrote: »

Don Kiddick wrote: »

No they didn't...if it had remained 15v 15 it was a cake walk... trying to rationalize Ulster's width in the context of Munster being 1&2 men down is just daft

I missed the YC; had to step out for a bit, but I thought Ulster were getting a bit more width on the ball and keeping possession better and putting Munster under some pressure, No?

Ulster were working their way back into it. Don’t mind the nonsense.

molloyjh

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Don Kiddick wrote: »

I thought the red card was harsh.

Of course you did. You’re completely and utterly wrong to think it of course, but I’m in no way surprised.

Don Kiddick

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molloyjh wrote: »

Ulster were working their way back into it. Don’t mind the nonsense.

They really weren't...anyone who is familiar with Kiss' tactics will tell you

ClanofLams

Don Kiddick wrote: »

I genuinely didn't think so...I thought the red card was harsh..but after that Ulster got the run of anything from the ref..not complaining... Ulster took their chance and hammered us in the second half.. but at the season end...this game won't count for much in Munsters calendar...it might keep Les Kiss in a job for another season though

I wouldn't be sure it won't count for much at seasons end. Cheetahs have two games in hand, both v Kings which could well be 10 points and move them in to second a point ahead of Munster. Would still favour Munster to get second in the conference but Cheetahs are well in the mix and won't be weakened during 6N period. Third in the conference will face one of Scarlets/Leinster away which will be an uphill battle.

Don Kiddick

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molloyjh wrote: »

Of course you did. You’re completely and utterly wrong to think it of course, but I’m in no way surprised.

Who cares what does..or does not surprise you?...

Peregrine

Don Kiddick wrote: »

Who cares what does..or does not surprise you?...

The same question could be asked of everything you've posted on this thread. Or anything anyone has ever said.

It's a bit of a meaningless question, really. How is anyone supposed to answer that?

Don Kiddick

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Peregrine wrote: »

The same question could be asked of everything you've posted on this thread. Or anything anyone has ever said.

It's a bit of a meaningless question, really. How is anyone supposed to answer that?

Because it had nothing to do with the game...as usual.. attack the poster not the post....quite the norm on here isn't it :rolleyes:

thomond2006

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Francesca Weak Hallway wrote: »

Arnold could have whipped out a lightsaber and dismembered Lealiifano and you'd have Munster fans on here arguing that it was a rugby incident.

Munster never commit acts of foul play if you read this forum.

It was a red card all day long, I said it to my pals the instant we saw the first replay, ref got it spot on.

You mad bro?

Brewster

It was a certain red card. I can’t believe anyone would question it. The laws were changed sometime ago to protect players in situations like this. Arnold hit him high with significant force and according to the laws of the game is a straight red. Fair play to the ref, he didn’t bottle decision.

bilston

Firstly I'm glad I was watching on delay. I would have embarrassed myself at half time if I had been posting on here.

Secondly it was 100% a red card!

But it definitely gave Ulster a big in even though we were coming back into it before Arnold left the pitch, we had just had a try disallowed and had turned countless kicks at goal (much to my annoyance). But that said I doubt we would have won if Munster hadn't gone down to 14.

Munster were cute, in the first half Cloete was walking a fine line and getting away with it but in the second half he was falling on the wrong side of the line. I dont know that he was doing anything different mind!

The difference in intensity between the two packs in the first half was staggering!

I'd love to see Cooney behind a dominant pack!

Shout out to Mattie Rea, that was his best performance for Ulster to date.

I hope Lyttle can stay fit...he has a bit about him, talented obviously, but he has a confidence and looks ballsy too. I'll even forgive the Ash splash just this once.

Clegg

I'm still waiting to see what's so special about JJ. Looks a painfully average player.

Been a poor few weeks for Munster. They only put in 20 minutes of good rugby last week and about 30 this week. They haven't been switched on properly at all.

Tigerandahalf

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

The change of props was huge also, Ulster would have continued to be steamrolled up front without those changes.

Ya this changed the game completely.
I was saying last week that Ulster are weak in the prop positions but the back up is even weaker. Kiss alluded to it in his interview.

I guess Ulster will need to recruit a top class LH for next season as Black is probably just good enough for pro14 level. Really the top teams winning competitions have 4 top class props.
For Ulster that probably means another Saffer.

Peregrine

bilston wrote: »

I hope Lyttle can stay fit...he has a bit about him, talented obviously, but he has a confidence and looks ballsy too. I'll even forgive the Ash splash just this once.

I won't. Should have been a red. Gallagher bottled it. :pac:

thomond2006

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So that second half...

prawnsambo

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Whatever about the red card, there was some grit from Ulster to claw their way back into the game.

Utah_Saint

You had one job Munster, one job bloody job!

***Ulster Rugby announcement***
A new 3 year contract has been agreed with our glorious leader Les Kiss

awec

Red card gifted us that match.

Make no mistake, we are a shambles. Fcuk off Les Kiss you absolute spoofer.

Line out is rubbish.
Scrum is rubbish.
Defence is rubbish.
Attack is rubbish.

A stay of execution tonight, shame.

KISS OUT!

thomond2006

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I would rather have a general who was lucky than one who was good.

- Napoleon Bonaparte

Utah_Saint

thomond2006 wrote: »

I would rather have a general who was lucky than one who was good.

- Napoleon Bonaparte

Your coach has been there 2 games, we've suffered almost 3

Another angle of the red card incident

molloyjh

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awec wrote: »

Red card gifted us that match.

Make no mistake, we are a shambles. Fcuk off Les Kiss you absolute spoofer.

Line out is rubbish.
Scrum is rubbish.
Defence is rubbish.
Attack is rubbish.

A stay of execution tonight, shame.

KISS OUT!

Jesus, there really is no pleasing some people. Ulster fight their way back into a game that they ultimately win with a TBP and it’s a bad thing!?

You got back into that game before any card was brandished. Scores were coming and you were forcing Munster into making mistakes. For almost the entire second half Ulster were the better team. There were quite a lot of positives from the performance as a whole, particularly the grit mentioned earlier.

awec

Pienaar was at the match tonight.

He’ll be back at Ulster in some capacity before long.

prawnsambo

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awec wrote: »

Red card gifted us that match.

Make no mistake, we are a shambles. Fcuk off Les Kiss you absolute spoofer.

Line out is rubbish.
Scrum is rubbish.
Defence is rubbish.
Attack is rubbish.

A stay of execution tonight, shame.

KISS OUT!

I was wondering what was keeping you. Obviously it takes time to turn a win into a disaster.

thomond2006

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C'mon awec. Your reaction just screams confirmation bias.

You were bailed out by Munster indiscipline and won when at HT it looked like it was going be a thirty pointer.

At least enjoy the wins!

I think Awec is right tbh. Munster threw that game away, when you go down to 13 men you're going to concede points.

Sinbad_NI

Enjoyed seeing Cave at 13.

As for the first half, good to see they picked up where they left of last week... awful.

Utah_Saint

Francesca Weak Hallway wrote: »

I think Awec is right tbh. Munster threw that game away, when you go down to 13 men you're going to concede points.

Getting hammered by leinster will be meaningless, defeat tonight would have brought us a bit closer to kiss going. This win has bought Ulster a few more months of misery and suffering

bilston

Utah_Saint wrote: »

Francesca Weak Hallway wrote: »

I think Awec is right tbh. Munster threw that game away, when you go down to 13 men you're going to concede points.

Getting hammered by leinster will be meaningless, defeat tonight would have brought us a bit closer to kiss going. This win has bought Ulster a few more months of misery and suffering

I assume you are just being mischievous and didn't actually want Munster to win?

Brewster

Let’s be clear, Ulster showed a lot of heart and determination to get back into the game. However, this is the least you’d expect from a professional rugby team. A lot of focus is being placed on Kiss, but I would have expected Gibbs to have made a greater impact at this stage. Their set piece is a shambles at times. Hendo and Best will improve things, and a fit Murphy and Coetzee will definitely improve things. Gibbs definitely deserves another season or two to get things right, but progress we has been very slow to say the least. Or are players like Timoney, Rea etc improving on the back of his coaching?

prawnsambo

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Utah_Saint wrote: »

Getting hammered by leinster will be meaningless, defeat tonight would have brought us a bit closer to kiss going. This win has bought Ulster a few more months of misery and suffering

This is fool's gold you're looking for. Before this it was Doak and before that it was Anscombe or whoever, I've lost count tbh.

Ulster have no depth and no pack. It's a constant balance between trying to stave off injuries and actually put a team on the pitch.

Utah_Saint

bilston wrote: »

Utah_Saint wrote: »

Francesca Weak Hallway wrote: »

I think Awec is right tbh. Munster threw that game away, when you go down to 13 men you're going to concede points.

Getting hammered by leinster will be meaningless, defeat tonight would have brought us a bit closer to kiss going. This win has bought Ulster a few more months of misery and suffering

I assume you are just being mischievous and didn't actually want Munster to win?

No, I'll always want Ulster to win. However sometimes undesirable things are necessary for the required change to happen. I don't doubt a large portion of Ulster fans felt a little bittersweet with the result tonight

ClanofLams

Regardless of the result tonight, I would have been fairly shocked if Kiss wasn’t at least allowed to finish his term.

It will be interesting to see what happens if Ulster makes European quarterfinals. I doubt the IRFU will extend his contract given the seeming frustration amongst Ulsters fanbase but I wouldn’t totally rule it out.

Former Former

Yes, the points only started to flow when Munster went down to 14 but that yellow came after a prolonged spell of Ulster pressure and Munster infringements. The turnaround had started even if Munster shot themselves in the foot, so Ulster deserve some of the credit.

BTW I thought Zebo was brutal.

molloyjh

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We saw some of that down in Leinster during MOCs time. I’ll never understand that. Surely the ideal is for the coaches and players to turn things around? Otherwise you’re looking to lose all remaining games this season. Not making the play offs or Europe surely make Kiss leaving most likely. And are you really a supporter in that case?

Tigerandahalf

Brewster wrote: »

Let’s be clear, Ulster showed a lot of heart and determination to get back into the game. However, this is the least you’d expect from a professional rugby team. A lot of focus is being placed on Kiss, but I would have expected Gibbs to have made a greater impact at this stage. Their set piece is a shambles at times. Hendo and Best will improve things, and a fit Murphy and Coetzee will definitely improve things. Gibbs definitely deserves another season or two to get things right, but progress we has been very slow to say the least. Or are players like Timoney, Rea etc improving on the back of his coaching?

Ya I would have thought Gibbes would have had more impact. But then again you can't turn donkeys into derby horses. I am sure he knows a lot of the forwards just aren't good enough.

I find it a bit sad that Kiss gets such stick. It is like those soccer supporters crying for a coach's head. I think he is doing a reasonable enough job given the ****e he has been landed with.

The whole PJ/Olding thing smacks of a lack of discipline at the heart of the club and that takes time to root out. Even Cave speaking out is poor for a professional player. Keep your mouth shut and do your job.

They have been unlucky/poor with recruitment in terms of players getting injured. Coetzee would have made a big difference but signing Ah You was a blunder. If you watched Connacht regularly he was at best inconsistent. Always looked out of shape. We will have to wait and see how Moore turns out. He has his injury and weight issues too. He hasn't dislodged the no.1 TH at Wasps.

Synode

Ulster were awful up until the cards. Completely swung the game. Still though, a win is a win and they did well to do what they had to do. Hopefully it lifts the squad's confidence and stops the rot

What's the story with Rory Best? When's he due back?

Squidgy Black

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Surely Ulster fans don't want Kiss to be thrown out halfway through the season and have to have an interim coach put in place though?

If anything that'd probably be more detrimental than keeping him in place

Sean Kinsella

Red card for me and it cost Munster the match. Looking forward to seeing us play Ulster at the RDS.

jacothelad

Scythica wrote: »

BBC commentator just said Ulster have a good defence..

I think he was speaking historically.

Don Kiddick wrote: »

And?
Just goes to show how some look for any medium to cause trouble here...

Your self-awareness is commendable.....Keep it up.

Burkie1203

Utah_Saint wrote: »

This win has bought Ulster a few more months of misery and suffering

Until the next coach comes along and history repeats itself

bilston

Utah_Saint wrote: »

bilston wrote: »

Utah_Saint wrote: »

Francesca Weak Hallway wrote: »

I think Awec is right tbh. Munster threw that game away, when you go down to 13 men you're going to concede points.

Getting hammered by leinster will be meaningless, defeat tonight would have brought us a bit closer to kiss going. This win has bought Ulster a few more months of misery and suffering

I assume you are just being mischievous and didn't actually want Munster to win?

No, I'll always want Ulster to win. However sometimes undesirable things are necessary for the required change to happen. I don't doubt a large portion of Ulster fans felt a little bittersweet with the result tonight

Nah. I'd like to think all Ulster fans were delighted with beating Munster.

I can't get my head round any Ulster or woman wanting Ulster to lose to Munster under any circumstances!

Burkie1203

Sephiral wrote: »

Clip of red:

https://twitter.com/Smallclone/status/947906779492634624


That is a sending off every single time. Not sure how anyone can argue against it. It is head contact at force and no real mitigation.

Its a stonewall red card. The at force bit is why.

prawnsambo

Potato Farls

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Surely Ulster fans don't want Kiss to be thrown out halfway through the season and have to have an interim coach put in place though?

If anything that'd probably be more detrimental than keeping him in place

I honestly don't know what is expected to happen if Kiss or Gibbes or both go. The players aren't going to suddenly appear out of thin air and the injuries instantly heal themselves. And the pack aren't going to morph into world beaters either.

Having said that, some impressive enough performances tonight. Liked the look of Lyttle, seems to have a bit of go in him. Timoney looks good and Gilroy looked energised. Cooney has been a top player all season and has the ability to know when and how to make a break. Puts in a huge shift.

The players seemed to be a lot more enthusiastic about their game than some of the supporters on here.

bilston

prawnsambo wrote: »

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Surely Ulster fans don't want Kiss to be thrown out halfway through the season and have to have an interim coach put in place though?

If anything that'd probably be more detrimental than keeping him in place

I honestly don't know what is expected to happen if Kiss or Gibbes or both go. The players aren't going to suddenly appear out of thin air and the injuries instantly heal themselves. And the pack aren't going to morph into world beaters either.

Having said that, some impressive enough performances tonight. Liked the look of Lyttle, seems to have a bit of go in him. Timoney looks good and Gilroy looked energised. Cooney has been a top player all season and has the ability to know when and how to make a break. Puts in a huge shift.

The players seemed to be a lot more enthusiastic about their game than some of the supporters on here.

I don't think there is any likelihood of Kiss going mid season. There may be a shuffling of the deckchairs at seasons end mind.

That said I'd have sacked Kiss at half time tonight.

Turnipman

Synode wrote: »

What's the story with Rory Best? When's he due back?

According to the good man himself (half time interview on BBC NI) he spent a few days in hospital due to an injury becoming infected, but is now back training, is feeling good and may be ready for selection V Leinster next weekend.

.ak

Francesca Weak Hallway wrote: »

Arnold could have whipped out a lightsaber and dismembered Lealiifano and you'd have Munster fans on here arguing that it was a rugby incident.

Munster never commit acts of foul play if you read this forum.

It was a red card all day long, I said it to my pals the instant we saw the first replay, ref got it spot on.

Really? Accusing an entire province fan base of basically being bad sports is never going to end well...

Anymore stirring of Munster fans by yourself will result in more than just a warning.

prawnsambo

Potato Farls

bilston wrote: »

I don't think there is any likelihood of Kiss going mid season. There may be a shuffling of the deckchairs at seasons end mind.

That said I'd have sacked Kiss at half time tonight.

There was a big turn around by Ulster in the second half. The stats make interesting reading. Munster dominated possession and territory in the first half, but Ulster had 74%/78% in the second. Munster's only weapon in attack appeared to be the scrum and the maul. Zero clean breaks and only four defenders beaten. Ulster had eleven clean breaks and 28 defenders beaten. That couldn't all have come from after the red card or even the yellow surely?

Buer

Just watching highlights back. Surprised at no comment relating to John Ryan's tackle in the opening stages.

https://m.imgur.com/UF2I1QL?r

Mitigating circumstances with respect to a JOD doing the damage and turning
the player but could very well be cited and suspended for that. Might actually have been better if he copped a yellow at the time.