Ulster Team Talk Thread IV... Go On My Henderson...

Paul Smeenus

I see Callum Reid has returned to Ulster. Wonder what's going on there.

launish116

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Whereas comparatively speaking, our backs breeze into the senior squad - Hume, Lowry, Baloucoune, Lyttle can all be relied on at European level (with Bobby B being first choice) and lads like McIlory and Sexton starting to surface already.

Don’t get me wrong the Academy has definitely progressed. Though there is no excuse anymore for forwards not progressing! If this current uptake don’t progress we’re going to have serious issues going forwards. If they haven’t found the answer/solution now, not sure we ever will. I look at Munster, who really seem to be getting their act together.

There was some good names on that list, albeit some PR hype though. Even still the lack of exposure is very evident compared to other provinces.

Hopefully with this big lead early in the season, we have more freedom to explore in later half. Historically when we want to throw in youth we have had must win games.

Squidgy Black

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

I see Callum Reid has returned to Ulster. Wonder what's going on there.

Was only reported as a 6 week loan deal at the time so timelines would add up I guess

launish116

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Was only reported as a 6 week loan deal at the time so timelines would add up I guess

Didn’t one of their looseheads return from injury literally as he moved down as well?

Paul Smeenus

launish116 wrote: »

Don’t get me wrong the Academy has definitely progressed. Though there is no excuse anymore for forwards not progressing! If this current uptake don’t progress we’re going to have serious issues going forwards. If they haven’t found the answer/solution now, not sure we ever will. I look at Munster, who really seem to be getting their act together.

There was some good names on that list, albeit some PR hype though. Even still the lack of exposure is very evident compared to other provinces.

Hopefully with this big lead early in the season, we have more freedom to explore in later half. Hysterically when we want to throw in youth we have had must win games.

I did wonder... if things continue as they are, we are going to have some dead rubbers towards the end of this season.

No of games:
H & A against rest of conference: 10 matches
H & A against other conference provinces: 4 matches
H or A against the other conference teams: 4 matches

So 18 matches; with a total league points available of 18 x 5 = 90

We currently have played 8 games, with 38/40 points (bloody hell), so have 50 points left available
Ospreys (closest non-qualifying team) have played 7 games, with 13/35 points, so have 55 points left available.

I know we have tougher inter-pros coming up, but assuming we don’t go on a run of 0 points per game, it won’t be long before we are uncatchable. Awful news for the league, great news for us.

Leaving aside the racing certainty that we’ll see Allison, Rea Jr and other weans against Leinster… it won’t be too long before we can field whoever we want because the results won’t matter.

I don’t think Dan thinks that way (although he is fairly pragmatic), and I don’t think he’s going to write off trying to catch Leinster just yet.

Still, when we know we’re safe, I’d expect to see Coetzee a lot less.

launish116

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

I know we have tougher inter-pros coming up, but assuming we don’t go on a run of 0 points per game, it won’t be long before we are uncatchable. Awful news for the league, great news for us.

Leaving aside the racing certainty that we’ll see Allison, Rea Jr and other weans against Leinster… it won’t be too long before we can field whoever we want because the results won’t matter.

I don’t think Dan thinks that way (although he is fairly pragmatic), and I don’t think he’s going to write off trying to catch Leinster just yet.

Still, when we know we’re safe, I’d expect to see Coetzee a lot less.

I really don’t think these Inter-pros are going to go well. That really is a long set of 7 games.

But following that if we can get to a stage were we’re uncatchable I hope we’ll start exploring a little more.

Like you say if we’re in a good position. Would expect Coetzee to be rotated/rested a lot more ready for knock out rugby.

Ardillaun

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Just googled Andrew to see how old he is. 27. If he continues like this, no reasons he shouldn't get a cap.

Is he big enough?

launish116

Ardillaun wrote: »

Is he big enough?

He’s taller/slightly heavier than Richardt Strauss and he got capped 17 times.

bayern

launish116 wrote: »

He’s taller/slightly heavier than Richardt Strauss and he got capped 17 times.

And nowhere near as good.

Paul Smeenus

bayern wrote: »

And nowhere near as good.

Well, I suppose if Strauss (from the couple of years when he was good, before his form dropped off a cliff and he disappeared) travels forward in time and arrives now, Andrew won't get ahead of him.

launish116

bayern wrote: »

And nowhere near as good.

Is he anyworse than Keheller currently? Good work rate, mobile and at least his darts are on form. Though we all accept Keheller is ahead of him...

Paul Smeenus

launish116 wrote: »

Is he anyworse than Keheller currently? Good work rate, mobile and at least his darts are on form. Though we all accept Keheller is ahead of him...

Kelleher is better, but he's second choice.

I just think he is playing some great rugby, and there's not many performing better than him. It's hardly like he's some over-hyped youngster. I've gone from thinking he's a bit of a journeyman to a really good player, based entirely on the fact that he's delivering brilliantly for his province.

Locke_Lamora

James Tracy is capped, so it's not unthinkable for Andrew to pick up a game after a couple of injuries.

launish116

Continued game time has really helped Andrew. This time last year we’d all expected McBurney to be pushing on and leap frogging Andrew. Really hasn’t happened.

Paul Smeenus

launish116 wrote: »

Continued game time has really helped Andrew. This time last year we’d all expected McBurney to be pushing on and leap frogging Andrew. Really hasn’t happened.

You only need to go back to the resumption of rugby a couple of months ago, to find posts from me saying we need to focus on McBurney and let him have a proper crack.

Apparently Andrew has spoken about changing his mentality this season - not worrying about the overall picture and stressing about where he is in the pecking order, but instead focussing on his own game. Has reaped serious dividends.

awec

I had Andrew down as a player who was just going to be seeing out his time at Ulster, but he is proving me wrong.

McBurney could do with a kick up the arse it seems.

launish116

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

You only need to go back to the resumption of rugby a couple of months ago, to find posts from me saying we need to focus on McBurney and let him have a proper crack.

Apparently Andrew has spoken about changing his mentality this season - not worrying about the overall picture and stressing about where he is in the pecking order, but instead focussing on his own game. Has reaped serious dividends.

McBurney came from a lot of hype at U20 and hasn’t really had the continuity to build on it. He seems to have regressed a little. As you say Andrew has become focussed and pushed on (pleased for him).

Be worried for McBurney, could find the academy on his hails next season, not to mention will there be further punts on Brad Roberts.

Locke_Lamora

launish116 wrote: »

McBurney came from a lot of hype at U20 and hasn’t really had the continuity to build on it. He seems to have regressed a little. As you say Andrew has become focussed and pushed on (pleased for him).

Be worried for McBurney, could find the academy on his hails next season, not to mention will there be further punts on Brad Roberts.

Both academy players still very young - u19 and u20 this year. Tom Stewart picked up a bad injury so he has that to sort out but he's a very handy player.

bilston

F*** sake

launish116

bilston wrote: »

F*** sake

Was that previous knee he had issues with?

Paul Smeenus

Hopefully nothing too major. Really need him back for Europe

launish116

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Hopefully nothing too major. Really need him back for Europe

Completely different tournament without him! Fingers crossed!

bilston

launish116 wrote: »

Was that previous knee he had issues with?

Trying to remember...possibly

Burkie1203

Not good news

https://twitter.com/JBradleyBT/status/1335270638643245059?s=19

Paul Smeenus

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Not good news

https://twitter.com/JBradleyBT/status/1335270638643245059?s=19

No... Not good

Hands Like Flippers

Locke_Lamora wrote: »

Both academy players still very young - u19 and u20 this year. Tom Stewart picked up a bad injury so he has that to sort out but he's a very handy player.

What is his injury?

Paul Smeenus

https://youtu.be/rLGXcKYqw-0

Interview with D McF about Europe.

No real revelations. Non-committal about whether Stockdale goes into FB when he comes back.

bilston

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

https://youtu.be/rLGXcKYqw-0

Interview with D McF about Europe.

No real revelations. Non-committal about whether Stockdale goes into FB when he comes back.

No brainer surely to put him on the wing...especially if Lyttle is injured...

Option A - 15 Stockdale, 14 Gilroy, 11 Faddes

Option B - 15 Lowry, 14 Faddes, 11 Stockdale

Has to be option B surely...

launish116

bilston wrote: »

No brainer surely to put him on the wing...especially if Lyttle is injured...

Option A - 15 Stockdale, 14 Gilroy, 11 Faddes

Option B - 15 Lowry, 14 Faddes, 11 Stockdale

Has to be option B surely...

15 Lowry, 14 Gilroy, 11 Stockdale

Lowrys been to good to drop. Leaves Madigan & Faddes for bench, though think we’ll need 6/2 split. Especially now Henderson likely out.

Paul Smeenus

bilston wrote: »

No brainer surely to put him on the wing...especially if Lyttle is injured...

Option A - 15 Stockdale, 14 Gilroy, 11 Faddes

Option B - 15 Lowry, 14 Faddes, 11 Stockdale

Has to be option B surely...

I'd have thought so. If Lyttle's able-bodied, he's ahead of Gilroy.