Connacht Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

thomond2006

fatguy2k1 wrote: »

There is NO truth in Gavin going to Ulster. None what so ever.

and how do you know this?

An answer of "I just do" won't cut it.

Dave Joyce

An answer of "I just do" won't cut it.

Well I can't say anything for definate BUT from what Gavin Duffy has said in interviews, I would seriously doubt a move like that. In an interview before the game with Toulon, he said the game had brought back memories of when he played with Harlequins V Connacht in the semi final also. When Quins won the game he said he sat in the winning dressing room crying his eyes out although his side had WON, with his team mates wondering what the hell was wrong with him. Like Mull, he is a PROUD Connacht man/player which is why I would doubt about him even concidering a move to Ulster.

2040

thomond2006 wrote: »

and how do you know this?

An answer of "I just do" won't cut it.

In fairness, the onus is on the people saying that he is going to Ulster.

fatguy2k1

thomond2006 wrote: »

and how do you know this?

An answer of "I just do" won't cut it.

Because i work in the Branch for one.

he'll be starting the second year of his three year contract this season for seconds

lastly no way in hell we would let him go.

i'm pretty sure that's a hell of a lot better that 'i just do'

CouchSmart

2040 wrote: »

In fairness, the onus is on the people saying that he is going to Ulster.

No one has claimed for definite that he's going, just rumours. The guy claiming he's definitely not going needs to back this up. Rumours are rumours because there's no realistic backup to it, usually just a friend of a friends cousins uncles ex-wife goes to the same salon as his girlfriend or something stupid like that. Always fun to speculate though.

fatguy2k1

CouchSmart wrote: »

No one has claimed for definite that he's going, just rumours. The guy claiming he's definitely not going needs to back this up. Rumours are rumours because there's no realistic backup to it, usually just a friend of a friends cousins uncles ex-wife goes to the same salon as his girlfriend or something stupid like that. Always fun to speculate though.

eh, i just did back it up.

CouchSmart

fatguy2k1 wrote: »

eh, i just did back it up.

I never said you didn't.

Borders no.2

From Today's Irish Times

Connacht sign Taylor
CONNACHT ARE set to complete the signing of Queensland Reds backrow player Ezra Taylor. The Australian-born, New Zealander will fill the boots left by Kiwi George Naoupu who took up a contract in Japan at the end of the season. Taylor comes to Connacht with several years experience in Super 14, including two years with the Reds and two years with the Otago Highlanders.

thomond2006

He's got big boots to fill, hope it works out.

outwest

i have a good fealing about this season. dont know why, i never havee before

thomond2006

outwest wrote: »

i have a good fealing about this season. dont know why, i never havee before

It's certainly better that there has been no clearout like previous seasons, good to see some continuity. The same applies for Elwood stepping up to the head coaching role.

Robbo

outwest wrote: »

i have a good fealing about this season. dont know why, i never havee before

I've never looked forward to a season as much. With the new backroom staff, nearly all of last years squad retained, the couple of signings and the complete change in attitude since Eric was announced, it's going to be a good one.

I think I'll renew my season ticket again, having skipped last year.

We should have some Boards Connacht heads pints at some game. Any takers?

Zzippy

Robbo wrote: »

I've never looked forward to a season as much. With the new backroom staff, nearly all of last years squad retained, the couple of signings and the complete change in attitude since Eric was announced, it's going to be a good one.

I think I'll renew my season ticket again, having skipped last year.

We should have some Boards Connacht heads pints at some game. Any takers?

Yup, I'd be up for that!
Probably going to get the season ticket myself this year, hopefully won't be away with work as much so will be able to get to most of the games. Have mixed feelings about this year, on the one hand (the playing side) it looks great, continuity in the squad, new signings are promising, backroom team looks good, hopefully we can build on the second half of last season.
On the other hand, still v v worried about this "review" and the one-year contracts, if Eamonn Ryan gets his way and the IRFU start getting less TV revenue I can see another push to drop Connacht :mad:

PhatPiggins

Borders no.2 wrote: »

From Today's Irish Times

Connacht sign Taylor
CONNACHT ARE set to complete the signing of Queensland Reds backrow player Ezra Taylor. The Australian-born, New Zealander will fill the boots left by Kiwi George Naoupu who took up a contract in Japan at the end of the season. Taylor comes to Connacht with several years experience in Super 14, including two years with the Reds and two years with the Otago Highlanders.

Good signing with a decent playing record in the S14. The Otago boys seem to like coming to Connacht. I guess there are a lot of similarities between the two.

profitius

outwest wrote: »

i have a good fealing about this season. dont know why, i never havee before

Michael Bradley

seanin4711

Position Backrow
Date Of Birth 6/4/1983
Place of Birth Brisbane
Weight 111kg
Height 1.94m
Club University of Qld
Junior Club Suburbs (Auckland)
School Wesley College
QLD Caps 15 (8 for Otago Highlanders)
Qld Debut Mar 2009 v Sharks, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (2006 v North Harbour for Otago)
QLD Points 5 (1t)
QLD S12/14 Caps 15 (8 for Highlanders)
QLD S12/14 Debut Mar 2009 v Sharks, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (2007 v Lions for Highlanders)
QLD S12/14 Points 5 (1t)
The best advice I've ever received Quit Basketball and play rugby
My pre-game routines/rituals include Listen to music
Favourite food Luau/Samoan food, coconut cream, Taro leaves
When I was 10 years old I wanted to be A rugby player
My worst habit losing stuff
Team's Best dresser myself
Team's Worst dresser Scott Higginbotham
Team's Biggest pest Quade Cooper
Biggest influence on my career Family
If I didn't play rugby I'd be into retail or teaching
An unknown talent I have Singing
Favourite music/performer Dr Dre / Andre 3000 / Jay Z / Lil Wayne
Outside rugby I support Logan Thunder (WNBL)
Funniest Team Mate Jack Kennedy
My most treasured possession Ipod

evil_seed

http://www.rugbynews.co.nz/news/index_dynamic/containerNameToReplace=Middle/focusModuleID=7468/overideSkinName=newsArticle-full.tpl

lets keep him in the gym and away from halo lol

Utopia Parkway

evil_seed wrote: »

http://www.rugbynews.co.nz/news/index_dynamic/containerNameToReplace=Middle/focusModuleID=7468/overideSkinName=newsArticle-full.tpl

lets keep him in the gym and away from halo lol

Sounds like an impressive speciman. Let's hope he can play rugby as well as pump weights.

Borders no.2

Connacht picture will be clearer in the autumn
By Barry Coughlan

Saturday, July 03, 2010



THE future of Connacht rugby will remain under the microscope until the findings of an independent review are made known in early autumn, the Irish Rugby Football Union AGM has revealed.



IRFU chief executive Philip Browne admitted last night that a significantly greater degree of commercialisation was needed to head off future problems. "At the end of the day we want to improve the situation there; the review lies with Connacht and the management committee at the moment," he said.

Connacht players are currently on unusually short single-year contracts and Browne revealed that the traditional time for re-negotiations in the provinces was following the autumn internationals.

He said the issues would hopefully be clearer by then, to allow a full reassessment of what was required to bring the province forward.

"Whatever is to happen must work for Connacht but it must also work for the rest of Irish rugby. The status quo doesn’t fully work for anyone; from a financial and rugby point of view. We have spent a significant amount of money over the last 10 years on professional rugby in Connacht and it hasn’t actually moved things on, so we have had to look at that," he said.

Meanwhile, the IRFU continue to carefully negotiate the difficult economic climate and yesterday announced a surplus for 2009 of €1.7 million, just slightly down on the previous season.

But IRFU treasurer Tom Grace reiterated the dangers facing the organisation should the Government force a free-to-air TV proposal for major rugby events.

Against the backdrop of the new Aviva Stadium at yesterday’s AGM, Grace said the proposal posed a huge threat to the future of rugby in Ireland and pointed out that TV revenue was imperative for the development of the game.

"Last year’s revenues improved by €2.1m and went up to €59.1m. This is largely due to the impact of the new Six Nations broadcasting contracts, underlining the vital importance of unfettered broadcasting partnerships to the well-being of the game at all levels," said former international winger Grace.

He reported an increase in commercial income of €900,000, mainly due to new partnerships with Puma and other commercial revenues connected to the Grand Slam success the season before last.

Grace warned the surplus primarily reflected the performance of Irish teams, and pointed out there were numerous risks of a financial nature which were under constant review.

But there wasn’t a hint of threat to Ireland’s coaching team led by Declan Kidney, with delegates convinced a recent results slump – successive defeats to Scotland, the Barbarians, New Zealand, the New Zealand Maori and Australia – was temporary.

"I still believe there is more to come from this squad," Grace said.

The management and coaching team of Paul McNaughton, Kidney, Gert Smal, Les Kiss, Alan Gaffney and Mark Tainton are all contracted to Ireland at least up to the conclusion of the World Cup.

Chief executive Philip Browne also headed off any would-be critics when he noted: "Irish rugby has had its share of good news stories over the past few years, largely through the exploits of our various teams. It says something people were disappointed that the team could only come second in the Six Nations this season.

"Added to that, Leinster and Munster both reached the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup and the Magners League in its new format. Connacht had an unbeaten run to reach the semi-final of the Amlin Challenge Cup in a more competitive and rejuvenated format and that was another huge boost for the game in this country."

An even bigger boost for the organisation will be a return to their spiritual home on Lansdowne Road. Even though attendances will fall from a maximum 82,000 at Croke Park to 50,000 at the Aviva, the IRFU is confident of a bright future.

Treasurer Grace pointed out that the IRFU would be spared a significant rental fee associated with Croke Park and would be selling tickets at the higher level because, unlike GAA headquarters, it will be an all-seater stadium.

Browne, meanwhile, described the completion of the Aviva Stadium as one of the most exciting developments in Irish rugby. "The completion marked the end of a remarkable project between ourselves, the FAI and the Government; it was delivered on schedule and on budget," he said.

The IRFU has readjusted its plans for the opening game in the new stadium with composite under-20 teams from Ulster/Leinster taking on Munster/Connacht on July 31.

Remarkably, for an underage fixture, over 25,000 tickets have already been sold.



This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Saturday, July 03, 2010

Robbo

Ezra Taylor has arrived and all the rest of them are well into pre-season. Spotted Mike McCarthy and some others driving through town earlier.

Borders no.2

Are there any more signings to come? Our options look a bit light in a couple of areas, in particular in the front row.

fatguy2k1

Borders no.2 wrote: »

Are there any more signings to come? Our options look a bit light in a couple of areas, in particular in the front row.

they are looking for a prop and number 8.

LFC5Times

I heard Robert Sweeney (St.Marys) is on trial with Connacht at the moment.

bamboozle

LFC5Times wrote: »

I heard Robert Sweeney (St.Marys) is on trial with Connacht at the moment.

good player, got a 1 year deal with leinster on the back of his performances with Clontarf a few seasons back, released & signed with Rotheram, now with St. Marys. A good prop and a big unit.

porterbelly

Are you sure we're still in for a no8 after signing Ezra Taylor? Any idea of who it may be?

fatguy2k1

porterbelly wrote: »

Are you sure we're still in for a no8 after signing Ezra Taylor? Any idea of who it may be?

Good point. They are only looking for a prop now.

porterbelly

They could be after a centre as well because we were supposed to be getting Kyle Tonnetti and Eamon Sheridan from Leinster, Tonnetti being a 10/12 and Sheridan a 12, but Tonnetti changed his mind at the last minute and signed for Sale and because Tonnetti didn't come, Sheridan changed his mind as well. We could still do with 2/3 players because there's an extra 4 games this season and it all takes its toll towards the end of the season.

profitius

porterbelly wrote: »

They could be after a centre as well because we were supposed to be getting Kyle Tonnetti and Eamon Sheridan from Leinster, Tonnetti being a 10/12 and Sheridan a 12, but Tonnetti changed his mind at the last minute and signed for Sale and because Tonnetti didn't come, Sheridan changed his mind as well. We could still do with 2/3 players because there's an extra 4 games this season and it all takes its toll towards the end of the season.

Are you sure about that? It looks like something little children would do and not the actions of someone who wants to be a professional rugby player.

porterbelly

Well Tonnetti deciding not to come seemed to have a knock on effect with Sheridan. He only spent a year in the Leinster Academy so maybe he decided he wanted another year to see could he make more of an impression. Seeing that these 2 players decided against coming, I wonder does that mean we are still tracking 2 backs? Would be good for the depth of the squad.

Any domestic player we've been linked with has had Leinster connections, seems to be no talk of any Munster lads coming. A player I had thought of as an extra option in the back row was Eoghan Grace but he's now signed for Exeter. What about trying to coax fringe players like Peter O' Mahony/Ian Nagle/Barry Murphy/Mike Sherry west? They'd be useful additions to the squad and are unlikely to see much gametime for the 1st team this season. It would be better for them ( and Munster in the long run) if they were to join us for a year, rather than playing AIL and B&I Cup

Borders no.2

Any word on when the Challenge Cup fixtures will be announced?