Munster v. Australia

[Brumbies Guy]

Is there any highlights (or lowlights) to watch?

 

[Lee Grant]

That was embarrassing for Australian rugby and great for Munster rugby. It's just as well Oz A weren't playing the real Munster team because they would have buried them.

I knew the Oz guys would have trouble in the conditions but it was galling to hear comments from the commentators such as:

“This is the worst Australian team I have ever seen”

“Robbie Deans doesn't seem to have a decent backup in any position for the test team.”

“We're not mind readers but is there any reason why they're not up for this game?”

“They have no stomach for the fight.”

and near the end:

“Paul Warwick against his countrymen has been the best Australian on the pitch tonight.”

It was even more disappointing that all the comments rang true, and that the final score was flattering to us.

I said before the game that Oz A might have the edge in the 2nd row but Nagle and Holland were the best guys on the park and 3rd string scrummie Williams made Burgess look like a beginner in the conditions.

As to whom Oz will send home on the plane: the game has made the selection difficult – and for the wrong reason.

This is a great result for Munster and Ireland rugby will perk up a bit too. Neither have had a great 12 months and they needed something like this. In particular Munster will be chuffed at how their young fellows played against international visitors who had bigger scrapbooks.

Well done the Red Tide.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Does it really never rain in OZ. (obviously I've never been) surely some rugby must be played in conditions as bad as tonight. the lack of any hunger in the wallibies play cant just be down to wanting to get in doors, I could never believe that of professional players playing for their country no matter what the conditions or opposition.

It rains alright, but usually not accompanied by the cold and a howling wind to go with it. If you look at the major cities where rugby is played at any sort of decent level, it's really only Canberra that would replicate the conditions of the UK&I. Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are pretty pleasant during the winter and watching Sydney club footy all year, I hardly saw any big downpours during their games.

 

[grievous]

We play like soft cocks in shitty weather, we have for the last 20 years.

As Ive said for years now...hold our training camps in the highlands of Tassie. Preferably with leaky roofs, wonky heating, cold showers and wallaby shit all over the training paddock. TOUGHEN THESE GUYS UP.

 

[Bullrush]

It rains alright, but usually not accompanied by the cold and a howling wind to go with it. If you look at the major cities where rugby is played at any sort of decent level, it's really only Canberra that would replicate the conditions of the UK&I. Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are pretty pleasant during the winter and watching Sydney club footy all year, I hardly saw any big downpours during their games.

Dunedin can be pretty unpleasant to play rugby in.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Dunedin can be pretty unpleasant to play rugby in.

Yeah but our guys only play there once a year. I would have thought Invercargill would be even worse.

 

[Bullrush]

Yeah but our guys only play there once a year. I would have thought Invercargill would be even worse.

Right...gotcha.

I can imagine Invercargill would be worse. Wellington can actually get pretty bloody cold with the wind and Auckland gets the torrential rain at times.

 

[DPK]

Tahs fans know exactly what you mean, TBH.

 

[Lee Grant]

PS - I have often made the comment that if Oz had to play conditions like this on the EOYT that I would like to use one of two Aussies playing in Europe in the squad: Brock James of Clermont as 1st choice and Paul Warwick of Munster as 2nd.

It wouldn't have mattered if they were playing for us tonight though because the forwards played like the conditions were too hard for them and they didn't have a dig. But you can see the type of player we are missing for unfavourable conditions we get from time to time in Europe.

I've got the feeling that our test team wouldn't have fared very much better at Thomond Park last night because their forwards were too soft last time out too. France played Fiji at Nantes on Saturday in similar wet conditions. It didn't suit their style either but they handled it a lot better than our blokes would have.

Look out for Oz being embarrassed again if it is wet for the France test.

 

[RugbyReg]

it was obviously pretty cold. Hodgo with hypothermia.

 

[Ruggo]

It rains alright, but usually not accompanied by the cold and a howling wind to go with it. If you look at the major cities where rugby is played at any sort of decent level, it's really only Canberra that would replicate the conditions of the UK&I. Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are pretty pleasant during the winter and watching Sydney club footy all year, I hardly saw any big downpours during their games.

We might not have the cold but for wet weather rugby, come North to train. we have the wind and belting rain that will serve tham well. They flew straight over us on the way to Hong Kong. If they had of spent a few days here in camp on the way, they would of got great (bad) conditions to train in.

 

[barbarian]

Jeez he looks like he has just climbed Everest. The facial hair certainly adds to the withered mountain climber look.

 

[munsterhouse]

no need for the customary ice bath then.

he should come surfing with me in Feb, then hed know all about cold weather training.

 

[Bruce Ross]

We've had a Kiwi coach for nearly three years. We've got a team that doesn't know the basics of playing wet weather football. There's a disconnect here somewhere.

 

[El Gamba]

We've had a Kiwi coach for nearly three years. We've got a team that doesn't know the basics of playing wet weather football. There's a disconnect here somewhere.

I agree. I am not sure if things have changed but even playing in Perth you'd get the odd rubbish weather game. It was those games that you knew the hard work was going to be done in tight and the piggies would relish the opportunity to belt each other all day. For me, it beggers belief that some of the best forwards in our country, theoretically with the opportunity to push for Wallaby representation could not dominate a provincial side (without taking anything away from Munster).
Having not seen the game, did anyone stand up?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

EG, indeed. Many were the day when the wind was strong and the rain pissing down (especially at the grounds near the river, like Neddies) and as forwards we'd just say, "keep it tight, play good field position and don't do anything stupid".

 

[El Gamba]

EG, indeed. Many were the day when the wind was strong and the rain pissing down (especially at the grounds near the river, like Neddies) and as forwards we'd just say, "keep it tight, play good field position and don't do anything stupid".

And Cottesloe with storms rolling in straight over the ocean! As backs we'd just say "put the ball in front of the forwards, make your touch and try not to freeze!

 

[RugbyReg]

McCabe:

 

[Joe Blow]

Even if our boys are not so adept at playing in those conditions couldn't someone(Deans and Williams) have told them how to play it?

With the wind behind them in the first half it should have been kick to the corners for 40 minutes and build up a decent lead to defend in the second stanza.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Even if our boys are not so adept at playing in those conditions couldn't someone(Deans and Williams) have told them how to play it?

With the wind behind them in the first half it should have been kick to the corners for 40 minutes and build up a decent lead to defend in the second stanza.

Considering Williams is a former player and assistant coach of Munster it should have been second nature for him