Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Mack's seriously unhappy

https://x.com/byBrendanOBrien/status/1870570235335762041?t=WYjIRORxap0AmqHcsIhpVw&s=19

Just when I thought I couldn't love Hansen anymore!

I see a lot of people calling it inconsistent; it's not, we consistently do not get any 50/50 calls against Irish opposition and we don't have any ex players in national media fighting our corner so fair play to mack for calling it out!!

Refs get stuff wrong in games and it's part of it. Fair enough everyone's human. However when you have the bigger teams and bigger names consistently reffed softer than the smaller teams it imbalances the league.

Sometimes we are the beneficiaries, when we play at home to dragons, zebra etc. The TMO has the benefit of time and no pressure, they should be getting it right. 100% of the time.

100% agree, I would never blame the ref as there is 30 lads on the pitch looking to influence a decision and the ref is only human. But TMO as you said is away from the action their emotion and should per like a judge of law impartial. But hey we are selling a product and leinster are box office

Why not take your defeat on the chin. Connacht are a good side. I fully expected them to win tonight but it didn't go there way. Plenty to improve upon and plenty great performances were on display as well.

I thought Cathal Forde would shine as I really rate him and Prendergast Senior had a great showing. Mack Hansen had what must have been a very frustrating game for him. I think he was well marked.

Good match though.

Neutral pundits will look at the game and see connacht's questioned tackles were video reviewed and leinster's were not. Even leinster fans will acknowledge that hit on Aki should be atleast reviewed by the ref to rule it was not in question. If not maybe connacht players should copy leinsters behaviour and delay the game and queastion everything like soccer until the ref is bullied into reviewing it. I would hate to see connacht going down to that low level but if that what works for leinster sure we would be fools not to work the system rhe same way.

Gutted not to take a losing bonus point from that but also some real positives, Cian Prendergast is definitely as close as Ireland have to a like for like replacement for O’Mahoney on current form, Josh Murphy has a good bit of dog in him, don’t think anyone in URC has gotten under the skin of Snyman quite so effectively this season. Nice to see the physicality in second half, needed that earlier. Connacht line out created loads of pressure on the Leinster throw as well, shame to muck up the two most important ones on our ball. I wonder if Tector could be enticed as an option going forward at 10 for Connacht, can’t see him getting enough game time in Leinster at 13, on not much evidence I’d still rather him than H. Byrne.

I think that IRFU has huge accountability for Barrett issue. Last Friday,O'Toole of Ulster receive Red (about 31min) because of 'high hit'. It looked almost same situation like Barrett's play. What the difference is between O'Toole and Barrett? Add on it , I want to know one more thing. In the same Ulster match, they were conceded a penalty because of 'horrizontal tackling'(about 21min from KO). At the next night, Barrett tackled Connacht player while (with) obviously lifting and droppingat 4th quarter. But game played on without nothing. Then he received POM after the match. angry of Hansen seems quite reasonable. Now this news and video are diffused worldwide.

Thank you very much. And is it heavier than high hit in dangerous level ?

That is a lie!

Wait a minute! Do you think the law is that there should be no head on head contact?

There is clear video of Barrett's shoulder striking Bundee's head with force. Penalty and yellow or red card depending on the severity of the impact.

I think there is a certain irony to Mack Hansen complaining about referees not being fair on Connacht the week after they played down in Perpignan and were steeped to not have a player binned for persistent infringing. Hansen is a cracking player, but has always had a big mouth and rarely has anything particularly insightful to offer, other than 'banter'. I get that he is frustrated, but players are emotionally tied to decisions as well as having a vested interest in them. They are never/rarely impartial. To say that Connacht are specifically singled out by referees is nonsense. All teams are at the receiving end of poor decisions from time to time. Maybe Connacht should focus on themselves instead of scapegoating match officials.

Very true. Hansen has a bit of the Aussie yobbo about him. Quick with the banter, the sledging and the whinging.

Do rugby children worldwide study from Barrett that cheating (play) is allowed if it is overlooked (intentionally or not) or twisted by the officials (in the case that even there is obvious evidence). URC must consider it. Hansen is one of whistle blower for rugby system( especially IRFU) who is protected by internatinal law in many developed countries. His opinion has clear evidence (video), so I think URC maybe cannot win in the internatinal court.