Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Munster too good for the USA in their preseason friendly
The USA scored first through a nice try from Justin Boyd in the corner, but Munster came back hard, scoring 17 points before the USA got a late try from Louis Stanfill, keeping them in the game with the halftime score at 20-15.
The friendly was competitive througout, with Munster missing a few big name players such as Ronan O'Gara, Doug Howlett, Peter Stringer, and Paul O'Connel. The rest of the squad were strong enough though, and in the second half they extended their lead with a few nice tries, including two pushover tries, dispelling the myth that the art of the rolling maul is dead under the ELV's.
A yellow card for the US didn't help their cause, and Munster cruised to victory with tries by Ireland internationals Frank Sheahan and Barry Murphy, both replacements, scoring a try a piece. Eagles flyhalf Nese Malifa finished with 12 points and had a good game all round, before being taken off with a shoulder injury.
Munster take on London Irish this friday night ahead of their Magners League meeting at Murrayfield against Edinburgh in two weeks time.
Time: 05:45
Posted at 1:23 pm | 31 comments
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Viewing 31 comments
Anonymous August 27, 2008 3:36 pm
it was sad to see because i thought the US had Munster beaten and it wasn't even a big name Munster squad
Anonymous August 27, 2008 3:38 pm
The rolling maul could be alive against the USA (with all the due respect to the Eagles), but I haven't seen one in this year Tri-Nation.
Stevo August 27, 2008 3:39 pm
Have to say that the Eagles first try was very good!
Anonymous August 27, 2008 3:49 pm
did any one else notice that the munster players have no numberson theri jerseys you can see thil at 4:26.
jay c August 27, 2008 3:54 pm
did any one else notice that some of the munster players have no numbers tou can see this at 4:26
AmerikaLock August 27, 2008 4:23 pm
True American commentators are a bit annoying to listen too, but I have to say the Eagles looked like they are starting to get a little more zest in their play, more interesting to watch.
Shaft August 27, 2008 4:56 pm
The USA weren't bad, and there were times where they really showed a lot of guts and heart, knocking back the Munster men. That try scored by Stanfield (lock, under the posts) came from a series of Munster drives at the line. Must have been about eight phases, and the US knocked them back, resulting in the turnover eventually, and the try. It was a classic. All that aside, Munster, even with their backup boys, look strong.
pcasey August 27, 2008 9:05 pm
Earls had a great game. I know Mafi and Tipoki have been brilliant for us but i'd love to see Barry Murphy and Keith Earls get some game time in the centre this year. Particularly Earls, he's got serious pace and both Munster and Ireland need that badly in the 3/4's.
ukrugger August 27, 2008 10:14 pm
had to be the worst commentary i've ever heard...
Frenchy August 28, 2008 12:12 am
Nice, I saw Munster at Logan Airport right after their flight. They drove a nice yellow/blue/red coach bus.
breakaway August 28, 2008 12:59 am
@ukrugger... OK I wouldn't want them doing Tri-Nations but I'm sure I've heard worse commentary than that. The US guys have their own peculiarities but I think it's intriguing to hear how other people approach something.
Hendrick August 28, 2008 1:51 am
Once the USA stop using the good Old boy system to get there players maybe we'll have a good team. There are 4000 college football players that don't make it to the NFL....THAT is who we need to start picking up if we want a up and coming team.
Anonymous August 28, 2008 11:42 am
Only 2 of munster's starting EC final played in this match
proflyactive August 28, 2008 12:46 pm
I think if the Eagles started recruiting the ex-NFL players then there'd be a whole lot more that they could produce on the world stage! Especially with the thriving tongan/pacific community that appears to be a growing presence in the NFL and the US in places!
Sharky August 28, 2008 4:19 pm
I get the feeling that the US just needs a kick up the bum more than anything. A Francois Steyn-like kick that is, in terms of playing structures, management, recruitment, marketing etc. Nigel Melville has that mission, and I don't know if he has a ten year plan or what, but if he gets things right then the Eagles have huge potential. They do need more homegrown talent though. Embedding it in one's culture takes time though.
AmerikaLock August 28, 2008 7:22 pm
Hendrik is very right, I was looked over by my state team because i did not play for a top club. And i see it here all the time on all levels only guys from United and Highland get to go to the Eagles U-20, USA rugby has some serious issues it would need to over come, there is so much beuracracy in it shit comes out there ears and their mouths, there are for sure some heads up some asses as well. USA could be good there is some really dedicated talent here on all levels , Just USAR looks it over all too often
GS August 28, 2008 9:48 pm
the commentary- shockingly funny.the ref - even worse. how many players were taken out by munster crossing for the second try. u cant really see how bad he was from this clip but I watched the match. Isnt the munster catcher allowed back to his feetAlso who are MUSTER?
Cheyanqu August 29, 2008 4:24 pm
mid-week prior to the match, Munster and USA agreed to expand the rosters to 26 (vs 22), as the match was a friendly.That is why some of the players didn't have numbers on their kit, as they used spare jerseys, and never thought to number 23-26 in the kits.
Anonymous August 30, 2008 2:40 am
That game was painfull to watch, the fine mixture or a bad ref, worse commentary, a US loosehead that has serious issues and sloppy play. In saying that though the US do seem to be getting their act together and Munster are starting to look dangerous from anywhere.
londonwaspss September 02, 2008 9:53 pm
if usa had put college football players in rugby they wouldnt kno what to do theyd be doing high tackles, forward passes blocking and etc just because they played football dont mean anything about there rugby skill
Anonymous September 08, 2008 10:55 am
Munster were just cheatin irish twats. USA deserved to win this! As a college rugby player in the great country of the U.S of A we could wipe the floor with all our college football players!!!
AmerikaLock November 05, 2008 5:08 pm
Well try but there are ever more Rugby only players coming through in the United States, as there has been before. Its starting to gain a little momentum, but for the most part lots of kids are still to afraid to play rugby, so they play foot ball because they have tons of pads.
Jonathan November 08, 2008 12:21 am
Ok you realise that an area with a population of 500,000 roughly has beaten your best national squad? Yeah yeah rugby has to compete against American Football. In Ireland, rugby has to comnpete against soccer, gaelach football and hurling. Sure we have some players from outside of Ireland Rua Tipoki, Mafi, Howlett, but the bulk of the squad is homebread. Yes against the twice Heineken Cup winners in three years your college students would have a chance.More like your team would throw the ball to the 22 metre line, mixing it up with rugby
Jonathan November 08, 2008 12:22 am
Oh and that was with Munster's second string team.
Irelandtillide November 20, 2008 4:21 pm
Try Sayin That We Are Cheaters To Paul O Connell Or Tony Buckley....With Your Shitty Arse Paddin And Shite Tackles Gway And Jump Back Into Your Bubble Wrap And Throw To The 22 You Yanke Moron
Anonymous February 20, 2009 2:42 pm
Cheating haha thats funny Munster are heinaken cup champs are pro you have no competitive leagues no drive and with a country a big as the US half of people there have never heared of rugby the last time ireland met the US the score was Ireland 55-6 USA but i have to say i was realy impressed with the US in the world cup Munster never cheat and your NFL players would burn out to fast cause they get rests to bring on a offence and dfence the get a breather before the next down
Anonymous May 16, 2009 11:52 pm
That was a good bit of rugby. rugby in the USA is starting to gain momentum and I am very curious to see what the future will bring to USA rugby. Maybe in a few years we can actually make some noise in the world cup...But all that aside Those two men should never be allowed to commentate on a Rugby match ever again...
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