Pro14 QF: Munster vs Benetton, Sat 4th May 3pm

razorblunt

Owens really needs to consider moving on. I don’t imagine he’ll have a goodbye season and milk it for all it’s worth.

He was coaching players through situations there, that’s not his role. He also ballsed up the communication with his ARs wanting them to tell him the offence before he pinged.


Special mention to Whitehouse’s shîhousery of allowing JJ line the kick up before telling Owens to move him back.

mfceiling

Did anyone ever hear the expression

"You're as lucky as a dog with 2 mickeys"

Munster must have used up 8 of their 9 lives today!!

Squatter

yerrahbah wrote: »

Leinster game next week could be ugly

It certainly could - the Sarries second string have just mulched Exeter - I hope Leinster weren't watching.

leakyboots

Any spare tickets for the semi?

Tigerandahalf

Munster need to drop Bleyendal and Murray. They offer no threat to the gainline. Murray is carrying his neck.

Fair play to Benetton. Made it a good game.

stephen_n

Deleted User wrote: »

Munster can't be that bad again. Were well beaten and two really poor calls by Owens manufactured the difference between the teams.

Munster will be a different team in the semi final, but that's as ladyboy a pack performance as I've seen in a long time.

That was said after Edinburgh, Saracens and again today. A broken clock will be right eventually but there’s little sign it will happen soon.

Larbre34

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Munster will be a different team in the semi

How so?

That Saracens trouncing has gutted their confidence. Winning against the Connacht 3rds now looks like what it was.

thomond2006

Munster were terrible last season against Edinburgh and then went close at the RDS. Leinster will be huge favourites. Perfect.

Clegg

Torn on the semi in two weeks time. On the one hand Leinster will be tired after the Champions Cup final. But on the other Munster look so poorly coached that their extra rest may not matter so much.

Leinster were a better team last season and barely beat Munster in the semi. I'll say the Southerners are marginal favourites.

thomond2006

Munster, I mean, we're just glad to be here and sure we'll see what happens.

Shefwedfan

Squatter wrote: »

It certainly could - the Sarries second string have just mulched Exeter - I hope Leinster weren't watching.

What difference does that make?

Former Former

Former Former wrote: »

This is going to be an absolute hiding. Benetton will do well to finish within 20 points.

Nailed it.

awec

Clegg wrote: »

Torn on the semi in two weeks time. On the one hand Leinster will be tired after the Champions Cup final. But in the other Munster look so poorly coached that their extra rest may not matter so much.

Leinster were a better team last season and barely beat Munster in the semi. I'll say the Southerners are marginal favourites.

:pac:

Unless Munster improve ten fold on today they'll be beat out the gate in the RDS.

Shefwedfan

awec wrote: »

:pac:

Unless Munster improve ten fold on today they'll be beat out the gate in the RDS.

By the second team

thomond2006

awec wrote: »

:pac:

Unless Munster improve ten fold on today they'll be beat out the gate in the RDS.

Course we will. No chance.

Suspectman123

Burkie1203 wrote: »

I wonder will Barry Murphy be posting video clips of Nigel riding Benetton

Was thinking the exact same
Nigel Owens was a disgrace
Clearly ignored a maul penalty by touchy with 15 to go, Stander hands on the ground for penalty, John Ryan cannot pick up the ball as ruck is formed, he can stay in the space but not pick it up
Giving dressing downs to Treviso players getting pumped up!!!!...the guy needs to be retired, he’s a joke

Roll on semi anyway, no doubt different Munster will show up to the RDS I’ve no doubt

errlloyd

Gutted for Bennetton. Particularly because it would have meant the world to them, but Munster didn't give a ****.

Squatter

Shefwedfan wrote: »

What difference does that make?

We'll see next Saturday.

thomond2006

So annoyed at Nigel Owens with his anti-Munster agenda, moving that kick back. JJ showed him!

thebaz

errlloyd wrote: »

Gutted for Bennetton. Particularly because it would have meant the world to them, but Munster didn't give a ****.

really would have been good for tournamnet and rugby in general - but yet again offials favour the bigger more powerful nations

yerrahbah

Wouldn't be a Munster match thread without people giving out about the ref

Clegg

awec wrote: »

:pac:

Unless Munster improve ten fold on today they'll be beat out the gate in the RDS.

We had a deeper squad last season. Jordi and Joey are gone this year and they're the guys who started and came on as subs in both finals.

Ball is in Munster's court.

Tomtom364

I'm shocked how many people on here think the John Ryan call was a penalty.

Counter ruck, blow your man backwards, get your foot over the ball and you 100% are allowed to pick it up. It's the textbook way to win a counter ruck!

Edit to add: Nigel was shouting at pom to go back and not contribute to the counter ruck as he regained his feet to the side of John Ryan as he was offside. And he did as told. Nigel wasn't talking to Ryan.

razorblunt

So many facets of the game there where Munster were horrible. So many missed tackles too straight forward enough one up tackles too. That little dance Haley does before contact is head wrecking.

Once more Murray was way off the level required. No idea why he’s being persisted with in his current form.

shootermacg

yerrahbah wrote: »

Wouldn't be a Munster match thread without people giving out about the ref

Wouldn't be a munster thread without people saying how gutted they are that Benetton lost

leakyboots

Tomtom364 wrote: »

I'm shocked how many people on here think the John Ryan call was a penalty.

Counter ruck, blow your man backwards, get your foot over the ball and you 100% are allowed to pick it up. It's the textbook way to win a counter ruck!

Venjur reckoned he was off his feet, maybe he was - need to see it again. I thought it was fine myself

Buer

Larbre34 wrote:

How so?

Not a hope they don't turn up the physicality and commitment hugely for the match. I cannot see there being anything other than single digits between them at the end.

Regardless of today, Munster do not concede many points. They can be crap all day in attack every week and never be stuffed.

leakyboots

Eir (annoyingly) don't have a phase counter but we went through a serious amount of phases in our half twice before drop goals without giving away a penalty, impressive stuff.

Murray isn't in as poor form as people are making out at all.

I'd be starting JJ if Carberry is out. Hopefully Earls is back - he's have pinned his ears back and gone for the corner for the chance that Sweetnam cut infield for.

troyzer

https://twitter.com/GLove39/status/1124707464631476224?s=19

awec

leakyboots wrote: »

Venjur reckoned he was off his feet, maybe he was - need to see it again. I thought it was fine myself

Stander was definitely off his feet for the winning penalty. Only reason he didn't completely fall over was he put his hands on the ground to support his weight.

Tigerandahalf

leakyboots wrote: »

Venjur reckoned he was off his feet, maybe he was - need to see it again. I thought it was fine myself

I think it depends on whether a player from the ruck was still attached to Ryan. If they weren't he should be fine picking up the ball.

Treviso didn't deserve to win - 2 drop goal attempts and neither were close.

awec

Also, the TMO called a penalty to Treviso in the maul before Ryan's turnover, but Owens just completely ignored it.

Shefwedfan

I have no idea why Munster have kept Bleyendaal, it is such a waste of money. He is nowhere near good enough and spends most of the time with an injury. When he is fit he is not up to standards, they would be better investing in one of the younger players

troyzer

Shefwedfan wrote: »

When he is fit he is not up to standards, they would be better investing in one of the younger players

Is that what they call taking Leinster players these days?

troyzer

troyzer wrote: »

https://twitter.com/GLove39/status/1124707464631476224?s=19

That's an absolute shocker. I didn't see the match, this is what won Munster the game? Treviso should be livid. They have a channel to give feedback on the ref, right?

troyzer

Nathalia Rough Steam wrote: »

That's an absolute shocker. I didn't see the match, this is what won Munster the game? Treviso should be livid. They have a channel to give feedback on the ref, right?

Yeah, led to the winning penalty.

This is just after Nigel ignored a Treviso advantage and invented a new rule to allow Munster to put their hands in the ruck.

Akrasia

Treviso were unbelievably good today. Munster, despite the comments on here, didnt make that many errors. We were blunt in attack and played too narrow, but we still dominated territory and posession. Benetton just punished us and looked so dangerous every time they got the ball.

Cloete played like a man posessed, Kleyn and POM were everywhere, CJ might have carried too much at times but he certainly can't be accused of not trying hard enough. Both out halves kicked from the tee when needed. Munster would have lost this game last year

Munster got lucky today, and huge respect to the visitors. If the Ulster v Connacht game is this tight and competitive then we as supporters will be doing well from the day

Clegg

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I have no idea why Munster have kept Bleyendaal, it is such a waste of money. He is nowhere near good enough and spends most of the time with an injury. When he is fit he is not up to standards, they would be better investing in one of the younger players

He was good in the 16-17 season when he had a full run of fitness. Since then he's had his long term neck injury to deal with.

Needs to get his confidence back to take the ball to the line. That's something that Sexton lost for a while this season. In the Six Nations he took it to the line before releasing the ball. He got injured against Scotland for it. It wasn't until the Toulouse game that he regained the confidence to bring it to the line. And he looked his world player of the year best again.

Akrasia

awec wrote: »

Also, the TMO called a penalty to Treviso in the maul before Ryan's turnover, but Owens just completely ignored it.

He ignored his touch judge earlier in the game when it could have affected Benettons try...

troyzer

Akrasia wrote: »

He ignored his touch judge earlier in the game when it could have affected Benettons try...

No he didn't. He asked the touch judge if he had seen anything and he said no.

Nigel made a complete balls of it today. It's okay to admit that Munster shouldn't have won.

Akrasia

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I have no idea why Munster have kept Bleyendaal, it is such a waste of money. He is nowhere near good enough and spends most of the time with an injury. When he is fit he is not up to standards, they would be better investing in one of the younger players

Good quality out halves are rare and hard to come by.

Apparently he has a really good rugby brain and coaching ability. I think they're playing the long game and plan on moving him into the backroom team. Plus, we know where his level is, its elite. He just needs to play himself back into that form

Akrasia

troyzer wrote: »

No he didn't. He asked the touch judge if he had seen anything and he said no.

Nigel made a complete balls of it today. It's okay to admit that Munster shouldn't have won.

Munster were very lucky to win. I think Benetton were the better team.

Shefwedfan

Clegg wrote: »

He was good in the 16-17 season when he had a full run of fitness. Since then he's had his long term neck injury to deal with.

Needs to get his confidence back to take the ball to the line. That's something that Sexton lost for a while this season. In the Six Nations he took it to the line before releasing the ball. He got injured against Scotland for it. It wasn't until the Toulouse game that he regained the confidence to bring it to the line. And he looked his world player of the year best again.

Not sure why you are using Sexton as an example?

Bleyendall has been with Munster since 2015. He has played 55 times in 4 years. So just over 10 games per season for a player that has no international duty. Not much return on wages

People point to the 16-17 season but that was his big season and he was woeful in the most important match. Munster ran Keatley out of the club because he didn't perform in a semi final. Two semi's now Bleyendaal hasn't performed and still around....

It makes no sense. Or put it this way, if Munster didn't resign him, who else was looking for him?

Former Former

Clegg wrote: »

He was good in the 16-17 season when he had a full run of fitness. Since then he's had his long term neck injury to deal with.

Needs to get his confidence back to take the ball to the line. That's something that Sexton lost for a while this season. In the Six Nations he took it to the line before releasing the ball. He got injured against Scotland for it. It wasn't until the Toulouse game that he regained the confidence to bring it to the line. And he looked his world player of the year best again.

At some point you have to say that a guy's historic form just doesn't matter any more. Waiting three years for a guy to rediscover an OK run of form isn't a good way to plan a rugby team.

JJH is no better btw

Munster need a lot of recruitment. The current squad is just not good enough. They are utterly dependent on four players.

Akrasia

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Not sure why you are using Sexton as an example?

Bleyendall has been with Munster since 2015. He has played 55 times in 4 years. So just over 10 games per season for a player that has no international duty. Not much return on wages

People point to the 16-17 season but that was his big season and he was woeful in the most important match. Munster ran Keatley out of the club because he didn't perform in a semi final. Two semi's now Bleyendaal hasn't performed and still around....

It makes no sense. Or put it this way, if Munster didn't resign him, who else was looking for him?

Munster didnt 'run Keatley out of the club'. And certainly not after just one bad performance

thomond2006

Munster are saddled with their contracts for the next two seasons. Bill Johnston is under contract for only next season. Unfortunately there's no room for recruitment at 10, a lot rests on Carbery.

It's already been confirmed that the attack coaching is being looked at.

Hobosan

Benetton were robbed. If you ignore the 3 butchered tries, 2 butchered drop goals and kicking the ball away which gave Munster the field position for the winning points and the inconsistent maul penalties.

Absolutely robbed.

Shefwedfan

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster are saddled with their contracts for the next two seasons. Bill Johnston is under contract for only next season. Unfortunately there's no room for recruitment at 10, a lot rests on Carbery.

It's already been confirmed that the attack coaching is being looked at.

They have only resigned Bleyedaal. He should of been let go

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro14/munster-have-extended-tyler-bleyendaal-s-contract-1.3800249

Clegg

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Not sure why you are using Sexton as an example?

Bleyendall has been with Munster since 2015. He has played 55 times in 4 years. So just over 10 games per season for a player that has no international duty. Not much return on wages

People point to the 16-17 season but that was his big season and he was woeful in the most important match. Munster ran Keatley out of the club because he didn't perform in a semi final. Two semi's now Bleyendaal hasn't performed and still around....

It makes no sense. Or put it this way, if Munster didn't resign him, who else was looking for him?

Using Sexton coz it's a good example of what an injury can do to the confidence of a 10. In the Scotland game he was at his world player of the year best. He was bringing it to the line and releasing the ball at the last second to a runner to break the line. Then he shipped an injury. He left himself open to a late hit because he played right on the fine edge. It took him two months after that injury to find his form again. And he only missed essentially 60 minutes of a game.

Now imagine how long it would take fo someone who'd missed an entire season through injury to find his form again?

thomond2006

Shefwedfan wrote: »

They have only resigned Bleyedaal. He should of been let go

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro14/munster-have-extended-tyler-bleyendaal-s-contract-1.3800249

They re-signed both Bleyendaal and JJ.
They're grand as backups but I'd like to see Johnston get opportunities.