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HEC: Biarritz vs Connacht, Fri 14 Dec 8pm; Sky Sports 2

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Comments

  • #182
    totallegend
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,234 ✭✭✭totallegend


    wprathead wrote: »

    We tend to play more back orientated rugby nowadays- Our pack is more mobile rather than just the "stick it up the jumper" that used to suit our play

    [SIZE="1"]PS: It is the Sportsground[/SIZE]:p

    Bejaysus you're right.Where is the showgrounds then?

    With an out half like Parks whose raison d'etre is to kick, Connacht aren't quite there yet in terms of all singing, all dancing back play.


  • #183
    Scioch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,249 ✭✭✭Scioch


    Connacht by 1-14
    Fishooks13 wrote: »
    This is a very narrow-minded view of Connacht rugby. They've been punching well above their weight in the HC so far, and are a credit to province they represent (bad gameplan tonight aside)

    Come on they didnt even try tonight game plan or not. Its all well and good patting them on the head just for showing up but they aint kids they are professional players. And some good players at that.


  • #184
    thomond2006
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Scioch wrote: »
    Come on they didnt even try tonight game plan or not. Its all well and good patting them on the head just for showing up but they aint kids they are professional players. And some good players at that.

    They didn't try you say? Complete nonsense.


  • #185
    4PP
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 756 ✭✭✭4PP


    Connacht by 1-14
    Scioch wrote: »
    For all the effort they put in its always reduced to shíte by utter stupidity and laziness. There has been many games gone the same way. One kickable penalty in 80 minutes against a team with discipline issues (two sent off). Were they in the Biarritz half with the ball more than twice in the game ? Biarritz turned down how many kickable penalties ? 17 - 0 is flattering.

    They could have gotten something but couldnt muster anything other than high balls with no chasers, they only tried to run it deep in their own half ffs. And still Biarritz left something there for the takin, but Connacht being Connacht couldnt take it.

    Dans les royaume des aveugles , les borgnes sont roi!
    (In the kingdom of the blind the one eyed are kings!)

    If at least your comments had a bit of sense or logic..........but no.

    If its of any consolation I do feel sorry for you. You insult freely, put down eternally. I'll leave you to your diatribes, it seems to be your unique form of expression. I'd say it was a pity , but then you have yet to show even the slightest comprehension of the game I love. I doubt I'm alone in my thinking.........

    Don't worry, you're happy, thats the main thing........ Ignorance is bliss!


  • #186
    Fishooks13
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,696 ✭✭✭Fishooks13


    Biarritz by 1-14
    Scioch wrote: »
    Come on they didnt even try tonight game plan or not. Its all well and good patting them on the head just for showing up but they aint kids they are professional players. And some good players at that.

    Sorry now but that's absolute horse****. They put in 100% but were ultimately let down by a very bad performance from Parks and some daft decision making in the second half

    Don't except for a minute that they "didn't try". If they weren't trying they surely would have kicked the ball into touch rather than try an score from inside their own goal area


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  • #187
    Scioch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,249 ✭✭✭Scioch


    Connacht by 1-14
    thomond2006 wrote: »
    They didn't try you say? Complete nonsense.

    What did they do ? All I seen was Parks kicking the all away. They defended like heroes but try to get anything out of that game they did not. At the risk of repeating myself here they had one shot at goal in 80 minutes, 20 of which was against 14 men in a game where penalties, knock ons and turnovers were the order of the day. They had no interest in playing in the Biarritz half.


  • #188
    Scioch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,249 ✭✭✭Scioch


    Connacht by 1-14
    4PP wrote: »
    Dans les royaume des aveugles , les borgnes sont roi!
    (In the kingdom of the blind the one eyed are kings!)

    If at least your comments had a bit of sense or logic..........but no.

    If its of any consolation I do feel sorry for you. You insult freely, put down eternally. I'll leave you to your diatribes, it seems to be your unique form of expression. I'd say it was a pity , but then you have yet to show even the slightest comprehension of the game I love. I doubt I'm alone in my thinking.........

    Don't worry, you're happy, thats the main thing........ Ignorance is bliss!

    The hypocrisy of your pretentious tripe is stomach churning.


  • #189
    its_phil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,442 ✭✭✭its_phil


    Connacht kicking was poor, all the young lads put in a great shift. We should have had White and George on from the start, just would have suited the conditions better. Loughs did put in a good shift though. TOH was the best of our backs.

    The pack was great in the loose. They deserve a big pat on the back, 117 tackles with 15 from McKeon was a great return. While Connachts attacking and kicking game were poor, the defence was immense. The lineout let us down at very crucial times.

    Parks was dreadful, if your gonna come up in the line as a shooter you need to take a man out. Our kicking game was very very poor and Parks will have to take the blame for it. Too many garryowens and Balshaw deserves some credit too.

    I think people are underestimating how difficult it is to win in France, no matter who the opposition is. If you have a read of Confessions of a Rugby Mercenary, losing at home is not an option no matter how poor you are playing.

    If the conditions were better, I reckon we'd have got the LBP but the weather wasn't our friend tonight as opposed to thoughts of some who think we like this kinda weather these days. We like to play it wide out the backline, for those who have actually seen Connacht play on a regular basis these days. But it's still no excuse, we didn't play them well and our tactics were poor so I suppose the only positive you can take out of it is that all our young guys will have learned a valuable lesson .

    Dissapointing night, but great appreciation for the work of the defence.

    Yachvili you owe half of Boards.ie money. :mad:


  • #190
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 1,681 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    While imo Scioch losses some of his credibility by saying they didn't try, I think the overall point he is making when he expands it out is fair enough. Having watched us throughout the season, we seem to be unable at times to tailor a game plan to the conditions.

    Playing a very poor Cardiff team on the first day our game plan was completely brainless. Similarly against Scarlets and Edinburgh (and by all accounts against Dragons too). Poor game management.

    I think whoever is appointed the new coach has to come in straight away and work to drag this team by the scruff of the neck and make them a team that is hard to play against because at the moment while we are lacking quality and depth in certain areas we also haven't the consistency or the game management to step it up a level.


  • #191
    CoDy1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,637 ✭✭✭CoDy1


    thomond2006 wrote: »
    They didn't try you say? Complete nonsense.

    Of course they 'tried', every team tries, but it was still a poor, poor performance albeit in silly conditions but Biarritz were extremely poor also. Connacht barely left their own half for the whole 80 mins. Thats not good enough regardless of this almighty effort they put in.


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  • #192
    its_phil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,442 ✭✭✭its_phil


    duckysauce wrote: »
    cool that's great I think they would as Parks had a major BRAIN fart, shows why he gave up international rugby

    Had money on did we?

    Right so, well his BRAIN has worked very well at other times during this season. Still a great signing, but like you said had a brain fart tonight.


  • #193
    4PP
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 756 ✭✭✭4PP


    Connacht by 1-14
    Scioch wrote: »
    The hypocrisy of your pretentious tripe is stomach churning.


    & yet more hot air........................pitifull.
    If you have to insult stick to the context of the thread..........you do know its a rugby thread?


  • #194
    duckysauce
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,930 ✭✭✭duckysauce


    Connacht by more than 14
    its_phil wrote: »
    Had money on did we?

    Right so, well his BRAIN has worked very well at other times during this season. Still a great signing, but like you said had a brain fart tonight.

    We were covered and came out good.


  • #195
    4PP
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 756 ✭✭✭4PP


    Connacht by 1-14
    its_phil wrote: »
    Had money on did we?

    Right so, well his BRAIN has worked very well at other times during this season. Still a great signing, but like you said had a brain fart tonight.


    Knowing ducky he probably did, that said if you're big enough to bet you also know if you can't afford to lose it you don't put it down.
    So he had a slight rant, allowed imho. Just letting off a bit of steam is duck, not like some who criticize for kicks...............you listening?


  • #196
    Scioch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,249 ✭✭✭Scioch


    Connacht by 1-14
    4PP wrote: »
    & yet more hot air........................pitifull.
    If you have to insult stick to the context of the thread..........you do know its a rugby thread?

    I'm not insulting anyone I'm discussing the game. You swanned in reciting poetry and throwing abuse at me. Now you are back seat modding and telling me to get back on topic ? :D

    Talk about the kingdom of the blind.


  • #197
    its_phil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,442 ✭✭✭its_phil


    Scioch wrote: »
    I'm not insulting anyone I'm discussing the game. You swanned in reciting poetry and throwing abuse at me. Now you are back seat modding and telling me to get back on topic ? :D

    Talk about the kingdom of the blind.

    Your saying they didn't try for crying out loud. They made 115 tackles. If you want to criticise knock ons in difficult conditions. Fine. If you want to criticise their kicking game. Fine. If you want to criticise their game plan. Fine.

    But how on earth could you think they didn't try, with valuable European points on the line?


  • #198
    totallegend
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,234 ✭✭✭totallegend


    Ok lads, enough


  • #199
    duckysauce
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,930 ✭✭✭duckysauce


    Connacht by more than 14
    Scioch wrote: »
    I'm not insulting anyone I'm discussing the game. You swanned in reciting poetry and throwing abuse at me. Now you are back seat modding and telling me to get back on topic ? :D

    Talk about the kingdom of the blind.

    eh there was no back seat modding by him there cheap shot :confused:


  • #200
    Scioch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,249 ✭✭✭Scioch


    Connacht by 1-14
    its_phil wrote: »
    Your saying they didn't try for crying out loud. They made 115 tackles. If you want to criticise knock ons in difficult conditions. Fine. If you want to criticise their kicking game. Fine. If you want to criticise their game plan. Fine.

    But how on earth could you think they didn't try, with valuable European points on the line?

    What did they do to show they tried to win the game ? The defended like heroes all right but that to me isnt trying to actually achieve anything. For all their heroics they still lost 17-0 against a team who turned down plenty kicking opportunities.

    Until the last minute Biarritz were only 10 points ahead, yet only once did they get far enough to get a kickable penalty. Rarely did they enter the Biarritz half. Defending like a hero isnt trying to win a game.


  • #201
    its_phil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,442 ✭✭✭its_phil


    totallegend wrote: »
    With an out half like Parks whose raison d'etre is to kick, Connacht aren't quite there yet in terms of all singing, all dancing back play.

    Yep that's what all the Connacht fans thought, but actually he has been fantastic playing a wide game. Very crisp passer of the ball as hard as it is to believe.


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  • #202
    Fishooks13
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,696 ✭✭✭Fishooks13


    Biarritz by 1-14
    Scioch wrote: »
    What did they do to show they tried to win the game?


    Ran the ball from behind their own posts for one. If they weren't trying to win do you not think they would have taken the easy option and kicked to touch?
    Defending like a hero isnt trying to win a game.

    Yes it is. In fact it's quiet crucial to winning most games, as defending is a big part of rugby


  • #203
    its_phil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,442 ✭✭✭its_phil


    Scioch wrote: »
    What did they do to show they tried to win the game ? The defended like heroes all right but that to me isnt trying to actually achieve anything. For all their heroics they still lost 17-0 against a team who turned down plenty kicking opportunities.

    Until the last minute Biarritz were only 10 points ahead, yet only once did they get far enough to get a kickable penalty. Rarely did they enter the Biarritz half. Defending like a hero isnt trying to win a game.

    Well it certainly shows they didn't try and lose it either.

    But what did you want them to do start throwing skip passes left, right and center? Anyone who has watched rugby games like these over the years knows how these games are won. Secure set-piece, good kicking game and dominant pack. Biarritz may certainly not be the team they once were, but they did the first two things a lot better and probably the third as well.

    O'Donohoe running to take the drop off that soon made them 50 meters up the pitch is one example. Marmion running a penalty in the 22 another example. The lineout and knock ons during long phases didn't help but it certainly wasn't for lack of trying IMO.


  • #204
    CoDy1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,637 ✭✭✭CoDy1


    Fishooks13 wrote: »


    Yes it is. In fact it's quiet crucial to winning most games, as defending is a big part of rugby

    Indeed, but if you end up defending for the full 80 it means that you're not good enough to win the game.

    Seems that some are happy with the fact that Connacht at least 'tried'. As a neutral it was a very disappointing display after last week.


  • #205
    4PP
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 756 ✭✭✭4PP


    Connacht by 1-14
    Scioch wrote: »
    I'm not insulting anyone I'm discussing the game. You swanned in reciting poetry and throwing abuse at me. Now you are back seat modding and telling me to get back on topic ? :D

    Talk about the kingdom of the blind.

    I really don't know what it is you are smoking but it obviously doesn't agree with you.

    Me back seat modding? I want nothing to do with that species!

    Mind you, doesn't change the fact you are talking through your behind.........but that is just the majority opinion, nowt personnel mind :D


  • #206
    Scioch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,249 ✭✭✭Scioch


    Connacht by 1-14
    Fishooks13 wrote: »
    Ran the ball from behind their own posts for one. If they weren't trying to win do you not think they would have taken the easy option and kicked to touch?

    Running the ball from behind their own posts is an example of their stupidity at times not their effort to do something. Shortly after that they were going forward on the halfway line, they kicked it away. They needed a score, getting caught behind their own try line wasnt beneficial to the cause.
    Yes it is. In fact it's quiet crucial to winning most games, as defending is a big part of rugby

    It is a big part but you dont win games by defending alone. Even defending like heroes they lost by two converted tries and a penalty and it could have been quite a bit more. Thats a result of having little possession which was a result of kicking the ball away to be ran back at them and kicked in behind them putting themselves under pressure. Then defending, turning it over and giving it away again.


  • #207
    its_phil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,442 ✭✭✭its_phil


    CoDy1 wrote: »
    Indeed, but if you end up defending for the full 80 it means that you're not good enough to win the game.

    Seems that some are happy with the fact that Connacht at least 'tried'. As a neutral it was a very disappointing display after last week.

    Ask Quins about that? :P

    I'm certainly not happy with our performance, but I do have a problem with the effort being questioned. Just as dissapointing if not more for Connacht fans, we need to improve our consistency. Two tough games coming as well versus Munster and Leinster.


  • #208
    4PP
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 756 ✭✭✭4PP


    Connacht by 1-14
    4PP wrote: »
    I really don't know what it is you are smoking but it obviously doesn't agree with you.

    Me back seat modding? I want nothing to do with that species!

    Mind you, doesn't change the fact you are talking through your behind.........but that is just the majority opinion, nowt personnel mind :D

    On the majority thing, check the "likes".....................its either great minds ..............or fools................;)


  • #209
    Fishooks13
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,696 ✭✭✭Fishooks13


    Biarritz by 1-14
    CoDy1 wrote: »
    Indeed, but if you end up defending for the full 80 it means that you're not good enough to win the game.

    Seems that some are happy with the fact that Connacht at least 'tried'. As a neutral it was a very disappointing display after last week.

    I'd agree, but stating that they didn't try to win the game is baffling. They just went about it the wrong way


  • #210
    Scioch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,249 ✭✭✭Scioch


    Connacht by 1-14
    its_phil wrote: »
    Well it certainly shows they didn't try and lose it either.

    But what did you want them to do start throwing skip passes left, right and center? Anyone who has watched rugby games like these over the years knows how these games are won. Secure set-piece, good kicking game and dominant pack. Biarritz may certainly not be the team they once were, but they did the first two things a lot better and probably the third as well.

    O'Donohoe running to take the drop off that soon made them 50 meters up the pitch is one example. Marmion running a penalty in the 22 another example. The lineout and knock ons during long phases didn't help but it certainly wasn't for lack of trying IMO.

    I'm not saying they tried to lose it by any means. I'm sure there were a couple of examples of opportunities arising but the fact they were few and far between dont bod well for a team who so easily scuppers chances.

    They should have been trying to move play into the Biarritz half and force penalties out of them. They didnt try to do that imo, maybe it was a dud plan, maybe it was Parks, maybe it was whatever. But as a team I didnt see much to suggest they were interested in trying to get scores on the bored.


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  • #211
    4PP
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 756 ✭✭✭4PP


    Connacht by 1-14
    Scioch wrote: »
    I'm not saying they tried to lose it by any means. I'm sure there were a couple of examples of opportunities arising but the fact they were few and far between dont bod well for a team who so easily scuppers chances.

    They should have been trying to move play into the Biarritz half and force penalties out of them. They didnt try to do that imo, maybe it was a dud plan, maybe it was Parks, maybe it was whatever. But as a team I didnt see much to suggest they were interested in trying to get scores on the bored.


    You still here?


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