To win in Capetown is improbable, to win there twice in a row is nigh impossible. To win an away final there when it’s your 6th away game on the trot is simply outrageous.
The potential for this group of players and coaches is through the roof. Cool heads and balls of steel.
It’s World Cup final week so may as well get this out of the way
I should preface this by saying I think Farrell should be giving the next full WC cycle to rectify things. He’s been great but not prone to errors.
Where did Farrell go wrong?
The 5 Cs
I watch a good bit of French Rugby and you’ll never see the home crowd in the Mayol as quiet as they were in the second half.
There’s no better side in Europe to support than Munster and there’s no side with as good a support as Munster.
Those are facts.
You know what annoys me most about this?
Not that Pearse didn’t see a penalty in it or the dog shot from Snyman.
It’s that RG walked back right past Kelleher and Ryan after knocking out their 9 and they were too afraid to do anything about it. None of the Irish players did.
Just a reminder that we could have been watching Arg v Sam today in Fitzgerald stadium in Killarney or Eng v Chile tomorrow in Castlebar if World Rugby had had a transparent and honest bidding process for this World Cup.
Ireland would have knocked it out of the park
I’ve probably got 100 favourite o Mahony moments & when I think back on them they’ve all got the same theme - never a backward step,first to stand up for a team mate and v little concern for his own well being. Born leader.
Easily the best backrow that Ireland has produced.
If you know me you know what a fan of Tadhg Beirne I am and I’m always singing his praises but that performance today is up there with one of the all time great individual performances for Ireland. Physical, smart and an engine like a tractor. I counted 8 turnover plays. Unreal
As fantastic as it sounds, and itd be fantastic for SA to go out in those circumstances - I’d rather get into bed with a rabid Hyena than come to an arrangement that would help Scotland Rugby after they voted against Irelands RWC bid.
I was thoroughly impressed by John Hodnetts performance on the weekend. He did it all but I particularly enjoyed him putting VDF in his pocket every time they bumped into each other
With Keenan absent for the South Africa tour, Ireland could do worse than bringing Zebo. Playing out of his skin at the moment. Farrell is all about playing his best 15 for every game and the best FB in the country at the moment is Zeebs
I was critical of how passive Ireland were after the first test, especially around the Casey injury so it was good to see them a bit more belligerent yesterday.
Even Garry getting stuck in with Stu to not let PTSD have his whinge at the full time whistle.
You’d be hard pushed to name a guy in any team sport who’s captained a first class side at the age of 21 let alone go on to captain a side for ten years in rugby.
Phenomenal leader on top of everything else he is phenomenal at.
All going well Peter O’Mahony will become the first Irish back rower to get 100 caps for his country tomorrow.
Can you name 6 other backrows with 100 caps for their country from a Six Nations team?
Have a cut off it before you Google or check the answers. RT it if you’re stuck
Not sure how the official motm was Ox Nche - a home town call maybe but I’d have given it to Conor Murray. Important on both sides of the ball and just cool hand luked it for 70 ish minutes.
Crowley went into beast mode for the ten minutes of the yellow
He really grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck - was melting guys in the tackle, nuking rucks & scoring his first try for Munster
JC is turning into the top rugby player in the country
There’s a literal tonne of favourite Conway scores you could post but I always liked this one. Looked like the moment was gone but he stood up 3 welsh defenders to get the score.
AC always gave 100%, never less.
Zebo has played two games this season, both against Leinster, both with Keenan as his opposite man, lost both times and still the better full back on both days out of the two.
Don’t be surprised to see him sniffing around the Irish squad come February.
Simon Zebo normally the one bagging tries at Thomond Park but he was on hand to deny Leinster one after Max Deegan wreaked some havoc in that Limerick squall 🔴🔵
Genuinely delighted for Doris, it’s well earned
But
The end of the season could see 10 central contracts in Leinster while the other 3 clubs have 3 between them. That’s 10 internationals that Leinster don’t have to pay wages for.
Nucifora is leaving behind a broken system.
At the start of 2022 Munster had 4 young international 10s, all hungry for game time
Before next season Munster will need to go to the transfer market for a NIQ 10 or bring in someone from another province of lesser quality than what we had
Nuciforas legacy is a broken system
Question for over the coffee this morning
Can you name a club team that has beaten New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Ireland,The Barbarians anddd the Crusaders?
RT if you’re not sure.
Nice interview here with GR. I wouldn’t swap Rowntree for anyone at the moment. Right guy at the right time in Munster. No airs or graces and always forthright and personable. Sound shkin.
Question for over the coffee this morning
Can you name a club team that has beaten New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Ireland and the Barbarians?
Just the one answer to this one. RT if you’re not sure.
Genuinely delighted for Sheehan, it’s well earned
But
By the summer we will see 10 central contracts in Leinster while the other 3 clubs have 3 between them. That’s 3 times more with one to spare than the 3 poor cousins combined
Nucifora is leaving behind a broken system
Crowley had a dinger of a game yesterday to back up the dinger he had against France
You can see when he’s got the ball in hand how much he enjoys rugby
Plenty of room to improve too but nobody is perfect in rugby apart from John Eales & Tadhg Beirne
Just a reality check on the transforming Irish rugby craic
- Irish clubs won 5 H cups in 2003-13 vs 1 in the decade since.
- Number of clubs has decreased in the domestic game
- women’s rugby has gone from a RWC semi final in 2014 to tier 3 today
Transformed is right
How cool would it be if the IRFU thought outside the box and did something similar?
Ireland v England in Pairc Ui Chaoimh or
Ireland V Scotland in the Kingspan.
Bring an Italian match to Killarney or Galway.
Bring back the Wolfhounds. Bring them back right now and get them playing games in Belfast, Cork, Galway and Limerick against the likes of Portugal.
If you want to inspire the nation then let Ireland play around the country.
Do yourself a favour, open up the twitter search bar, type in Simon Zebo and then up the top right hit videos. Then scroll away and chill out in the sun and be entertained
This a nice little one where he sends the defender into the stands for a 🍔
No harm in re-circulating this given nothing has changed in the past 14+ months.
Farrell missing a beat by not harnessing all his form players me thinks.
Just a reminder that Irelands most punctual service, the Moyross express is back this weekend.
Perfect timing to put his hand up for a spot in France to add to his already record WC total.
Kleyn hard done by here by Farrell. Outside of Beirne probably the form lock in the country. Has a physicality and a skill set that other locks just don’t have in Ireland. Could have been a real asset at the RWC. Hodnett unlucky too.
I love that Tadhg Beirne wears a bright blue scrum cap. You can see him coming, and it’s no secret he’s coming for the ball but there’s absolutely nothing anyone can do about it.
Another exceptional game today to add to a giant list.
No harm in retweeting this as Leamy has retained his crown.
Munster finished the regular season with the best defense in the URC for the second year running and once again conceding less than 20 points per game (17.6).
Leamy is doing some job.
Munster finished the regular season URC with the best defense in the league and the only side to concede less that 20 points per game. Give Leamy his crown now.
Bulls finished the season with the best attack. Scoring an average of 34 points per game.
It’s very Irish Rugby and David Nucifora to be removing a central contract from a player who has a real possibility of being named as Irish Captain tomorrow.
I really can’t believe there’s still a bunch of doses complaining about Zombie and some of the chatter around it.
Honestly Irish rugby doesn’t deserve a song as fine as Zombie if it can’t be appreciated. Bring it back to Munster and leave it there.
“Sometimes a good tune is just a good tune” - Shane Byrne
@shanebyrneoffic
chats about the controversy around the singing of ‘Zombie’ at the Rugby World Cup following Ireland's victory over South Africa.
#RTEUpfront
Just a little reminder of what Thaakir Abrahams can do before his debut today.
He’s a very different type of winger than what has played in Ireland before, don’t think there’s been anyone like him here full stop.
He’ll cook.
I was watching the Cowboys on CE who are called Americas Team because of their popularity and the attention they receive
Then I thought what would be Irelands team for a brief second. Munster are Irelands Team. Whether you love or hate them, they’re always the big ticket
Who’s the most underrated rugby player in Ireland?
No debate to be had that it’s Iron Mike Haley. Dependable, impactful and consistent.
All of his 102 appearances have been as a starter too which must be a first.
On first view you think jeez Hodnett is a powerful dude.
On second view you think jeez Hodnett is a powerful dude but you can see why he’s high fiving Jager.
OJ showing the nous he’s bringing with him by catching Williamson by the ankle and hoiking him over the line
Sunday morning skills shout out for Simon Zebos footballing touches, especially the second touch to knock it over the two footed tackle from Nohamba.
Also props to RG who shows the right tackle tech on a guy over a foot shorter than him.
Anyone know why Ireland haven’t hosted an U20 World Cup?
They’ve been on the go since 2008 and everyone else has. Even Georgia and Japan had a cut off it.
Be cool to see it here in the next few years.
I like this. A thoughtful, smart guy who’s got vast knowledge of the rugby landscape in Ireland. He’ll get successes where Nucifora bombed.
Far better than any other candidate I’ve seen suggested like Erasmus or Cullen.
Only other guy I’d prefer would be o Shea.
Munster without Earls is like losing your comfort blanket. Sure you can get another blanket but it’s not the same.
Rugby could really do with looking at holding testimonials for players as a standard.
Everyone would like to give someone like Earlsy the send off he deserves.
There's only one Keith Earls & we're very lucky to call him one of our own ❤️
A legend of Munster &
@IrishRugby
,
@KeithEarls87
has announced his retirement from rugby effective immediately.
#ThanksEarlsie
#SUAF
🔴
Had the joy of watching on Premier sports. The comms during game and the halftime/fulltime analysis couldn’t be more negative
Lads and lasses think they’re getting paid to bury the product, not promote it.
Anyway as a supporter I’ll take the 42-7 win as a good start to my W/E
Bored in work so decided to do my own awards for the season before the official one. Feel free to change my mind
Player of the year : Jean Kleyn. Tight between him and Mike Haley but I went with JK. Mr consistent and always showed up to work. The form lock in the URC
The amount of people including refs and coaches who don’t know you can’t target lower limbs at a ruck is downright worrying.
Law 9.20 d
A player may lever the jackler out of the contest at the ruck but must not drop their weight onto them or target the lower limbs
If Connacht don’t make the champions cup qualification spots for next season, is there a case to be made for Mack getting a central contract and moving to Munster like Robbie Henshaw in 2016?
Munster are looking in the shop window for a back 3 player at the moment.
A good piece here in L’equipe that should be setting off alarm bells in Ireland
The French XV in the u20 semi final had 8491 minutes of pro game time this season. England with 2973. The Irish 15 had less than 300 mins and that was split between 2 Munster players
Worrying
A good piece in L'Equipe looking at JIFF rules (players coming through French academies)
In place since 2010 and has been bearing fruit for a few seasons
Probably goes under the radar a bit but how good has Sean o Brien been for Munster this season?
Last W/E was his first start at centre for Mun and put in a very assured performance.
Is in the mix for that utility spot on the summer trip back to SA.
Here’s a hot idea.
Say Georgia or Spain or Portugal to provide a team for the URC.
The Welsh union seem to have a quiet preference for dropping a side and why not plug the gap with team from a growing nation.
Whatever about the results, it seems to me that the pacific nations having teams in Super Rugby is really paying dividends on the international stage. Two proper performances today.
Kleyn is an international quality lock who should be playing international rugby and he’s dead right to explore other alternatives if he isn’t been given his dues by Ireland.
Kleyn is the player today that Farrell hopes McCarthy will be tomorrow.
Maybe slipping under the radar a bit but today’s team announcement is probably the best indicator of who the next Munster Club Captain will be.
Tadhg Beirne in line to take one of the biggest honours in club rugby and become just the 7th Munster Club Captain in the past 26 years
The possession that saw Crowley drop goal for the W was also started by JC. 76 mins in and he takes the ball up like a fresh CJ Stander who’s spotted an outhalf and knocks his opposite 10 into next week.
Sledgehammer followed by the scalpel.
I think this clip probably sums up what went wrong for Leinster. Win a turnover, step back from the overlap and then resort to hoofing it badly down the field.
Worth noting that numbers 11,12,13,14 and 15 for leinster didn’t register a single pass in the whole game between them