Serb wrote: ↑November 20th, 2023, 12:46 pm
You'd have to expect a very comfortable win here. I think a 9 point margin from the bookies is generous to Munster. They've been nothing short of awful so far this season from the games I've watched. Despite the results being slightly better, I think they're playing worse than this time last season.
The scrum is a real issue for them, Ulster and Stormers dismantled it (Stormers did it without Fourie and Malherbe). The attack looks pretty blunt too, they're relying on mauls really to get over the line which can be effective for them. The only game the attack looked remotely effective was vs the Dragons who are shite, but also had their 7 best players in a Wales team that was playing the Barbarians on the same day.
Plus for Munster is that their defence and lineout are both still excellent, but did I read that O'Mahony is going to be out for this game? I think that's a huge blow for the lineout in that case.
Overall, I think I'd expect something similar to the same game last season, a two score+ win.
A word to the wise though....... while what you say is true, it has been my experience that over the last 12 or so years when we've been batein' Munster regularly, that their best performances have been from weakened teams when they're not expected to win and the pressure is off. They tend to relax and play much better. It's when the pressures on and they need to get a result against us they normally go to bits.
Even their run in through the knock outs of the URC last year had a small wiff of teams taking them just a tad lighter then they should have. Remember the Stormers celebrating when they found out they wouldn't be facing us in the final?
Degz wrote: ↑November 20th, 2023, 1:22 pm
I mean, is there no other refs other than Frank focking Murphy???
It's a bit of a throw back to the amateur era when derbies were at Christmas and refs didn't want to travel. For one of the biggest games in the URC calendar in front of a big crowds it's hard to understand. You couldn't imagine it happening in any other top sport.
I was away and missed the window to upgrade my season ticket seat back in Sept, and noticed that the season ticket seat is the standard, utter dogshit one behind the goals.
It's really annoying how they treat the season ticket holders in this regard.
I'm not seeing what a lot of others are when they say Munster are pretty poor. Their defence is excellent, and their attack is probably more potent over the last year than at any other time since as long as I've been watching rugby (since 2000/2001). The way they're trying to play is light years ahead of what they were doing under van Graan. It's far more sophisticated, and they're a lot more skilful and technically sound. Tough game coming up, I think.
FtD wrote: ↑November 20th, 2023, 5:24 pm
I was away and missed the window to upgrade my season ticket seat back in Sept, and noticed that the season ticket seat is the standard, utter dogshit one behind the goals. It's really annoying how they treat the season ticket holders in this regard.
It really is poor. If we miss the move window (we always get much better seats for no additional cost) I simply don't go, the seat is that sh!t. They talk about valuing the fans and the support offered then proceed to select the worst seats in the ground and put us all there (with an option to move).
FtD wrote: ↑November 20th, 2023, 10:38 am
Rowntree also having a general whinge about injuries etc (the Munster Way) in that piece. Thinks POM and JOD are out for "weeks".
I don't understand why they keep referencing Keith Earls' retirement as part of their squad issues - "We had two back-three players (Keith Earls and Andrew Conway) retire last month..."
They surely knew about Earls' plans to retire months ago.
They're taking a punt on 2 wingers because they can't be sure on either of them. You can't say that outy loud though.
Is there anything to said for them signing another centre?
Probably more useful to say another mass…
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"Oh, I used to be disgusted, and now I try to be amused!"
leinsterforever wrote: ↑November 20th, 2023, 6:56 pm
I'm not seeing what a lot of others are when they say Munster are pretty poor. Their defence is excellent, and their attack is probably more potent over the last year than at any other time since as long as I've been watching rugby (since 2000/2001). The way they're trying to play is light years ahead of what they were doing under van Graan. It's far more sophisticated, and they're a lot more skilful and technically sound. Tough game coming up, I think.
Their attack isn’t that good at the moment. They had an easy start to the season and look very limited against better teams. I don’t think it’s lost on anyone they’re trying a lot more than they would have under JVG. But it looks like they’re learning how to catch and pass again like they were last season. They’ve a lot of scope to improve in season but they don’t look like the team that finished the season(and maybe that’s design).
Ruddock's tackle stats consistently too low for me to be taken seriously as a Six Nations blindside..... Ruddock's defensive stats don't stack up. - All Blacks Nil, Jan 15th, 2014
England A 8 - 14 Ireland A, 25th Jan 2014 Ruddock(c) 19/2 Tackles
leinsterforever wrote: ↑November 20th, 2023, 6:56 pm
I'm not seeing what a lot of others are when they say Munster are pretty poor. Their defence is excellent, and their attack is probably more potent over the last year than at any other time since as long as I've been watching rugby (since 2000/2001). The way they're trying to play is light years ahead of what they were doing under van Graan. It's far more sophisticated, and they're a lot more skilful and technically sound. Tough game coming up, I think.
It's always a tough game, except when we send out our thirds against their firsts in Thomond.
"POC will not be going to Toulon" - All Blacks nil » May 27th, 2015, 12:18 am
sounds like keeping it close will be a victory in itself.
It's funny reading that from a Leinster perspective there is an incredible amount of downplaying as you suggest. Read it from a Munster perspective it will be seen as over-hyping Leinster from a Dublin based meeja. However, I wonder is it just realistic?
"POC will not be going to Toulon" - All Blacks nil » May 27th, 2015, 12:18 am
