Howlett Munster captain 2012/13 ?

[McCloud]

Howlett may get lead role for Munster in O’Connell absence
By Barry Coughlan
Monday, August 20, 2012


Munster’s Rob Penney and Paul O’Connell will have a serious discussion en-route to Glasgow tomorrow as they help launch the new RaboDirect Pro12 campaign.


The main topic — whether Doug Howlett will take the captain’s armband on a short or long-term basis this season.


Penney has added to the debate on whether to reappoint the currently injured O’Connell or go down the Leinster route of a few seasons ago in naming a skipper with less or no international commitments.


"The decision has been pretty much made and we will release that to the team next week; you guys [press] will be second on the list to know," he said when asked about the subject.


The new coach is unlikely to make any alterations as Leinster did in replacing Brian O’Driscoll with Leo Cullen, but he will look for some stability in the periods when O’Connell will be away on international duty in November and the first three months of next year. Howlett is the favourite to assume the role, the inspirational Kiwi having been named to lead the team in the two pre-season games to date.


Meanwhile, in the build up to Friday’s clash with London Irish at Musgrave Park – when some of the interest will centre around the return of former Munster scrum half Tomás O’Leary to his home ground – Ian Keatley is looking forward to getting another opportunity to press his claims for a regular place in the team.


However, he will be looking to a better individual and collective display, noting how Munster suffered at times against Bristol at Musgrave Park on Friday.


"We got the win so I would say it was an improvement. We did some good stuff last week [against Stade Rochelais] but had a lot of unforced errors. They were a very big French side and that’s where we lost the game.


"This week, we still had some errors with the weather conditions and a few [missed] penalties but we had a good chat at half-time, saw where we were making ground and I think we exploited that."


Keatley figures Munster will come good sooner rather than later and is excited to be given the opportunity to play alongside fast running backs such as newcomers Luke O’Dea and Sean Scanlon.


"It’s only the second game of the season, a new game plan and the lads are enjoying a free style type of game. The conditions on Friday took a toll but we’re going to have to cope with that during the season.


"Hopefully having the fast lads out on the wings exploiting the space will mean we can create a bit of havoc."




Irish Examiner

[Duffman]

All these foreigners coming in here taking Irish jobs......

[MrsMcGahan]

I like the use of the royal 'we' regarding the missed penalties.
'Look now what you made me do' Keatley glares at his team mates.......

The captaincy thing is a tricky one. The decision is already made?
Much much more than worthy as Howlett is I'd be surprised if it is not POC.
Unless POC asks for a break it'd be very unusual if not unprecedented for a great captain to be demoted while still in their prime.

[LondonMunster]

Wasn't O'Dea a newcomer last season?

I can not recall Howlett ever letting the side or the jersey down, so he would be a good choice as captain especially given that the obvious forward candidates behind POC are all likely to be involved in the International squads.

I can't say I am too excited about this though, if we are to believe the new emphasis being given to individual decision making right across the park, then every member of our first team squad should be playing as a captain.

[Colliniho]

Bit of a non issue really. Neither Paulie nor Dougie will give less than 100% or be any less of a leader on the field, whether they are wearing the armband or not.

[Captain Average]

I can't wait to see Dougie in action again. It's been far too long. The man just oozes class and is inspiring for those younger lads around him.
He's the obvious choice as captain while Paulie's not around anyway. Micko is gone, and ROG, even if he wasn't still an international, is far from a good captain. In fact, I wouldn't object in the slightest at Dougie being captain for the whole season. It would provide some level of consistency, for when the internationals are away.

[Sketchy]

I'm more in favour of leading from the pack, despite being a back myself in my day. I think having your leader at the coalface is exactly where you need him. Although having said that; Dougie probably has the best attitude of any rugby player I have seen. I'd still have reservations moving the captaincy away from the pack though. Dougie as vice Captain and captain in POC's absence would be good.

And lads, what was Murray's goal-kicking like for Garryowen ? I don't know why we don't promote kickers in areas other than Outhalf, like the French do. Would Murray be a better goalkicker than Keatley. Allow Keatley concentrate on the rest of his game.

[B.A.]

I'd definitely have Dougie ahead of ROG. I'm not really sure who you'd have in the pack that isn't regularly away on international duty - Cawlin?? I don't think BJ is captain material and he's probably the most experienced non-international in the pack. Dougie's probably ideal for the Rabo games anyway.

[Munsterboy]

The advantage of having Dougie as captain is that, like POC, he commands huge respect but unlike POC, he is always around. Would be a good choice imo.

POC to lead the pack when he is available. Coughlan or POM to lead it when he is not.

[Cowboy]

The lack of Rog in all this is apparent, it might suit him not to take on the captains mantle. I always think being captain has an impact on his performances as CA says above. Its the quickest way to make him go tomato-head as well.

[Duffman]

I can't wait to see Dougie in action again. It's been far too long. The man just oozes class and is inspiring for those younger lads around him.

Why do you want to shift Doug Howlett?

[Captain Average]

It is perfectly acceptable to have a man crush on Doug Howlett.

[Thomond78]

It is perfectly acceptable to have a man crush on Doug Howlett.

I'd fundamentally mistrust anyone who doesn't.

[taz]

Happy with Dougie as captain,I'm ok to let it to everyone else with the man crushes.

[lahinch_lass]

I like the use of the royal 'we' regarding the missed penalties.
'Look now what you made me do' Keatley glares at his team mates.......

The captaincy thing is a tricky one. The decision is already made?
Much much more than worthy as Howlett is I'd be surprised if it is not POC.
Unless POC asks for a break it'd be very unusual if not unprecedented for a great captain to be demoted while still in their prime.

But it isn't .. unusual OR unprecedented .. the BOD / Cullen example was alluded to in other posts. In fairness to POC even when he's fit he plays in a minority of Munster's matches in any given season. He's always going to be pack-leader when he's playing anyway. At the rate POC picks up injuries these days & the time he spends with the international squad it makes far more sense for the captain to be someone who is with the squad all the time. POM is still too hot-headed & seems to be headed for the international squad as well anyway, Coughlan is the only other candidate from the current squad & presumably his slot at #8 isn't as locked in as it was with the new arrivals.
Dougie will be playing every game he isn't injured, he's got the experience & the respect of his teammates so seems like a decent choice to me.

[Red October]

The lack of Rog in all this is apparent, it might suit him not to take on the captains mantle. I always think being captain has an impact on his performances as CA says above. Its the quickest way to make him go tomato-head as well.

Look, I'm not in favour of replacing ROG whilst ROG can still show himself to be the best ten we have as a player; but I sure as hell wouldn't want to see any other reason for not making the change we need for the future good of Munster, to be added to the mix. Making ROG Captain would be foolish IMO.

[jeepers]

With Doug on the wing, Laulala at 13, Luke O'Dea & Zebo are not going to get much of a look in this year then.
Maybe BOD is going to step down from the Ireland captaincy and POC is in line for the job!

[John Cooper Clarke]

Perhaps Paulie will be club captian and Dougie will take the MOD role, and assume the captaincy when POC is not available?

[the plastic paddy]

I think Dougie would make a great captain myself, I think captaining from the back three offers plenty of advantages as long as the man commands the respect of the whole team, which I am certain Dougie does. Might be controversial but I think Paulie being captain can lead to him taking everything onto himself and some of the other players going awol.

[Blindsider.]

ROG will be away (internationals) just as much as POC, so if RP wants an 'ever-present' captain, then that won't work.

Before the Bristol game in MP, Penney and Dougie were standing in the middle of the pitch. Big conversations going on - looked to me like coach and captain.

I presume that there will be a few vice-captains, one of whom will be pack-leader.

[Sketchy]

Dougie's attitude has been impeccable since he landed in Munster. He has bought into the Munster spirit more than any other NIQ. In fact, when things were not going well over the last few years, he was the one player for me that epitomized the Munster spirit of old. He carried the flame so to speak. A part of our team died when he was injured last year. How we could have done with him against Ulster to penetrate their defence. Or against Ospreys to keep the heart and work-rate in the team. It was he who made the serious yards against Northampton for ROG's drop-goal when we looked to be static.

The guy is a hero to fans and players alike. He certainly deserves it, and would not let us down. I'd have no issue with him taking it on. In fact it could be the best thing ever.

The one thing going against him is leading from the back 3 means he is not on the frontline, or near the ref to influence the game as much as POC.

[jeepers]

Dougie has been a star for Munster. He stuck with Munster and 1 year contracts when he probably could have got very lucrative 5 year ones in France (like Wilkinson/Contempomi) did.

And thinking of other foreign players to come in and give their all - looks like Rocky Elsom is finished - lost his Japanese contract as he failed a fitness test.

[Viigand]

Dougie for President.

[Dumptruck]

Pic from Rabolaunch in Glasgow... Seems to be the Club Captains...

[Captain Average]

That is an awful promo pic.

[Thomond78]

Pic from Rabolaunch in Glasgow... Seems to be the Club Captains...

No fear of poor oul' Plug being left up front and close to the camera, was there? God love him...

[Cowboy]

That is an awful promo pic.

****ing woeful.

[Cowboy]

Has Woody come out of retirement??

[Munsterboy]

The one thing going against him is leading from the back 3 means he is not on the frontline, or near the ref to influence the game as much as POC.

Then again, POC gets wound up and falls out with referees a bit too easily. A calmer head may be a good thing.

[Sketchy]

Then again, POC gets wound up and falls out with referees a bit too easily. A calmer head may be a good thing.

Ya, that's another way of looking at it. Himself and Poite certainly never seem to see eye to eye!