Ulster Team Talk Thread IV... Go On My Henderson...

awec · 25-06-2021 04:02PM

We need signings if we have expectations to compete.

stephen_n · 25-06-2021 08:35PM

Is Mathewson gone? Doak needs to be fast tracked through, looks like a serious prospect.

thomond2006 · 25-06-2021 08:36PM

stephen_n wrote: »

Is Mathewson gone? Doak needs to be fast tracked through, looks like a serious prospect.

Yes he's gone.

Dubinusa · 25-06-2021 10:41PM

Sheridan looks the business too!

Neil3030 · 25-06-2021 11:57PM

Not to be putting too much pressure on Doak, but after tonight, me and my mates have decided he's somewhere between Gareth Edwards and Joost Van Der Westhuizen, so if ye could get him some gametime next season that'd be great.

launish116 · 26-06-2021 12:25AM

Dubinusa wrote: »

Sheridan looks the business too!

Indeed! Good balance of aggression and niggle.

launish116 · 26-06-2021 12:53PM

https://supersport.com/rugby/rainbow-cup/news/210625_Sharks_revamp_coaching_group_in_preparation_for_new_challenge?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=ss-alwayson&utm_term=ss-int-ctw-jun-21&utm_content=other_web-alwayson_rugby&fbclid=IwAR3sNRQCg8SokhA0eJ_itqnSTOAiqjouRt6jlD9ajxlA9T4pyYnI90ZN-Bw

Anyone wanting to choke on their food and laugh simultaneously please read.

Paul Smeenus · 26-06-2021 03:56PM

launish116 wrote: »

https://supersport.com/rugby/rainbow-cup/news/210625_Sharks_revamp_coaching_group_in_preparation_for_new_challenge?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=ss-alwayson&utm_term=ss-int-ctw-jun-21&utm_content=other_web-alwayson_rugby&fbclid=IwAR3sNRQCg8SokhA0eJ_itqnSTOAiqjouRt6jlD9ajxlA9T4pyYnI90ZN-Bw

Anyone wanting to choke on their food and laugh simultaneously please read.

John McFarland was born in Belfast, I'd imagine that has added to confusion.

Paul Smeenus · 29-06-2021 07:41PM

https://dementedmole.com/2021/06/28/dont-cry-in-front-of-the-mexicans-ulsters-2020-21-season-and-how-they-must-keep-twirling-twirling-twirling-towards-freedom-in-2021-22/

Verbose, but a good, coherent analysis. Not sure about Treadwell at 6 (or Izzy) but just reading the names of our 11-15 backs is mouthwatering.

And I fully endorse the Ulster Globetrotter "conservatism be damned" model moving forward.

Richie_Rich89 · 29-06-2021 07:49PM

I would be thinking 6. McCann, 7. Reidy/Murphy, 8. T money; 20. Murphy/Reidy is the way forward.

Then Matty Rea and Marcus Rea as back up at blindside and openside, respectively. Not sure about back up no. 8.

Paul Smeenus · 29-06-2021 07:50PM

Richie_Rich89 wrote: »

I would be thinking 6. McCann, 7. Reidy/Murphy, 8. T money; 20. Murphy/Reidy is the way forward.

Then Matty Rea and Marcus Rea as back up at blindside and openside, respectively. Not sure about back up no. 8.

That is very light. We need a bruiser, especially given neither Carter nor Henderson are behemoths.

Richie_Rich89 · 29-06-2021 07:52PM

Izuchukwu tried at 8 for a few games would be interesting, if he's not getting time in the second row.

Richie_Rich89 · 29-06-2021 07:57PM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

That is very light. We need a bruiser, especially given neither Carter nor Henderson are behemoths.

Light as in not enough bodies? - or the players are too lightweight?

Wiki has McCann down as 108kg - you'd imagine he could get to 110kg+ without too much difficulty - and T money is listed in different places at weights ranging from 110 kilos to 113 kilos.

TRC10 · 29-06-2021 08:18PM

Richie_Rich89 wrote: »

Izuchukwu tried at 8 for a few games would be interesting, if he's not getting time in the second row.

Maybe not 8, but I definitely think Izuchukwu could a great job at 6.

Paul Smeenus · 29-06-2021 08:27PM

Richie_Rich89 wrote: »

Light as in not enough bodies? - or the players are too lightweight?

Wiki has McCann down as 108kg - you'd imagine he could get to 110kg+ without too much difficulty - and T money is listed in different places at weights ranging from 110 kilos to 113 kilos.

A bit of both, actually.

Maybe "light" in terms of weight is misleading. We need a destructive carrier. McCann looks to have serious nous and skills, but I don't know that he's ever going to send any tackler barrelling out of the way.

Locke_Lamora · 29-06-2021 08:30PM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

https://dementedmole.com/2021/06/28/dont-cry-in-front-of-the-mexicans-ulsters-2020-21-season-and-how-they-must-keep-twirling-twirling-twirling-towards-freedom-in-2021-22/

Verbose, but a good, coherent analysis. Not sure about Treadwell at 6 (or Izzy) but just reading the names of our 11-15 backs is mouthwatering.

And I fully endorse the Ulster Globetrotter "conservatism be damned" model moving forward.

Agreed. If we're gonna lose then I would rather lose while watching Baloucoune and Timoney race each other up and down the touchlines.

Locke_Lamora · 29-06-2021 08:35PM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

A bit of both, actually.

Maybe "light" in terms of weight is misleading. We need a destructive carrier. McCann looks to have serious nous and skills, but I don't know that he's ever going to send any tackler barrelling out of the way.

This is what I make of McCann as well. He's not underpowered by any means but he's not the go-to man for hard yards. He's got great hands around the contact area and will shine with a more balanced backrow imo. Things probably aren't going to change much next season, but the management better be waving the cash for the right backrower(s) - although I'm not even sure who's available.

bilston · 29-06-2021 08:39PM

Two years from now, my dream scenario for our packing something like this

1 Callum Reid
2 Tom Stewart
3 Tom O'Toole
4 Iain Henderson
5 Cormac Izuchwuku
6 David McCann
7 ???
8 ??? (Although game by game Nick Timoney continues to confound my expectations of how high his ceiling is)

That front row will do plenty of ball carrying.

Paul Smeenus · 29-06-2021 08:42PM

bilston wrote: »

Two years from now, my dream scenario for our packing something like this

1 Callum Reid
2 Tom Stewart
3 Tom O'Toole
4 Iain Henderson
5 Cormac Izuchwuku
6 David McCann
7 ???
8 ??? (Although game by game Nick Timoney continues to confound my expectations of how high his ceiling is)

That front row will do plenty of ball carrying.

McCann at 8, Sheridan at 6? Have been impressed with him during the U20s, playing at second row. Given he's a six, really, packing down on the TH side is particularly good going.

bilston · 29-06-2021 08:43PM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

McCann at 8, Sheridan at 6? Have been impressed with him during the U20s, playing at second row. Given he's a six, really, packing down on the TH side is particularly good going.

Yes, good shout

Paul Smeenus · 29-06-2021 08:45PM

By the way, now that the Joe-lice have departed, there's a lot of really good stuff in that Tuohy interview. Talks frankly about Ulster as well - the switch between different coaches' reigns and just how haphazard it could all be. Well worth a listen.

Locke_Lamora · 29-06-2021 08:45PM

bilston wrote: »

Two years from now, my dream scenario for our packing something like this

1 Callum Reid
2 Tom Stewart
3 Tom O'Toole
4 Iain Henderson
5 Cormac Izuchwuku
6 David McCann
7 ???
8 ??? (Although game by game Nick Timoney continues to confound my expectations of how high his ceiling is)

That front row will do plenty of ball carrying.

Good in theory, but a few points:

Need to wait and see how Izzy recovers - ACL's can ruin careers. Pity, he was looking to be just what we needed.

Need to wait and see how Stewart and Reid take to senior rugby. I'm a bit fan of Stewart though. McCann hasn't shown much yet but I'm confident he'll be a good player as long as we put together a good backrow.

Love how we're just collectively ignoring next season lol

Richie_Rich89 · 29-06-2021 08:46PM

6 seems to be a better fit for McCann, based on what I've seen. He's good at doing that grafting work.

Paul Smeenus · 29-06-2021 08:52PM

Locke_Lamora wrote: »

Good in theory, but a few points:

Need to wait and see how Izzy recovers - ACL's can ruin careers. Pity, he was looking to be just what we needed.

Need to wait and see how Stewart and Reid take to senior rugby. I'm a bit fan of Stewart though. McCann hasn't shown much yet but I'm confident he'll be a good player as long as we put together a good backrow.

Love how we're just collectively ignoring next season lol

I think it's just a wee day-dream skip down fantasy lane for Bils - you have to let a man dream.

A new Muller and to be honest, I think we'd start making real inroads. We have a fantastic array of backs. With Doak we have a >whisper it< Pienaar-esque petit general coming through. For me, the real gaps are in the back row, and in leadership.

launish116 · 29-06-2021 09:49PM

Locke_Lamora wrote: »

Love how we're just collectively ignoring next season lol

Summary of what we’ve been doing for the last 5 years, waiting on a hyped up academy player to never appear. Looking hopelessly forward to following season hoping one will get more than one cap.

McCann at blindside for me! Also high hopes for Sheridan, been impressed so far.

We’re still at least 2 back-rowers short for the season. We’ve seen Timoney add sum timber, no reason why some others can’t.

bilston · 29-06-2021 10:08PM

Marcus Rea is a bit of an enigma. There's times I think he could be really good, and then other times were he misses a tackle or does something dumb. He's still young enough. Next season could be a big one for him.

Hopefully him and McCann make big strides anyway. Throw in a marquee signing for 2022/23 and we'll be suckin' diesel

launish116 · 29-06-2021 10:14PM

bilston wrote: »

Marcus Rea is a bit of an enigma. There's times I think he could be really good, and then other times were he misses a tackle or does something dumb. He's still young enough. Next season could be a big one for him.

Indeed, is he a little under powered? Thought the ref was harsh on him the last game when it came to turnovers.

Him & Jones are really playing for their Ulster futures next season.

Dubinusa · 30-06-2021 02:48AM

I think Timoney can do the job for Ulster. He's really upped his physical game.
I agree re: Sheridan. Serious prospect and he's already looking very comfortable. Rea, I don't think will ever be a top level 7. He reminds me of Conor Oliver, but a lesser player!
McCann is also a serious prospect. I doubt he's the hard charger required. But, he certainly has the skills and tools to be a really good player!

Utah_Saint · 30-06-2021 01:00PM

Dubinusa wrote: »

I think Timoney can do the job for Ulster. He's really upped his physical game.
I agree re: Sheridan. Serious prospect and he's already looking very comfortable. Rea, I don't think will ever be a top level 7. He reminds me of Conor Oliver, but a lesser player!
McCann is also a serious prospect. I doubt he's the hard charger required. But, he certainly has the skills and tools to be a really good player!

I always though Timoney could try to emulate what simmonds does for Exeter. Although i suspect Simmonds does not need to do as much no8 grunt work as he has a great pack around him.
Timoney is listed as taller and heavier than simmonds....although probably just as fast.

launish116 · 02-07-2021 03:28PM

Interview with John Petrie
https://youtu.be/ZXx38SQtSVM

Ulster Team Talk Thread IV... Go On My Henderson...

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