Munster 33 Dragons 13 (From South Wales Argus)
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Munster 33 Dragons 13
9:43pm Saturday 22nd September 2012 in Sport
By Chris Kirwan
NEWPORT Gwent Dragons’ long drought over the Irish Sea continues after they were overpowered by Munster 33-13 in Limerick.
The Dragons have not won in Ireland since 2008 and, while they played with plenty of spirit and tenacity, never looked likely to secure a shock RaboDirect Pro12 success at Thomond Park.
They did, however, produce a performance that was an improvement on last weekend’s home loss to Cardiff Blues, even if the scoreline doesn’t suggest it.
The Dragons made the worse possible start when Munster wings Simon Zebo and Doug Howlett combined to put full-back Ian Keatley over after just 90 seconds.
Ireland and Lions fly-half Ronan O’Gara converted and added more extras when he improved flanker Niall Ronan’s score after 14 minutes, Zebo again the architect.
One feared a mauling at the hands of Munster but the Dragons dug deep and reduced the deficit to 14-6 at the break thanks to penalties by Tom Prydie and Lewis Robling, who took over the kicking duties after a pair of misses from the winger.
However, the hosts quickly stretched away after the break thanks to scores by Conor Murray and Simon Zebo while Dan Way was in the sin bin.
It was 26-6 with a quarter of the game remaining yet the Dragons showed spirit to come firing back and even threaten to earn an unlikely bonus point.
First full-back Dan Evans went over for his fourth try of the season and the visitors then nearly went over on a number of occasions after attacking with patience.
But hopes of a bonus point were extinguished when Tommy O’Donnell finished a flowing move to make it 33-13 with seven minutes left.
Comments(50)
cdfdragon
says...
10:27pm Sat 22 Sep 12
Season after season we are promised so much by the coaches and players and yet they always fail!
It's absolutely pathetic, Darren Edwards should never have been given the job. He's so out of his depth it's embarrassing!
Euwan Usami
says...
10:53pm Sat 22 Sep 12
cdfdragon wrote:The result was never in doubt really was it? Munster were stronger everywhere as expected. Thier scramble defence was excellent s aving two certain try's. People can look for positives and say if only but half way through the second half Munster made two subs to increase thier intensity because they weren't happy with their performance. It could have been worse in other words.
Season after season the fans are forced to accept utter rubbish!
Season after season we are promised so much by the coaches and players and yet they always fail!
It's absolutely pathetic, Darren Edwards should never have been given the job. He's so out of his depth it's embarrassing!
The Edinburgh game Sat looks key now. They pushed Leinster close today so won't be a push over but lose that one and with the Scarlets away to follow its hard to see where the next point is comming from.
cdfdragon
says...
11:30pm Sat 22 Sep 12
Euwan Usami wrote:No wonder the board get away with letting the region go down the toilet fans are content with a 20 point thrashing in a crucial league game!
cdfdragon wrote: Season after season the fans are forced to accept utter rubbish! Season after season we are promised so much by the coaches and players and yet they always fail! It's absolutely pathetic, Darren Edwards should never have been given the job. He's so out of his depth it's embarrassing!The result was never in doubt really was it? Munster were stronger everywhere as expected. Thier scramble defence was excellent s aving two certain try's. People can look for positives and say if only but half way through the second half Munster made two subs to increase thier intensity because they weren't happy with their performance. It could have been worse in other words. The Edinburgh game Sat looks key now. They pushed Leinster close today so won't be a push over but lose that one and with the Scarlets away to follow its hard to see where the next point is comming from.
Robert Shillabeer
says...
1:20am Sun 23 Sep 12
East Newport Dave
says...
8:27am Sun 23 Sep 12
Doberman1
says...
8:46am Sun 23 Sep 12
Robert Shillabeer wrote:Yup, let's just keep hoping for an improvement, do nothing & just hope. And then after another abysmal season lets just hope for a better one next.
Captain B you lost the argument the second you showed disrespect by using the insult of getting names wrong, you also lost any respect your overall comments may have warented, sad but true insults don't win arguments. Yes it was a disappointing result but not unduly unexpected. Your right to expect a bit more is understandable but to lash out with personal insults is petty in the extreme. As far Edinburgh are concerned that's another game so let's hope lessons have been learned.
Why don't we all hope (& pray) that the DE nightmare is soon over and if nothing else we see a coach in situ who can at least deliver some professionalism to the playing effort. Kingsley for me but if not anyone other than the current encumbent.
the dork
says...
8:48am Sun 23 Sep 12
the dork
says...
8:48am Sun 23 Sep 12
Rugby Warrior Paulo
says...
11:20am Sun 23 Sep 12
If this is the Dragons idea of representing the City?
Personally I wonder if whatever happens next will be too little too late.
Euwan Usami
says...
11:41am Sun 23 Sep 12
cdfdragon wrote:I doubt anyone is content to be fair. I also doubt I am the only supporter who saw this result comming. This wasn't a crucial fixture; crucial fixtures are games you target as must wins. If there is anyone out there that though the Dragons could win this one then I hope this result serves as a wake up call. Edinburgh is a crucial fixture. We can win that game. I would hold off with the complete despair until after the game maybe. :)
Euwan Usami wrote:No wonder the board get away with letting the region go down the toilet fans are content with a 20 point thrashing in a crucial league game!
cdfdragon wrote: Season after season the fans are forced to accept utter rubbish! Season after season we are promised so much by the coaches and players and yet they always fail! It's absolutely pathetic, Darren Edwards should never have been given the job. He's so out of his depth it's embarrassing!The result was never in doubt really was it? Munster were stronger everywhere as expected. Thier scramble defence was excellent s aving two certain try's. People can look for positives and say if only but half way through the second half Munster made two subs to increase thier intensity because they weren't happy with their performance. It could have been worse in other words. The Edinburgh game Sat looks key now. They pushed Leinster close today so won't be a push over but lose that one and with the Scarlets away to follow its hard to see where the next point is comming from.
East Newport Dave
says...
11:58am Sun 23 Sep 12
Dai the Milk
says...
12:11pm Sun 23 Sep 12
pooles
says...
12:19pm Sun 23 Sep 12
East Newport Dave
says...
12:40pm Sun 23 Sep 12
Euwan Usami
says...
2:02pm Sun 23 Sep 12
Dai the Milk wrote:Don't mean to be rude Dai but are you confusing Newport RFC with the Dragons? Gates are still around what they were last season for both but the region gets the bigger crowds obviously. I understand why everyone is throwing their toys out at the moment but its still early. We have played the two big Irish sides away and got turned over again as we always do. The Cardiff game was the big let down. If the Edinburgh game goes the same way then DE may be on borrowed time but is there the money to attract a good coach or a coach willing to take on the team struggling as they are with no extra cash available?
Newport RFC supporters are unhappy. The rest of Gwent is unhappy. Crowds are non existent and no crowds mean no money. There is no atmosphere on match day. The side is treading water if not slowly drowning. The team is everyone's whipping boy............ Now I am a positive man. It needs ripping up and everyone in Gwent needs to get around a table and talk before competitive and meaningful rugby becomes a thing of the past in this part of the world. Ignore this advice at your peril.
Euwan Usami
says...
2:19pm Sun 23 Sep 12
East Newport Dave wrote:Yes you might be right Dave, they pushed Leinster close. The Cardiff game was key for us, DE and co must have looked at the fixtures and targeted key matches. Resting Lydiate from the Leinster game for the Cardiff fixture tells you how they were thinking. After the poor display DE looked haunted again in the post match interview. He did say "Things don't get any easier from here." Which makes me think he realises how far away they are from where they hoped to be.
The Dragons should beat Edinburgh but they are well coached and have clever patterns of play. There's the difference. I predict a ten point defeat and no points again.
SWBorderer
says...
2:29pm Sun 23 Sep 12
No doubt this week we'll be told how well training is going and how "the Lads" are determine to get it right this time.
Cut out the talk fellas and try doing the walk.
The only walk for Darren should be out of the gates for good, when I remember how people told us what an improvement he was over Paul Turner it really makes my blood boil.
No doubt Dan and Toby have already got their plans in motion for their end of season exit.
GazzaH
says...
6:26pm Sun 23 Sep 12
Dai the Milk
says...
8:25pm Sun 23 Sep 12
gwentexiles
says...
10:33pm Sun 23 Sep 12
kalwales@hotmail.com
says...
11:14pm Sun 23 Sep 12
Robert Shillabeer
says...
12:49am Mon 24 Sep 12
The truth is the head coach uses a bit of kidology to instil a bit of grit into his team and the belief that they can compete and with true professionals that means quite a bit of kidology. Deep down the coach knew it was a hard task but he tried to prepare his charges for the task and mental attitude plays such a huge part he must use every chance to get the minds right as well the body.
CaptainB
says...
6:54am Mon 24 Sep 12
Captain B you lost the argument the second you showed disrespect by using the insult of getting names wrong, you also lost any respect your overall comments may have warented, sad but true insults don't win arguments.
Robert Shillabeer says...
12:49am Mon 24 Sep 12
Where is kalwales from St Cadox come to mind,
Apart from spelling St Cadocs incorrectly, Pot calling the Kettle black comes to mind!!!!!!!
kalwales@hotmail.com
says...
7:11am Mon 24 Sep 12
Doberman1
says...
8:45am Mon 24 Sep 12
Robert Shillabeer wrote:So we are now reverting to kidology to get the players to perform, well that's OK then. For the next game lets try some more alternative techniques.....hypno
Where is kalwales from St Cadox come to mind, there that's my thoughts on someone who has had a bad experience with the Argus and Dragons management at some time. The point not coming out is imagine the management saying we have no hope of winning the next game and then trying to motivate his team to play at half the required standard, it would mean a total loss of any chance of getting a team to turn up let alone play.
The truth is the head coach uses a bit of kidology to instil a bit of grit into his team and the belief that they can compete and with true professionals that means quite a bit of kidology. Deep down the coach knew it was a hard task but he tried to prepare his charges for the task and mental attitude plays such a huge part he must use every chance to get the minds right as well the body.
therapy, crystal chakra therapy, reiki, tibetian singing therapy. Alternatively why not be a bit more traditional and get a coach who can get players to perform to their full potential the good old fashioned way.
Dai the Milk
says...
11:57am Mon 24 Sep 12
Robert Shillabeer wrote:Shameful and politically very incorrect. Poor literacy too.
Where is kalwales from St Cadox come to mind, there that's my thoughts on someone who has had a bad experience with the Argus and Dragons management at some time. The point not coming out is imagine the management saying we have no hope of winning the next game and then trying to motivate his team to play at half the required standard, it would mean a total loss of any chance of getting a team to turn up let alone play.
The truth is the head coach uses a bit of kidology to instil a bit of grit into his team and the belief that they can compete and with true professionals that means quite a bit of kidology. Deep down the coach knew it was a hard task but he tried to prepare his charges for the task and mental attitude plays such a huge part he must use every chance to get the minds right as well the body.
Robert Shillabeer
says...
2:44pm Mon 24 Sep 12
stevo10
says...
3:14pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Robert Shillabeer
says...
3:32pm Mon 24 Sep 12
the buff
says...
4:41pm Mon 24 Sep 12
d the dragons and npt rfc,they have only lost 1 game this season and it only costs £3 to watch,leaving you with a few £ for a couple of beers after.Also,some older fans might know the coach,keith james.
Robert Shillabeer
says...
4:57pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Robert Shillabeer
says...
4:58pm Mon 24 Sep 12
spaniard
says...
5:03pm Mon 24 Sep 12
It needs someone who will literally start banging heads to get players to perform and if they don't perform get rid of them, Kingsley jones is mentioned a few times and what about asking mike ruddock, i suspect either of these would take no messing about and get the team playing
Dai the Milk
says...
5:35pm Mon 24 Sep 12
stevo10 wrote:That is what I call an ostrich.
Robert Shillabeer. In fairness to you, you stand up for your region through thick and thin. Now that is what i call a true supporter. My question for you is can you see progress at the Dragons or do you think time is looming when the future of the coaches is at the top of the board's agenda? sh
Dai the Milk
says...
5:39pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Robert Shillabeer wrote:Robert, how can you compare the mentally ill with the management of RP?.............
Don't play the politically correct thing, a touch of reality and respect for people doing a difficult job is that being politically correct. Would like to see some of the anti brigade doing a better job. The management team do thier best with the resources they have and perhaps that is not quite what is needed or perhaps they are not up to the task only time will show which. By the way I know there are some spelling errors in many postings by many people but that could be down to the media that is being used eg English American is often different to English UK in how it spells certain words. My excuse is I am a professional person and used to using all sorts of simpler ways of spelling things but thanks for the insults makes me sure raw nerves are being hit.
Euwan Usami
says...
7:05pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Dai the Milk wrote:To be fair that IS how it works Dai. The region also loans out it's players to the clubs too. (Hugh Gustafson spent most of last season at Pontypool, Jack Dixon scored the winner for Bedwas against Newport. And so on)
Euwan, no I am not!! This was supposed to be a combined Gwent side with representation from Newport and the other clubs.
Robert Shillabeer
says...
7:06pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Euwan Usami
says...
7:15pm Mon 24 Sep 12
spaniard wrote:You don't remember the Treviso result from last season obviously;
Some people need to get their head out of the sand saying the coaches and players are trying their best, well if that is their best god help us if they play at their worse, it won't be long before even the Italians will be seeing the dragons as a 5 point game, I honestly cannot see where the next point is coming from, the set up needs changing very quickly,
It needs someone who will literally start banging heads to get players to perform and if they don't perform get rid of them, Kingsley jones is mentioned a few times and what about asking mike ruddock, i suspect either of these would take no messing about and get the team playing
Benetton Treviso 50 Newport Gwent Dragons 24
Keep up! lol :)
corpardguy
says...
7:25pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Last 15 mins full of Hwyl and passion, but what happened in the middle of the match?? Sorry, but if players can do it for 15 mins they should do it for 80.
I am reluctantly joining the call for DE head, ... even if we win on Friday.
kalwales@hotmail.com
says...
9:56pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Also if your region are a Region that covers it region then maybe they shoudl realise that there are more than just a golden few clubs in the regional area !!
DaiFrank
says...
12:00am Tue 25 Sep 12
corpardguy
says...
12:59am Tue 25 Sep 12
We are certainly better than the next level down but not good enough to be in the top 5 of Rabo....
Personally I would love to see Mke Ruddock or even an old Rugby Leaguer to put some steel into the middle of the park defence. We are where Wales was before Gatland arrived, leaking tries and confidence by the match. His answer was Shaun Edwards and Wales STOPPED leaking points, after that and only AFTER, they started scoring them......
We have a **** fine back row and some good strike runners in the back three and Tuilagi can make holes and run straight, all great plusses. BUT while
DEFENCE may not win you games it may help stop losing them.
Get the tackle bags out lads and don't take any dummies!!
East Newport Dave
says...
5:02am Tue 25 Sep 12
East Newport Dave
says...
5:02am Tue 25 Sep 12
Dai the Milk
says...
10:32am Tue 25 Sep 12
corpardguy wrote:Defence does win games, more than attack. When you defend properly, sides tire and holes appear.
I don't know who would come to RP now as a coach. The fact is we do have good players AND some good potential, but it needs knitting and bonding together better than at present.
We are certainly better than the next level down but not good enough to be in the top 5 of Rabo....
Personally I would love to see Mke Ruddock or even an old Rugby Leaguer to put some steel into the middle of the park defence. We are where Wales was before Gatland arrived, leaking tries and confidence by the match. His answer was Shaun Edwards and Wales STOPPED leaking points, after that and only AFTER, they started scoring them......
We have a **** fine back row and some good strike runners in the back three and Tuilagi can make holes and run straight, all great plusses. BUT while
DEFENCE may not win you games it may help stop losing them.
Get the tackle bags out lads and don't take any dummies!!
silurix
says...
1:50pm Tue 25 Sep 12
At the moment, based on points F & A, the Dragon are average in attack and poor in defence. A bottom quartile finish beckons.
Dai the Milk
says...
4:54pm Tue 25 Sep 12
silurix wrote:Silurix, very articulate and well expressed post. I just know which I would prefer out of a strong attack and weak defence or a weak attack and strong defence. Obviously both is the ideal but I favour the latter. As you rightly state, 'the most successful teams tend to have tight defences'. The Aussies are the perfect example.
Defence and attack are both important but if your defence is leaky then you had better have an efficient attacking strategy to avoid sinking down the table. Its the difference between points For and Against that matters - especially if its negative. Leinster have conceded more points than the Dragons so far but have a far superior scoring record. Its probably not a coincidence that the 2 teams with bigger deficits than the Dragons are the 2 teams below them. If you are in deficit the interesting point then is - "is it easier to improve your defence or your attack to reduce the deficit?". There are lots of variables to consider here , but its noticeable that the most successful teams tend to have tight defences. Aus beat SA in the last WC partly because of Bok incompetence but mostly because their defence was superb. Likewise, in the 6N , the 2 teams with the best defences and highest points surpluses finished first and second. Its not rocket science - you either have to score more points than you concede ( with a weak defence ) or concede fewer points than you are able to score ( with a weak attack ) to stand a chance of finishing above the stragglers.
At the moment, based on points F & A, the Dragon are average in attack and poor in defence. A bottom quartile finish beckons.
kalwales@hotmail.com
says...
6:54pm Tue 25 Sep 12
(p,s) Any news on the Supporters Jerseys Yet?? STILL NOTHING !
THE MANAGERS AND BOARD ARE TO BLAME & if they wanna ban me from here they can do what they like as they WILL NEVER silence me !!
Robert Shillabeer
says...
10:27am Wed 26 Sep 12
CaptainB says...
10:21pm Sat 22 Sep 12
We beat the lowly Italians on their first outing.
Leinster stuffed us when we should have got a couple of bonus points.
The Blues took all the spoils at Rodney Parade in a dismal display.
Now twenty points behind a fairly mediocre Munster team.
Madame Guilotine beckons for you my son!!!
I don't think Applecart will be able to pull the season back, come in Kingsley Jones!!!!