Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

13-01-2023 3:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120103462#Comment_120103462

The back 5 of the Northampton pack is about as big as you can see tbh - all of Ribbans, Moon, Salakaia-Loto, Lawes and Ludlam are very big men.

It's hard to see how Northampton have the quality in the backs to stretch Munster, but they definitely look to be bringing a big, abrasive pack.

Some of the increased pace Munster have been playing at (and training at per Murray Kinsella) should stand to them here.

Cookiemunster · 13-01-2023 4:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120103462#Comment_120103462

Munster should have been out of sight at half time over there and could have scored again before the yellow cards and probably should have scored at the death. I think Munster will have too much for them and will win handily.

Jump_In_Jack · 13-01-2023 4:22pm

I just looked up those Northampton backs and most of them have International caps, so I wouldn't be too cocky about being able to rip them apart out the backs.

I'd say they have a strong experienced 23, so Munster with a relatively inexperienced team by comparison, I think Northampton will be slight favourites, albeit Munster have home advantage.

ulsteru20s · 13-01-2023 4:33pm

Munster looked the significantly better team for portions of the last game, and held up in defense reasonably comfortably against their maul. Not a bonus point win but they should be favorites.

Cookiemunster · 13-01-2023 4:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120103713#Comment_120103713

Northampton have won 2 of their last 7. Munster was won 5 of their last 7. Munster are at home and should have won by more over there, even with being under the cosh with the yellow cards. Northampton are not in any way favourites and the bookies agree with me. Munster are 1/8 favourites and are at +13 for the handicap.

13-01-2023 4:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120103713#Comment_120103713

Nah. Not one of those backs have even 10 caps for their country. There is 16 caps total in their backline versus Munster's 49. Joey Carbery has more than 2x as many caps as their backs combined.

I'd be very surprised if Munster don't win this with a TBP.

Jump_In_Jack · 13-01-2023 4:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120103782#Comment_120103782

I hope the bookies are right

phog · 13-01-2023 5:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120103672#Comment_120103672

Ha, my memory was we were defending our line at the end, must be confused. Yes, I agree we should have won by more over there I suppose what I was intimidating at is that Lawes can hurt us at the breakdown if we're not careful there.

ulsteru20s · 13-01-2023 5:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120103919#Comment_120103919

They’ve selected a back row to attack the lineout instead of the breakdown so that could be a problem. Kendellan was excellent at the breakdown last week on offense. Right on the line stuff.

TRC10 · 13-01-2023 5:38pm

What's the craic with Jeremy Loughman? He was first choice before christmas. Is he injured?

13-01-2023 5:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120104065#Comment_120104065

Yeah, listed in the injury report this week with a thigh injury.

TRC10 · 13-01-2023 7:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120104093#Comment_120104093

Cheers

Brief_Lives · 13-01-2023 8:37pm

Seems like your classic Banana skin game.

I do expect us to win, but not by as much as the bookies say.

Recent games have shown this young team can win ugly. actually any years form can show that.

Lack of second row cover is frustrating. I can only imagine what it is like for the team and staff.

G'wan Munster, hammer them.

MangleBadger · 13-01-2023 9:42pm

I understand selling tickets is not allowed but I got my old man 2 tickets for the game and he is no longer going so they are free to a good home.

sprucemoose · 14-01-2023 1:09am

i honestly wouldnt be surprised if murray not being in the squad is a one-off. we need max points in case we dont get anything in toulouse so casey and patterson makes sense from that point of view. similarly, i wouldnt be at all shocked if murray starts against toulouse

TRC10 · 14-01-2023 1:37am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120106032#Comment_120106032

I find this interesting. Surely you want to take maximum points from every game, and the objective in every game of rugby is to score maximum points, as it gives you the best chance of winning? So if you're dropping a player, because you feel you're likely to score more points without him in the team, surely that just means the player in question, isn't in your best 23. Unless Munster haven't been trying to score maximum points in every game this season until now?

Like, if I was a pro rugby player, and my coach said to me "we're not playing you, because we want to score lots of points in this game and we feel we have a better chance without you", I'd take that as being dropped.

I feel like there's a lot of mental gymnastics going on here. This is Munster's most important game of the season so far. A BP win is imperative, and they think they have a better chance without Murray in the 23. Call me simple, but it seems to me as though he's just been dropped.

aloooof · 14-01-2023 7:22am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120106091#Comment_120106091

This is way too simplistic tho, TRC; it’s not about “scoring the most points”, it’s about winning, and that comes down to gameplan.

Plus, by saying “scoring the most points” you’re also overlooking the defensive side of things. And in that regard, Casey was a large part of the cause for a try vs Toulouse and should’ve been the cause for a penalty try vs Northampton, but the ref didn’t give it. Murray is clearly a better defender.

Plus there’s already precedent for this; Casey started and Patterson was named on the bench for the home game vs Toulouse, with Murray starting the following week away to Northampton.

He had been returning from injury at the time but had trained in the week leading up to the Toulouse game. I definitely think it’s possible he starts next week.

Poorside · 14-01-2023 10:21am

I'd 100% start Murray next week.

lawrencesummers · 14-01-2023 10:27am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120106091#Comment_120106091

Both.

phog · 14-01-2023 11:14am

Leicester's BP win last night probably means we need to win today and next week to get a top 4 position. Clermont are mathematically still in it but I can't see them going to SA and get the win when they couldn't do it at home last night.

Top 4 probably going to be in no particular order Leicester, LAR, Toulouse & Stormers

Poorside · 14-01-2023 1:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120106522#Comment_120106522

After the start to this season I'd be happy with just qualifying really.

Top 4 would be a dream scenario at this stage, would be a good test of the team and the tactics to go away to a top side with better conditions for the game they're trying to play.

Sink or swim, and learn an awful lot.

Poorside · 14-01-2023 1:34pm

And, best case scenario would be getting Exeter.

Neil3030 · 14-01-2023 3:52pm

How's the weather looking in Limerick?

lawrencesummers · 14-01-2023 4:17pm

I think this will be tight until later in the game. Saints are well able to play and disrupt and we are looking for a fast attacking game from the halfbacks axis.

Munster by 9 eventually.

almostover · 14-01-2023 4:27pm

Coombes with an awesome start, the man is a tank.

almostover · 14-01-2023 4:28pm

And that's a red

Lil Fred · 14-01-2023 4:28pm

Red all day

lawrencesummers · 14-01-2023 4:29pm

Never near blocking the ball.

Neil3030 · 14-01-2023 4:30pm

Northampton Hooker must owe the TMO money here 🤣

lawrencesummers · 14-01-2023 4:31pm

Dominating up front already it would be nice to see frisch getting some good attacking opportunity in this game.

Soups123 · 14-01-2023 4:32pm

The ref talked himself into a yellow rather than talked himself to a decision. Bit of ego there not wanting to be over ruled despite the evidence looked a clear red

budhabob · 14-01-2023 4:41pm

Bit frustrated by Casey there, slow in decision making thinking about the advantage....but a great team try & handling nonetheless

lawrencesummers · 14-01-2023 4:42pm

Saints defence was stretched for a long time in that passage of play, the try was inevitable and if anything could have come sooner.

almostover · 14-01-2023 4:43pm

Should be a red also, let's see how consistent the ref is

Brief_Lives · 14-01-2023 4:45pm

I did mention banana peel earlier...

Soups123 · 14-01-2023 4:46pm

That just makes the earlier call look a shocker both reds

bingobango12 · 14-01-2023 4:46pm

Silly from JOD, completely up right. Will likely get a 4 week ban now.

Eoinbmw · 14-01-2023 4:46pm

Clear red but so was the Northampton one so a bit hard to take!

budhabob · 14-01-2023 4:47pm

Stupid dangerous tackle, would have thought Crowley's tackle was a partial mitigation. No major argument but the saints card should have certainly been red too

almostover · 14-01-2023 4:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120107998#Comment_120107998

Ya, no complaints on Jack's red. But the Northampton hoover should have been hitting the showers early too. All we ask for is consistency.

Brief_Lives · 14-01-2023 4:47pm

Speaking of Bananas, this ref is... and he tried his hardest to not give a red to Northampton... they will probably get a couple of cards now...

Not that we need cards... we should be able to handle this english team anyway..

lawrencesummers · 14-01-2023 4:52pm

I can see a difference between the hits, jacks was a stupid shoulder to the head of a player being tackled. He should have been looking for the jackal not a hit.

Brief_Lives · 14-01-2023 5:02pm

Jackal?

letowski · 14-01-2023 5:05pm

Gavin Coombes has been exceptional in the first 40. Powerful carries, 2 tries, 2 turnovers, the try assist too. He is a class player.

lawrencesummers · 14-01-2023 5:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120108098#Comment_120108098

The carrier was being well tackled, no need to make the hit, jack should have waited and if he kept the ball he can get over it.

almostover · 14-01-2023 5:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120108117#Comment_120108117

He has been really good since the Autumn Internationals when he was released from the national squad. Good sign of a guy to see how he has responded to being dropped.

Neil3030 · 14-01-2023 5:11pm

40 minutes with 14 men will be a big ask, but the defense has shown up very well so far with a man disadvantage.

Hope I don't jinx it but the TBP is looking a lot more likely than a Saints comeback right now.

Brief_Lives · 14-01-2023 5:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120108122#Comment_120108122

yea, totally correct... (thumbs up icon)

ulsteru20s · 14-01-2023 5:14pm

Yea, i thought both cards were correct. JOD was a stonewall red.

TomsOnTheRoof · 14-01-2023 5:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120108197#Comment_120108197

Agreed. The ref has been excellent and his line of reasoning for both cards was pretty solid.

Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

Comments