Is Howlett the key to improve Munsters attack?

Question

Munster have struggled with players beyond 10 since as far back as the Heiniken Cup in 2000, we have always had good backs but not the full international standard like leinster. Stinger & O Gara are the best we have but oustide them we struggle.

Munster has always attrachted the New Zealand boys, young & old, maybe cause we beat ye before......we're that good!

We have Manning (NZ schools) Mafi (NZ u19 & u21) & Cullen (need i say anything), however Manning & Mafi are still very young players and Cullen never really performed for us. This year we also secured Tipoki (Maori Captain), problem is that he is already over 30 years old and never made the full all blacks....

However recently we also captured Doug Howlett, a 28 year old legend and by the time he arrives in Ireland he'll no doubt will be the highest try scorer for the all blacks beating the recently departed Christian Cullen record.

Will Howlett along with the current squad make the Munster backline something to fear?

Answer 1

just watch him at the RWC, he is a wonderful player in any of the back three positons...but needs the ball to show his talents....with O`Gara at 1st five, is he going to get any.

Answer 2

Will he be able to wrangle the ball off the munster eight, and get it before ogara kicks it into touch?

Probably not.

Answer 3

I dont think he will be the key since he is out on the wing and relies on everyone inside and the pack to do 90% of his job.  He may be the signal of a change in philosophy for the club though.

I can't believe the management would shell out the big bucks to sign him unless they had intentions to use him significantly.  You don't really sign a 28 year old, established international and then try to mould him to your team.  He's got his style set and you'll lose a large chunk of his potency by changing it.  So it could be the start of an exciting attacking change in Munster (has to be one of the coolest names btw).

As for the other NZ players, I think Manning left because he wasn't really going on to anything higher in NZ.  Mafi was a good player but he was never going to make a regular starter in the Super 14.  Cullen was a legend, but all the signs were there that his form was vanishing.  His last few games in the All Blacks were not anywhere near his old form.  Haven't seen much of him in Europe, I'd imagine he still pulls off the occassional miracles?

As for Tipoki.... oh man, I don't even know where to start with this guy except to say, you are probably getting him at his best!!!  That guy drove me absolutely mental for years.  He was the biggest ball hog I have ever seen.  The amount of times that clown tried to sidestep through 3 defenders while he had a big overlap outside him is beyond count.  I was so happy he played for North Harbour in the NPC but when he got into the Blues, I almost cried.  We nicknamed him Rua ThePokie because he was like a Poker slot machine.... you never knew what was coming, you win sometimes, but ultimately, you lose... your mind!

He took off to Japan for a while and came back a very different player.  His ball distribution has gone up IMMENSELY.  He still has the good step, but uses it less and in better situations.  He is nowhere near Frank Bunce's class, but I compare them in that they have really developed late and are actually peaking in their 30's.

Looks like exciting times in Munster.... good luck!

***edit***

Howlett plays Wing, Centre and Fullback as well.

Answer 4

A great finisher. His midfield has always been pretty sweet.

The day you sign Tana will be the day all others fear.

Answer 5

munster have an ok back line....

but with the retirement of cullen and payne we now have a serious issue at full back...

kelly and horgan are decent backs but still not at international standard......

barry murphy has shown excellent potential but still has along way to go

howlett is an excellent signing for us.

but what we really need is a centre and a full back

someone like mortlock or montgomery would really help us

we have a strong pack but our inferior backline has cost us over the years...