Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread II

vienne86 · 30-01-2016 6:19pm

Try Ulster.

awec · 30-01-2016 6:25pm

Olding

bilston · 30-01-2016 6:25pm

Ha...how we have missed that sort of magic Stuart.

bilston · 30-01-2016 6:26pm

Great finish by Cave.

vienne86 · 30-01-2016 6:29pm

IHump off. TG. Olding to 10.

bilston · 30-01-2016 6:32pm

Here comes Peter Browne.

awec · 30-01-2016 6:33pm

Rory Scholes is such a young talent, that interception was a bit Bowe-esque.

bilston · 30-01-2016 6:35pm

Well read by Scholes

bilston · 30-01-2016 6:37pm

That was a bit bizarre.

Dow on for his debut.

OldRio · 30-01-2016 6:39pm

Much better second half. Bonus point chance.

bilston · 30-01-2016 6:44pm

I already like what I see from Dow. Yeah he overshot a bit there but the fact he took the line atball was positive and he seems to have a bit of power. I'm already wondering why Mulholland got a start ahead of him a couple of months ago.

awec · 30-01-2016 6:47pm

Olding try for the BP

bilston · 30-01-2016 6:48pm

Olding has some power. It is BOD like.

30-01-2016 6:49pm

Well Ulster look just bloody amazing. Some really lovely rugby.

awec · 30-01-2016 6:50pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Well Ulster look just bloody amazing. Some really lovely rugby.

You not see the first half?

bilston · 30-01-2016 6:57pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Well Ulster look just bloody amazing. Some really lovely rugby.

Well it was amazing compared to the first half!

30-01-2016 7:22pm

awec wrote: »

You not see the first half?

I didn't and I take it that's a good thing?

awec · 30-01-2016 7:23pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I didn't and I take it that's a good thing?

Yep, first half we were horrific.

vienne86 · 30-01-2016 7:25pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I didn't and I take it that's a good thing?

Lucky you!

bilston · 30-01-2016 7:29pm

The first half consisted of Humphreys and Gileoy kicming the ball a lot.

The second half was completely different.

We might be waiting a while with the 6Ns but I'm looking forward to seeing PJ and Olding combining again.

mfceiling · 30-01-2016 7:29pm

Great to see Olding back and playing well. Little Paul went ok.

Cave made loads of tackles and his line for the try....well I'm sick of posting about Cave's lines so I'll leave it there.

Good to get a bonus point but tbf treviso are very poor.

bilston · 30-01-2016 7:53pm

I know he was only on for 15 or 20 mins but for some reason I just got the feeling that Dow has what it takes. I'm looking forward to seeing more of him.

jacothelad · 30-01-2016 8:13pm

bilston wrote: »

I know he was only on for 15 or 20 mins but for some reason I just got the feeling that Dow has what it takes. I'm looking forward to seeing more of him.

He's a big fecker and he has real pace for his size. Wilson should be given his pension book. He's been a fine player in his day. That was a while ago. Horrifically he has another 2 years on his contract I think.

One thing was pretty noticeable about Treviso was that when they were fresh they were quite good but when they began to run out of steam just after half time they were minced. They need a new fitness set up.

bilston · 30-01-2016 8:22pm

jacothelad wrote: »

He's a big fecker and he has real pace for his size. Wilson should be given his pension book. He's been a fine player in his day. That was a while ago. Horrifically he has another 2 years on his contract I think.

One thing was pretty noticeable about Treviso was that when they were fresh they were quite good but when they began to run out of steam just after half time they were minced. They need a new fitness set up.

I think Roger himself probably knows he did well to get that length of contract. I think he will be a break glass in an emergency sort of option next season, if we bring in a new No.8, but in the meantime it is good to see that Dow looks a decent prospect. It's amazing how these young guys seem to be able before for the seniors in a way they can't for the other representative Ulster teams. Is it down to the coaches or is there something seriously wrong with the set up beneath the seniors?

vienne86 · 30-01-2016 8:24pm

Olding was as good as ever - fantastic to see him settle straight back in to playing after such a long lay off.

mfceiling · 30-01-2016 8:36pm

Wilson was interviewed in the guardian this week about "being to old for the game"

How he saw a gap against oyonnax and he went for it and got poleaxed...

He is too old to be honest. It's time for a bit of young blood in the pack.

jacothelad · 30-01-2016 9:20pm

By the way, we could also have another great centre prospect in Stockdale who is almost 6'5" and while not as heavy as McCloskey, he is still only 19 - 20 in April. He's about 15 stones at the moment I'd say so in a year or two he could be a feckin' big unit. He certainly has a lot of pace as far as UI can see and no doubt he will get a chance or two before the season is out.

The Black Stags · 30-01-2016 9:29pm

jacothelad wrote: »

By the way, we could also have another great centre prospect in Stockdale who is almost 6'5" and while not as heavy as McCloskey, he is still only 19 - 20 in April. He's about 15 stones at the moment I'd say so in a year or two he could be a feckin' big unit. He certainly has a lot of pace as far as UI can see and no doubt he will get a chance or two before the season is out.

He was put on the wing tonight - where does he normally play?

Utah_Saint · 30-01-2016 9:30pm

The Black Stags wrote: »

He was put on the wing tonight - where does he normally play?

He typically plays wing but his preference is centre.

The centre conveyor belt continues....

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 30-01-2016 9:34pm

Utah_Saint wrote: »

He typically plays wing but his preference is centre.

The centre conveyor belt continues....

Just being greedy now. Poor Leinster having to get by with Noel Reid.

bilston · 30-01-2016 9:38pm

He didn't have a lot to do but given he was playing wing I did notice him getting an inside ball of Luke Marshall and beating the first defender. Now it's only a small thing, but the key is he was off his wing looking for work. Good to see from a 19 year old.

The Black Stags · 30-01-2016 9:43pm

Utah_Saint wrote: »

He typically plays wing but his preference is centre.

The centre conveyor belt continues....

Thanks.

postitnote · 01-02-2016 7:26am

Well I must say, that really was another game of two halves from Ulster again.
Or rather, there's Ulster with Humphries on the pitch and Ulster with anyone else at 10.

I'm trying my best not to knock the starting half-backs, it's not personally their own fault, they just have very limited abilities. Marshall has the vision for a snipe up the blindside and then gets a bit blinkered and kicks the ball into touch. And humphries is just, I don't even know, seeing out his contract?

It was great to see Olding get a bit more ball in the second half but i must admit I wince every time I see him go into contact.

It will be interesting to see who starts at 10 the next time for Ulster, as they were a completely different beast with Olding at 10. Although his place kicking was a little rusty, so hopefully we'll see Ruan recover from his virus and get back in the team.

Overall i'm optimistic for the rest of the season.

bilston · 01-02-2016 10:11am

postitnote wrote: »

Well I must say, that really was another game of two halves from Ulster again.
Or rather, there's Ulster with Humphries on the pitch and Ulster with anyone else at 10.

I'm trying my best not to knock the starting half-backs, it's not personally their own fault, they just have very limited abilities. Marshall has the vision for a snipe up the blindside and then gets a bit blinkered and kicks the ball into touch. And humphries is just, I don't even know, seeing out his contract?

It was great to see Olding get a bit more ball in the second half but i must admit I wince every time I see him go into contact.

It will be interesting to see who starts at 10 the next time for Ulster, as they were a completely different beast with Olding at 10. Although his place kicking was a little rusty, so hopefully we'll see Ruan recover from his virus and get back in the team.

Overall i'm optimistic for the rest of the season.

Well this is the thing unless Ruan has recovered from his virus then Humphreys has to play next week for his goal kicking alone. That said I know Olding's kicking was dodgy on Saturday but is it not normally pretty good. I remember him kicking late in a game at Thomond Park a couple of years ago and doing fine. That said I prefer him in the centre anyway.

Still if what some suggest on the Ireland thread comes to pass with Madigan in the 22 shirt against Wales we will probably get Jackson released anyway.

postitnote · 01-02-2016 10:35am

But then are we almost in a ROG for Ireland in 2013 scenario?
As you say, Olding can kick, just not last week. Surely though he'll get us in better positions on the park than Humphries? So even if his kicking stayed at last weeks level, I think there would still be an argument for Olding at 10.

Maybe i'm being overly harsh on Humphries, but as I said last week:

10: Olding
12: Marshall
13: Cave

Could be a tasty midfield while PJ et al are away.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 01-02-2016 10:49am

Conditions were pretty poor in Italy this week. Something to take into consideration when looking at the kicking. Maybe.

jacothelad · 01-02-2016 11:13am

postitnote wrote: »

Well I must say, that really was another game of two halves from Ulster again.
Or rather, there's Ulster with Humphries on the pitch and Ulster with anyone else at 10.

I'm trying my best not to knock the starting half-backs, it's not personally their own fault, they just have very limited abilities. Marshall has the vision for a snipe up the blindside and then gets a bit blinkered and kicks the ball into touch. And humphries is just, I don't even know, seeing out his contract?

It was great to see Olding get a bit more ball in the second half but i must admit I wince every time I see him go into contact.

It will be interesting to see who starts at 10 the next time for Ulster, as they were a completely different beast with Olding at 10. Although his place kicking was a little rusty, so hopefully we'll see Ruan recover from his virus and get back in the team.

Overall i'm optimistic for the rest of the season.

Well, iHumph has played very little rugby this season. He is normally a great passer of the ball but botched as couple that made him look a chump. Now, point me out any high quality 10 who has never thrown a duff pass or two or never missed a kick to touch. The guy wasn't at his best and may never be again but remember the great sweeping backs moves that often started with him - or were finished with him. He also made quite a few tackles. :eek::eek:

Olding really didn't do much at 10 to be blunt - except ship the ball on. Given that he hasn't played much rugby for the best part of two seasons it was good to see him switch on in the centre. Playing 10 apparently depends on playing there a lot - well according to those who see Madigan's occasional woes as down to him only playing there about 15 times a season.

If Ulster genuinely want a 'back up 10' to be on the ball then whoever it is needs to actually play there. If P.J. is starting then when / if he is taken off it's usually only when a game has been definitely won or lost. What opportunities are there for the likes of Olding, Luke Marshall to play 10? Do they actually get kicking practice? I've been at Ravenhill during a few of Doak's kicking sessions and it wasn't inspiring. He was a pretty average place kicker and that's me being kind.

Anyone know if Andy McGrath or Jonny McPhillips are likely to be good enough? Certainly Sam Windsor seems to be here as a sort of Charity Case.

bilston · 01-02-2016 11:16am

jacothelad wrote: »

Well, iHumph has played very little rugby this season. He is normally a great passer of the ball but botched as couple that made him look a chump. Now, point me out any high quality 10 who has never thrown a duff pass or two or never missed a kick to touch. The guy wasn't at his best and may never be again but remember the great sweeping backs moves that often started with him - or were finished with him. He also made quite a few tackles. :eek::eek:

Olding really didn't do much at 10 to be blunt - except ship the ball on. Given that he hasn't played much rugby for the best part of two seasons it was good to see him switch on in the centre. Playing 10 apparently depends on playing there a lot - well according to those who see Madigan's occasional woes as down to him only playing there about 15 times a season.

If Ulster genuinely want a 'back up 10' to be on the ball then whoever it is needs to actually play there. If P.J. is starting then when / if he is taken off it's usually only when a game has been definitely won or lost. What opportunities are there for the likes of Olding, Luke Marshall to play 10? Do they actually get kicking practice? I've been at Ravenhill during a few of Doak's kicking sessions and it wasn't inspiring. He was a pretty average place kicker and that's me being kind.

Anyone know if Andy McGrath or Jonny McPhillips are likely to be good enough? Certainly Sam Windsor seems to be here as a sort of Charity Case.

McPhillips seems highly rated, but he is only 18.

In the meantimeo I think Nelson is the man (although i think he himself is a better FB than OH), his injury was unfortunate timing to say the least.

Buer · 01-02-2016 11:23am

Don't know about his tackling but he does look a shadow of the player he once was in attack. iHumph was the most exciting attacking outhalf in the country for a spell, without doubt, in my opinion. He was a wonderful passer and runner of the ball but an utter liability with boot (used make some terrible decisions as when to kick) and his defence bore an uncanny resemblance to a swing door.

But when he was on song with the ball in hand, he was fantastic to watch. Keep in mind he was the outhalf (aside from semi final and final) for Ulster during the 2012 HEC run to the final.

It's a shame to see him playing like this now. He has had some great moments in his career when he has looked very good, notably those two days in Thomond Park in the HEC for Leicester and Ulster respectively.

awec · 01-02-2016 11:31am

I think Olding is a bit wasted at 10. I think he is better in the centre where he has more space and time on the ball.

Olding is most dangerous when he has his hands on the ball.

awec · 01-02-2016 11:32am

I think Olding is a bit wasted at 10. I think he is better in the centre where he has more space and time on the ball.

Olding is most dangerous when he has his hands on the ball.

Buer · 01-02-2016 11:40am

awec wrote: »

Olding is most dangerous when he has his hands on the ball.

As opposed to the threat he poses when the ball is miles away from him?

:pac:

awec · 01-02-2016 11:46am

Buer wrote: »

As opposed to the threat he poses when the ball is miles away from him?

:pac:

:pac:

Poor wording by me!

What I meant was I think Olding is most dangerous when he has time to run with the ball to find gaps, rather than at 10 when he'll get the ball and immediately look to set up a move by passing it on.

awec · 01-02-2016 12:32pm

Buer wrote: »

Don't know about his tackling but he does look a shadow of the player he once was in attack. iHumph was the most exciting attacking outhalf in the country for a spell, without doubt, in my opinion. He was a wonderful passer and runner of the ball but an utter liability with boot (used make some terrible decisions as when to kick) and his defence bore an uncanny resemblance to a swing door.

But when he was on song with the ball in hand, he was fantastic to watch. Keep in mind he was the outhalf (aside from semi final and final) for Ulster during the 2012 HEC run to the final.

It's a shame to see him playing like this now. He has had some great moments in his career when he has looked very good, notably those two days in Thomond Park in the HEC for Leicester and Ulster respectively.

I think iHumph is a player who has always had glaring deficiencies in his game but his positives used to make up for them a bit. At 33 he has lost his pace and he has lost his creativity.

Now he has no positives and is just embarrassingly rubbish.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 02-02-2016 8:07pm

Victor Vito has signed for La Rochelle on a 3 year deal so... yeah.... not sure that one was ever happening but it's definitely not now.

bilston · 02-02-2016 8:26pm

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Victor Vito has signed for La Rochelle on a 3 year deal so... yeah.... not sure that one was ever happening but it's definitely not now.

Shame but in all likelihood it will be someone a level below that.

Utah_Saint · 02-02-2016 9:59pm

bilston wrote: »

Shame but in all likelihood it will be someone a level below that.

A level below is the Ulster way....

launish116 · 03-02-2016 8:03am

New back-row reported by bbc

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35480849

Buer · 03-02-2016 8:11am

Kankowski? Wow, once a big, big name in the game and was going toe to toe with Spies for the Bok jersey 5 years ago. His star has certainly dimmed in recent seasons but, if they can get him fit and firing, he's a great acquisition.

Would rather someone slightly younger but he's certainly able to do a job for the next couple of years.

swiwi_ · 03-02-2016 8:15am

Buer wrote: »

Kankowski? Wow, once a big, big name in the game and was going toe to toe with Spies for the Bok jersey 5 years ago. His star has certainly dimmed in recent seasons but, if they can get him fit and firing, he's a great acquisition.

Would rather someone slightly younger but he's certainly able to do a job for the next couple of years.

Yeah, Kankowski is decent enough. Straight away he becomes Ulster's best loose forward...

I don't think his star has really dimmed, he just reached his level, which is a shade off true international class.

Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread II

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