Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

I've said arm wrestle technique added to gym.

But certainly won't work without strenght. Porter is a freak you said. I want some.
Especially if Roux's leaving

Former Former Former wrote: »

Yep. There was a moment in the second half yesterday when Papali'i took the ball from the base of a scrum, got a head of steam going... And was felled with no trouble by Luke McGrath. He's a big unit but he's no rugby player.

While I take your point he also bowled through lads for ****s and giggles regularly

ClanofLams wrote: »

There’s far bigger issues than Papalli to focus on after last night. A 27 year old who has never played pro rugby.

The guy is a punt presumably at low cost. Returns are mixed so far but his impact has been impressive in terms of carrying and far exceeds any reasonable expectations. If the rest of his game improves great, if not a low cost punt hasn’t worked out.

Either way he hardly merits much criticism at this stage.

Nah, if anything he was one of the few who put his hand up last night.

I'm sickened with Connacht at the moment. I had to turn the game off after 45 minutes, and that says it all. Every team in the league know that if they get a penalty, even if it's in their own half, they can just kick to touch, maul for a minute, get awarded another penalty, repeat, and score. Simple.

The players and coaches aren't thick, they know it more than anyone, and it must be so demoralizing for them too, especially since it's been going on for so long. It's possible that this one glaring weakness is actually affecting other areas of their game. That being the case, it's reasonable to expect that if they manage to repel a maul or two at the start of a game, the boost they get is likely to result in improvements elsewhere (like their defense generally). I know that's very amateur psychological stuff, but I'm really trying to find something to cling on to!

Hopefully the change in coaching setup for next season helps, but in the short term I feel we need either Ultan or Quinn in the starting team. And if Quinn is let leave (which I am resigned to at this point), then we need to find a big lump for the second row, or we'll continue to get pushed around.

Quinn Roux likely off to Toulon according to the 42. Connacht still trying but looking like he’s off to France.

Big blow considering how underpowered Connacht have looked up front in some recent games.

Hard to blame Quinn for taking possibly last opportunity at big contract. Always served Connacht well, best of luck to him.

That's a pity, he'll be a big loss for Connacht.

leakyboots wrote: »

That's a pity, he'll be a big loss for Connacht.

It's a significant loss for Ireland too.

connachta wrote: »

Now it's confirmed I cant post about the guy I'd chase

https://www.the42.ie/jack-regan-super-rugby-debut-5366000-Feb2021/

Already signed with the osprey's.

Thrashssacre wrote: »

Already signed with the osprey's.

****...
What about Sean O'Connor?

FACECUTTR wrote: »

Best of luck to him. I thought he really stepped up the last 3 years or so. He will be a big loss to both Connacht and Ireland.
Also I doubt he will be replaced with Thornbury, Dillane, Murray, Dowling, Prendergast and of course Masterson Snr who can cover there.
We could do with some sort of boost in a signing or something. I have a sinking feeling the wheels could come off the cart fairly soon if things don't change. Hopefully the new coaching appointments will do this but we will have to wait and see.

He should have been on fair amount of money, and a contract was proposed (so budgeted).

I'm 99% sure he'll be replaced by a decent player, maybe NIQ, as only Porch and BOD are such

FACECUTTR wrote: »

Best of luck to him. I thought he really stepped up the last 3 years or so. He will be a big loss to both Connacht and Ireland.
Also I doubt he will be replaced with Thornbury, Dillane, Murray, Dowling, Prendergast and of course Masterson Snr who can cover there.
We could do with some sort of boost in a signing or something. I have a sinking feeling the wheels could come off the cart fairly soon if things don't change. Hopefully the new coaching appointments will do this but we will have to wait and see.

The guys you mentioned are all good players but completely different to Roux; mobile loosehead locks who are great in the lineout and around the park. We desperately need a nasty tighthead lock who smashes rucks, scrums, and eats mauls for breakfast. That sort of player doesn't come along too often in Ireland, we'll need to look abroad.

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

I didn't realise Roux has only played 6 times since December 2019 for Connacht - that's nuts.

Wow. That had to be a factor in contract negotiations, plus he's now the wrong side of 30.

Fair play to him, hope it works out in Toulon.

The second rows we have are good players but are all quite similar. We really miss Roux's sheer bulk and power when he's been unavailable which has been quite often lately. Our pack is probably a bit underpowered as it is against the better sides. Not easy to find a big physical second row like that especially as we won't be spending top money. South Africa is usually a good place to find big second rows. Maybe there is a hidden gem over there who hasn't been given a contract from one of the big South African sides.

ShineyShiney wrote: »

Donnacha Ryan and Fardy for 1 yr?

Fardy has already confirmed he's retiring and has slowed down considerably this season. Ryan turns 38 this year.