Connacht v Munster Build Up Thread

Johngoose

Both sides are putting out second string teams.Hard one to call, but Connacht have the home advantage...

Felix Jones is God

It depends who's second string is slightly stronger, and I've got to think Munster have a slight edge about now

testicles

This post has been deleted.

FACECUTTR

Munster may be putting out a second string team but Connacht are just trying to put any team. Decimated with injuries. Won't be pretty at all.

connachta

Could a mod put the tittle right please, it's Connacht v Munster!

phog

I'd live with a 3 nil win for Munster.

Zzippy

phog wrote: »

I'd live with a 3 nil win for Munster.

I'll take 6-5 Connacht

Given the gap developing at the top of the table I may need to switch allegiances and cheer for Connacht this weekend. RISE UP THE WEST

wp_rathead

Surprised you haven't yet bumped into Lam or Erasmus this week Venjur :P

wp_rathead

wp_rathead wrote: »

Surprised you haven't yet bumped into Lam or Erasmus this week Venjur :P

Funny you should mention that....

So I bumped into Pat Lam earlier.

I said "Pat!", how's she cuttin?

Pat said, "Venjur, how's it going old pal of mine. Saw you quoting my Ulster jokes in the build up thread, nice bit of work that".

I said "Sure the power puff girls needed something for the dressing room, you know how it is"

Pat agreed, he did know how it is.

Anyway, I said - "Pat, what do you make of this weekend against Munster".

Pat said, "well I've a bit of an axe to grind here. The irascible Rassie was hell for leather after Bundi and Ultan earlier this season."

"No way" I said

Pat said "yeah, it was the only semi accurate thing Cian Tracey has written all season" we both lolled.

"anyway" said Pat, "Erasmus was all over the lads. Started off he was just sending them notes saying "Hi Ultan, I think you're hair style is great,... Rassie" or "Bundee, it's your pal Erasmus here, I love your match celebrations"

"That's a bit weird but not dramatically over the top"...I said, but Pat continued...

"It began to escalate then, Erasmus started sending the lads profile pictures of Ronan O'Gara and Paul O'Connell with "This could be you" written across the top of them". "As if this wasn't enough, he had Jerry Flannery stand outside their houses in lycra with a giant sign saying "Limerick offers better grooming facilities".

"It all came to a head the week before we announced resigning both lads" said Pat. "Rassie had gotten onto some Russian hackers who got onto Bundee's account and started sending cryptic "so long" tweets to force his hand."

"When Aki realised what was happening he got onto Rassie and asked if he had hacked his twitter. Rassie denied the entire thing and Bundee almost dropped the matter when he got a text from CJ saying "Bundee hello. This is your friend and future team mate CJ Stander. Hello. You may know me from such man of the match performances as every weekend of the last two years. I spoke to Rassie and he never got Russian hackers to take over your account. I look forward to winning man of the match in games you are playing for Munster next season. CJ out".

"Aki had never mentioned Russian hackers in his call to Rassie so the saffer was out of the bag as it were", said Pat.

"To be honest" Pat continued, "I reckon the lads were keen to join Munster but all that weird shít put them off and that was that."

So I asked Pat if he thought they would win at the weekend.

Pat said, "well maybe, I'm more concerned about having 23 players. I've been lining out at 8 all week to get some match fitness just in case. I've had to ask Muldoon to fill in at 13. He was happy out, gave me a big hug and asked if I'd made up my mind about the adoption yet..."

I asked Pat before I headed off what his thoughts were about Jaco Taute. Pat said:

"I hope they keep him to be honest. If they do, they'll probably let go Saili who is much better and we might try get him on board..!"

tsofitch

Come on Connacht, looking forward to this.

Felix Jones is God

Strong Munster side for the game

johnnyryan89

Strong indeed, didn't expect Earls or Conway to start with Sweetnam out injured. Thought at least one of them would be rested and the other more so Earls to cover the 23 jersey and see 20 to 30 minutes of game time.

Felix Jones is God

Shall we start Venjuring the hell out of that side...It's nice to see our A side get some TV time etc

Zzippy

Felix Jones is God wrote: »

Strong Munster side for the game

How many NIQ in that squad, out of interest?

Felix Jones is God

Zzippy wrote: »

How many NIQ in that squad, out of interest?

I'm sure you can count
For what it's worth, 2 are gone straight after tomorrow's game

Zzippy

Zzippy wrote: »

How many NIQ in that squad, out of interest?

On a slightly off topic note, this is a good movie I plan on watching over the weekend

Felix Jones is God

With Bundee Aki in a guest appearance role

connemara man

https://twitter.com/connachtrugby/status/814805658432315392


It's not actually a team sheet it's actually just a list of available players in position

connachta

Felix Jones is God wrote: »

With Bundee Aki in a guest appearance role

Aki against a whole Munster NIQ Army (Munster targeted him too!). Seems fair though I have to admit.

There was BOD, now there's BIG (Bundee Is God)

Zzippy

The Connacht team to face Munster at the Sportsground in round 12 of the Guinness PRO12 has been named. There are four personnel changes to the side ahead of the New Year’s Eve clash.

Peter Robb returns from injury to start in the centre with fellow Academy graduate Rory Parata in an otherwise unchanged backline.

Up front, Tom McCartney is reintroduced at hooker and is named to captain the side in the absence of John Muldoon through injury. Naulia Dawai will make his first start for Connacht at Number 8. Nepia Fox-Matamua shifts to blindside flanker to accommodate the returning Jake Heenan who starts at openside, having missed the last two games.

On the bench, Belfast-born prop John Andress is named as a replacement having agreed a short term contract with Connacht Rugby to act as cover for current front-row injuries.

Commenting on the team selection and the upcoming game, head coach Pat Lam said:

“With over half of our senior squad unavailable through injury and more players going down this week either with injury or sickness, it’s been another incredibly challenging week.

“We know it’s going to be very tough against Munster but despite the setbacks we have confidence in the players left standing. Being back at home in a sold out Sportsground for the last game of 2016 also helps the situation we are in. We have a lot of respect for top-of-the-table side Munster and what they are achieving this season. They are without a doubt the form team of the PRO12 championship. It’s going to take a massive team effort against them tomorrow but we’re looking forward to the significant challenge in front of us.”

Connacht team to face Munster*

* this team is subject to the return of certain players from illness and minor injury. Changes may occur on match day.

Saturday December 31st, kick off 17:30, the Sportsground

(Connacht caps in brackets)

15 Tiernan O’Halloran (114)
14 Niyi Adeolokun (45)
13 Rory Parata (22)
12 Peter Robb (22)
11 Matt Healy (80)
10 Jack Carty (68)
9 Kieran Marmion (112)

1 Denis Buckley (104)
2 Tom McCartney (52) (captain)
3 Finlay Bealham (68)
4 Quinn Roux (43)
5 James Cannon (5)
6 Nepia Fox-Matamua (14)
7 Jake Heenan (44)
8 Naulia Dawai (2)

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan (71)
17 JP Cooney (40)
18 John Andress (0)
19 Lewis Stevenson (8)
20 Danny Qualter (14)
21 Caolin Blade (34)
22 Ciaran Gaffney (1)
23 Rory Moloney (1)

Injured / Unavailable: Ronan Loughney, Conor Carey, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Ivan Soroka, Conan O’Donnell, Ultan Dillane, Ben Marshall, Andrew Browne, Sean O’Brien, Eoin McKeon, John Muldoon, James Connolly, Eoghan Masterson, John Cooney, Marnitz Boshoff, Shane O’Leary, Craig Ronaldson, Stacey Ili, Bundee Aki, Eoin Griffin, Cormac Brennan, Cian Kelleher, Danie Poolman, Josh Rowland, Darragh Leader

Andress on the bench!

wp_rathead

Strong XV for Connacht but the bench isn't much

The Injured / Unavailable list is frightening: Ronan Loughney, Conor Carey, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Ivan Soroka, Conan O’Donnell, Ultan Dillane, Ben Marshall, Andrew Browne, Sean O’Brien, Eoin McKeon, John Muldoon, James Connolly, Eoghan Masterson, John Cooney, Marnitz Boshoff, Shane O’Leary, Craig Ronaldson, Stacey Ili, Bundee Aki, Eoin Griffin, Cormac Brennan, Cian Kelleher, Danie Poolman, Josh Rowland, Darragh Leader.

connachta

Andress

Here he is.

Munster bench is so much stronger than ours
Our 1st XV is probably the best I've ever seen though

case885

Disappointed not to see Arnold involved. Rassie isn't straying far from his first choice besides the internationals.
Think we could win here against an under strength connacht team.

connachta

I guess we will have in the end of the game : Qualter 8 Dawai 12 Moloney Flanker

BrokenMan

connachta wrote: »

Here he is.

Munster bench is so much stronger than ours
Our 1st XV is probably the best I've ever seen though

What? Best ever first 15.

johnnyryan89

Strong xv for Connaucht, I'd make them clear favourites against that Munster A team.

wp_rathead

Wait, Didn't Andress retire from rugby just before Xmas?

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/mobile/news/23636.php

After 12 seasons I no longer feel that my body is capable of the rigours that the pro game requires. I feel extremely privileged to have been able to live out my childhood dream. I am also proud of the fact I played in over 200 pro games for Exeter, Harlequins, Worcester and Edinburgh Rugby.

Although my time at Munster Rugby hasn't worked out the way I would have hoped for I am glad to have experienced such a special environment. I only wish I had been here in my prime. Munster Rugby truly is a club that embodies all the core moral values that this great game teaches us. I wish Rassie and the lads all the best and I am positive the squad will enjoy continued success.

I have many fond memories of big matches and occasions but nothing is more memorable than the people you meet and the bonds you share. The camaraderie in rugby really is special and unique, and will no doubt be the hardest void to fill.

Special mention goes to Belfast Harlequins, where the journey started, Andre Bester, Alan Solomons and Rob Baxter. These three coaches truly inspired me with their hard work, commitment and passion for the game, and in doing so, I feel they got the best out of me.

I would also like to thank my agent Shaun Longstaff who continually worked hard for me, supporting me in rugby and life.

Here is to the next chapter, whatever that maybe. I will continue to keep an eye on the game I love.

connemara man

wp_rathead wrote: »

Wait, Didn't Andress retire from rugby just before Xmas?

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/mobile/news/23636.php

Pat sent John Muldoon to get him to sign. You have a few more months of rugby in you

wp_rathead

connachta wrote: »

Here he is.

Munster bench is so much stronger than ours
Our 1st XV is probably the best I've ever seen though

WHAT?!

Stheno

wp_rathead wrote: »

WHAT?!

Hes been on the funny stuff?

Felix Jones is God

Andress =Goosen

connachta

BrokenMan wrote: »

connachta wrote: »

Here he is.

Munster bench is so much stronger than ours
Our 1st XV is probably the best I've ever seen though

What? Best ever first 15.

Hell Yeah. Except Bundee/Ron out, any other players are 1st choices or very close IMO

b.gud

connachta wrote: »

Hell Yeah. Except Bundee out, any other players are 1st choices or very close IMO

Ronaldson?
Boshoff?
Muldoon?
Dillane?

connachta

b.gud wrote: »

connachta wrote: »

Hell Yeah. Except Bundee out, any other players are 1st choices or very close IMO

Ronaldson?
Boshoff?
Muldoon?
Dillane?

I've said 12 (Ronaldson/Aki) is the exception area (and still I think Robb could do very well on a good day)
Doubts about Boshoff being really ahead of Carty, or Griffin/Ili ahead of Parata, no proof they are, for now anyway
Dawai has shown and will show he can match Muldoon/McKeon/Masterson level
Cannon would probably have been chosen ahead of Dillane again for the lineout
Heenan/Nepia are our best flanker combo, same for the whole front-row

Felix Jones is God

Jaysus lads....I've just found the Anti-Venjur!!

Mahatma Geansai

Good to see two strong sides named. There's no need to lower the yourself to Leinster's level and disrespect the jersey.

Andress featuring is pretty dodgey tbh. I'm sure Munster are aware of the situation, but if they are not, he could get in trouble for breaching his Munster contract.

Johngoose

Munster have gone from +3 with Paddy Power to +5, if that means anything?

connachta

Connacht should have a slightly upper hand for 60 minutes, very very worried for the bench, Munster one is quite huge, ours is entirely made of 3rd choice players at best (Heffernan excepted)

case885

Mahatma Geansai wrote:

Andress featuring is pretty dodgey tbh. I'm sure Munster are aware of the situation, but if they are not, he could get in trouble for breaching his Munster contract.

What contract? He retired, he was only lining out at AIL level anyway so he wasn't a loss.

Mahatma Geansai

case885 wrote: »

What contract? He retired, he was only lining out at AIL level anyway so he wasn't a loss.

He retired and now he's playing for Connacht. Those aren't the actions of a retired player.

BrokenMan

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

He retired and now he's playing for Connacht. Those aren't the actions of a retired player.

It's a short term emergency cover deal. I'm sure munster are fully aware of it and agreed.
Not as if the odd rule hasn't been bent for them recently.

case885

Mahatma Geansai wrote:

He retired and now he's playing for Connacht. Those aren't the actions of a retired player.

As emergency injury cover. Do you think Munster actually care?

letowski

Munster should have a chance of getting something from the game. Alot of course depends on which Keatley turns up. But we have won in Ravenhill and Scotstoun with him and Williams starting.

Weve a massive pack named, and even more weight to bring off the bench. Looking to see how Marshall goes at hooker, he has a few targets to throw into the lineout. I guess Connacht will fancy Buckley v Archer. If the set piece goes well for Munster and Keatley kicks well it should make for a tight game.

thomond2006

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Good to see two strong sides named. There's no need to lower the yourself to Leinster's level and disrespect the jersey.

Eh Munster have named a weaker side. It might look strong but it's still missing a lot. What are you on about.

thomond2006

I doubt Munster care about Andress playing even if they weren't aware. It was clear he was never going to play and by 'retiring' they got his salary off the books.

Shelflife

* this team is subject to the return of certain players from illness and minor injury. Changes may occur on match day.

Ive never seen this caveat before on a team announcement.

25 injured A prop on the bench that may not have been looking after himself over the last 3 weeks and has just turned up to Connacht this week, no disrespect to the man but he wont have a clue what going on, two backs on the bench one of which has 1 sub appearance to his name and a back row named at 23 with 1 appearance as well. No replacement OH.

We are one or injuries away from a disaster !

Given the above caveat I think we can expect another change or two and possibly some early substitutions.

leakyboots

Looking forward to this one, would be great to sneak a win

pickarooney

b.gud wrote: »

Ronaldson?
Boshoff?
Muldoon?
Dillane?

Is Boshoff the greatest player never to play for Connacht?

FACECUTTR

pickarooney wrote: »

Is Boshoff the greatest player never to play for Connacht?

He has played in 2 games.