Contepomi contemplates change

Hamo

Dr Phil on his last year of contract

Appartently Dr Phil is in discussion with French teams about his service, I'd have to say Leinster are pretty much at a loss should he go, Sexton is not the level yet, thoughts?

buck65

Think Perpignan was mentioned as a possible suitor, still Leinster's pockets might be deep enough - god knows they need him. So much for Nacewa being the saviour at outhalf. Only when Contepomi went no. 10 did Leinster seem to find shape.
Sexton has had his chance too and is an adequate sub.

RugbyFanatic

Though Sexton is playing terribly its harsh to write him off on half a season. It was only last season he upstaged our current number 1 Ronan O'Gara despite being only 22.

Pshan

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

Though Sexton is playing terribly its harsh to write him off on half a season. It was only last season he upstaged our current number 1 Ronan O'Gara despite being only 22.

Upstaged ROG, when? to be anywhere near getting the No10 jersey for Ireland or Leinster for that matter Sexton needs to be consistent and thats his big failure, when he's good he's good but when he's poor he's goddamn woeful.

On Topic, Contepomi will certainly go once his study is complete.

buck65

What game are you talking about? In the RDS when O Gara hobbled off at half time a week before the HCup semi final?

bleg

get rid of him, get a scrum half instead

cmcsoft

Leinster badly need to hold onto him, quality player and versatile, equally comfortable at 10 and 12. Would have been in big trouble without him the other night

buck65

cmcsoft wrote: »

Leinster badly need to hold onto him, quality player and versatile, equally comfortable at 10 and 12. Would have been in big trouble without him the other night

You're spot on.

RugbyFanatic

Pshan wrote: »

Upstaged ROG, when? to be anywhere near getting the No10 jersey for Ireland or Leinster for that matter Sexton needs to be consistent and thats his big failure, when he's good he's good but when he's poor he's goddamn woeful.

On Topic, Contepomi will certainly go once his study is complete.

Funny how you can talk about consistency when our current outhalf is Ronan O'Gara.

Hes outplayed Ronan O'Gara the last two seaons when they met head to head not saying he is a better player, far from it, but that gives an idea of his potential and to merely offload him after half a season of poor showing when he has been excellent the last two seasons is just wrong in my opinion.

buck65

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

Funny how you can talk about consistency when our current outhalf is Ronan O'Gara.

Hes outplayed Ronan O'Gara the last two seaons when they met head to head not saying he is a better player, far from it, but that gives an idea of his potential and to merely offload him after half a season of poor showing when he has been excellent the last two seasons is just wrong in my opinion.

Did he upstage him this season in 18-0 defeat? Why do you have to drag O Gara into every argument?
Sexton clearly isn't yet at that level don't delude yourself. I would love to see Sexton blossom into a good outhalf but I just feel that he is lacking that x factor and is now behind Humphreys and even Keatley in the Irish pecking order.

RuggieBear

RF you are not to mention ROG again in any thread.

back on topic people

Noopti

Tbh, I wouldn't mind seeing him go. Might give an Irish outhalf a chance. Sure it would probably be to the short term detriment of the team, but it could work out better in the long run.

RuggieBear

Problem is we would probably just go out and buy the best OH available...Sexton will most likely be in England next year.

of course Cheika is probably grooming Nacewa at 10 now for next season.

RugbyFanatic

buck65 wrote: »

Did he upstage him this season in 18-0 defeat? Why do you have to drag O Gara into every argument?
Sexton clearly isn't yet at that level don't delude yourself. I would love to see Sexton blossom into a good outhalf but I just feel that he is lacking that x factor and is now behind Humphreys and even Keatley in the Irish pecking order.

I never said he was up to that level yet I said he has shown he has the ability to be.

If Earls has a poor second half to the season would you like him completely dropped off the radar like people are suggesting with Sexton after half a season?

Noopti

Yep, that is what would probably happen. But I would love to see such a turn of events lead to the growth of a great Irish outhalf, there is bound to be one waiting in the wings somewhere.

But yeah, it would be Nacewa or a new transfer in all likelihood. Can definitely seen Contepomi moving to France though, a lot of his fellow countrymen ply their trade there.

Sparky14

If Contepomi goes then we would definitely need an OH replacement. Sexton and Nacewa are not good enough 10s for HC.

RugbyFanatic

Sparky14 wrote: »

If Contepomi goes then we would definitely need an OH replacement. Sexton and Nacewa are not good enough 10s for HC.

Stephen Brett would be brilliant, 23 and could be eligiable to play for Ireland within a few years......

hmmmmmmmmmm

[Jackass]

Contepomi is 95% playing his final season for Leisnter. Sexton only has one year left to run on his contract. Nacewa was brought in as a replacement / to give depth ahead of Contepomis departure (he has made absolutely no secret of it).

Given Sextons form and refusal to sign a long term contract, Nacewa 10 project failing miserably (although still a superb player imo, just not at 10) there is only one answer....Ian Keatley.

If he's not given his chance now he'll never get his shot at Leinster. If we sign someone we can kiss Keatley goodbye - which is incredably short sighted - he's ready! (sorry Connacht fans )

Podge_irl

Has Keatley not said he won't return to Leinster as long as the current management are there (or something to that effect).

pickles_17

sickened!

[Jackass]

Podge_irl wrote: »

Has Keatley not said he won't return to Leinster as long as the current management are there (or something to that effect).

Nope. I think that was an internet rumour that started!! I can't imagine any player ruiling out one of the biggest sides in the country and Europe and ruiling out an international career by going to GP if he was wanted by Leinster. Would be very foolish. I've never seen it quoted anyway and I don't think he'd be that stupid to be honest.

tughfc

how is keatley even being considered for this topic. At the end of the day keatley has played well for two games this year and i know yes it was munster and leinster but it doesnt mean hes the second best out half in the country i havent really seen him perform away from home and connacht are currently sitting bottom of the celtic league, in my view he's been completly overrated at the minute! Id pick sexton well before i would pick him!

Zzippy

[Jackass] wrote: »

Given Sextons form and refusal to sign a long term contract, Nacewa 10 project failing miserably (although still a superb player imo, just not at 10) there is only one answer....Ian Keatley.

If he's not given his chance now he'll never get his shot at Leinster. If we sign someone we can kiss Keatley goodbye - which is incredably short sighted - he's ready! (sorry Connacht fans )

Hands off! :mad:

tughfc wrote: »

how is keatley even being considered for this topic. At the end of the day keatley has played well for two games this year and i know yes it was munster and leinster but it doesnt mean hes the second best out half in the country i havent really seen him perform away from home and connacht are currently sitting bottom of the celtic league, in my view he's been completly overrated at the minute! Id pick sexton well before i would pick him!

Have you watched much rugby this season? At least Keatley is actually playing regularly, at senior level and not in A games like Sexton is. He was outstanding in the away win at Dax, kicked 7 out of 8 or something like that while getting terrible abuse from the home fans, and controlled the game well. If he had a stronger pack in front of him giving him better ball he would be even better.
By the way, the topic isn't about the second best OH in the country, its about a replacement for Contepomi should he leave - that was why Keatley was mentioned. Oh and another thing, it hasn't been the Celtic League for several years now.

remus808

I'd be happy to let Contepomi go if we can get Keatley back and use the money to get a world class scrummie. We really need a halfback pairing than can elevate our backline above the sum of its parts. Contepomi may be our best option at the moment, but I don't think having him at 10 long term is ideal. Sexton at 10 with Conters at 12 worked much better last year.

tughfc

Zzippy wrote: »

Hands off! :mad:



Have you watched much rugby this season? At least Keatley is actually playing regularly, at senior level and not in A games like Sexton is. He was outstanding in the away win at Dax, kicked 7 out of 8 or something like that while getting terrible abuse from the home fans, and controlled the game well. If he had a stronger pack in front of him giving him better ball he would be even better.
By the way, the topic isn't about the second best OH in the country, its about a replacement for Contepomi should he leave - that was why Keatley was mentioned. Oh and another thing, it hasn't been the Celtic League for several years now.

here mate lets be honest ur picking at strings here im trying to have a civilised conversation! personally i dont think keatley has done enough to warrent all the praise he's getting where as sexton has proved himself and deserves to be recognised ahead of keatley! And for people to think of keatley as the second choice out half for ireland is completely rediculous! Id play wallace on his own in a backline before id put keatley there!

RugbyFanatic

tughfc wrote: »

here mate lets be honest ur picking at strings here im trying to have a civilised conversation! personally i dont think keatley has done enough to warrent all the praise he's getting where as sexton has proved himself and deserves to be recognised ahead of keatley! And for people to think of keatley as the second choice out half for ireland is completely rediculous! Id play wallace on his own in a backline before id put keatley there!

Going to have to agree Keatley is massively overrated on these forums.

Not saying he isn't good by the way just that he is hugely overrated.

Chucky the tree

tughfc wrote: »

here mate lets be honest ur picking at strings here im trying to have a civilised conversation! personally i dont think keatley has done enough to warrent all the praise he's getting where as sexton has proved himself and deserves to be recognised ahead of keatley! And for people to think of keatley as the second choice out half for ireland is completely rediculous! Id play wallace on his own in a backline before id put keatley there!

Eh, by doing what excactly? That fine job of warming the leinster bench?

buck65

Would prefer to see Keatley stay in Connacht and continue getting game time. Surely this is better than playing a few games here and there like Sexton is doing now?
Connacht need to kick on from this year and improve their squad not deplete it.
Keeping Contepomi is a must for Leinster, but if a man wants to go fair enough.

RugbyFanatic

Chucky the tree wrote: »

Eh, by doing what excactly? That fine job of warming the leinster bench?

I think hes referring to the last two seasons.

Serenity Now!

Apart from speculation in the Irish Times about Contepomi leaving, are there any actual quotes to suggest that this rumour is true?

Chucky the tree

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

I think hes referring to the last two seasons.

I didnt see much of him in the last two seasons, but it must of been pretty impressive stuff for Leinster to go out and sign Isa Newca as an out-half.

RugbyFanatic

Chucky the tree wrote: »

I didnt see much of him in the last two seasons, but it must of been pretty impressive stuff for Leinster to go out and sign Isa Newca as an out-half.

Enough to get him a call up to the 6nations squad.

Personally I believe Nacewa was signed as an utility player able to cover the entire backline but with Sexton's fledging form it was decided to put him outhalf regularly.

RuggieBear

Chucky the tree wrote: »

I didnt see much of him in the last two seasons, but it must of been pretty impressive stuff for Leinster to go out and sign Isa Newca as an out-half.

to be fair Sexton was excellent last season. Hopefully it is only second season syndrome. Kearny had it fierce too and has appeared a much better player.

Zzippy

tughfc wrote: »

here mate lets be honest ur picking at strings here im trying to have a civilised conversation! personally i dont think keatley has done enough to warrent all the praise he's getting where as sexton has proved himself and deserves to be recognised ahead of keatley! And for people to think of keatley as the second choice out half for ireland is completely rediculous! Id play wallace on his own in a backline before id put keatley there!

I'm not "picking at strings" - fair enough you don't rate Keatley, but you said he hadn't produced any away form, and I was pointing out the Dax match in France as an example. I also pointed out that this thread wasn't about a replacement for ROG as you were the only person to bring up a second choice OH for Ireland - I think Humphreys is way ahead of Sexton or Keatley there - but the thread was about Leinster and Contepomi.

tughfc

well on recent form i would have to agree that humphreys is playing better then both of them but i do fear maybe he is a bit one dimentional with his kicking but i would pick him ahead of both sexton and keatley!
i'm still not convinced that keatley has performed away from home! He may have performed against dax in which a match i missed but apart from that he hasnt been as steady as sexton or humphreys in that matter!

gcgirl

Podge_irl wrote: »

Has Keatley not said he won't return to Leinster as long as the current management are there (or something to that effect).

Thats a pitty! I am kind of getting excited at Keatley's progress. Jonny Sexton
really needs a good game or several to try get his confidence back !