Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

.ak · 31-03-2015 10:36AM

I'd imagine Piutau can play anywhere. Silky player with tonnes of power. I wouldn't worry about what position he's playing in.

I actually think he's a better winger myself.

$ausage$ · 31-03-2015 10:37AM

.ak wrote: »

I'd imagine Piutau can play anywhere. Silky player with tonnes of power. I wouldn't worry about what position he's playing in.

I actually think he's a better winger myself.

tbh im more worried about who position he is "taking"

errlloyd · 31-03-2015 10:39AM

He's an amazing signing, but ulster have tons of depth in all his positions.

Buer · 31-03-2015 10:41AM

As mentioned on LF, this story appeared in NZ......no quotes.....2 hours before midnight.....on the 31st of March.....

rocky911 · 31-03-2015 10:44AM

Rorys money is being spent well !

.ak · 31-03-2015 10:46AM

$ausage$ wrote: »

tbh im more worried about who position he is "taking"

I wouldn't worry. A guy like that will win you cups at any position.

bilston · 31-03-2015 10:52AM

Buer wrote: »

As mentioned on LF, this story appeared in NZ......no quotes.....2 hours before midnight.....on the 31st of March.....

2 hours before midnight on the 31st March still makes it the 31st March though!

bilston · 31-03-2015 10:54AM

If you can get this guy then you take him.

Just one thing, Bowe is 31, Trimble is 30, Payne is now a centre, yes there is Gilroy but I wouldn't say we are as well off in the back three as people think.

We still need a back row signing of significance.

.ak · 31-03-2015 10:54AM

Trimble is 30?? Always thought he was younger.

bilston · 31-03-2015 11:00AM

Just had a glance at PR. The reaction of the NZ posters says it all.

If this happens this will be a sensational coup.

Will believe it when I see it though.

Utah_Saint · 31-03-2015 11:02AM

just need Kieran Read to put pen to paper after Rory gets his winnings from the Masters

Buer · 31-03-2015 11:06AM

bilston wrote: »

If you can get this guy then you take him.

Just one thing, Bowe is 31, Trimble is 30, Payne is now a centre, yes there is Gilroy but I wouldn't say we are as well off in the back three as people think.

We still need a back row signing of significance.

The issue is (if it is true and I'm highly dubious not only due to the timing but the fantastical sums of money involved for a bloke who has only started 1 Rugby Championship match) that there has to be a finite amount of money available.

Piutau may be a great player but it would be money sorely needed to attract a top class back row player. For that sort of cash, Ulster would be in with a serious chance of bringing in a Springbok back row player.

errlloyd · 31-03-2015 11:07AM

I wouldn't be shocked if ulster were sick of springboks though, losing them to international duty all the time.

Utah_Saint · 31-03-2015 11:08AM

Buer wrote: »

The issue is (if it is true and I'm highly dubious not only due to the timing but the fantastical sums of money involved for a bloke who has only started 1 Rugby Championship match) that there has to be a finite amount of money available.

Piutau may be a great player but it would be money sorely needed to attract a top class back row player. For that sort of cash, Ulster would be in with a serious chance of bringing in a Springbok back row player.

As much as I'm excited by this signing I would have preferred a top class back row.

case885 · 31-03-2015 11:13AM

What a signing in fairness. If ye can get a back row player at similar standard ye will have a quality starting 15.

awec · 31-03-2015 11:15AM

Utah_Saint wrote: »

As much as I'm excited by this signing I would have preferred a top class back row.

We'll sign a back row for sure. A top class one.

Kieran Read is considered top class, right?

.ak · 31-03-2015 11:19AM

Buer wrote: »

The issue is (if it is true and I'm highly dubious not only due to the timing but the fantastical sums of money involved for a bloke who has only started 1 Rugby Championship match) that there has to be a finite amount of money available.

Piutau may be a great player but it would be money sorely needed to attract a top class back row player. For that sort of cash, Ulster would be in with a serious chance of bringing in a Springbok back row player.

If it's 700k he's worth it. The guy is dreadfully unlucky to be born around the same time as Savea and Smith, otherwise he'd be an AB regular. Although I agree it's silly money for a guy who doesn't actually have an amazing CV.

Still only 23 though...

ulster_Beef · 31-03-2015 11:20AM

Its not players we need. Its a coach...

Id say its true... not sure if we need a back but Ill not say no

Tox56 · 31-03-2015 11:33AM

Just to make sure, we're talking about Piutau the All Black here?! Jesus that would be an unreal signing if true

blackdog1 · 31-03-2015 11:36AM

Tox56 wrote: »

Just to make sure, we're talking about Piutau the All Black here?! Jesus that would be an unreal signing if true

Heard ulster were close to signing kaino too but he decided to stay in nz

awec · 31-03-2015 11:42AM

Ha, can you imagine it.

"Ulster Rugby are pleased to announce the signing of Charles Piutau and Jerome Kaino".

Reaction of Ulster fans:

Reaction of fans of other provinces:

.ak · 31-03-2015 11:43AM

Tox56 wrote: »

Just to make sure, we're talking about Piutau the All Black here?! Jesus that would be an unreal signing if true

Yeah that's him. Although to be fair very much a fringe player, but still he'll be head and shoulders above any of the 'marquee' backs the provinces have.

Buer · 31-03-2015 11:47AM

.ak wrote: »

If it's 700k he's worth it. The guy is dreadfully unlucky to be born around the same time as Savea and Smith, otherwise he'd be an AB regular. Although I agree it's silly money for a guy who doesn't actually have an amazing CV.

Still only 23 though...

I can't agree with €700k being worth it. As he's only 23, there are so many variables. Why is a 23 year old looking to jump ship? Is money his only motivation? Test level NZ backs do not have a great record of moving to the northern hemisphere for a number of reasons. Ranger, Tuitupou, Rocokoco, Guildford (jury is out a bit but certainly hasn't replicated his Crusaders form), Cullen, Gear....even Maitland has upped and left Glasgow as soon as he could.

Ruan Pienaar, who is on similar money supposedly, arrived with a RWC medal in his pocket, a winning Lions series, 40 caps and had started internationally at 9, 10 and 15. He was completely established and had consistently performed for a number of years at a high level. That's the profile I'd be looking for before thinking about parting with that sort of money.

If true, I would be of the opinion that Ulster are paying way above the odds to secure a name that has a lot of buzz around it.

Tox56 · 31-03-2015 11:49AM

.ak wrote: »

Yeah that's him. Although to be fair very much a fringe player, but still he'll be head and shoulders above any of the 'marquee' backs the provinces have.

Yes, 'fringe back 3 player for the All Blacks' can basically be read 'back 3 player good enough to regularly make the All Blacks squad'. Nearly every time I've seen him I've been impressed. He isn't at all what Ulster need though, they should be spending money elsewhere

.ak · 31-03-2015 11:50AM

Yeah that's fair enough Buer.. Although I think Piutau is a bit different the others in the sense I feel he's looking to put himself into the window, where as the others were older and looking to beef up their pay cheque a bit - I was most disappointed with Ranger tho.

Buer · 31-03-2015 11:53AM

.ak wrote: »

Yeah that's fair enough Buer.. Although I think Piutau is a bit different the others in the sense I feel he's looking to put himself into the window, where as the others were older and looking to beef up their pay cheque a bit - I was most disappointed with Ranger tho.

Ranger was a bust, undoubtedly. I'd say Rico Gear for most disappointing though. May as well have been back in NZ each weekend he appeared for Worcester.

To put the Piutau money into context, that's slightly more than Habana is earning, reportedly.

Buer · 31-03-2015 12:01PM

To bring us all crashing back down to earth, it has been confirmed that Olding needs another knee reconstruction and will miss out on the RWC.

In fact, he won't play again until 2016.

Another surgery of that severity may have long term implications on his game. Anyone any educated opinions on such a recovery? Jaco, oh Jaco, wherefore art thou?

awec · 31-03-2015 12:02PM

Buer wrote: »

To bring us all crashing back down to earth, it has been confirmed that Olding needs another knee reconstruction and will miss out on the RWC.

In fact, he won't play again until 2016.

Another surgery of that severity may have long term implications on his game. Anyone any educated opinions on such a recovery? Jaco, oh Jaco, wherefore art thou?

Gutting news that.

case885 · 31-03-2015 12:16PM

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro12/ulster-confirm-all-black-charles-piutau-has-signed-two-year-deal-1.2159869

Done deal

awec · 31-03-2015 12:21PM

Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

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