That had gone on for a few more phases we probably would have lost a man to the bin.
Need the next score.
How many times do we conceed from poor kick chase a kickoff receipt missed or just a simple missed tackle.
From Hansen's kick once Fassi landed it looked like a try. In fairness Porch and Hansen did really well to stop him short but was only a matter of time before they overpowered us for the try.
Also just to note why are attacking teams never penalized for throwing the jumper across the line. The jumper landed on top of bealham there before Connacht had engaged I thought. Looks like might have got a pretty serious injury too hopefully he will be ok for the NZ tour
He is quality.
Outrageously good kick from Fassi for the 50/22.
Mack showing lack of time at fb with that kick
Hendrikse looks vulnerable to a charge-down on every kick.
Bench will be big in this game.
Delighted Aungier is there, he was great last week. Duggan is great around the park but will be a worry against this lot in the scrum. Expect Buckley to go 65+.
Need to push on as we're not the sort of team that can trust our defense for long.
Thornbury and Oliver are pure beasts. Best 40 minutes of rugby by Connacht in a while. Really thought Porches yellow was harsh. Both players were high so it could be looked at just as unfortunate much like Fafitas incident some minutes later. It's a contact sport so you have to give the benefit of the doubt to both attacking and defensive player, not just the attacking player. There was absolutely nothing malicious
Great turnover from Blade to stop that try. Inconsistent refereeing from Adamson though. He penalised Kolisi for the exact same hands on the ground steal 20 minutes ago.
The Thornbury special.
They put a stat up on the SA coverage.
Worst two teams place kicking this year, Connacht the worst in the league(and in turn Carty).
Cartys place kicking is woeful and it's the reason we constantly go to the corner with penalties that are anything above a banker IMO.
You can win games with a good kicker alone and it's not something we can carry... We're not a Leinster who win score 30/40, either way.. we're the kind of team that needs every point going.
Thought that was really harsh myself
Porch head hit the Sharks players shoulder first.
Porch is in trouble here.
Head on head contact when making the tackle. Both players are bending low so it's yellow.
Nothing in this IMO
Probably Prendergast yeah, he played 8 in one of the pre season games.
While I agree Wilkins record as our defense coach was very poor he did move to a new role this season with one of the other coaches made responsible for defense I think!
All that being said there is something major definitely wrong with our defense whoever is in charge of it, I also think the players themselves have to shoulder some blame for some of the huge scores we have conceeded.
Three years of Andy Friend and three years of regression
Wilkins must be the worst defense coach ever. The stats say it all. And Andy, what do you do. Tell Wilkins to do better? Or have you any useful function?
Thing Dowling is able to play 6. Slightly confused on who goes to 8 if butler picks a knock, Prendergast?
Butler has been flogged, what a player he has been for Connacht.
Will Leva Fifita move to backrow as subs come on??
Pity he was injured. He has some pace off the back of a Scrum. Seems to be struggling a bit this season with various different injuries.
Yep! He's a strong lad with skill. Serious player, imo.
No bother. You are kinda right though he really hasn't featured as much this season as he did last season
Didn't know that! Thanks
“There are three guys who have had restricted training in the early part of this week. Paul Boyle with a toe injury, came out of the weekend. He’s rehabbing that at the moment. Bundee (Aki) had a couple of bumps and bruises, he’s been on light duty this week, and Jack Aungier had his HIA as well from the Lions game.
He picked up a toe injury last week
Boyle is falling down the pecking order. Connacht have a chance here. Sharks were run close by Leinster.
Hard to see anything other than a loss but I'm hopeful. I would have thought DTM would start ahead of Heffernan.
CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS CELL C SHARKS
Saturday 30th April, 15:05 Irish time / 16:05 local time @ Hollywoodbets Kings Park
Number/Name/Caps
15. Mack Hansen (13)
14. John Porch (57)
13. Tom Farrell (77)
12. Tom Daly (59)
11. Alex Wootton (32)
10. Conor Fitzgerald (51)
9. Caolin Blade (149)
1. Denis Buckley (206)
2. Dave Heffernan (163)
3. Finlay Bealham (172)
4. Gavin Thornbury (61)
5. Leva Fifita (14)
6. Cian Prendergast (29)
7. Conor Oliver (40)
8. Jarrad Butler (94) (C)
Replacements
16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (4)
17. Jordan Duggan (27)
18. Jack Aungier (30)
19. Niall Murray (33)
20. Oisín Dowling (24)
21. Kieran Marmion (207)
22. Jack Carty (178)
23. Tiernan O’Halloran (205)
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