Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

And thomond2006 suggests Wooten is doing well at Connacht. But it's just a fabrication. Wooten breaks the line, runs the field, scores many trys. At the same time Wooten defensive percentages suck. And that's the reality. But it's not Wooten's issue, Andy Friend is not a rugby union coach

ElisaAtWar wrote: »

At least TOH created some semblance of reality on how a team defends. But this Andy Friend experiment does not compute in the PRO12. While there's is an enthusiasm to attack this Connacht team is all over the shop. I have never witnessed Connacht being in such a bad place.

There is no leadership, the structure of the play is nuts, but the most frustrating part is the ability available. As some might guess I am no friend of Andy Friend. He has no clue how to coach a rugby union team. And Connacht will suffer for this

Easy to know you're not a Connacht fan! We have definitely been frustrating this season, and I do have concerns around our discipline, decision making, and focus. But taking a step back, we really aren't that bad. I grew up watching us lose at home to teams that don't even exist anymore. We're not even that far removed from Pat's last season and the Kieran Keane reign, which were far worse than this season.

And at least Fainga made Butler look useful

ElisaAtWar wrote: »

And at least Fainga made Butler look useful

All your posts seem to be really angry, it's just a discussion forum, mind yourselfðŸ‘

realhorrorshow wrote: »

Easy to know you're not a Connacht fan! We have definitely been frustrating this season, and I do have concerns around our discipline, decision making, and focus. But taking a step back, we really aren't that bad. I grew up watching us lose at home to teams that don't even exist anymore. We're not even that far removed from Pat's last season and the Kieran Keane reign, which were far worse than this season.

One last comment realhorrorowshow. This is not Connacht. Yes we are second.. But we no longer are a rugby team. We are a total mess

macslash wrote: »

I think you're the total mess chief. You haven't a clue! Cheer up.

Thanks. I believed pat lam at least had some concept. This is horrible stuff and only going in the wrong direction. But if folks wish not to see this let's wait a couple of years. I just can't believe folks cannot see what is so blatant

ElisaAtWar wrote: »

Andy Friend is not a rugby union coach

He spent 18 months as a 7s coach. He has spent 20 years as a 15's coach.

He has been head coach of big teams like Harlequins, Brumbies, and Suntory in rugby union. Assistant coach of the Wallabies for years also, and head coach of the under-21 Aussie team also.

ElisaAtWar wrote: »

I have never witnessed Connacht being in such a bad place.

Literally 3 seasons ago we finished 11th out of 14. In the past 15 seasons, we have finished: 11th, 10th x 7 times, 9th, 8th x 3 times, and 7th.

Since Friend came in we have finished 5th, 6th, and are currently 4th. This season and last, both under Friend, are literally our best seasons excluding when we were Champions.

siltirocker wrote: »

He spent 18 months as a 7s coach. He has spent 20 years as a 15's coach.

He has been head coach of big teams like Harlequins, Brumbies, and Suntory in rugby union. Assistant coach of the Wallabies for years also, and head coach of the under-21 Aussie team also.



Literally 3 seasons ago we finished 11th out of 14. In the past 15 seasons, we have finished: 11th, 10th x 7 times, 9th, 8th x 3 times, and 7th.

Since Friend came in we have finished 5th, 6th, and are currently 4th. This season and last, both under Friend, are literally our best seasons excluding when we were Champions.

Agreed I don't think there is an ouncer sense to these posts, it's flouncer-ing about with a very billysaysno attitude

ShineyShiney wrote: »

Reading on the Leinster thread that Hawkshaw has turned down an approach from Connacht. Any ideas what this might mean for our existing squad? I'd be of the opinion that he's wanted as a 10

I'll never agree with someone who is 5th choice in their position not moving.

Leinster have had a number of players who decided not to move, lost the opportunity to prosper, and then ended up moving to England or something when they hit 25.

I do understand why they don't go. One of the Leinster lads, I can't recall whom, mentioned it in their biography that for some it is the best thing for their career, but they struggle to take the plunge because in Leinster they are, more often than not, training with superstars, part of the winning culture and celebrations of big wins and titles, living around all your mates or your partners, at one of Europe's most prestigious clubs, near your family, etc.

realhorrorshow wrote: »

I'd guess this means that Fitzgerald/Dean/both are not particularly rated.

Along with Daly covering 10 from the 12 position a number of times when both were fit too.
It would have been a great move. He realistically could be second choice playing in most games. Now he will have to wait for the scraps of games but as mentioned above maybe he is happy to do that.

bayern wrote: »

21 year old wants to play for the team he grew up supporting, what a shocker.

Not knocking him for it at all.

FACECUTTR wrote: »

Along with Daly covering 10 from the 12 position a number of times when both were fit too.
It would have been a great move. He realistically could be second choice playing in most games. Now he will have to wait for the scraps of games but as mentioned above maybe he is happy to do that.

I can see why he chose to stay at Leinster. Having captained age grade teams and Ireland u20s and being rated as arguably the best player in his age group all the way through out school I can see why he has high ambitions to push on with Leinster. It’s his first season injury free at the club having been injured for over 18 months I’m sure he wants more time to prove himself as a potential starter at Leinster. Nothing wrong with having ambition.

SqueakyKneecap wrote: »

In fairness even somebody like Cian Kelleher, who I liked a lot, is finding plenty of gametime there since he moved home even though he is reasonably down the pecking order.

Hawkshaw is very highly rated by all accounts and the injury crisis that Leinster had this season over Christmas would probably be further motivation to stick around.

Kelleher has 10 starts, all in the league, since he moved back to Leinster in 2019.

Bit of a shame he didn't stay, he had 16 starts in his only season under Andy Friend and likely would have continued to do well under him. It's worked out alright for us of course as first John Porch and then Alex Wootton have come in an done well.

marley45 wrote: »

I heard Danny Cipriani is signing. Has turned down offers from Clermont, Bath and Lyon as he said "its not all about the money".

Imagine dealing with Marmion and Carty for 60 odd minutes and then seeing blade and cipriani coming off the bench. Would be very entertaining

Wonder if Connacht will attempt to get Crowley. I know he turned down a move to France but moving up the road to Connacht would be slightly different. Only an hour or so from home, still in the Irish set up, hasn’t really gotten any opportunities with Munster