Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

The Moist Buddha · 04-12-2023 08:07PM

anyone collect their season ticket gift pack yet or does anyone know what it is? im just wondering will i bother going to sportsground to collect it in this weather. probably only a bottle opener or something!!

kita99 · 05-12-2023 08:33AM

FW pack weights of Bordeaux against Oyonax (latest match of them) were 938kg.The THP(Sadie from south africa) is 147kg. He has started every other week. Indeed Ihave no idea whether this week is his turn or not. Under no good weather in Galway this week,such a heavy playermay not effective. Their no 8 (Tatafu) is Tonga- born japanese player. He came to Japan at 15years old (his highschool time) and became current representative Japan. He is not tall (184,110) but powerful and skillful. So Connacht must not take him lightly.

EachSmallChime · 05-12-2023 04:53PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTG-dvhw7hU&ab_channel=ConnachtRugby

Have to say I'm impressed with Cordero for hitting all the talking points that fans want to hear in this video. I don't care if he's full of BS but fair play to him for doing it and making the effort to ingratiate himself to the fans.

Having been in Bordeaux a few weeks ago for the RWC, I can confidently say I'd be miserable if I moved to Galway for the winter!

Still, bodes well for the future if he can get fit.

FACECUTTR · 05-12-2023 05:03PM

A squad update ahead of Friday's Champions Cup game at home to Bordeaux with Laya Healthcare #ABeatAhead.

Bundee Aki (hamstring), Gavin Thornbury (knee) and Shayne Bolton (hamstring) are available for selection having recovered from their respective injuries.

Colm Reilly (ankle) has undergone surgery for a ligament injury and is expected to be unavailable for 12 weeks.

Tiernan O’Halloran (foot) and Oisin Dowling (shoulder) will be further assessed this week after picking up injuries against Leinster.

Also unavailable for this week are Oisin McCormack (hamstring) and Santiago Cordero (knee).

FACECUTTR · 05-12-2023 05:08PM

No mention of Farrell or Aungier but I assume they are available. No harm having Bolton fit again.

On Cordero, he said he is back training. I wonder will we get to see him early in the new year ?

Everdene · 05-12-2023 09:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121458277#Comment_121458277

ACL isn't it? - I suspect back at training means able to start rehab - it's a long process

Wegians89 · 05-12-2023 11:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121459224#Comment_121459224

Not as long as it used to be though, players coming back after 4-6 months rather than the 9-12 months it used to be.

Wegians89 · 05-12-2023 11:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121458253#Comment_121458253

Reilly out is a big blow, especially if blade gets a deserved call up to the six nations squad. Need Devine back fit asap.

Delighted to see Thornbury back. He could be a vital rotation cog in the second row as he’s a lineout caller.

Redo91 · 06-12-2023 12:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121459791#Comment_121459791

Definitely haven’t heard of anyone coming back after 4 months from an ACL but would be delighted to be wrong. Thought 6 months is best case scenario. Would be delighted if he is back around April for the tail end of the season.

Wegians89 · 06-12-2023 12:23AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121460022#Comment_121460022

https://supersport.com/rugby/general/news/6dec60a4-76fc-48eb-895c-a93d684e8fa1/siya-s-119-day-recovery-miracle-that-saved-his-world-cup-dream

Obviously could be a very unique case but with the improvements in technology and operations, we could see this recovery time more often.

Zeugnis · 06-12-2023 12:46AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121459810#Comment_121459810

We only have one game between January 19th (Bears) and March 2nd (Scarlets), that's against Cardiff in Wales on February 17th - eleven weeks away. Of course we can't predict the health of the other 9s in the Irish picture, but CB is still behind JGP, Casey, and Murray. Even if he's in camp, they'll likely release him. But my hope is that Matthew Devine recovers quickly and gets to take advantage of the opportunity because he was exciting as an U20 and I'm impatient to see how he deals with senior rugby. Otherwise, McDonald gets a go, and why not, Connacht are paying him on a senior contract, we should show some faith or let him go. So far, he hasn't been tried, and hasn't failed. He should get a chance.

Zeugnis · 06-12-2023 01:15AM

Saturday was obviously very disappointing but you have to credit Leinster. They used halftime to make modifications to the line out which allowed them to turn the tables, and they showed great mental strength to put together the try that thieved it. Fair play.

Failure to convert in the fifteen minutes from 35-50 cost us dearly. I know our penalty count has been lower overall this season, but penalty reversals in successive weeks is just wasteful, and Caolin needs to mind his mouth or he'll be responsible for the next one. Our hookers and line out callers should be able to solve problems as they arise. If it's unraveling then do something creative: with a minute to play, we could have run the ball rather than kicking to touch, ground out a few phases until the clock went red, and killed it.

There were positives: our midfield is a serious threat, Kilgallen and Ralston continue to prosper, and Mack was divine. The front row continues to get the best of almost all their opponents, and Boyle was excellent, a most welcome return.

Leinster's scalp would have been nice, but a LBP is not the end of the world. Bordeaux lost to Oyonnax at the weekend, they're no great shakes, we need to put them in a box. We have a good team and haven't really clicked yet, and there will be setbacks, but let's not lose ourselves in histrionics when they happen.

Buer · 06-12-2023 08:13AM

Bordeaux won away to Oyonnax although I'd agree they're nothing special especially away from home.

We'll know a lot by what team selection they send. They've an incredible backline on paper. Probably the best in Europe. But I can see them just rolling the dice on the Connacht game. They'll progress from the pool if they just win their home games.

Wegians89 · 06-12-2023 09:40AM

Havent really read the new format for this year’s champions cup, will two home wins be enough? Would one win and a Few bonus points be enough?

KBurke85 · 06-12-2023 10:12AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121460506#Comment_121460506

Two wins should be enough. 4 out of 6 teams in the pool qualify and the 5th drops into the challenge cup

Zeugnis · 06-12-2023 10:19AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121460325#Comment_121460325

My bad on the Bordeaux result, I turned it off with Oyonnax ahead with just a couple of minutes to go!

06-12-2023 10:46AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121460616#Comment_121460616

The try to win the game was utterly nuts!

realhorrorshow · 06-12-2023 12:38PM

He was no slouch before obviously, but Mack has looked especially electric ever since the RWC warm ups, he must have put some serious work in during the pre-season camp. Hopefully Bordeaux pick Penaud and we see two of the best wingers in the world in the Sportsground for a big Heineken Cup game under lights, we've come a long way from slogging it out with Narbonne in the Challenge Cup!

b.gud · 06-12-2023 01:01PM

It's confirmed that the redevelopment of the sportsground will receive €20M in government funding

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2023/1206/1420446-rugby-and-gaa-facilities-secure-majority-of-new-funding/

Wegians89 · 06-12-2023 01:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461259#Comment_121461259

Great news that

06-12-2023 02:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121454317#Comment_121454317

Our lineout in the first half wasn't 100% and i dont think many of our lineouts were in their half so the pressure on the throw wasnt as great. One of the key moments of the game was the lineout we ballsed up before half time.

In the 2nd half I havent watched it back and don't ever intend to but I think from memory there were 3 if not more lineouts inside Leinsters 10 metre line within a few minutes of each other. The turnovers from these were very costly with the points and the yellow card added to the earlier yellow meaning we were down a player for 20 minutes for 20 mins and all momentum was lost. We actually did quite well to regain the momentum again but having spells like that against top teams leave you no room for error.

For me the common denominator with Connachts lineout failing over recent years has generally been Dave Heffernan at hooker. Its not the only issue but if the stats gurus go back through the lineout success rate with him at 2 I don't imagine it'd make for good reading for him. Like Carty when things go wrong for him it tends to spiral quickly. Again to me not having Joyce in the 23 with 6 forwards picked on the bench boggles the mind.

I feel sorry for the lads who worked so hard and were let down by some poor penalty kicks and clearance kicks. We soaked up a lot of pressure at spells but then to only gain 10 metres on penalty kicks or clearance kicks is a killer for both the players and crowd.

How Cathal Fordes boot wasn't used for kicking penalties up the line (on his side at least) I'm not sure because it wasn't happening for Hanrahan. I never regarded him as having a big boot but it was way below what you'd expect the last night.

06-12-2023 02:56PM

One thing I haven't seen referenced is how lucky Connacht were with the Culhane no-try decision. He was deemed to be held up in goal, so the result was a goal line drop out but it was ignored by the ref and TMO on the multiple replays how Niall Murray stopped Culhane with a clear and obvious high tackle around the neck.

A penalty try there probably would have killed the game tbh.

Buer · 06-12-2023 03:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461600#Comment_121461600

You'll be surprised to hear this statistic then.....of all the hookers from the three main European leagues in 2023, Dave Heffernan has the 4th highest success rate in the line out at 92.4% (50 minimum throws to qualify).

He's the only URC hooker in the top 5.

Note that this statistic was posted in late November so it may have dropped slightly since.

realhorrorshow · 06-12-2023 03:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461740#Comment_121461740

Many TMOs seem to tunnel vision on one factor, e.g. grounding or foot in touch, when reviewing potential tries, sometimes missing pretty obvious no arm tackles, offside, etc.

06-12-2023 03:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121462057#Comment_121462057

Yeah, agreed. Think the same thing happened in the Ulster game on Saturday night.

06-12-2023 04:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461982#Comment_121461982

Fair enough maybe it's just my own historical bias but to me he never fills me with confidence as a lineout thrower. Like with everything there's variables with teams not competing etc but still those stats are better than I'd expect.

Wegians89 · 07-12-2023 12:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461600#Comment_121461600

I would have similar feeling about heffs lineouts tbh. Himself and carty Have been great servants for the provinces, obvious by the number of caps for the province and international honours but I think it’s time to move on from them. Both would be decent squad players filling in as third choice.

I haven’t rewatched the match but from memory it stood out that ever single lineout on the first 35 min went to Darragh Murray at the front. This screams of no confidence on the lineout. Important to note that Niall Murray and Joyce weren’t starting and they would be the normal lineout callers. I know Niall came on early but not sure if he took the line out calling role when he did come on.

I would hope that one of Niall Murray, Joyce or Thornbury (if he’s fit enough) are in the starting 15 for the rest of the season.

Wegians89 · 07-12-2023 12:05AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461982#Comment_121461982

I don’t think that statistic takes into account that it always seems to be the high pressure lineouts that are lost. I would be that a high percentage of Heffs missed lineouts are in either 22.

kita99 · 07-12-2023 02:43AM

According to INDO's article, Dvinewill be in contention to featture at friday's game. Maybe McDonald will be selected, but if Devine's condition becomes better, his come back will be in near future. It's exciting for me.

And one morething. At the last saturday's game,(the first half maybe 19min) Baird of Leinster was conceded the penalty by horizontal dropping. But Basby didn't call TMO. In last season (I think) Boyle saw YC by almost same situation. Iit seemed quitely inevital accident for me. (the ref was not Irish) Possibly Basby thought sorry to give no card against Baird for Connacht, and took the balance later

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461740#Comment_121461740

. (maybe not).

Zeugnis · 07-12-2023 11:27AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121464934#Comment_121464934

Hi kita99, as regards Devine, I heard elsewhere that he was the 24th man last week. He's definitely going to get some minutes during Reilly's absence, but I would like a look at McDonald as well. Sarries away would be the kind of tough fixture that we're not really targeting (not saying it's impossible to beat them by the way, just that one has to prioritise). Put him on the bench for that, use Devine this weekend.

For me the loss to Leinster is now boxed away. A lot of people get fixated on the officiating, I don't see the point, these are facts that you can't control and perfect enforcement is impossible anyway. Baird, incidentally, was very good, incredible athlete.

Leinster have some things to be pleased about. In addition to Baird, Harry Byrne fired some lovely long passes, and Rob Russell was really good, showed incredible presence of mind and composure under pressure from Murray (IIRC) near his own line.

Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

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