LeRouxIsPHat wrote:Funny that Leo mentioned the "seven and a half" thing, was thinking recently that Deegan might end up being the first player of that type.
Savea is doing something similar but usually it's about putting an explosive flanker at eight, not a rangy eight to seven.
David Wallace was the quintessential 7.5. He probably would have been an 8 but for Foley and the fact that he had to do O'Gara's tackling.
I did think of him but had him more as a 6.5 and very much more of a flanker who could move to 8 rather than the other way around.
My point about Max being a different breed is because I'd still expect him to roam around out wide and in the backfield and show off his skills, whereas anyone else who has switched would be doing more dirty work like a normal flanker.
That said, I'm still very much of the opinion that 8 is his position and that current circumstances mean that he's turned into a decent option there and it makes him a really good candidate for the bench spot, not saying he's a 7 long term.
LeinsterLeader wrote:A bit of a subtle dig dig from Leo there?
"We want to produce most of our own players, we have a couple of guys from outside and it's important that we're not 100pc all Leinster because then you'd have a narrow focus as well.
"The experience that we get from outside, it's hugely important that they are constantly adding to the group.
"But we'd love to be able to sit here and say, 'isn't it amazing that 60pc of Ulster's players are from Leinster', another 50 over in Connacht and another 50 over in Munster...' that'd be an amazing reflection on the work that goes on here.
"We just need to keep focusing on what we do in producing good players, because we want to see quality players come through the system and make a career out of the game.
"That's what we're trying to do, trying to improve players.
Yep read that in the42. The comments below are funny and a bit sad.
eg.
The real achievements here are things like how Munster have developed 5 good professional players and Ireland underage reps from west cork which is gaa mad territory. Or how Connacht have managed to progress with a dwindling rural population of less than half of Dublin and the travel logistics the west of Ireland brings with development squads. So while leinsters conveyor is flying along let’s not try to be too disparaging of other provinces great efforts in poorer circumstances – numbers, money and travel logistics.
"travel logistics" ? Now that's a new one.
Yep, that's what I always find strange about the Munster argument, "ah sure we've a load a lads coming through now. There's brilliant talent there at the moment etc.", Like it was a done deal and these guys are going to rock up in the Ireland first team any moment. As long as I can remember Munster have had "great talent coming through" but they never come through. That's what happens when you don't play them. Just saying you have loads of lads coming through doesn't make it so (even taking into account travel logistics )
I mean forget about Ireland for a second who was the last Munster produce player to come through and actually lock down a starting place on the Munster first 15? I can't think of too many recently to be honest
Would agree that Max Deegans future is 8, Dorris seems more like a 6/8 to me and looks like he could be best as one of those horrible richard hill style 6s that wrestles you and disrupts you for the whole game while also adding a physical edge around the park, not sure if Deegan can turn into a worldclass 7, but he'd certainly do a job there. Penny needs to be fast forwarded imo.
LeRouxIsPHat wrote:Funny that Leo mentioned the "seven and a half" thing, was thinking recently that Deegan might end up being the first player of that type.
Savea is doing something similar but usually it's about putting an explosive flanker at eight, not a rangy eight to seven.
I think a young Sean O'Brien could be his best template to be honest. He could definitely follow that model of ball carry and breakdown specialist.
SOB's template was work hard, run harder. At his best he was an 80 minute impact player. We might as well tell Max to be more like Stander.
Max is rangy with good footwork, ball skills and a really clean chop tackle. He is starting to dominate collisions by mismatches and evasion. These are traits that he can use to good effect at 7. He can (still) carry in wide channels he can link the backs and move turnover ball. He can shut down ball carriers coming at pace. He gets back on his feet and in position quickly.
ronk wrote:I thought Croft and POM were pretty similar. Pacy 6s, great in the lineout, elusive and not there to win the collisions.
Disagree, think they're very different players, with line-out ability being their only commonality. Croft was much faster and rangier and more athletic than POM. Croft was better in open play as a result, but not as good at the breakdown or in close-in collisions.
"This is breathless stuff.....it's on again. Contepomi out to Hickie,D'Arcy,Hickie.......................HICKIE FOR THE CORNER! THAT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our coaching is absolutely awesome I must say.
Obviously Tomane's hands are lacking, so we've used him as a really effective decoy three times and made huge holes for guys to go into each time. Good stuff.
I have no idea why that penalty was not reversed. I don’t follow the logic. McFadden infringed first, then he was neck rolled, surely Leinster committed the first offence?
Anyway, has potentially won us the game, so I’m not complaining.
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