Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

its_phil

thomond2006 wrote: »

Nakarawa is replacing an NIE that is leaving early.
I'd be surprised if Munster or Leinster signed an NIE for what it's worth.

It is just jealousy but jeez it's some leg up Ulster have got up in the last few years compared to out West between Mathewson, Madigan, Murphy, McGrath, and Moore with talk of another Leinster backrow going North.

Throw in Nakarawa now, how are we supposed to catch up with the other 3 provinces? Sam Arnold and Robin Copeland are the only Irish internationals I can remember us signing in the last few years. We've obviously done well to retain the likes of Kieran, Jack, Bundee, Ultan and Quinn as well which requires resources from the IRFU.

thomond2006

Very good news. He inherited a mess from Kieran Keane and has done a good job overall. He's taken players like Oliver and Wootton who were surplus at Munster and gotten a lot from them.

ClanofLams

I would say he has done a reasonable job. His recruitment has been good. First year was very positive. Last two years have seen the same recurring problems. Away form and consistency are ongoing issues.

There have been a fair few performances way below acceptable standard in the last couple of seasons, hammerings over in Edinburgh and Cardiff come to mind.

EachSmallChime

ClanofLams wrote: »

I would say he has done a reasonable job. His recruitment has been good. First year was very positive. Last two years have seen the same recurring problems. Away form and consistency are ongoing issues.

There have been a fair few performances way below acceptable standard in the last couple of seasons, hammerings over in Edinburgh and Cardiff come to mind.

Completely agree on the above but interesting to see this in the Irish Examiner

Record of Connacht coaches in league and Europe in professional era

Warren Gatland (NZ) (1996 + 1997) P12, won 7 lost 5 (58% win)

Glen Ross (NZ) (1998 - 2000) P12, won 5, lost 7 (42% win)

Steph Nel (SA) (2000 - 2003) P33 won 16 lost 17 (48% win)

Michael Bradley (Ire) (2003- 2010) P186, won 67 lost 112 drew 7 (36% win)

Eric Elwood (Ire) (2010 - 2013) P84 won 29 lost 52 drew 3 (35% win)

Pat Lam (Sam/NZ) (2013-2017) P119 won 57 lost 61 drew 1 (48% win)

Kieran Keane (NZ) (2017-2018) P28 won 12 lost 15 drew 1 (43% win)

Andy Friend (Aust) (2018- present) P61 won 32 lost 29 (52% win)


He's actually the most consistent coach we've had! I would think there are a lot of quick wins in our game under Friendy to really boost that number up.

SqueakyKneecap

I'd be encouraged that even if we can't recruit NIQ's that the signings from the summer have bedded in well.

Just need a bit more defensive savviness and to cut down the on the headless penalty concessions.

It can't be understated how big a loss Farrell has been too.

KBurke85

ClanofLams wrote: »

I would say he has done a reasonable job. His recruitment has been good. First year was very positive. Last two years have seen the same recurring problems. Away form and consistency are ongoing issues.

There have been a fair few performances way below acceptable standard in the last couple of seasons, hammerings over in Edinburgh and Cardiff come to mind.

Away form is not the issue this season. We're perfoming better away than we are at home.

away form is a big issue in rugby as a whole not just connacht

tobdom

Delighted that Friend has been retained, I think he's excellent.

It's probably not going to happen this year, with the way things are, but I'd like to see a change of defensive coach. Wilkins has been here 4 years now and I've never been convinced by him - was referenced here recently enough, he arrived to us from a pretty defensively poor Edinburgh.

While I think there are aspects of our defence that have been very good in the last couple of years, scramble defence for example, there's more that continues to be just sub-par at this stage (structured, set-play defence - maul etc.).

There's always an element of player/team responsibility, but it's been too long now and things are pointing towards the coaching.

ionadnapóca

EachSmallChime wrote: »

Completely agree on the above but interesting to see this in the Irish Examiner

Record of Connacht coaches in league and Europe in professional era

Warren Gatland (NZ) (1996 + 1997) P12, won 7 lost 5 (58% win)

Glen Ross (NZ) (1998 - 2000) P12, won 5, lost 7 (42% win)

Steph Nel (SA) (2000 - 2003) P33 won 16 lost 17 (48% win)

Michael Bradley (Ire) (2003- 2010) P186, won 67 lost 112 drew 7 (36% win)

Eric Elwood (Ire) (2010 - 2013) P84 won 29 lost 52 drew 3 (35% win)

Pat Lam (Sam/NZ) (2013-2017) P119 won 57 lost 61 drew 1 (48% win)

Kieran Keane (NZ) (2017-2018) P28 won 12 lost 15 drew 1 (43% win)

Andy Friend (Aust) (2018- present) P61 won 32 lost 29 (52% win)


He's actually the most consistent coach we've had! I would think there are a lot of quick wins in our game under Friendy to really boost that number up.

That's a very impressive stat considering the talent available.
Im a little surprised with the criticism Friend has gotten.

He plays an exciting brand on rugby and has overhauled the squad.
Porch has been an outstanding addition & hopefully also Ben O'Donnell.

Most importantly he's sound as a pound!

Bazzo

Great news. Even greater news is that he mentioned the redevelopment of the sportsground going ahead in his press release.

connachta

SqueakyKneecap wrote: »

I'd be encouraged that even if we can't recruit NIQ's that the signings from the summer have bedded in well.

What happens to Aungier btw?


Badly missed in 2nd half last week

Bazzo

EachSmallChime wrote: »

Completely agree on the above but interesting to see this in the Irish Examiner

Record of Connacht coaches in league and Europe in professional era

Warren Gatland (NZ) (1996 + 1997) P12, won 7 lost 5 (58% win)

Glen Ross (NZ) (1998 - 2000) P12, won 5, lost 7 (42% win)

Steph Nel (SA) (2000 - 2003) P33 won 16 lost 17 (48% win)

Michael Bradley (Ire) (2003- 2010) P186, won 67 lost 112 drew 7 (36% win)

Eric Elwood (Ire) (2010 - 2013) P84 won 29 lost 52 drew 3 (35% win)

Pat Lam (Sam/NZ) (2013-2017) P119 won 57 lost 61 drew 1 (48% win)

Kieran Keane (NZ) (2017-2018) P28 won 12 lost 15 drew 1 (43% win)

Andy Friend (Aust) (2018- present) P61 won 32 lost 29 (52% win)


He's actually the most consistent coach we've had! I would think there are a lot of quick wins in our game under Friendy to really boost that number up.

Clearly for our next appointment we should be aiming to get Warren Gatland back.

ClanofLams

EachSmallChime wrote: »

Completely agree on the above but interesting to see this in the Irish Examiner

Record of Connacht coaches in league and Europe in professional era

Warren Gatland (NZ) (1996 + 1997) P12, won 7 lost 5 (58% win)

Glen Ross (NZ) (1998 - 2000) P12, won 5, lost 7 (42% win)

Steph Nel (SA) (2000 - 2003) P33 won 16 lost 17 (48% win)

Michael Bradley (Ire) (2003- 2010) P186, won 67 lost 112 drew 7 (36% win)

Eric Elwood (Ire) (2010 - 2013) P84 won 29 lost 52 drew 3 (35% win)

Pat Lam (Sam/NZ) (2013-2017) P119 won 57 lost 61 drew 1 (48% win)

Kieran Keane (NZ) (2017-2018) P28 won 12 lost 15 drew 1 (43% win)

Andy Friend (Aust) (2018- present) P61 won 32 lost 29 (52% win)


He's actually the most consistent coach we've had! I would think there are a lot of quick wins in our game under Friendy to really boost that number up.

It a fair point but he’s also operating in a totally different landscape to most of that list. Increased funding has helped Connacht a lot to be competitive so probably not really fair to compare him with coaches who were operating under shoe string budget such as Bradley and Elwood.

Lam basically changed the entire way Connacht had played for the last twenty years plus which obviously leads to some poor results and recall his first season was a disaster but he’s been far and away best coach Connacht had.

ClanofLams

KBurke85 wrote: »

Away form is not the issue this season. We're perfoming better away than we are at home.

away form is a big issue in rugby as a whole not just connacht

Both fair points. Hasn’t realised how good away form has been this season. It will be interesting to see how it is next season. Covid is likely a factor with no crowds etc although still very impressive this season in that context.

realhorrorshow

EachSmallChime wrote: »

Completely agree on the above but interesting to see this in the Irish Examiner

Record of Connacht coaches in league and Europe in professional era

Warren Gatland (NZ) (1996 + 1997) P12, won 7 lost 5 (58% win)

Glen Ross (NZ) (1998 - 2000) P12, won 5, lost 7 (42% win)

Steph Nel (SA) (2000 - 2003) P33 won 16 lost 17 (48% win)

Michael Bradley (Ire) (2003- 2010) P186, won 67 lost 112 drew 7 (36% win)

Eric Elwood (Ire) (2010 - 2013) P84 won 29 lost 52 drew 3 (35% win)

Pat Lam (Sam/NZ) (2013-2017) P119 won 57 lost 61 drew 1 (48% win)

Kieran Keane (NZ) (2017-2018) P28 won 12 lost 15 drew 1 (43% win)

Andy Friend (Aust) (2018- present) P61 won 32 lost 29 (52% win)


He's actually the most consistent coach we've had! I would think there are a lot of quick wins in our game under Friendy to really boost that number up.

In terms of performances we are anything but consistent. I'm happy Friend is staying but I think we need some form of a shake up organisationally, whether that be new unit coaches, a mental skills coach, increased use of sports psychology, etc.

Utopia Parkway

Was listening to the 42 rugby podcast earlier and Bernard Jackman fairly savaged Frank Murphy's performance in the Ospreys game.

tobdom

Interesting info here from the 42 article about Kleyn's ban, in relation to what counts as 'meaningful' games for a ban: https://www.the42.ie/jean-kleyn-two-week-ban-5337846-Jan2021/

The Pro14 said that “A games and friendly games during international windows aimed at preparing first-team players are judged by unions and disciplinary panels/officers as meaningful matches, for example club/community/semi-pro games, would not be counted as such.”

FACECUTTR

Has there been any update on Tom Farrells injury ?

stellenbosch

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

Was listening to the 42 rugby podcast earlier and Bernard Jackman fairly savaged Frank Murphy's performance in the Ospreys game.

And he was right to savage him. Murphy is simply not good enough at this level.

FACECUTTR

https://www.the42.ie/connacht-contracts-2-5343062-Feb2021/
Sounds positive on the player contracts but their could be movement in the backroom staff.

KBurke85

FACECUTTR wrote: »

Has there been any update on Tom Farrells injury ?

I think I heard somewhere possibly the Craggy Rugby podcast that he's out for the season.

Zeugnis

FACECUTTR wrote: »

https://www.the42.ie/connacht-contracts-2-5343062-Feb2021/
Sounds positive on the player contracts but their could be movement in the backroom staff.

Silver lining to this might be the chance to get coaching expertise to address the problems with the maul and carriers isolating themselves and getting turned over.

RonnieL

A podcaster I follow on twitter is doing an interview with Andy Friend later, and was looking for questions from fans. Twitter handle is @MasterOfNonePod for those interested. He's had a few Connacht guests on recently, so might be worth a follow.

connachta

Rumours of Bill Johnston moving to Connacht from Ulster ... True?

RonnieL

connachta wrote: »

Rumours of Bill Johnston moving to Connacht from Ulster ... True?

Just listened to the MasterOfNone podcast with Andy that I was talking about, and that specific question was put to him. He said to put that one back in the rumor mill, so it seems it's not happening.

FACECUTTR

RonnieL wrote: »

Just listened to the MasterOfNone podcast with Andy that I was talking about, and that specific question was put to him. He said to put that one back in the rumor mill, so it seems it's not happening.

Didn't get a chance to listen to it yet. Any word of players out/in ?

connachta

Have we got our (or some) of our international guys this friday in Wales?

RonnieL

FACECUTTR wrote: »

Didn't get a chance to listen to it yet. Any word of players out/in ?

He wasn't giving too much away, but he said a lot of contracts have gone out, and he's happy that the offers they've made are good offers, so it's up to the individuals what they decide from here.

ElisaAtWar

[always find it interesting that coaching staff are the employees of the irfu, while players not on central contracts are employees of the province. It's a very weird structure

KBurke85

connachta wrote: »

Have we got our (or some) of our international guys this friday in Wales?

Nope We're playing Friday and Ireland aren't playing until Sunday so I imagine they'll be needed for Irish training on Friday

bayern

Johnston heading to England.