Transfers Rumours

[munstermuffin]

Tony McGahan deserves credit for his work. Having worked close to him it is easy to see lads he has saved Munster from having an academy. When DK was here we seemed to concentrate just on schoo; players and well let alot of guys who didn't play schools slip through net. If your not from Limerick or Cork the chances are you won't be in a Rugby school and that means you had a large chance of been overlooked. Then when Tony came in he got a few of us together and we studied the models set by Leinster and Ulster in academys and worked from their. Now we have coaches going to these schools and it is working as stats show we are getting alot more talented kids out playing from a young age and well our net is wider and we are seeing players who play only with clubs alot more.
As Snoop said Tony wasn't left with alot and had to work with alot of kids and AIL level guys and develop them - And he did (James Coughlan is an example)

But we just don't seem to be developing any good scrummaging props and well now we have to be smart and get kids learn the proper techniques as early as possible and well keep building for future and for now just solve the problem with an import.

 

[profitius]

Tony McGahan deserves credit for his work. Having worked close to him it is easy to see lads he has saved Munster from having an academy. When DK was here we seemed to concentrate just on schoo; players and well let alot of guys who didn't play schools slip through net. If your not from Limerick or Cork the chances are you won't be in a Rugby school and that means you had a large chance of been overlooked. Then when Tony came in he got a few of us together and we studied the models set by Leinster and Ulster in academys and worked from their. Now we have coaches going to these schools and it is working as stats show we are getting alot more talented kids out playing from a young age and well our net is wider and we are seeing players who play only with clubs alot more.
As Snoop said Tony wasn't left with alot and had to work with alot of kids and AIL level guys and develop them - And he did (James Coughlan is an example)

But we just don't seem to be developing any good scrummaging props and well now we have to be smart and get kids learn the proper techniques as early as possible and well keep building for future and for now just solve the problem with an import.

MM, how long do you think McGahans new academy system will start producing quality backs? Are there many players from non traditional rugby areas like Waterford coming through? Could you link me to some of the stats too? Cheers

 

[munstermuffin]

Will post a link when I get to a computer profitius with Academy lads and their stats but yeah we have 2 lads from Clare and few from Waterford Kerry and Tipp that were discovered through development systems that don't include senior clubs and these lads don't play schools rugby simply because they don't live near 1.

Been honest on a timescale, it will be maybe 2/3 years before we get full on effect but some guys develop faster so hopefully we can make something work but I am happy to say hard work is been put in and we are desperate to produce home talent

 

[Gavin]

On the topic of Conrad Smith moving to Munster, is that not going to leave them with a light centre-partnership? The reason why I think Mafi and Tui will stay is because the management may see a possible partnership of Smith and Earls to be very weak and lightweight.

 

[munstermuffin]

No we will be looking for a 12 as Earls seems like possibly been our 15. We need a big powerful guy like Trevor Halstead did for us. I'm secretly hoping JDV returns as his wife is here living in Cork at moment and well could you imagine JDV and Smith in centre.

 

[Gavin]

I like the idea of JDV and Smith in the centre, however surely the Irish management would not like that. On the point of Earls, how can he be 15 when clearly his best position is in the centre? Felix Jones is a much better full-back (when fit) than Earls IMO.

 

[Feicarsinn]

You know guys, you do have to pick an Irish centre eventually.

 

[Gavin]

Exactly my though Feicarsinn, unfortunately Leinster have all the good Irish centres

 

[Conal]

at munster there is murphy earls.. i couldnt name any more munster irish centers

 

[Feicarsinn]

at munster there is murphy earls.. i couldnt name any more munster irish centers

As well as Mafi, Tuitoupu and now Smith. Murphy is crap, while the sounds are that they may shift Earls around a bit.

 

[munstermuffin]

Lads you can guarantee either Mafi or Sam will be moved on and well we simply don't have any Irish 12 up to H Cup level.
Johne Murphy isn't a 12 either

 

[lucky number 7]

I really like tuitopu ..Absolutely fearsome in defence and a tough customer in attack too...not as big a hazard as Mafi too...whatever happened to rua tipoki?

 

[Teh Mite]

Tipoki knackered his knees and retired.


Tuitupo isn't fit to lace Mafi or Tipokis boots.

 

[lucky number 7]

Mafi 2 seasons or 3 seasons ago was fantastic...best game I remember was against sale ..although he was carded in it :/ the only reason I cant see him starting is due to the discipline ..he has been carded so often its not funny :/

 

[ranger]

I really like tuitopu ..Absolutely fearsome in defence and a tough customer in attack too...not as big a hazard as Mafi too...whatever happened to rua tipoki?

Im a huge fan of Tuitupou. In his prime he was the best defender in NZ if not the world and absoultely clinical on attack, he would never make mistakes or bad decisions. His calming impact on Carlos Spencer was massive, it was playing alongside him in the '03 Blues that Spencer had his best ever season (that was also the best backline i have ever seen also)

 

[munstermuffin]

Mafi was excellent when Rua was outside him but since Rua retired Mafi just seemed lost and while Tuitupou is good we need a player that stamps their authority on the game at 12

 

[profitius]

Will post a link when I get to a computer profitius with Academy lads and their stats but yeah we have 2 lads from Clare and few from Waterford Kerry and Tipp that were discovered through development systems that don't include senior clubs and these lads don't play schools rugby simply because they don't live near 1.

Been honest on a timescale, it will be maybe 2/3 years before we get full on effect but some guys develop faster so hopefully we can make something work but I am happy to say hard work is been put in and we are desperate to produce home talent

Cheers.

Thats good because if Munster reply on schools we'll always be well behind Leinster and even Ulster. And not just about wanting to match them, its about getting better quality. 2/3 years is fine. It usually takes years for underage structures to have a positive impact but as we see with Kilkenny hurling once it does it should mean plenty of talent coming through.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Here's Munster's new tighthead:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/botha-on-the-move-south-as-warwick-leaves-munster-2468175.html

............it has emerged that Ulster tight-head BJ Botha could be in line for a move south, WRITES HUGH FARRELLY.The South African, acknowledged as one of the foremost scrummagers in the game, is out of contract -- believed to worth £270,000 (€320,000) per annum -- following the 2009/10 campaign and would be a prized signing for any of Europe's major clubs.
Sources in Ulster indicate that the province would be prepared to let the 30-year-old leave in favour of a major signing in another position and that Leinster and Munster are both in the mix for his signature.

The article says later on that Mike Ross could move to Munster if Botha chooses to join Leinster. In my opinion Leinster would be crazy to let Ross leave and I can't see Botha coming to Dublin unless a bunch of props are shipped out (Prescott, Shawe and possibly Wright). The though of Botha and Ross being Leinster's options at 3 is salivating though.

Tony Buckley is supposedly interesting Castres and John Hayes is going to the knacker's yard. Seeing them leave results in more money to pay Botha. Botha and Peter Borlase at tighthead is much better than the current set up.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Feic: Shouldn't your signature say
"Getting scrummed backwards at a rate of knots: Mike Ross" ?

 

[lucky number 7]

Shouldn't your Sig be a Sale player ?