Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

BoardsMember

With so much experience leaving I guess Zebo balances that out a little.

I wonder will he be the positive impact, the leader, the guy who reinforces the need for perfection and attention to detail that Munster need from the experiences guys? He's always come across as a bit of a messer to me.

Sabre0001

One thing I will say is that he will try to grab a game by the scruff of the neck (which may be needed as we don't see that from Healy, Haley, or some others in the backline), popping up at first receiver.

The last game vs Leinster was mentioned which - if I'm remembering right - was when he was trying to fling the ball wide (but often into touch). The idea was right, the execution wasn't. But he was willing to give it a go, which was somewhat good to see (aside from the frustration of seeing the ball fly into touch).

thomond2006

Teferi wrote: »

For me, it’s a midlife crisis purchase. Spaffing money on a vintage lambo when you should have spent your money on something sensible.

We don't know what the opportunity cost is, ultimately.
Maybe Munster did look for a top front row like Leinster but were turned down.

The Inbetween is mine

I'm trying to work out in my head...has Zebo played more games on the wing, or at FB for Munster?
I'm thinking wing .. but I'm fecked if I can be certain

thegreycity

I imagine Zebo is one of the highest profile players amongst casual fans. He's easy to market and he'll get bums on seats and eyes on the TV. That's a big reason for bringing him back I guess.

aloooof

The Inbetween is mine wrote: »

I'm trying to work out in my head...has Zebo played more games on the wing, or at FB for Munster?
I'm thinking wing .. but I'm fecked if I can be certain

I remember checking this before:

aloooof wrote: »

Agreed, he's our top try scorer, tho Earls is getting close. I love a stat so had a quick look at Zebo's 144 total appearances:
- 78 starts at 11
- 48 starts at 15
- 18 appearances off the bench

The Inbetween is mine

thegreycity wrote: »

I imagine Zebo is one of the highest profile players amongst casual fans. He's easy to market and he'll get bums on seats and eyes on the TV. That's a big reason for bringing him back I guess.

No, the fact he's Munster's highest tryscorer and has improved as a player at Racing, has 3 years of top rugby ahead of him would be the reasons

Eod100

Wonder what that means in terms of salary?

https://twitter.com/tonyleen/status/1382300607353131011

The Inbetween is mine

Sounds like a central contract lite?

Former Former Former

Aren't all provincial contracts cofunded by IRFU?

"Relatively modest financial package", either he really wants to come back to Munster or there's not much demand for him.

bennyl10

Kenya Tasty Peacock wrote: »

"Relatively modest financial package", either he really wants to come back to Munster or there's not much demand for him.

International rugby is on offer
Especially if the IRFU are involved in the pay packet

He’s been great in France, can’t see how there wouldn’t be demand

mun1

Would assume this was ore zebo wanting to return home with his family ,Unless he is planning to play prop.

thomond2006

Kenya Tasty Peacock wrote: »

"Relatively modest financial package", either he really wants to come back to Munster or there's not much demand for him.

He's been a regular in the Racing side. I can't see why there wouldn't be demand for him.

mun1

thomond2006 wrote: »

I know you haven't hidden from your opinion of Zebo, but it's certainly a signing that improves our first choice 23.

If you offered me Michael Alaalatoa instead, then I would certainly take him. It seems Munster are backing who they have in house in the front row. The selections in the Rainbow Cup are going to be interesting.

No it’s not a signing that improves our 23.
Zebo 3 years ago improved our 23 , not zebo in 2021/22.

Quin_Dub

thomond2006 wrote: »

He's been a regular in the Racing side. I can't see why there wouldn't be demand for him.

Has he been so this season?

I know he was previously a starter , but I thought he had fallen out of favour this year hence all the talk of him moving over the last few months- And now he actually is moving.

Eod100

Confirmed

https://twitter.com/SimonZebo/status/1382310534696042497

https://twitter.com/Munsterrugby/status/1382310325362515971

Cookiemunster

https://twitter.com/SimonZebo/status/1382310534696042497

Cookiemunster

Officially official
https://twitter.com/Munsterrugby/status/1382310325362515971

Former Former Former

A one year contract.

Hmmm

thomond2006

Quin_Dub wrote: »

Has he been so this season?

I know he was previously a starter , but I thought he had fallen out of favour this year hence all the talk of him moving over the last few months- And now he actually is moving.

http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/players/simon-zebo-18843.html

He started 11 of 20 in the Top14 this year.
He missed time through injury just before Covid.

thomond2006

Diarmuid Barron 2022
Kevin O'Byrne 2022
Rhys Marshall 2021
Niall Scannell 2023

Scott Buckley Year 1

James Cronin 2021
James French 2022
Dave Kilcoyne 2023
Liam O'Connor 2022
Jeremy Loughman 2022
Josh Wycherley 2023

Stephen Archer 2022
Keynan Knox 2022
John Ryan 2022
Roman Salanoa 2022

Thomas Ahern 2023
Tadhg Beirne 2022
Jason Jenkins 2022
Jean Kleyn 2022
RG Snyman 2022
Fineen Wycherley 2023

Cian Hurley Year 1
Paddy Kelly Year 2
Eoin O'Connor Year 2

Gavin Coombes 2023
Chris Cloete 2022
Jack Daly 2022
John Hodnett 2023
Jack O'Donoghue 2023
Peter O'Mahony 2023
Jack O'Sullivan 2023

Alex Kendellen Year 1

Craig Casey 2023
Neil Cronin 2023
Conor Murray 2022

Joey Carbery 2022
Jack Crowley 2023
Jake Flannery 2022
Ben Healy 2022

Damian de Allende 2022
Chris Farrell 2022
Dan Goggin 2022
Alex McHenry 2022
Rory Scannell 2023

Andrew Conway 2023
Liam Coombes 2022
Shane Daly 2023
Keith Earls 2022
Seán French 2022
Matt Gallagher 2022
Mike Haley 2023
Calvin Nash 2023
Simon Zebo 2022

Conor Phillips Year 1
Jonathan Wren Year 3

2021/22 NIEs:
Jason Jenkins (capped), RG Snyman (capped), Damian de Allende (capped)

IN: Jason Jenkins (LK, Toyota Verblitz), Simon Zebo (B3, Racing 92)
OUT: Eoghan Clarke (HK, Jersey Reds), Billy Holland (LK, retirement), Tommy O'Donnell (BR, retirement), CJ Stander (BR, retirement), Nick McCarthy (SH, Leinster), JJ Hanrahan (FH, Clermont Auvergne), Darren Sweetnam (B3, La Rochelle)

bennyl10

Former Former Former wrote: »

A one year contract.

Hmmm

Would be shocked if there’s no option to extend in the end

Eod100

bennyl10 wrote: »

Would be shocked if there’s no option to extend in the end

You would think so with having to move back from France with family and all that involves.

bennyl10

Eod100 wrote: »

You would think so with having to move back from France with family and all that involves.

Financials probably limit them This year too

You’d assume If things get back to normal next year he’ll get a longer deal

thomond2006

Former Former Former wrote: »

A one year contract.

Hmmm

Age plays a factor there.

Eod100

Interesting on the financial front

Head Coach Johann van Graan said, “The opportunity to bring Simon back to Munster came about in early April following a final review of our squad’s budgetary position for season-end and with assistance from the IRFU to support what we believe is a really good deal for Munster and Irish Rugby.

“Simon’s desire to return to Ireland and play with his home club is illustrated by his willingness to sign at a level below his market value elsewhere. This has made bringing the province’s all-time leading try-scorer back home, possible.”

CIARAN_BOYLE

thomond2006 wrote: »

He's been a regular in the Racing side. I can't see why there wouldn't be demand for him.

Almost anyone whose contract is up at the moment will be signing a new contract with a slight pay cut.

I'm suspecting that one year contracts will be common enough as players will want to renegotiate when things are back to normal.

There may also be a certain element of I wanna see if I work out with the international group before making up my mind.

CMcsporty

thomond2006 wrote: »

Age plays a factor there.

He's just turned 31!
It's money/virus.

A great signing for Munster and Ireland.
Let the FB debate start now......

thegreycity

The Inbetween is mine wrote: »

No, the fact he's Munster's highest tryscorer and has improved as a player at Racing, has 3 years of top rugby ahead of him would be the reasons

Sure, and the fact that he seems to be willing to take a paycut. And the commercial stuff I mentioned. But what you said too.