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Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

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Zeugnis

ShineyShiney wrote: »

There's a real problem here, Quinn Roux plays in a position of significant demand in Irish rugby and also the highest paid position internationally I think. We didn't offer him enough to stay but we think we can find a replacement ??? Don't make me laugh. International standard tight head locks out of contract at this stage of the season on no more than we offered Quinn I doubt it. Add a journeyman for numbers and give Murray and Dowling the game time.

Best luck Quinn

I'm in complete agreement here, this is a troubling situation in terms of what it says about IRFU management.

Best of luck to Quinn in France. He became an Irish citizen in 2019 and it's good to hear that he and his family are keeping their home in Galway and plan to return in the future.

ShineyShiney

Bazzo wrote: »

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

He was decent against us at the weekend and has a nice nasty edge to him that we are missing. Don't get me wrong I'd prefer a 30 year old fardy but where are they in our price bracket ???

Dubinusa

It's hardly surprising that Roux would go and chase a cheque. Fair play to him! It's a short career and the players should maximize their earnings.
There's nobody that I can think of that is as big as Roux that would be available. Of course, size isn't everything, but Connacht need to find someone. The current crop of locks are all fairly light and don't have the grunt that Roux provided.

Former Former Former

ShineyShiney wrote: »

There's a real problem here, Quinn Roux plays in a position of significant demand in Irish rugby and also the highest paid position internationally I think. We didn't offer him enough to stay but we think we can find a replacement ??? Don't make me laugh. International standard tight head locks out of contract at this stage of the season on no more than we offered Quinn I doubt it. Add a journeyman for numbers and give Murray and Dowling the game time.

Best luck Quinn

I've never heard of second row being the highest-paid position before, it's always out-half and tight-head you hear mentioned.

I'm sure the IRFU made him an offer but one that was a reduction on his current deal. In the current situation, they were simply never going to get into a bidding war with Toulon for a 30-year old who has been dogged by injury and is not an international regular.

Lost Ormond

Former Former Former wrote: »

I've never heard of second row being the highest-paid position before, it's always out-half and tight-head you hear mentioned.

I'm sure the IRFU made him an offer but one that was a reduction on his current deal. In the current situation, they were simply never going to get into a bidding war with Toulon for a 30-year old who has been dogged by injury and is not an international regular.

Report done every year has pro14 paying 2nd rows more for quite some time..

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/no10-now-the-best-paid-position-in-the-premiership-and-top-14-but-it-remains-tough-love-for-players-at-hooker-rugby-player-salaries/

Bazzo

Former Former Former wrote: »

I've never heard of second row being the highest-paid position before, it's always out-half and tight-head you hear mentioned.

I'm sure the IRFU made him an offer but one that was a reduction on his current deal. In the current situation, they were simply never going to get into a bidding war with Toulon for a 30-year old who has been dogged by injury and is not an international regular.

Exactly the type of player Connacht desperately need, international quality, and by all accounts his preference was to stay put. I'm not sure a "bidding war" was necessary, and it may prove very foolish to have let him go. They're going to have to go to a limited market now with limited funds to try and replace like for like and the odds of getting someone of similar quality I would imagine are very slim.

Number 137

connachta wrote: »

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

Papali'i is an NIQ too.

Former Former Former

Bazzo wrote: »

Exactly the type of player Connacht desperately need, international quality, and by all accounts his preference was to stay put. I'm not sure a "bidding war" was necessary, and it may prove very foolish to have let him go. They're going to have to go to a limited market now with limited funds to try and replace like for like and the odds of getting someone of similar quality I would imagine are very slim.

I agree he's a big loss and will have to be replaced.

Unfortunately it just wasn't the right time to be negotiating a deal from a position of weakness, like Roux was.

ShineyShiney

Former Former Former wrote: »

I've never heard of second row being the highest-paid position before, it's always out-half and tight-head you hear mentioned.

I'm sure the IRFU made him an offer but one that was a reduction on his current deal. In the current situation, they were simply never going to get into a bidding war with Toulon for a 30-year old who has been dogged by injury and is not an international regular.

30 is young for 2nd row. Bakkies Botha, Paul o connell, Brad thorn, toner, fardy, donnacha Ryan,

Quinn wasn't going anywhere until he was low balled on cash or length of contract. Market sets the value, you want the player pay the market rate. Makes no sense for Irish rugby to be importing niq locks while letting similar quality iq locks leave.

Cater, snyman, fardy, Jenkins.

ShineyShiney

Former Former Former wrote: »

I agree he's a big loss and will have to be replaced.

Unfortunately it just wasn't the right time to be negotiating a deal from a position of weakness, like Roux was.

Position of weakness? The opposite surely.

ionadnapóca

Lost Ormond wrote: »

Report done every year has pro14 paying 2nd rows more for quite some time..

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/no10-now-the-best-paid-position-in-the-premiership-and-top-14-but-it-remains-tough-love-for-players-at-hooker-rugby-player-salaries/

Roux was good. But i would think Connacht can find (or already have found) another NIQ TH Lock who will be just as good if not better.

Connacht badly need one.

ShineyShiney

ionadnapokot wrote: »

Roux was good. But i would think Connacht can find (or already have found) another NIQ TH Lock who will be just as good if not better.

Connacht badly need one.

If they already have a better option why were they offering Roux a contract? I appreciate trying to move on and find a positive but that's clearly not the case here. Also Roux is IQ so replacing him with an NIQ who blocks dillane, thornberry, Murray, Dowling? Seems a little problematic no?

Former Former Former

ShineyShiney wrote: »

Position of weakness? The opposite surely.

Well, he's a valuable player but also turns 31 in a few months, hasn't played since January, wouldn't be in the international 23 with everyone fit and IRFU are not flush with cash at the moment.

I think the reality of contracts has shifted a lot in the last year and he's possibly been a victim of that.

KBurke85

ShineyShiney wrote: »

If they already have a better option why were they offering Roux a contract? I appreciate trying to move on and find a positive but that's clearly not the case here. Also Roux is IQ so replacing him with an NIQ who blocks dillane, thornberry, Murray, Dowling? Seems a little problematic no?

I don't think its a case that they have a better option. They clearly state they didn't want him to leave.

In fairness to Connacht and the IRFU budgets are lower the covid pandemic has caused a big hit. You can see it with loads of players only taking one year deals as the likelihood is they and the union expect to be able to negotiate better deals in a years time.

Some players were always going to end up leaving and unfortunately Quinn is one of those.

Its not necessarily anyone's fault. It's just one of those things

ionadnapóca

ShineyShiney wrote: »

If they already have a better option why were they offering Roux a contract? I appreciate trying to move on and find a positive but that's clearly not the case here. Also Roux is IQ so replacing him with an NIQ who blocks dillane, thornberry, Murray, Dowling? Seems a little problematic no?

I think they would have had to look at options going into the negotiations or very quickly after they realised what it would take to keep him.
A balancing act.

The NIQ/5 year residency "block" is only an issue in my eyes if Connacht were to replace him with a player of less abilities than Roux or the other players.

Connacht need quality in the 2nd row and they need it now. Im sure they have done their due diligence on the market and player availability.
IRFU should be backing them big time to go out and get real quality.

Bazzo

ionadnapokot wrote: »

I think they would have had to look at options going into the negotiations or very quickly after they realised what it would take to keep him.
A balancing act.

The NIQ/5 year residency "block" is only an issue in my eyes if Connacht were to replace him with a player of less abilities than Roux or the other players.

Connacht need quality in the 2nd row and they need it now. Im sure they have done their due diligence on the market and player availability.
IRFU should be backing them big time to go out and get real quality.

If the IRFU were "backing them big time" Roux would be staying.

Wegians89

Who ever Connacht replace roux with, needs to be experienced. Some promising young lads already there, need someone to lead them

ionadnapóca

Bazzo wrote: »

If the IRFU were "backing them big time" Roux would be staying.

Yes.True!
I did say "should". And i meant it to mean it should be their obligation.

IRFU (& Connacht btw) might have felt he wasn't worth the money and they have an alternative lined up.
Fingers crossed.

ShineyShiney

Former Former Former wrote: »

Well, he's a valuable player but also turns 31 in a few months, hasn't played since January, wouldn't be in the international 23 with everyone fit and IRFU are not flush with cash at the moment.

I think the reality of contracts has shifted a lot in the last year and he's possibly been a victim of that.

You said Roux was negotiating from a position of weakness? How ? He's in demand that's a position of strength.

Former Former Former

ShineyShiney wrote: »

You said Roux was negotiating from a position of weakness? How ? He's in demand that's a position of strength.

Umm, it's literally all in the post you just quoted

Lebute

Former Former Former wrote: »

Umm, it's literally all in the post you just quoted

Would Donnacha Ryan be a good fit for one year ?
Contact is up with Racing I believe.

Wegians89

Lebute wrote: »

Would Donnacha Ryan be a good fit for one year ?
Contact is up with Racing I believe.

I’d take him in a heart beat

ShineyShiney

Former Former Former wrote: »

Umm, it's literally all in the post you just quoted

Agree to disagree, I think what you listed are his strengths when it comes to negotiating apart from his injury profile. I'm just pissed we are losing him and can't see anything like a viable replacement. Nothing against your view point.

Bazzo

https://m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-rugby/connachts-green-light-to-sign-non-irish-roux-replacement-40411746.html

Friend says there's funding in place to bring in a "quality NIQ" to replace Roux. Says they're looking for a like for like replacement, and specifically mentions big unit who's good at attacking and defending maul.

I'll hold out hope they'll bring in a good replacement but I still think they'll really struggle to match Roux's quality.

Also mentioned that Healy was withdrawn with a jaw injury and Butler with a head knock(maybe that captain's challenge makes more sense now...)

Wegians89

Looks like an niq lock coming in, can’t see then signing both an niq lock and loosehead

FACECUTTR

Pieter Steph du Toit would be nice ðŸ˜‰

Bazzo

Wegians89 wrote: »

Looks like an niq lock coming in, can’t see then signing both an niq lock and loosehead

Don't think there was ever a loosehead coming in when they renewed Matthew Burke's contract.

[Deleted User]

FACECUTTR wrote: »

Pieter Steph du Toit would be nice ðŸ˜‰

Etzebeth maybe

sydthebeat

keeping Friends australian theme going... some possibilities:

Steve Cummins
29yo. Aussie underage capped. Hard working, really niggly fcuker in the tight. Could be just what Connacht need

Sita Timani
34yo. 18 test caps. Well travelled experienced. probably will retire at the end of the trans tasman though.

Darcy Swain
23yo. Rangy skillful young lock. came through the brumbies academy with mack hansen.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
24yo. already has 25 test caps, hard as nails lock / backrow. SR AU winner. If he wants a pay day for a couple of years why not connacht?

Wegians89

Is Bundee back this week?