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RaboDirect Pro 12 Semi Finals: Ospreys vs Munster - 11/05/2012
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<blockquote data-quote="snoopy snoopy dog dog" data-source="post: 501148" data-attributes="member: 13611"><p>@profitius.</p><p>I know you won't agree with me on this but I think it's more a case that Munster fans have to temper their expectations a bit. The players they have now aren't at the same level as those who conquered Europe in in 2008.</p><p></p><p>This was the '08 Heineken Cup Final team:</p><p>Hurley, Howlett, Tipoki, Mafi, Dowling, O'Gara, O'Leary, Horan, Flannery, Hayes, O'Callaghan, O'Connell, Quinlan, Wallace, Leamy</p><p></p><p>This is their first choice starting XV now:</p><p>Jones, Howlett, Earls, Mafi, Zebo, O'Gara, Murray, Du Preez, Sherry, Botha, Ryan, O'Connell, Leamy, O'Mahony Coughlan</p><p></p><p>In how many positions are they better now than they were in '08? Fullback (although Jones is having a poor season), left wing, tighthead prop and that's it. The players who've been on both teams - Howlett, O'Gara, O'Connell, Leamy - are all well into their 30s. It must be said that Howlett and O'Connell are still playing at a very high level. Du Preez isn't an improvement over the '08 version of Horan, Sherry is way behind Flannery, Ryan is 08 O'Callaghan's equal. The backrow is way behind that Heineken Cup winning team as are the halfbacks and centre is a bit off too. The back three is the only area I see an improvement.</p><p></p><p>While last night's performance was disgraceful, Munster don't presently have the players to compete strongly for trophies. Rob Penney can't work miracles. Munster have some good up and coming players but they're too years away from winning trophies IMO.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="snoopy snoopy dog dog, post: 501148, member: 13611"] @profitius. I know you won't agree with me on this but I think it's more a case that Munster fans have to temper their expectations a bit. The players they have now aren't at the same level as those who conquered Europe in in 2008. This was the '08 Heineken Cup Final team: Hurley, Howlett, Tipoki, Mafi, Dowling, O'Gara, O'Leary, Horan, Flannery, Hayes, O'Callaghan, O'Connell, Quinlan, Wallace, Leamy This is their first choice starting XV now: Jones, Howlett, Earls, Mafi, Zebo, O'Gara, Murray, Du Preez, Sherry, Botha, Ryan, O'Connell, Leamy, O'Mahony Coughlan In how many positions are they better now than they were in '08? Fullback (although Jones is having a poor season), left wing, tighthead prop and that's it. The players who've been on both teams - Howlett, O'Gara, O'Connell, Leamy - are all well into their 30s. It must be said that Howlett and O'Connell are still playing at a very high level. Du Preez isn't an improvement over the '08 version of Horan, Sherry is way behind Flannery, Ryan is 08 O'Callaghan's equal. The backrow is way behind that Heineken Cup winning team as are the halfbacks and centre is a bit off too. The back three is the only area I see an improvement. While last night's performance was disgraceful, Munster don't presently have the players to compete strongly for trophies. Rob Penney can't work miracles. Munster have some good up and coming players but they're too years away from winning trophies IMO. [/QUOTE]
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RaboDirect Pro 12 Semi Finals: Ospreys vs Munster - 11/05/2012
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