Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

snotboogie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120477149#Comment_120477149

Yep, Rowntree has gone very conservative with selection over the last few months. Some of it may be down to injury but it seems like he's really tightened up. He started Campbell and Phillips with Edogbo and Quinn on the bench at the start of the season on the back of two bad losses when the whole team was under the pump and went on to win a high pressure game against Zebre. Two weeks later he started with Campbell at 15 and Edogbo at second row with Ahern on the bench for another high pressure game after a bad loss to Connacht. That team smashed the Bulls. All 5 of those players have disappeared over the last two months despite being listed as fit. Pre season he was picking Okeke before his injury but again he's been fit for two months yet nowhere to be seen.

Our pack looks to be the dreaded combination of light and slow. Who's going to carry in that pack? Are they going to ask Coombs to do it all or are we hoping and praying that Snyman has rediscovered his fitness and form to take on some of that load? You would think that one of more of Ahern, Edogbo, Quinn, Okeke or Campbell could add heft, power and speed off the bench but instead we have Wycherly, JOD and Earls.

stephen_n

That’s a strong Stormers team. Big ask for Munster. LBP or TBP would probably be a good result.

aloooof

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120477268#Comment_120477268

Yep, Rowntree has gone very conservative with selection over the last few months.

Extremely harsh on Rowntree, imo.

He started Campbell and Phillips with Edogbo and Quinn on the bench at the start of the season on the back of two bad losses when the whole team was under the pump and went on to win a high pressure game against Zebre.

With regards Philips and Campbell, wasn't this during the EI tour? If so, they were literally our only back-3 players available because of injuries to Haley, Zebo, Liam Coombes, Earls and Conway, and Daly and Dash away with the EI tour.

We had nobody else. And besides, Daly and Nash have been 2 of our best players of the season so far; they're both now justified 1st choice.

With regards Edogbo and Ahern, they've both had injury issues.

Cookiemunster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120477268#Comment_120477268

Campbell started the Scarlets game, which was only 3 games ago, and has 10 senior appearances this season. Edogbo had 7 appearances before he got injured. Would he have gotten that exposure earlier in the season if Snyman had been fit?

And as said above Edogbo and Ahern have been out injured for 4 or 5 months, never mind the last two.

Quinn was away with the u20s for the last two months. Although he was released back to us for the Benetton game the week before the tournament started as we were down to bare bones.

I do laugh at the idea of Zebre being a high pressure game too. It was one we were always going to win despite the bad start to the season.

snotboogie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120477499#Comment_120477499

As I said Rowntree took big risks in selection earlier in the season. Which is why we've seen the likes of Campbell and Edogbo get so much gametime. I've seen that largely dissapate away as the season has gone on.

I think we are going into this game with a very light slow pack that lacks ball carrying. Our bench, with the exception of Casey, lacks impact players. I would have liked to have seen Rowntree take more risks to mitigate against that. We have less experienced players who can add size and athleticism. Just my uninformed opinion, lets see what happens on Saturday. I'd love to be wrong.

aloooof

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120477575#Comment_120477575

But Campbell got gametime in part because we had literally nobody else. Edogbo's opportunities have dissipated because he's been injured. I think it's a really harsh reading of Rowntree's selections.

I'd agree with regards the pack, tho, but that's who we have. Hopefully Snyman can take some of the carrying load off Coombes, and we saw him get his hands free a tonne in contact vs Sharks.

mahoney_j

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120477235#Comment_120477235

better boot to kick corners and balls in behind defences …..badly needed when your pack is been beaten …..

mun1

Campbell got injured during warmup in young munster game v garryowen last week, so assume thats why he didnt travel

Hopefully Carberry is picked next week and there is nothing amiss. Munster aside any injuries before the World Cup and Carbery could be right back into the fold, would be great if he closes out the season positively and is in a good headspace going into the Summer break.

Not worried about that pack going up against the Stormers, lots of experience - plenty of grunt in the second row and Loughman will make a difference up front. Sharks didn't look great shakes last night but my take on them is that they turn it on when they need to and can be bang average otherwise. I'd rather not be going there badly needing a result so leaving the table standings aside I'd be going all out for a win today.

First 20 minutes is key, Munster can't wait until half time to start playing rugby and there has to be a reaction after the last couple of weeks. If the season falls apart at this stage Rowntree is going to be under a lot of pressure next year and I don't see that as being particularly helpful.

Brief_Lives

just to update some munsterfans..... ex munster coach Nienaber..... drum roll................

https://twitter.com/leinsterrugby/status/1647208597326032896?s=20

Lil Fred

What’s the story with Champion Cup qualification? Will 8th be enough for Munster or does there need to be a Welsh team meaning 7th is needed?

Eod100

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120480960#Comment_120480960

At least 7th ya as Cardiff currently top of the Welsh shield and 10th.

CIARAN_BOYLE

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120480960#Comment_120480960

The Welsh shield winner gets a place.

The urc winner needs to be there so if the 8th place team wins the urc then 6th is needed.

The challenge cup winner needs to be there so if the 8 place team wins the urc and treviso or scarlets win the challenge cup 5th would be needed.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Wonderful start from Munster.

CIARAN_BOYLE

The commentator made the point that Munster have only lost 5 scrums on their own put in this season in the URC.

leakyboots

Bizarre bit of refereeing there with the high shot

realhorrorshow

Snyman looking sharp.

Brief_Lives

This music between stoppages will drive me further up the walls than I already feel I am...

kuang1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120481622#Comment_120481622

Very much so. Almost every ball he's got so far has ended up with an offload.

AdamD

Hands in his face twice there..

KH25

That’s not just a penalty.

Clegg

Stormers imploding.

KH25

That’s a brilliant try.

CIARAN_BOYLE

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120481636#Comment_120481636

I've a big thing about hands in the face. I think a red would have been an appropriate sanction.

Munster with a second try. Kleyn and Snyman are a powerful locking duo. Munster look to get a win to secure playoffs and European Champions Cup rugby.

leakyboots

Snynan's handling is outrageous. Constantly looking to offload, passes behind his back, superb skills.He's a gamechanger for us. A combo of him and Kleyn with Edogbo on the bench is plenty of oomph

Jump_In_Jack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120481661#Comment_120481661

A win won’t guarantee Champions Cup yet

leakyboots

POM is a man possessed out there

CIARAN_BOYLE

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120481673#Comment_120481673

True.

It will guarantee top 7 which should mean Champions Cup but if someone who doesn't otherwise qualify wins the challenge cup or the URC it won't

leakyboots

Jesus Fekitoa

Clegg

Unfortunate for Fekitoa. Read that kick well, but he and Daly got mixed up in the fielding.

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120481673#Comment_120481673

Ah it guarantees 6th which is as good as. Would take a ridiculous set of circumstances for a non-EPCR qualified team to win the URC.

kuang1

So 5-5 for the duration of their yellow card.

That's disappointing.

Brief_Lives

Coombes needs to wake up... I haven't heard his name once.

realhorrorshow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120481694#Comment_120481694

What if Scarlets or Benetton win the Challenge Cup?

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120481721#Comment_120481721

They would take the spot of the 7th placed team.

realhorrorshow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120481728#Comment_120481728

Sorry yes of course, didn't think that through.

Clegg

Crowley's struggling a bit. Waved through the Stormers 12 in that tackle attempt.

Clegg

Munster have done well to not concede scrum penalties against Stormers. Excellent job from the pack.

kuang1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120481766#Comment_120481766

Yeah think Barron and Loughman have been v good.

Burkie1203

That maul was collapsed in front of the ref

leakyboots

Coombes has put in a massive defensive shift today

Neil3030

If Dweeba could even achieve 60-70% accuracy with his darts he'd be the best hooker in the world.

Clegg

I feel like if you can limit your mistakes then you take away one of Stormers biggest weapons. They're lethal in transition, but their phase play isn't the most threatening.

CIARAN_BOYLE

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120481868#Comment_120481868

Its almost at the point where they should ask around to see if anyone else wants to throw the ball into the lineout.

Ben Healy on for Crowley. I didn't think Healy would get 25 minutes unless there was an injury.

Brief_Lives

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120481868#Comment_120481868

he destroyed coombes' hip in a clearout a while ago from a km away, ref said nothing. He was unable to contain himself from the goading POM gave him in the first half.

he's out of control and won't last well in a world cup game, if selected.. i hope he is.

leakyboots

That's brilliant after absorbing all that pressure

Neil3030

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120481886#Comment_120481886

Maybe they should sign the Dragons scrum half!

pickarooney

How are Munster ahead!?

Neil3030

We... eh... need to have an uncomfortable conversation at some point about Ben Healy....

Clegg

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120481886#Comment_120481886

Could have been the plan the give Healy 25 minutes, but I don't think Crowley was having a good game either. Brought on at the right time.