Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

b.gud · 10-07-2024 10:42AM

No definite mention of contract length but reads like a 1 year deal

sydthebeat · 10-07-2024 10:55AM

that is a bloody great signing !!!

AccidentallyOnside · 10-07-2024 12:03PM

Announcement said for the 24-25 season so think we can assume its one year.

Not seen much of him but from the highlights I think it's fair to say he'll be a running threat in a way that no connacht ten since......….did we ever have a running threat out half lol!

From reddit looks like a guy with a lot of talent who hasn't progressed the way he might have hoped, which is something we should be looking to sign.

sydthebeat · 10-07-2024 01:09PM

He was seen as the successor to Lima sopaga at the Highlanders and had a pretty good first main season at 10. After that he suffered from "swiss army knife" syndrome and played almost an equal amount at 10, 15 and 12. I was disappointed when he left the Highlanders, and we never really replaced him, faffing about with others like Freddy burns, patchell, Bryn gatland and Mitch hunt.

He hasn't been able to break into the starting 15 at the chiefs, and most of his sub appearances have been at 15.

Hopefully this move is to see him regain his main position at out half

realhorrorshow · 10-07-2024 01:45PM

Assume he'll play Mitre 10? Wonder when he'll arrive, need him here for preseason ideally if he's to come in as first choice.

Scythica · 10-07-2024 02:16PM

That is a fantastic signing.

A few seasons ago he was the next bit hope for NZ future, few problems with partying / being behind established names have stunted his growth but providing he's bought into it, has a v high ceiling.

More of a potential superstar signing than Morgan for Ulster, imo as an Ulster fan.

FACECUTTR · 10-07-2024 03:22PM

It says he has joined for the 24/25 season but doesn't mention anything else. I would hope he is here for pre-season as it really doesn't make sense if he is not.

AccidentallyOnside · 10-07-2024 08:27PM

Preseason started either last Monday or next Monday so I'm not sure he'll make the start of it!

ShineyShiney · 11-07-2024 08:41AM

Considering the timing this looks a good signing. I think his highlight reel would suggest that he would have been very well suited to previous Connacht playing styles. Hopefully we will have consigned last season's shovelball to the bin and we get to see his and jacks passing.

Wegians89 · 11-07-2024 08:45AM

There’s the makings of a really exciting backline now. Just hope the coaches can get the most out of them.

CowboyTed · 11-07-2024 11:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122366273#Comment_122366273

That is a big hope. We need the coaching ticket to improve massively on last year..

Tommybojangles · 12-07-2024 09:24AM

Great to see Cordero playing for Argentina tomorrow, looked like his international days were over

FACECUTTR · 12-07-2024 01:15PM

Challenge cup fixtures

Home Zebre 7/12/24 Away Perpignan 15/12/24

Home Lyon 11/1/25 Away Cardiff 17/1/25

AccidentallyOnside · 12-07-2024 02:04PM

Why are we playing both URC teams?

Would rather Cardiff at home rather than Zebre, hard to see 4 wins out of that :(

The Moist Buddha · 12-07-2024 05:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122371666#Comment_122371666

hard to see 1 win out of it

Lost Ormond · 12-07-2024 05:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122372626#Comment_122372626

Really? Home games are very winnable and depending on what way perpignan treat tournament that could definitely be another.

Jump_In_Jack · 12-07-2024 05:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122371666#Comment_122371666

It appears that they decided to go with three groupings of 2 teams in each pool.

Each pool has a French pair, a URC pair, and a mixed pair (Pool A’s mix is an Invitational team plus a URC team, Pool B’s is an English team plus a URC team, Pool C’s is an English team plus an Invitational team).

Connacht were drawn out of the hat to pair with Cheetahs.

Play all teams of the other groupings.

Pool A
Group 1 (URC) Cardiff, Zebre
Group 2 (Fra) Lyon, Perpignan
Group 3 (Invit&URC) Cheetahs, Connacht.

Pool B, like above but Emirates Lions paired with Newcastle Falcons.

Pool C, Black Lions paired with Gloucester to make three groupings.

cson · 13-07-2024 05:03PM

The Kiwi's over on Reddit don't seem enthused at all by him, sounds like he could be another lad on a Mils Muliania gap year boozing & riding it up around Galway.

13-07-2024 05:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122375696#Comment_122375696

Very harsh comparison. Muliaina was a poor signing but it was nothing to do with drinking or riding. All his pace had gone when we signed him. Maybe I missed something but my menory was of a good pro who didn't make any trouble. Connacht treated Muliaina really poorly when the false accusaitons were made against him in the UK, and any of his boozing troubles were in his early part of his career before he became an All Black.

I hope Ioane works out here. If not we're no worse off than starting the season with only one recognised senior out-half who hasn't been fully fit for two seasons.

b.gud · 13-07-2024 06:56PM

Fair play to Blade he didn't have the best season but acquitted himself well today when he came on, especially his great pass for the drop goal

FACECUTTR · 13-07-2024 07:37PM

He didn't look out of place at all. Nice little mental boost for him going into the break. Himself back in form will do wonders for the backline hopefully.

kita99 · 13-07-2024 10:14PM

Now Argentina won against young France. Cordero played steadily 80 min. After this match, if he may call up to Argentina, his confluence to Connacht may a bit be delayed.

sydthebeat · 14-07-2024 11:55AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122376236#Comment_122376236

He won a very clever penalty as well

testtech05 · 14-07-2024 02:46PM

I Was very critical of blade this season but he did very well when he came in yesterday bar 1 poor kick that went too far just after he came on. Hopefully that can give him confidence for next season.

Shoutout to Finlay aswell there was 1 penalty given against him but overall with all the changes in the pack the scrum held up well in the 2nd half

serfboard · 15-07-2024 12:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122376236#Comment_122376236

Dear Pete Wilkins, this is what Caolan Blade is capable of doing - when he's not captain.

kita99 · 20-07-2024 02:22AM

Recently, I watched the super rugby match between Chiefs v Reds. It's only game Ioane play as a starter (at15) 23~24 season. he played around 70 minutes and got 1 try. The tactics of Chiefs have been based by almost Damien McKenzie's game -control, so Ioane didn't stand out so much individually, and he didn't play at his pace and didn't any mistake. after this match, he has been given no starter's chance. I guess that he has frustrated Chiefs' policy. I think he sarves many game time. When is he coming to Galway? And one more thing, is Hansen back to the training? Santi Cordero will start against Urguay today. If he will be selected into the sqads of champions cup, he cannot come to galway until the end of Septenber and he may be select as a member autumn tour. If it's happened , Connacht cannot use him untill next year. Did Ruane know it from the time of the contract? On the other hand, Hugh Gavin was very impressive at the play-off of U 20. And Devine looks healthy. If their FWs can play decently at their set pieces and break downs, in this autumn, they'll be much stronger than last season. Please do hardest work as possible.

OldRio · 20-07-2024 08:36AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122337206#Comment_122337206

Goodness me, give the man a chance.

realhorrorshow · 22-07-2024 10:53AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122403254#Comment_122403254

Hansen is in the photos posted of the first week of pre season training.

Argentina have no restrictions on picking overseas players, which we would have been aware of when signing Cordero. I don't know where you're getting the idea that he won't play until next year, he will miss the first 3 URC games at most, possibly only two if he doesn't make the match day squad for the last RC game. The Autumn Internationals do not clash with any of our fixtures.

Gavin is the most exciting prospect through the Connacht system since Robbie Henshaw, or possibly ever. Hard not to get excited. He has brothers in the Connacht u17s and u19s also.

FtD v2 · 22-07-2024 01:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122411108#Comment_122411108

Yeah, I agree with that completely on Gavin. He looks to have virtually everything you want in a centre - great physical size and power, plenty of quickness and good footwork, great footballing instincts and handling ability, a bit of bite & aggression when carrying and in the tackle. He also stepped up as a second year U20 this year and seemed to show good maturity and leadership.

There were points late in the NZ game when he looked absolutely out of his feet tired (typically after a big carry) and yet he still kept popping up and looking for the ball and making impactful carries.

I don't particularly rate the outside backs on either of the last 2 U20s teams with the exception of McErlean last year and O'Connor this year (Treacy has looked good at times too), so Gavin would likely look even better in a scenario where he has more dangerous players around him taking away some of the defensive attention.

Connacht have some pretty tasty backs I think all of a sudden: I think Matthew Devine (if he can improve his pass) and Hugh Gavin look like future Irish internationals, obviously Mack and Bundee are already that, and Cathal Forde, Andrew Smith, Shayne Bolton and Shane Jennings have also all showed glimpses of real ability, plus Cordero looked lively enough at the end of last season. If Josh Ioane hits the ground running, they should be an exciting backline to watch.

kita99 · 23-07-2024 08:48PM

To both Mullins and Smith. I wish you the best of luck.

Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

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