Pro 14 Semi-final vs Munster, Friday Sept 4th, 7.35pm

[neiliog93]

Somewhat grabby comments from ROG before the game;

“Tonight is about Munster at Leinster at the Aviva Stadium. A win for the visitors in the Pro14 semi-final would be the biggest lift to the province in donkey’s years. And not just for the professional team. For everyone south of the Curragh who loves their rugby.

Not every thought is red. I wonder sometimes about Leinster too. Their age profile, that ‘middle tier’ demographic. Loads of experience and plenty of freshman talent. Not so sure in between. There are perceived Leinster strengths which could be weaknesses before they know it.”

His south of the Curragh comment is a bit cheap - might have had truth in it 12 years ago but is largely false today. There'll always be a few lingering Lunsters, of course.

[ronk]

Somewhat grabby comments from ROG before the game;

“Tonight is about Munster at Leinster at the Aviva Stadium. A win for the visitors in the Pro14 semi-final would be the biggest lift to the province in donkey’s years. And not just for the professional team. For everyone south of the Curragh who loves their rugby.

Not every thought is red. I wonder sometimes about Leinster too. Their age profile, that ‘middle tier’ demographic. Loads of experience and plenty of freshman talent. Not so sure in between. There are perceived Leinster strengths which could be weaknesses before they know it.”

His south of the Curragh comment is a bit cheap - might have had truth in it 12 years ago but is largely false today. There'll always be a few lingering Lunsters, of course.

That’s him setting himself up for the next Munster job.

[Flash Gordon]

The comments on Munsterfans are just so silly. Too many Cork forwards and none from Limerick, the fees aren’t high enough in Munster private schools, time to take Frawley from Leinster.....

All in all, very little respect for Leinster. They seem to think Munster players are inherently better than their Leinster counterparts, and that their club is inherently more attractive to play for.

I was recently reading a book about the antebellum south in the US. One passage focussed on their overconfidence and lack of respect for northerners fighting abilities prior to the war. It affected their strategies and caused them to neglect their logistics plan.

Now this might be the cider talking (I’ve had a few) but one quote from a Texan named Sam Huston read like a warning to Munster circa 2009; “They are not a fiery, impulsive people as you are, for they live in colder climates, but when they begin to move in a given direction, they move with move with the steady momentum and perseverance of a mighty avalanche.”

What I find strange is. When there are discussions on here about particular Munster players who we (Leinster fans) are indifferent to there is always a sort of anger thrown back and an accusation of a lack of respect by us. If you read their forum now they want rid of Archy (Archer), Scanns (Scannell), Billy who you would always love to go into battle with he is the heart beat of the team (Holland), double Jesus (Hanrahan), Murr (Murray). The same lads they have wanted picked for Ireland for years, the lads they were disgusted when anyone else said anything remotely offensive about. They are like a caricature of themselves.

Who cares what they think.

The reality of the situation at Munster is that their academy has not been producing for years and when it does they don't pick players coming through. Ulster have the same issue (there were only 5 players from the North starting for them at the weekend).

Similarly, their game plan hasn't moved since 2008.

They need a 5-10 year plan and a coaching staff not stuck in the dark ages.

From our side, this was a good physical test and there were improvements on areas of vulnerability - the lineout, the breakdown - but we are still not firing and we are running out of time in advance of the Saracens game.

[Theleinsterlad]

Think there is a lot of pent up nervousness around here that grew over the lockdown months and now is transferring to how we believe our team has got worse since covid and sarries have become juggernauts after. Reality is far away from that. Leinster are improving game by game and yes little mistakes are costing us at key attacking times but the foundation is still good and strong. Sarries are solid but not fantastic at present and didn’t have the greatest game at the weekend. It will be a struggle that both teams could win

[joooooe]

17: metres gained from 33 ball carries by Munster forwards against Leinster
52: metres gained from 14 ball carries by Caelan Doris against Munster

12: number of times Conor Murray was asked to "use it" by the referee against Leinster
1: number of times Luke McGrath and Jamison Gibson Park (combined) were asked to "use it" by the referee against Munster

[OTT]

17: metres gained from 33 ball carries by Munster forwards against Leinster
52: metres gained from 14 ball carries by Caelan Doris against Munster

12: number of times Conor Murray was asked to "use it" by the referee against Leinster
1: number of times Luke McGrath and Jamison Gibson Park (combined) were asked to "use it" by the referee against Munster

The first bit is lovely reading. Well done Doris

The second bit can't be true because in my blue tinted glasses I was moaning about the ref only asking Leinster to "use it" and allowing Munster sit on posession?