Match Thread : Connacht v Scarlets Sat 29th 19:30 Sky/TG4

connachta

We all know the importance of this "8 pointer". No rotation except tactical one, we've to bring a 110% team :
I'd see (before squad update)

1) Buckley
2) McCartney
3) AhYou
4) Kearney
5) Browne (for defence and lineout)
6) Muldoon
7) Faloon
8 ) Naoupu
9) Marmion
10) Carty (for kicking)
11) Healy
12) Aki
13) Henshaw
14) Poolman
15) Muliaina (better he has 2 games in a row, continuity and experience could be worthwhile in a tight game)

17) Loughney
16) Heffernan
18) Bealham
19) Roux/Muldowney (depends on who is impressive this week in training sessions, if the latter is back to fitness)
20) McKeon
21) Porter (long range kicking duties when Carty's off, despite Cooney was good)
22) Nikora (deserves the bench after Zebre IMO)
23) Leader (can cover FB or Centre)


Not the kind of game to try new combinations, but on the long term, I wonder if Aki/Henshaw should become Henshaw/Aki... The Irish one have defence/kicking abilities (a 12), the N-Z one loves gaps (13 abilities)... Just asking your opinion

thomond2006

Massive match alright and it's the best time to play Scarlets who will be missing its internationals due to Wales vs South Africa. I can't see Henshaw getting released though.

It's great to see it televised, but it's on both Sky and TG4? I thought that wouldn't be possible?

connachta

thomond2006, little scamp Munster fan, you voted for Casey!

CatFromHue

I don't think Lanelli will be missing that many players.

As far as I know only 4 (Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Rhodri Jones, and Liam Williams).

They'd a good win over Glasgow on the weekend too.

connemara man

I agree Henshaw wont' be available. I'd Like to give Cooney the bench spot really upped the tempo when he came on and I wasn't that impressed by Porter, and I'd rather Ronaldson instead of Nikora, it will give more options of the bench if needed. Really big game on saturday

connachta

thomond2006 wrote: »

I can't see Henshaw getting released though.

He will, in all likelihood, and be rested in Challenge Cup the week after

thomond2006

connachta wrote: »

He will, in all likelihood, and be rested in Challenge Cup the week after

If he doesn't have to get a week off after the internationals, then I suppose so.

connachta

It's 19:30, sorry for the mistake

wp_rathead

Was gonna suggest Leader on wing but both Healy and Poolman had good games last week

Ive heard Henshaw be released this week and rested for Bayonne back to back games, hopefully its true

Cooney on bench over Porter for me. Be harsh to drop Loughney after last week but I feel Rodney should still start

connachta

wprathead wrote: »

Be harsh to drop Loughney after last week but I feel Rodney should still start

My issue was not Lougney vs AhYou but is about JHW who went out with a knee problem against Zebre. If JHW is out, I'd put Loughney back to LH (moved once again, poor guy!). It's the only reasonable solution to have a full substitute front row : 1)Buckley 2)McCartney 3)AhYou /// 17)Lough 16)Heff 18) Bealham
if you really want to keep going on with Loughney as n°3, you can imagine something like 1)Buckley 2)Heff 3)Loughney /// 17)McCartney 16)Delahunt 18) Ah You.. But I'm a bit more sceptical....

Zzippy

Earliest match thread for a Pro12 game EVER!

connachta

Scarlets apparently will miss not only 4, but 6 (1 more Wales called-up and 1 injury from glasgow). We must take this match lads

Zzippy

Absolute must-win game. When was the last time we were talking about must-win games to make European qualification - especially in November? Atmosphere wasn't great on Friday, we need to get behind the team and make a lot of noise this week...

connachta

Probably even 9 players absent, because English clubs called their Welsh guys back

eyeball kid

connachta wrote: »

Probably even 9 players absent, because English clubs called their Welsh guys back

Good time to be playing them then. Looking forward to the game on Saturday. First time to a Connacht game in years. Would be great to see Henshaw released to play for us.

its_phil

Branch really needs to promote the hell out of this game as what it is; a crucial point swinger that will impact our european ambitions. If ever we needed a full house this season it's Friday night.

But not a single post on their Facebook yet. It's poor and not surprising from what I've heard on Alex Saul.

Zzippy

its_phil wrote: »

Branch really needs to promote the hell out of this game as what it is; a crucial point swinger that will impact our european ambitions. If ever we needed a full house this season it's Friday night.

But not a single post on their Facebook yet. It's poor and not surprising from what I've heard on Alex Saul.

Yeah, their social media has really disimproved over the last year or so. They used to have competitions all the time for match tickets, and items popping up on my news feed regularly. Now it's just a couple of times a week and more about promoting sponsor's events and kids meets than actually promoting the games..

Swiwi.

connachta wrote: »

Not the kind of game to try new combinations, but on the long term, I wonder if Aki/Henshaw should become Henshaw/Aki... The Irish one have defence/kicking abilities (a 12), the N-Z one loves gaps (13 abilities)... Just asking your opinion

My opinion thou shalt duly have. Aki is a 12.

(I understand that to allow other plays to play at 12, Aki has been shunted to 13, but if Henshaw is available, I see no reason to play Bundee at 13.)

vienne86

Will Henshaw be available? Hope so. I think all provinces will be screaming for Connacht this weekend..

S12b

On the Henshaw availability front, first off I have no idea what the situation actually is but it would be ridiculous if he wasn't released.....not releasing Robbie for this game but allowing him to play against Bayonne would be no different to Paul O'Connell or Jamie Heaslip being forced to miss a crunch Heineken Cup match but playing against Zebre in the league the following week.

I have no problem with the overall number of games Henshaw plays being limited, but please let some common sense be used here!!

connachta

S12b wrote: »

On the Henshaw availability front, first off I have no idea what the situation actually is but it would be ridiculous if he wasn't released.....not releasing Robbie for this game but allowing him to play against Bayonne would be no different to Paul O'Connell or Jamie Heaslip being forced to miss a crunch Heineken Cup match but playing against Zebre in the league the following week.

I have no problem with the overall number of games Henshaw plays being limited, but please let some common sense be used here!!

exactly!

b.gud

Swiwi. wrote: »

My opinion thou shalt duly have. Aki is a 12.

(I understand that to allow other plays to play at 12, Aki has been shunted to 13, but if Henshaw is available, I see no reason to play Bundee at 13.)

Agree with this 100% I think Aki at 13 is no more than a stop gap to allow us have the best possible midfield players, (McSharry and Aki), on the pitch in the absence of Robbie. Aside from the fact that Aki is a 12, and by all accounts a top quality one, Robbie is a 13 and is getting mentored by the best 13 this country has ever known, it would be stupid to move him to 12 because he had a good game their against SA. He had a good game at 13 against Aus and that was a much tougher test of his skills.

FWIW I get the feeling that Aki at 12 will be much more of a threat at 12 than he would at 13 and can't wait to see him play their

connachta

b.gud wrote: »

Robbie is a 13 and is getting mentored by the best 13 this country has ever known, it would be stupid to move him to 12 because he had a good game their against SA.

2 years ago he played 12 for Connacht, and all in all, he has more games under the belt at 12. I'd take your point, but why did you say with that certainty, that Aki is a better 12 than 13? What did you see in his qualities to confort that? That's not rethorical questions, I really wants some precisions:)

b.gud

connachta wrote: »

2 years ago he played 12 for Connacht, and all in all, he has more games under the belt at 12.

Really? Robbie has played more 12 than 13 for Connacht? Not trying to sound snarky but would like to see some stats for how many games he played at 12 vs 13, I can't think of many. I would think most of his caps are at 15, then 13 then a couple at 12

connachta wrote: »

I'd take your point, but why did you say with that certainty, that Aki is a better 12 than 13? What did you see in his qualities to confort that? That's not rethorical questions, I really wants some precisions:)

Didn't mean my statement to come across as being that I'm certain, it's more of a strong feeling that I have. The reason I think that he would be a better 12 than 13 is because that is where he has pretty much always played and to be a really effictive 13 it needs to be your main position and where you play the majority of your rugby. Aki has had 2 successful season in super rugby with the chiefs playing at 12 so personally I don't see the point of suddenly moving him to 13

Buer

At this point, Henshaw's starts for Connacht are about 50/50 between 13 and 15. I think the only game he has played at 12 was the one where he was moved there before kick off as a last minute change owing to injury.

connachta

Buer wrote: »

At this point, Henshaw's starts for Connacht are about 50/50 between 13 and 15. I think the only game he has played at 12 was the one where he was moved there before kick off as a last minute change owing to injury.

No he played 12 with Mata Fafita outside him i think (now a back-row again)

Buer

connachta wrote: »

No he played 12 with Mata Fafita outside him i think (now a back-row again)

http://www.espn.co.uk/rabodirect-pro12-2012-13/rugby/match/167025.html

b.gud

Buer wrote: »

At this point, Henshaw's starts for Connacht are about 50/50 between 13 and 15. I think the only game he has played at 12 was the one where he was moved there before kick off as a last minute change owing to injury.

Ya that's kind of what I was thinking too

connachta wrote: »

No he played 12 with Mata Fafita outside him i think (now a back-row again)

This is the only team I can find with Robbie and Mata in the centre and on that day they were due to line up with Robbie at 13 and Mata at 12
http://www.skysports.com/rugbyunion/match_preview/0,,11069_54027_1,00.html

connachta

b.gud wrote: »

Ya that's kind of what I was thinking too



This is the only team I can find with Robbie and Mata in the centre and on that day they were due to line up with Robbie at 13 and Mata at 12
http://www.skysports.com/rugbyunion/match_preview/0,,11069_54027_1,00.html

mmmh, no debate then.. Henshaw 13.. who's for 12 in Ireland after D'arcy then:D

b.gud

connachta wrote: »

mmmh, no debate then.. Henshaw 13.. who's for 12 in Ireland after D'arcy then:D

I know better than to open that can of worms

connachta

b.gud wrote: »

I know better than to open that can of worms

Yeah, and I'm off-topic on my own thread! :rolleyes: Focus on Connacht/Scarlets now;)

Zzippy

Buer wrote: »

At this point, Henshaw's starts for Connacht are about 50/50 between 13 and 15. I think the only game he has played at 12 was the one where he was moved there before kick off as a last minute change owing to injury.

I think Robbie has played more like 90% of his games at 15. he only moved to 13 for the last couple of games last season, and has played there for the first few games this year.

Buer

Zzippy wrote: »

I think Robbie has played more like 90% of his games at 15. he only moved to 13 for the last couple of games last season, and has played there for the first few games this year.

30 games at 15 vs 20 games at 13 (with one more where he was named at 13 but changed to 12 just before kick off).

connachta

warning points to work on (start 1:35, before it's about last season Glasgow system)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNBY8T4A_5U

Hagz

Looks like Henshaw won't be available for this game unfortunately. Shame, I was looking forward to seeing him and Aki this weekend.

Zzippy

Hagz wrote: »

Looks like Henshaw won't be available for this game unfortunately. Shame, I was looking forward to seeing him and Aki this weekend.

Link?

connachta

Zzippy wrote: »

Link?

If it's just based on this picture, I guess it's not a clear indication

http://www.sportsfile.com/id/939709/

S12b

Hagz wrote: »

Looks like Henshaw won't be available for this game unfortunately. Shame, I was looking forward to seeing him and Aki this weekend.

Linley McKenzie, having spoken to Pat Lam, has tweeted that Henshaw, Ah You and Marmion all available for Saturday with Henshaw and Ah You to be rested for Bayonne away. Lam also praised the IRFU for their flexibility here.

wp_rathead

https://twitter.com/linleymackenzie/status/537329149644652544

evil_seed

I think this shows that as long as we keep up the good work we'll get seriously backed by the IRFU. They want us eating at the big table in Europe. Cementing our current position in the league can ensure this. Great decision IMO

S12b

So with close to a full squad available to Lam, there's a few interesting decisions to be made this week:

1) If Muldowney is available, who will miss out between him, Kearney, Roux and Browne?

2) Porter or Cooney for bench?

3) Outhalf?

4) Mils or Leader at 15?

connachta

S12b wrote: »

So with close to a full squad available to Lam, there's a few interesting decisions to be made this week:

1) If Muldowney is available, who will miss out between him, Kearney, Roux and Browne?

Muldowney, no risk to take in such a crucial game

2) Porter or Cooney for bench?

Cooney, because his contract prevents him to play european rugby and against Leinster, so 3 weeks off after this

3) Outhalf?

Carty

4) Mils or Leader at 15?

Mils for continuity, 2 games in a row

:cool:

CatFromHue

Both games last year were pretty close but still losses

Conn 21 24 Lan
Lan 32 30 Conn

b.gud

Assuming that there are no new injury concerns and everyone who comes back as expected I'd pick the following team

Muliaina
Poolman
Henshaw
Aki
Healy
Ronaldson
Marmion
Naoupu
Faloon
Muldoon
Roux
Kearney
Ah You
Heffernan
Buckley

McCartney
Delahunt
Loughney
Muldowney
McKeon
Cooney
Carty
Leader

I think Loughney should stay as tight head because that's where we're going to need him until White returns and when we have to rest Rodney. McCartney benches because we may need him to cover loosehead, if necessary he can replace Heff at 60 mins or so and then if Buckley is struggling he can move to losehead and Delahunt to hooker. Leader probably needs to bench as I don't think Mils can do a full 80 mins yet, but equally I think his presence on the pitch is important.

S12b

b.gud wrote: »

Assuming that there are no new injury concerns and everyone who comes back as expected I'd pick the following team

Muliaina
Poolman
Henshaw
Aki
Healy
Ronaldson
Marmion
Naoupu
Faloon
Muldoon
Roux
Kearney
Ah You
Heffernan
Buckley

McCartney
Delahunt
Loughney
Muldowney
McKeon
Cooney
Carty
Leader

I think Loughney should stay as tight head because that's where we're going to need him until White returns and when we have to rest Rodney. McCartney benches because we may need him to cover loosehead, if necessary he can replace Heff at 60 mins or so and then if Buckley is struggling he can move to losehead and Delahunt to hooker. Leader probably needs to bench as I don't think Mils can do a full 80 mins yet, but equally I think his presence on the pitch is important.

Reckon McCartney will start with Heffernan on bench. Bealham to back up Buckley and Loughney backing up Ah You.

connachta

b.gud wrote: »

Assuming that there are no new injury concerns and everyone who comes back as expected I'd pick the following team

Muliaina
Poolman
Henshaw
Aki
Healy
Ronaldson
Marmion
Naoupu
Faloon
Muldoon
Roux
Kearney
Ah You
Heffernan
Buckley

McCartney
Delahunt
Loughney
Muldowney
McKeon
Cooney
Carty
Leader

I think Loughney should stay as tight head because that's where we're going to need him until White returns and when we have to rest Rodney. McCartney benches because we may need him to cover loosehead, if necessary he can replace Heff at 60 mins or so and then if Buckley is struggling he can move to losehead and Delahunt to hooker. Leader probably needs to bench as I don't think Mils can do a full 80 mins yet, but equally I think his presence on the pitch is important.

Rather agree with everything.. Harsh on young Aussie Bealham, though, and would give Browne a chance to stabilize the lineout...

its_phil

CatFromHue wrote: »

Both games last year were pretty close but still losses

Conn 21 24 Lan
Lan 32 30 Conn

Should have won both those games. That game in Llanelli was a cracker with both teams playing some great attacking rugby combined with awful defence. Robbie in particular showed his potential at 13 in that game with a couple of breaks

CatFromHue

I remember the away game being very exciting and end to end, though I though Lanelli deserved to just win it, but I can't remember the home game.

its_phil

CatFromHue wrote: »

I remember the away game being very exciting and end to end, though I though Lanelli deserved to just win it, but I can't remember the home game.

Your better off not remembering

vienne86

its_phil wrote: »

Should have won both those games. That game in Llanelli was a cracker with both teams playing some great attacking rugby combined with awful defence. Robbie in particular showed his potential at 13 in that game with a couple of breaks

Losing narrowly is something I associate with Connacht......but not this season. They seem to play now with much more belief, and I hope they have it in spades this weekend.

RogerThis

The other side of the fence:
http://www.scarletfever.org/forum/connacht_topic40442.html