Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

eagle eye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123003835#Comment_123003835

If he works out well at Bristol then he has a decision to make. He'll get paid good money abroad or he can stay in Ireland if he wants to ,and beiieves he can, make the Irish squad.

I'd love if he came to Connacht.

digger958

Ulster changed it's coaching staff within weeks as the results plummeted. Munster changed it's coaching staff as the board decided Rowntree was out. So what do Connacht need to do

ShineyShiney

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123004110#Comment_123004110

Ahhh no you're good thanks. I'd feel guilty taking money from a fellow Connacht fan😂

RonnieL

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122999058#Comment_122999058

Your point here about the kicking is spot on - and my biggest bugbear for years now. We put ourselves under pressure in every single game with crap clearance kicks, and fail to capitalise on penalties when we kick down the line. Jack actually used to be very good at kicking to touch, but got a load of stick for kicking the odd one dead or missing touch which I think eventually got to him. Ben Murphy's kicking seems to have gotten worse too, because I recall thinking he was excellent in that regard at the start of the season. One last thing about kicking - surely Cian and the leaders on the pitch should have recognised that kicking to touch was not working, and with a 10 point margin it would be better to start taking points.

When it comes to Connacht rugby, I'm an eternal optimist, but I have to admit that it's very hard work supporting them these days. I'm pinning all my hopes on them focusing on the Challenge Cup, and maybe going on a good run in that - but I'm having a hard time convincing myself that's possible at the moment. Happy New Year :-)

CowboyTed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123000940#Comment_123000940

I think the issue is that Wilkins is a good coach but that is all we have…

Wilkins isn't a Manager and his support staff seem to be struggling…

I say a Declan Kidney or Wayne Pivac would be more useful first, then bring in a few more proven coaches…

This gives a more stable platform to then try younger coaches.

Connacht have an unproven manager (with previous issues with players) who trust a number of unproven coaches…

In Know some would say Nigel Carolan, but does anyone think Nigel would take this type of risk on his home province?

Evil_g

How long has Wilkins been with us? Five years. In all that time what evidence is there that he's a good coach?

CowboyTed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123009920#Comment_123009920

Fair question…

He was fairly involved in Attack coaching until he became head…

Since the start of the year I think he has been the dense coach (please correct me if I am wrong, I heard in pub)…

Even over the Christmas period our defence has actually been pretty good… We conceded 17 points in each game and Bundee and Forde had a nightmare start in Dublin…

We have failed in the last two games in attack, set piece and team selection… By the the way:

CowboyTed

Sorry embedding doesn't really work.

https://x.com/JoeNaConnacht/status/1873350041923878982

*Embarrassment at the Sportsground: Connacht’s Seismic Overhaul Needed After Humiliating Loss to Ulster Third-String, as New Stadium Risks Becoming a €30 Million Ghost Town*Connacht Rugby needs to brace itself for seismic shake-up at the end of the season, after losing a seventh successive Irish derby, this time to a 3rd string Ulster side at home, a major clear-out of players and staff is needed. Of the current management team—Pete Wilkins, Scot Vardy, John Muldoon, Mark Sexton, and Willie Ruane—it’s likely that only one or two should remain as the province needs to undergoe a complete overhaul.

*Players Out of Contract*To the best of my knowledge the following players are on expiring deals:Definitely

Keep •Eoin De Buitléar•Sam Illo•Josh Murphy•Niall Murray•Paul Boyle•Sean Jansen•Ben Murphy•Oisín McCormack•Shane Jennings•Mack Hansen •Piers O’Conor

*Keep?•Dave Heffernan•Joe Joyce•Conor Oliver •David Hawkshaw•Josh Ioane •Andrew Smith

Unlikely to be around next season •Adam McBurney•Temi Lasisi•David O’Connor•Sean F O’Brien•Colm O’Reilly•JC•JJ Hanrahan•John Porch•Santiago Cordero•Chay Mullins

This could free up €1.5 Million.

By letting go of a significant number highly paid players, Connacht is set to free up maybe €1.5 million from the salary. This creates an opportunity for three to four major marquee signings, targeting positions of need—most notably at out-half, Loosehead Prop and Full back. The province must decide whether to give the reins to Sean Naughton or invest in a marquee No. 10 from the market.New Stadium, New ChallengesWith the opening of their state-of-the-art stadium next season, Connacht faces a stark reality: unless bold moves are made, the venue could look desolate with fewer than 5,000 supporters per game. Fans need reasons to believe in the project, and without key signings or a vision for the future, the enthusiasm surrounding the new stadium may quickly fizzle out.

Redo91

Anyone on here going to the Glasgow game this month? Going to book match tickets and just want to know where most Connacht fans will be sat.

AccidentallyOnside

Listen to quite a few Irish rugby podcasts, was expecting to hear a lot of criticism for the Connacht performance this week, there was very little with more of a focus on a promising Ulster youngsters. This is much more disappointing than being, correctly, brought to task for an embarrassing performance as it makes clear that this is who we are in the eyes of the wider rugby audience in Ireland. We don't matter so it's not a big deal if we have awful performances regularly as that's what we always do......and I can see why they think that, and hell maybe they're right.

One particularly stinging criticism was one pundit (O'Connor or possibly Jackman) said it was a great result as Ireland needs a strong Ulster and they have young players that could play for Ireland..... apparently a strong Connacht had never occurred to anyone and our young players don't have realistic international ambitions.

Prendergasts demeanour in the post match interview was very stark, doesn't strike me as the sort of guy who will sit around and waste his career in a team going backwards so if we want to keep guys like him something needs to change.

ShineyShiney

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123011903#Comment_123011903

I had the same thoughts. We are entirely irrelevant to Irish rugby media and pundits. Which is disappointing but tbh understandable.

I like most Connacht supporters think we have a better squad than Ulster and are about level with Munster but obviously I'm totally delusional.

The most annoying thing about being irrelevant is that no one cares that Wilkins and his team are impotent and no one will be calling for changes.

It is a terrible indictment of Wilkins and Co that we remain so utterly inconsequential.

Ben Bailey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123011903#Comment_123011903

The pundits chose to concentrate on the positives from that game, and it happens that meant, correctly, talking about Ulster's performance.

That's not the same as dissing Connacht.

Heads up lads, season is not over yet.

Connacht4life

The current coaching situation at Connacht is a disaster. Letting go of Dewald Senekal and Mossie Lawlor has proven to be a catastrophic decision. Our forward pack has regressed significantly since their departure.

John Muldoon's return, after an unsuccessful stint at Bristol and apparent breakdown in relations with Pat Lam, has not yielded the desired results.

The appointments of Mark Sexton and Cully Tucker as attack and defense coaches, respectively, raise concerns. While both have potential, handing them senior coaching roles at Connacht without prior experience at lower levels (AIL clubs, English/French clubs) seems premature. The same applies to Scott Fardy.

I believe Pete Wilkins is a capable coach, but he appears to lack the necessary support at this time.

Furthermore, some high-profile signings, such as Cordero and Ioane, have not lived up to expectations.

A major period of player transition and a more considered approach to coaching appointments are needed to steer Connacht back on the right track.

ShineyShiney

Well played Ulster, no issue with all the positives being discussed about an excellent effort from them.

Dissing Connacht? They aren't interested enough to bother that's the whole point. If Munster put in a performance like that the media would devour them as they did and continue to do after the Zebre loss.

The league is pretty much over if like me you consider top 8 as our primary goal. The IRFU have invested 6 plus million for a poor return. That doesn't give us a lot of bargaining power when money gets tight. Players we hoped to sign won't come because we are now not going to be in the play offs and Europe. Players we hoped to retain now have to consider if we are the best place for their talents. Sponsors have to consider if there money would be better invested elsewhere.

It's a pretty big deal to have your league season done after 9 games.

I can't find the positive yet Ben sorry.

KBurke85

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123012309#Comment_123012309

In fairness to Connacht we have always brought coaches through without necessary having prior experience. Tucker worked in the academy for a number of years as had Nigel Carolan and Jimmy Duffy before him. Dan McFarland and Eric Elwood hadn't much in the way of experience at coaching before they got their roles with Connacht.

In relation to Senekal and Lawlor both decided to leave, not a lot Connacht can do in those situations. Thats just sport.

eagle eye

You could be a gifted defensive or offensive coach but that doesn't make you a great head coach.

A head coach is responsible for the staff he's got, he's responsible for the players both on and off the pitch. Our no. 10 situation is worse than ever, Mack talking to the media was a terrible idea. We seem disorganised with no plan on the pitch.

We need a new head coach who can bring in any new staff he feels is necessary. We have a few positions that need sorting but 10 is far and away the most critical.

Is Muldoon worth a shot I wonder or maybe Dan McFarland?

SqueakyKneecap

I've no doubt Wilkins is a decent man but he's absolutely somebody that won't rock the boat, so the IRFU could've suggested ElisaAtWar as backs coach and Wilkins would've nodded his head.

Muldoon, a legendary player, has been lineout and maul coach but DTM's darts have been a sure sign that not much improvement is happening. Defensive lineout steals happened before his time with Niall Murray too. Mul would be the last lad I'd be looking at for a headcoach role.

I actually don't think we've had a single success in the current coaching ticket. We won't have the money to get rid of Wilkins, Sexton etc and I'd argue we're in just as much of intervention as Ulster when McFarland was sacked. The new stand is always going to go against us in that respect and we don't have the private backers of the other 3 provinces to argue. My point would be what use will a 12k capacity be if we're in the bottom half of the URC annually.

realhorrorshow

Squad update:

https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/squad-update-monday-6th-january/bp3250/

Would go pretty much full strength for this weekend, with a small amount of rotation. Something like:

15-9, 1-8: Jennings, Mullins, O'Conor, Aki, Hansen, Ioane, Devine, Dooley, Heffernan, Aungier, N Murray, Joyce, Prendergast, Hurley-Langton, Jansen

16-23: Tierney-Martin, Duggan, Illo, Murphy, Boyle, Blade, Forde, Hawkshaw

Robbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123015445#Comment_123015445

Sexton will be leaving at the end of the season, as per the Rugby Weekly podcast this week, so at least that's one contractual payoff saved.

RonnieL

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123026086#Comment_123026086

Did they give any more context?

Robbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123026327#Comment_123026327

Just mentioned that he was off in the summer.

KBurke85

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123026356#Comment_123026356

I believe all the coaches bar Wilkins are out of contract in the summer. He had a 3 year deal they had 2.

CMcsporty

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123015445#Comment_123015445

And it didn't help that Wilkins wasn't experienced enough for the role. Its the double edged sword of the 4 provinces. Too small for coaching opportunities and small enough for root and branch surgery (Ulster) and central control.

McFarland will be a better head coach for the Ulster experience. He may not be the ideal man but Connacht could do worse.

jim Dempsey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123012309#Comment_123012309

1 Dewald and mossy left.

2 Muldoon was approached because he will not leave like others coaches

3 tucker is not a defence coach Wilkins is

Its crazy how most posts on boards are completely wrong. Do people do this on purpose or are clueless gaa fans watching rugby

jim Dempsey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123025669#Comment_123025669

Did you not watch the Ulster game ? Why would you pick Niall Murray again ? He's not big enough for 6 but you want him in second row after getting bullied by Ulster? The obsession with Niall Murray is the weirdness thing I have ever seen. the guy is too light but Connacht fans want him picked then scratch their heads when the get bullied.

I'm normally someone that thinks a head coach needs time and stability to deliver but I think we've passed that point with Wilkins now. Unless the team show some real direction and fight on the pitch between now and the end of the season Connacht branch and/or the IRFU need to call time on the mess

Wilkins seems like an excellent technical coach and a very decent guy, but that isn't the primary role of a head coach / director of rugby. He should be guiding his coaching team to collaborate and build a cohesive game plan. From the limited perspective we have it has rarely looked fully formed and seems to rely on individuals doing something or the opposing team giving us easy access to the game. After 18 months as head coach, and a 12 months pre-planned transition period from Andy Friend, he should have had ample time to show us a clear identity on the pitch. Instead we've torn up our plans multiple times, with Lawlor and reportedly Sexton being moved on amid disagreements with Wilkins.

We do have a major squad deficiency at out-half and a lack of big carry threat in our pack, but we should be coaching around those problems. We haven't built a strong kicking game. We probably gain the least distance in the league when we exit. We use Bundee as an easily defended crash ball 12 in most games. We switch Forde between 12, 10, and 13 with a clear detriment to his game. We're prioritising bulk/power over set set piece in the pack but not capitalising on it.

Occasionally we get on top of teams and the quality of our backline shines but that's individual games rather than a consistent thing. What team with Bundee, Mack, our scrum half options, and some of our other wide talent wouldn't look good on the front foot.

If the right candidate for head coach is available at the end of the season I think we'll be clearing out. Muldoon will be retained, and perhaps Cullie Tucker but we'll be rebuilding again. The alternative of trying to market more expensive tickets in a bigger stadium when your fans don't see a plan doesn't sound great to me.

Former Former Former

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123028247#Comment_123028247

Did you not watch the Ulster game ? Why would you pick Niall Murray again ? 

I’m pretty sure it was Darragh Murray who played against Ulster.

Edit; my bad, it was Niall per below

testtech05

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123028375#Comment_123028375

Darragh was named to play but Niall actually started when Darragh and Heff withdrew before kick off

SqueakyKneecap

Sexton gone end of season. He's not the only one out of his depth in that coaching ticket either but hopefully he finds a more suitable role.

testtech05

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123028755#Comment_123028755

Murray Kinsella seems to be suggesting he is going to move to Ulster. Suppose he has history working with Richie Murphy with the u20s but based on our attack if that's what he is going to Ulster to work on I don't think they should be too excited