Ulster Team Talk Thread III: Les Miserables SEE MOD WARNING POST #1924 + #2755

troyzer · 02-04-2019 09:20AM

What a ballache. Surely the IRFU has to throw Leinster a bone at some point?

Although they might have already, maybe they pushed the boat out on contract negotiations for Leocaster? You would never know.

Squidgy Black · 02-04-2019 09:20AM

awec wrote: »

The wording of the announcement suggests that he is staying on his central deal. Win win, free player.

The fact the IRFU announced it generally tends to infer that anyways doesn't it? As opposed to the province.

bilston · 02-04-2019 09:51AM

Welcome to Ulster Jack

Great signing from POV. No doubt a very tough decision for him, and I'm sure Leinster will feel sore about it but Ulster are moving forward and help will help accelerate that.

stl.ire · 02-04-2019 09:53AM

troyzer wrote: »

What a ballache. Surely the IRFU has to throw Leinster a bone at some point?

Although they might have already, maybe they pushed the boat out on contract negotiations for Leocaster? You would never know.

The IRFU pay for half of Leinster’s contracts! Now Leinster did develop those players etc, but I don’t think they can be complaining that they don’t get help.

Nucifora and the administrators see McGrath as an IRFU player not a Leinster or Ulster one. They’ll move him where they see fit. It’s the nature of the current Irish system. Don’t think for a second the IRFU wouldn’t happily take years of the provinces all crashing out of the European group stages if they could guarantee a World Cup win.

cantwbr1 · 02-04-2019 10:07AM

troyzer wrote: »

Ulster were the better team and the analysis bears that out. Leinster won because they're simply conditioned and bred for cup rugby. It may sound like a cliché but you really can't overstate the importance of having a winning culture.

There's a reason why the Patriots win the superbowl every other year and it's more than just Tom Brady being class.

Munster used to have it and I think Ulster will probably get it as well if they build on this year and win a home quarter final next year.

I really disagree with the “better team lost” narrative. Ulster may have out performed Leinster in a number of areas but did not do so in a way that was reflected on the scoreboard. From a similar number or fewer scoring opportunities Leinster scored more. The better team is always the one which scores the most. This is often a reflection of culture which contributes to teams winning tight games.
I’m not getting st Ulster as I think that they performed brilliantly but lacked the tiny bit of composure to be the better team. I also think that they come a long way in development this year and hope that the lessons from the match will drive them to be the better team in future matches.

Note that the “better team losing” lark is a real bugbear of mine ðŸ˜€

thomond2006 · 02-04-2019 10:11AM

McGrath, Herring, Moore, Henderson, Carter, Timoney, Murphy, Coetzee;
Cooney, Burns, Stockdale, McCloskey, Addison, Baloucoune, Ludik

Not too shabby!

jacothelad · 02-04-2019 10:17AM

thomond2006 wrote: »

https://www.irishrugby.ie/2019/04/02/jack-mcgrath-to-join-ulster-from-2019-20-season/

Confirmed!

While I welcome the arrival at Ravenhill of any top player, I have to say I find a great sadness in this. He is a really great player and he is tearing himself away from his friends and colleagues. I know he is doing it for his own benefit but I feel for him being put in that position.

Sometimes a move is what you need. I moved from a highly paid job in the 1980s to one which paid about 20% less because it seemed a better fit for me and it was the correct thing to do. I ended up far better off in every way within a short period despite me initial natural concerns.

Belfast and it's suburbs is a great place to live especially for well paid players. I think Alan Solomons still has his home in Cultra. He will feel at home with Jordi et al from Leinster and of course his Ireland colleagues.

Good luck J.M.

Paul Smeenus · 02-04-2019 10:34AM

thomond2006 wrote: »

McGrath, Herring, Moore, Henderson, Carter, Timoney, Murphy, Coetzee;
Cooney, Burns, Stockdale, McCloskey, Addison, Baloucoune, Ludik

Not too shabby!

Faddes as well, apparently. Possibly put Marshall at 13 and Addison at 15.

mfceiling · 02-04-2019 10:54AM

Clegg wrote: »

Hope he does a Nonu and flops miserably at club/provoncial level only to excel with the test side.

Stay classy Clegg....

Paul Smeenus · 02-04-2019 10:58AM

mfceiling wrote: »

Stay classy Clegg....

Saturday's game has really shaken him, poor lad. First cracks appearing...

Clegg · 02-04-2019 11:06AM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Saturday's game has really shaken him, poor lad. First cracks appearing...

We won with a depleted side. I'm more than happy with that tbh.

stephen_n · 02-04-2019 11:16AM

Clegg wrote: »

Hope he does a Nonu and flops miserably at club/provoncial level only to excel with the test side.

I’m hoping that’s very much tongue in cheek.

Paul Smeenus · 02-04-2019 11:30AM

Clegg wrote: »

We won with a depleted side. I'm more than happy with that tbh.

Sure thing chief.

02-04-2019 11:32AM

Will Jack McGrath sign with an AIL team up there to get game time or are pro's allowed do that anymore?

Anyone?

Awec?

Clegg · 02-04-2019 11:34AM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Sure thing chief.

Shaken that you still couldn't beat a half strength Leinster.

Cracks appearing yadda yadda.

Paul Smeenus · 02-04-2019 11:39AM

Clegg wrote: »

Shaken that you still couldn't beat a half strength Leinster.

Cracks appearing yadda yadda.

<Adopts Begbie accent>

****EING IT.

Squidgy Black · 02-04-2019 12:17PM

Clegg wrote: »

We won with a depleted side. I'm more than happy with that tbh.

Against an Ulster squad with half a backline.......

bilston · 02-04-2019 12:23PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

McGrath, Herring, Moore, Henderson, Carter, Timoney, Murphy, Coetzee;
Cooney, Burns, Stockdale, McCloskey, Addison, Baloucoune, Ludik

Not too shabby!

I'd probably have Reidy at 6 and Marshall at 13 with Addison at 15, but it's a valid point. We have a strong XV and increasingly a bit more depth. We aren't a basket case anymore.

Ideally one of our young academy back rowers will emerge too.

Sinbad_NI · 02-04-2019 12:34PM

Great to see another excellent player signing.

Real change from a couple of years back before the deadwood got moved on.

Whatever Ulster have done behind the scenes... or maybe just the Cooney + Murphy + Moore experiences have had a mindset impact on other players, either way its great work.

Sad we can't develop enough of our own players of course but that's professional sport.

Former Former · 02-04-2019 12:37PM

I'm delighted for McGrath. He's too good to be on anyone's bench. It's a big endorsement of Ulster too, that so many guys are willing to take the trip north.

Hopefully McGrath can get back in form and finish his Leinster career with another medal or two

because he won't be winning any in Ulster, am I right?!

Dubinusa · 02-04-2019 12:38PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

McGrath, Herring, Moore, Henderson, Carter, Timoney, Murphy, Coetzee;
Cooney, Burns, Stockdale, McCloskey, Addison, Baloucoune, Ludik

Not too shabby!

Will Carter supplant Treadwell! Treadwell is playing so well atm.

awec · 02-04-2019 01:30PM

Herbst definitely gone too.

Shefwedfan · 02-04-2019 03:07PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

McGrath, Herring, Moore, Henderson, Carter, Timoney, Murphy, Coetzee;
Cooney, Burns, Stockdale, McCloskey, Addison, Baloucoune, Ludik

Not too shabby!

I would have Threadwell

Cave and swap Addison to FB

Richie_Rich89 · 02-04-2019 04:29PM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Faddes as well, apparently. Possibly put Marshall at 13 and Addison at 15.

I would have thought Faddes would start at 13.

Squidgy Black · 02-04-2019 05:21PM

Article with Rory Best on the42, Stockdale asked him could he speak in the changing room after the match, and said something along the lines of what he posted on Instagram.

Seems to have been beating himself up fairly badly over it, hopefully it's something he can move past and not dwell on too much.

swiwi_ · 02-04-2019 05:49PM

The best thing about the Faddes signing, if confirmed, is that it gives the common man hope.

When I watch the Highlanders, it always looks like the team bus stopped at the pub along the way, the local lad Faddes, who was down there to read the paper and have a drink, sculled his pint faster than Ben Smith, so wins his bet and gets to hop on the bus and tog out for a match with the team.

I always think if Faddes can do it, so can I. He’s a pretty handy backline utility.

Paul Smeenus · 02-04-2019 05:58PM

swiwi_ wrote: »

The best thing about the Faddes signing, if confirmed, is that it gives the common man hope.

When I watch the Highlanders, it always looks like the team bus stopped at the pub along the way, the local lad Faddes, who was down there to read the paper and have a drink, sculled his pint faster than Ben Smith, so wins his bet and gets to hop on the bus and tog out for a match with the team.

I always think if Faddes can do it, so can I. He’s a pretty handy backline utility.

We'll whip him into shape the same way we straightened out Marty Moore.

Locke_Lamora · 02-04-2019 06:05PM

swiwi_ wrote: »

The best thing about the Faddes signing, if confirmed, is that it gives the common man hope.

When I watch the Highlanders, it always looks like the team bus stopped at the pub along the way, the local lad Faddes, who was down there to read the paper and have a drink, sculled his pint faster than Ben Smith, so wins his bet and gets to hop on the bus and tog out for a match with the team.

I always think if Faddes can do it, so can I. He’s a pretty handy backline utility.

Watched most of his hair fade away, and then go bald. Had to double check he was 27

sydthebeat · 02-04-2019 06:12PM

swiwi_ wrote: »

The best thing about the Faddes signing, if confirmed, is that it gives the common man hope.

When I watch the Highlanders, it always looks like the team bus stopped at the pub along the way, the local lad Faddes, who was down there to read the paper and have a drink, sculled his pint faster than Ben Smith, so wins his bet and gets to hop on the bus and tog out for a match with the team.

I always think if Faddes can do it, so can I. He’s a pretty handy backline utility.

Stop being so mean to my beloved Highlanders !!!

02-04-2019 06:34PM

swiwi_ wrote: »

The best thing about the Faddes signing, if confirmed, is that it gives the common man hope.

When I watch the Highlanders, it always looks like the team bus stopped at the pub along the way, the local lad Faddes, who was down there to read the paper and have a drink, sculled his pint faster than Ben Smith, so wins his bet and gets to hop on the bus and tog out for a match with the team.

I always think if Faddes can do it, so can I. He’s a pretty handy backline utility.

My reaction at reading this "they're taking McFadden too...??!?!?"

Ulster Team Talk Thread III: Les Miserables SEE MOD WARNING POST #1924 + #2755

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