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WWW : Connacht vs Leinster

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  • Registered Users Posts: 4,245 ✭✭✭ClanofLams


    I haven't listened to it yet but I see Second Captains are discussing Connacht's "commitment to skills game when under pressure" with the one and only Gerry Thornley today. :eek:

    Think I was fairly drunk when I posted that....quelle surprise! Probably overly harsh. I'm not really a big fan though, posted a few weeks ago that he was on second captains talking about end of season playoff which doesn't exist this season obviously.

    Incidentally Gavin Cumminskey was doing the same on Off the Ball yesterday. The rugby department at the Irish Times obviously didn't get the memo.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,875 ✭✭✭✭MugMugs


    ClanofLams wrote: »
    Haha posting a load of nonsense for the week and then a one liner about standing corrected, nah still needed to be pointed out.

    Having faith in your team a load of nonsense?

    I quoted my original post too. Seriously...... You were beaten to it :) And again well done to Connacht. :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,245 ✭✭✭ClanofLams


    MugMugs wrote: »
    Having faith in your team a load of nonsense?

    I quoted my original post too. Seriously...... You were beaten to it :) And again well done to Connacht. :)

    Recall something about Connacht forwards passing around kleenex or some other nonsense.

    So because you make one post about being wrong no one else is allowed to. Weird logic. By the way had you posted something about expecting a tough game but leinster win, I wouldn't have said anything. But you posted utter tripe so it needed to be pointed out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,875 ✭✭✭✭MugMugs


    ClanofLams wrote: »
    Recall something about Connacht forwards passing around kleenex or some other nonsense.

    So because you make one post about being wrong no one else is allowed to. Weird logic. By the way had you posted something about expecting a tough game but leinster win, I wouldn't have said anything. But you posted utter tripe so it needed to be pointed out.

    Please accept my utmost apologies.

    I am truly sorry for having every faith in my team and for believing that they had the ability to beat Connacht.

    I am furthermore apologetic for my tongue in cheek statement wherein I said
    MugMugs wrote: »
    What an awesome bench. Connacht have to be wearing man sized nappies and sharing the kleenex looking at that.
    Which you completely failed to grasp. Perhaps as your team and yourself mature with more wins, you'll understand the meaning of a sore winner and indeed, develop a sense of humour.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,245 ✭✭✭ClanofLams


    MugMugs wrote: »
    Please accept my utmost apologies.

    I am truly sorry for having every faith in my team and for believing that they had the ability to beat Connacht.

    I am furthermore apologetic for my tongue in cheek statement wherein I said
    Which you completely failed to grasp. Perhaps as your team and yourself mature with more wins, you'll understand the meaning of a sore winner and indeed, develop a sense of humour.

    Perhaps you might learn not to post about expecting comfortable victories against a team top of the league who have lost once at home all season. Admittedly you didn't know the location of the game at that time but when you were informed you stood by your arrogant (by your own admission) statements.

    Pointing out someone's mistakes in being arrogant before the game isn't sore winning but rather trying to teach them that perhaps they should have a little more common sense in the future.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,875 ✭✭✭✭MugMugs


    image.ashx?cpath=000%5c000%5c144%5c007%5cinpho_00975713_960x720.jpg


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,245 ✭✭✭ClanofLams


    MugMugs wrote: »
    image.ashx?cpath=000%5c000%5c144%5c007%5cinpho_00975713_960x720.jpg

    Lol. Good comeback!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 841 ✭✭✭Journeyman_1


    This thread is done I think...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,504 ✭✭✭swiwi_


    Yeah_Right wrote: »
    I watched 7 games of rugby yesterday and this one definitely had the greatest intensity. Pity the skill level didn't match it

    I'd agree. I think Irish sides in general (including the National team) attack too narrowly, and the main move in the red zone is one-off the ruck type stuff. Connacht did try to keep it moving etc and put in a few off-loads, but at the end of the day 7 points across 2 games again the 2nd placed-team is fairly damning. Don't see Connacht winning the Pro 12 once the other sides are back to their full complements if they can only score once per game against the better teams. Not that Leinster covered themselves in attacking glory either, but they have cavalry in the wings.

    I thought Denis Buckley was really good - it remains a mystery to me how he remains outside the provincial squad, especially as his team-mate got an unexpected call-up. Looks like the kind of guy who would shine in Super Rugby...

    I also spared a thought for Gopperth and the shìt he received during his time in the Pale after another very ordinary display from Madigan. Gopperth seems to be going fine for Wasps. I hope Jamison Gibson-Park doesn't have to endure the same treatment (assuming he signs/has signed for Leinster) if he proves to be better than McGrath, which is quite possible.

    Despite the underwhelming attacking prowess, I must doff my hat to Connacht, I didn't expect them to be leading the table at this stage of the season, and as you said elsewhere it's nice to see Pat Lam getting results.

    Also, Aki should go well in Green. He can lead the Haka, I expect Ireland to introduce this in the near future :P


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,439 ✭✭✭Dave_The_Sheep


    swiwi_ wrote: »
    I'd agree. I think Irish sides in general (including the National team) attack too narrowly, and the main move in the red zone is one-off the ruck type stuff.

    You're being ridiculous now. We have the Sexton loop as well.
    That's worth ... at least three points every few games.

    To be more serious though, I think it might be a hangover from the Schmidt Leinster era in a way. Leinster at that point generated fast enough ball early on ion phases that hitting one-out and recycle ball play worked a charm and defenses couldn't react quick enough. Now, it's not so effective. Leinstertainment wasn't built on throwing it wide straight away.

    To be more serious, maybe it's not just one move.
    swiwi_ wrote: »
    I also spared a thought for Gopperth and the shìt he received during his time in the Pale after another very ordinary display from Madigan. Gopperth seems to be going fine for Wasps.

    It wasn't solely or even mainly Gopperth's fault for the ire. I quite like the guy. Good little player. I would also be ok with us never having signed him and MOC trusting Madigan to play all the games, even when he wasn't in form. Instead of dropping him at the first chance and slotting Gopps in, regardless of form.
    swiwi_ wrote: »
    Despite the underwhelming attacking prowess, I must doff my hat to Connacht, I didn't expect them to be leading the table at this stage of the season, and as you said elsewhere it's nice to see Pat Lam getting results.

    Watching the game, my impression was that Connacht gave it their all, Leinster weren't in full on mode.. Reactions at the final whistle seem to bear that out. As a Leinster fan, we lost that game, deservedly so. If it comes to it in the playoffs though, we'd win seven, maybe eight times out of ten.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,166 ✭✭✭✭Zzippy


    swiwi_ wrote: »
    I'd agree. I think Irish sides in general (including the National team) attack too narrowly, and the main move in the red zone is one-off the ruck type stuff. Connacht did try to keep it moving etc and put in a few off-loads, but at the end of the day 7 points across 2 games again the 2nd placed-team is fairly damning. Don't see Connacht winning the Pro 12 once the other sides are back to their full complements if they can only score once per game against the better teams. Not that Leinster covered themselves in attacking glory either, but they have cavalry in the wings.

    Both games were in pretty tough conditions, particularly the game in the RDS. Leinster didn't exactly run riot scoring tries either. To put it in context Connacht scored 5 tries in 2 games against the third-placed team and are well clear in the tries scored column. A home semi in better conditions in May and I'd have no fear of any team the way Lam has them playing...


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 23,937 Mod ✭✭✭✭TICKLE_ME_ELMO



    It wasn't solely or even mainly Gopperth's fault for the ire. I quite like the guy. Good little player. I would also be ok with us never having signed him and MOC trusting Madigan to play all the games, even when he wasn't in form. Instead of dropping him at the first chance and slotting Gopps in, regardless of form. .

    This topic came up before and for what it's worth in Gopperth's first season himself and Madigan had near enough the same number of starts. It wasn't until his second season that Gopperth became first choice.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 841 ✭✭✭Journeyman_1


    This topic came up before and for what it's worth in Gopperth's first season himself and Madigan had near enough the same number of starts. It wasn't until his second season that Gopperth became first choice.

    The problem though was the lack of continuity that both players received. Every other week the other guy would have the 10 shirt and were making mistakes due to it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,935 ✭✭✭jacothelad


    swiwi_ wrote: »
    I'd agree. I think Irish sides in general (including the National team) attack too narrowly, and the main move in the red zone is one-off the ruck type stuff. Connacht did try to keep it moving etc and put in a few off-loads, but at the end of the day 7 points across 2 games again the 2nd placed-team is fairly damning. Don't see Connacht winning the Pro 12 once the other sides are back to their full complements if they can only score once per game against the better teams. Not that Leinster covered themselves in attacking glory either, but they have cavalry in the wings.

    I thought Denis Buckley was really good - it remains a mystery to me how he remains outside the provincial squad, especially as his team-mate got an unexpected call-up. Looks like the kind of guy who would shine in Super Rugby...

    I also spared a thought for Gopperth and the shìt he received during his time in the Pale after another very ordinary display from Madigan. Gopperth seems to be going fine for Wasps. I hope Jamison Gibson-Park doesn't have to endure the same treatment (assuming he signs/has signed for Leinster) if he proves to be better than McGrath, which is quite possible.

    Despite the underwhelming attacking prowess, I must doff my hat to Connacht, I didn't expect them to be leading the table at this stage of the season, and as you said elsewhere it's nice to see Pat Lam getting results.

    Also, Aki should go well in Green. He can lead the Hucklebuck, I expect Ireland to introduce this in the near future :P

    Correction....to Daniel O'Donnell singing it live.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 424 ✭✭neelia11


    Zzippy wrote: »
    Both games were in pretty tough conditions, particularly the game in the RDS. Leinster didn't exactly run riot scoring tries either. To put it in context Connacht scored 5 tries in 2 games against the third-placed team and are well clear in the tries scored column. A home semi in better conditions in May and I'd have no fear of any team the way Lam has them playing...


    Zebre scored 49 points against connacht and in general connacht have conceded 70% more then leinster so far this season in the pro12. Connacht have been great to watch at times this season especially going forward but defence is a major issue.

    Connacht have been able to build from july onwards while the internationals in the leinster squad have been away for 6 months of the season including pre season. Based on that why has the defence been so poor?


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 23,937 Mod ✭✭✭✭TICKLE_ME_ELMO


    neelia11 wrote: »
    Zebre scored 49 points against connacht and in general connacht have conceded 70% more then leinster so far this season in the pro12. Connacht have been great to watch at times this season especially going forward but defence is a major issue.

    Connacht have been able to build from july onwards while the internationals in the leinster squad have been away for 6 months of the season including pre season. Based on that why has the defence been so poor?

    That's the "Super Rugby" way though, isn't it? It's fairly rare to see a low scoring game there.

    To be fair to Connacht their defense held up well against Leinster at the weekend, especially in the last few minutes. You could probably argue though that Leinster were pretty toothless and if Sexton had been pulling the strings it may have been a different story. Fairly sure there'd have at least been a drop goal attempt towards the end.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 424 ✭✭neelia11


    That's the "Super Rugby" way though, isn't it? It's fairly rare to see a low scoring game there.

    To be fair to Connacht their defense held up well against Leinster at the weekend, especially in the last few minutes. You could probably argue though that Leinster were pretty toothless and if Sexton had been pulling the strings it may have been a different story. Fairly sure there'd have at least been a drop goal attempt towards the end.

    Well against by far the best defence in the league they have struggled. One score in two games. Leinster have struggled in attack at times but with a fullish selection (and pre season together) to choose from will get better next season. If defence is as good or better then it puts leinster in a good place


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 23,937 Mod ✭✭✭✭TICKLE_ME_ELMO


    neelia11 wrote: »
    Well against by far the best defence in the league they have struggled. One score in two games. Leinster have struggled in attack at times but with a fullish selection (and pre season together) to choose from will get better next season. If defence is as good or better then it puts leinster in a good place

    I agree, and as great as this season has been for Connacht next season will be the real test for them.


  • Registered Users Posts: 208 ✭✭Esto Fidelis


    Leinster were toothless, Mads just not interested I think now he's heading for the sun. Connacht fully deserved the win, hey used home advantage to the full, the high position of the pitch means the wind is a big factor and they played to that.

    On a side note, did anyone here have tickets for the enclosure. Shane Horgan, Frankie Sheehan and the Sky guys blocked our views, see attached. At €88.00 (2) it was not good.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 4,245 ✭✭✭ClanofLams


    neelia11 wrote: »
    Well against by far the best defence in the league they have struggled. One score in two games. Leinster have struggled in attack at times but with a fullish selection (and pre season together) to choose from will get better next season. If defence is as good or better then it puts leinster in a good place

    Both games in bad conditions. One win a piece. One try a piece. For ten minutes the last day Connacht had Caolin Blade (a scrum half who has about 10 appearances) playing at 10 and Shane O'Leary making his first pro 12 appearance against anyone other than Zebre at 10 for another ten minutes. Also missing Ultan Dillane, Jake Heenan (and backup 7 Fox Matamua), Eoghan Masterson, Jack Carty and Craig Ronaldson aswell as other squad players. So it's not like Connacht were fully settled either.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,813 ✭✭✭CMOTDibbler


    ClanofLams wrote: »
    Both games in bad conditions. One win a piece. One try a piece. For ten minutes the last day Connacht had Caolin Blade (a scrum half who has about 10 appearances) playing at 10 and Shane O'Leary making his first pro 12 appearance against anyone other than Zebre at 10 for another ten minutes. Also missing Ultan Dillane, Jake Heenan (and backup 7 Fox Matamua), Eoghan Masterson, Jack Carty and Craig Ronaldson aswell as other squad players. So it's not like Connacht were fully settled either.
    Blade was very competent at 10 imo. That chap continues to impress me. :cool:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,300 ✭✭✭freyners


    Blade was very competent at 10 imo. That chap continues to impress me. :cool:

    He did very well there but thats because he kept it very simple, made sure to get the ball out quick and the one time Leinster rushed up he didnt panic. Based on the conditions and the situation it was very impressive but its not a situation I hope to ever see repeated


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,813 ✭✭✭CMOTDibbler


    freyners wrote: »
    He did very well there but thats because he kept it very simple, made sure to get the ball out quick and the one time Leinster rushed up he didnt panic. Based on the conditions and the situation it was very impressive but its not a situation I hope to ever see repeated
    Why not? I was watching the game with a chap who's played with him at club level and apparently it's not the first time he's slotted in at 10.

    He didn't look out of place and as you say, didn't panic.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,732 ✭✭✭clsmooth


    Leinster were toothless, Mads just not interested I think now he's heading for the sun. Connacht fully deserved the win, hey used home advantage to the full, the high position of the pitch means the wind is a big factor and they played to that.

    On a side note, did anyone here have tickets for the enclosure. Shane Horgan, Frankie Sheehan and the Sky guys blocked our views, see attached. At €88.00 (2) it was not good.

    Case for a refund there no?


  • Registered Users Posts: 208 ✭✭Esto Fidelis


    I tweeted the image to Connacht but I don't think they will refund as there was a lot of people in the same boat.
    clsmooth wrote: »
    Case for a refund there no?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,300 ✭✭✭freyners


    Why not? I was watching the game with a chap who's played with him at club level and apparently it's not the first time he's slotted in at 10.

    He didn't look out of place and as you say, didn't panic.
    Because he didn't offer a lot bar shovelling the ball on. It's what we needed at the time but if we were chasing the game at that stage he didn't look like offering a lot. He played well as a scrumhalf slotting into the ten role in an emergency, not a replacement or viable option at ten at that level in my opinion


    However if he has played there before as you say then maybe its just the instructions he was given im faulting and not his ability there. But we still have SOL and McKeon available, I can't see it happening yet anyways


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 424 ✭✭neelia11


    ClanofLams wrote: »
    Both games in bad conditions. One win a piece. One try a piece. For ten minutes the last day Connacht had Caolin Blade (a scrum half who has about 10 appearances) playing at 10 and Shane O'Leary making his first pro 12 appearance against anyone other than Zebre at 10 for another ten minutes. Also missing Ultan Dillane, Jake Heenan (and backup 7 Fox Matamua), Eoghan Masterson, Jack Carty and Craig Ronaldson aswell as other squad players. So it's not like Connacht were fully settled either.

    the conditions were the same for both teams. Unless there was a serious climate shift either side of the offside line? Connacht have had the majority of the squad together 9 months now [pre season up until now] and built up a fair bit of momentum at the start of the season. Leinster had to reintegrate 20 players into a new coaching ticket around halloween. The defence being so good says a lot about the coach [mcquilkin] and also the players ability to implement the system. Attack will improve with more continuity.

    I think next season will be a big test for connacht and will be far more telling about how much progress they have made.

    Glasgow and Ospreys will be much stronger for starters. Edinburgh are a bit better then previous years and Leinster and Ulster will be stronger for having new coaches this season getting a full pre season with their sides [the one issue is what state players will be in after traipsing around SA for a month].


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,245 ✭✭✭ClanofLams


    neelia11 wrote: »
    the conditions were the same for both teams. Unless there was a serious climate shift either side of the offside line? Connacht have had the majority of the squad together 9 months now [pre season up until now] and built up a fair bit of momentum at the start of the season. Leinster had to reintegrate 20 players into a new coaching ticket around halloween. The defence being so good says a lot about the coach [mcquilkin] and also the players ability to implement the system. Attack will improve with more continuity.

    I think next season will be a big test for connacht and will be far more telling about how much progress they have made.

    Glasgow and Ospreys will be much stronger for starters. Edinburgh are a bit better then previous years and Leinster and Ulster will be stronger for having new coaches this season getting a full pre season with their sides [the one issue is what state players will be in after traipsing around SA for a month].

    My point about the conditions was merely that neither game was played in conditions that suit running rugby. Both teams won one game, both scored one try over the two games.

    No doubt next season will be a big test for Connacht. This season is quite clearly a reflection of progress however. Other teams have obviously been more affected with international callups, Leinster and Glasgow in particular but that's the drawback to the advantage of having so many quality players. Both Leinster and Glasgow will still be top four which shows the depth of their squads.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 23,937 Mod ✭✭✭✭TICKLE_ME_ELMO


    Just listened to Second Captains talking about this game with Thornley. Thornely said he was down last week watching Connacht train and he said they train with the same intensity they play their matches with and that nearly everyone steps into a few different positions. Lots of guys practice being first receiver in case it happens in a match situation. They mentioned Blade playing 10 and how he was comfortable there and chalked it up to this method of having them train in different positions. I think it helps them deal with injuries a little too. Lessens the impact a little.

    They mentioned too that Connacht should be, an appear to be, perfectly comfortable playing their style of rugby in the bad weather because Galway is apparently the wettest and windiest city in all of the Pro12. This certainly appeared to be the case at the weekend when they pretty much refused to kick it and stuck to their plan.

    It's pretty impressive to see and I think should put to bed a few of the arguments for why Ireland can't play like that. There are obviously other reasons why that style isn't going to transfer directly to International rugby but two of the main points I heard thrown around during the WC was NH weather and players not learning these skills from the first time they hold a ball. There's a fair few Kiwi's knocking around Galway but the majority of the Connacht team were not brought up with these ball handling skills.

    Just to be clear I'm not jumping on the anti Joe bandwagon or calling for Ireland to have a clear out and completely start again. Just some interesting things to think about. Maybe we should keep Joe and nick Lam to be attack coach :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,047 ✭✭✭Bazzo


    neelia11 wrote: »
    the conditions were the same for both teams. Unless there was a serious climate shift either side of the offside line? Connacht have had the majority of the squad together 9 months now [pre season up until now] and built up a fair bit of momentum at the start of the season. Leinster had to reintegrate 20 players into a new coaching ticket around halloween. The defence being so good says a lot about the coach [mcquilkin] and also the players ability to implement the system. Attack will improve with more continuity.

    I think next season will be a big test for connacht and will be far more telling about how much progress they have made.

    Glasgow and Ospreys will be much stronger for starters. Edinburgh are a bit better then previous years and Leinster and Ulster will be stronger for having new coaches this season getting a full pre season with their sides [the one issue is what state players will be in after traipsing around SA for a month].

    You seem pretty hell bent on disparaging Connacht's current position.

    The point that ClanofLams and others are making is that poor conditions will suit Leinster, who play a very defensive game, a lot more than Connacht, who play open attacking rugby. If you watch Connacht in games where there is dry weather vs games where it's pissing rain you'll see the difference right away. Poor conditions suit defensively minded teams who can grind out wins.

    And that's nothing against Leinster, by the way, defensive rugby is often the more sure fire bet to win some medals, and with a Sexton at 10 their attack will be much stronger.

    All the same though, judging Connacht's attack against the tightest defence in the league on 2 nights with gales and rain pouring down is pretty silly. And then turning around and saying they clearly haven't been working on their defence when they JUST had a huge defensive performance against Leinster is also pretty silly.


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  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 18,239 Mod ✭✭✭✭CatFromHue


    Leinster were toothless, Mads just not interested I think now he's heading for the sun. Connacht fully deserved the win, hey used home advantage to the full, the high position of the pitch means the wind is a big factor and they played to that.

    On a side note, did anyone here have tickets for the enclosure. Shane Horgan, Frankie Sheehan and the Sky guys blocked our views, see attached. At €88.00 (2) it was not good.

    Did the tickets say restricted view cos that's a restricted view.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 424 ✭✭neelia11


    Bazzo wrote: »
    You seem pretty hell bent on disparaging Connacht's current position.

    The point that ClanofLams and others are making is that poor conditions will suit Leinster, who play a very defensive game, a lot more than Connacht, who play open attacking rugby. If you watch Connacht in games where there is dry weather vs games where it's pissing rain you'll see the difference right away. Poor conditions suit defensively minded teams who can grind out wins.

    And that's nothing against Leinster, by the way, defensive rugby is often the more sure fire bet to win some medals, and with a Sexton at 10 their attack will be much stronger.

    All the same though, judging Connacht's attack against the tightest defence in the league on 2 nights with gales and rain pouring down is pretty silly. And then turning around and saying they clearly haven't been working on their defence when they JUST had a huge defensive performance against Leinster is also pretty silly.

    I watched connacht v scarlets in january and connacht scored three rolling maul tries in what looked decent enough conditions. They used a superior scrum to grind out several penalties There is nothing wrong with the above but if you go by what some posters say connacht never seek contact when they actually do, a lot more then some people would admit to.


    Connacht have done very well to be where they are and all credit to them but I think next year will be a truer test of the progress connacht have made. Glasgow wont have such a slow start to the season, Ospreys will be much stronger, Leinster, Munster and Ulster should be stronger for a full pre season too and a more settled coaching setup.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,245 ✭✭✭ClanofLams


    neelia11 wrote: »
    I watched connacht v scarlets in january and connacht scored three rolling maul tries in what looked decent enough conditions. They used a superior scrum to grind out several penalties There is nothing wrong with the above but if you go by what some posters say connacht never seek contact when they actually do, a lot more then some people would admit to.

    I'm not sure many Connacht supporters are saying that. Certainly generally speaking the outlook is one of an attacking mindset and to throw the ball around but Lam has always said going a long way back that he wants his teams to be adaptable and to be capable of implementing different plans dependent on opposition, conditions etc as he considers that necessary in order to be successful. So Connacht will target the areas that they think can lead to points as they did up front against the Scarlets.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 424 ✭✭neelia11


    ClanofLams wrote: »
    I'm not sure many Connacht supporters are saying that. Certainly generally speaking the outlook is one of an attacking mindset and to throw the ball around but Lam has always said going a long way back that he wants his teams to be adaptable and to be capable of implementing different plans dependent on opposition, conditions etc as he considers that necessary in order to be successful. So Connacht will target the areas that they think can lead to points as they did up front against the Scarlets.

    Like I said, they arent afraid to do the less glamorous stuff but in comparison to leinster they havent had as much disruption with players being away so much, made much worse by a RWC season with players missing the pre season so it is easier to build a framework for attack when you have access to almost every player all season.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 23,937 Mod ✭✭✭✭TICKLE_ME_ELMO


    neelia11 wrote: »
    Like I said, they arent afraid to do the less glamorous stuff but in comparison to leinster they havent had as much disruption with players being away so much, made much worse by a RWC season with players missing the pre season so it is easier to build a framework for attack when you have access to almost every player all season.

    Perhaps more relevant than the preseaon and WC/6Nations interruptions is the fact that Connacht and Lam in the 3rd year of their relationship. He hasn't pulled this season's success out of thin air.
    Ulster have had a dreadful coaching set up for a while before Kiss finally took over full time and Leinster when through the whole MOC saga and then hired a guy who had no experience as a head coach and threw him in at the deep end missing 20-ish players. So you're trying to bed in new coaches, new systems, players are missing for months, then they come back and adapt to the new set ups.

    Just to be clear though, I'm not for a second trying to talk down Connacht's season, they are where they deserve to be and while I think the other teams will be in better situations next season I don't see any reason why Connacht can't continue their progress and at the very least be competing on equal footing with the rest of the Pro 12 again.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,245 ✭✭✭ClanofLams


    Perhaps more relevant than the preseaon and WC/6Nations interruptions is the fact that Connacht and Lam in the 3rd year of their relationship. He hasn't pulled this season's success out of thin air.

    I think this is true. Worth noting that the last season (2011-12) disrupted by the World Cup Leinster lost just three league games and topped the league with ease. Of course Schmidt was well into his reign at Leinster at that point.


  • Administrators Posts: 54,256 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭awec


    Are there any decent highlights to be got anywhere? The official ones are absolutely rubbish, last about 2 minutes and show the try only once and Madigan booting two penalties over the bar. Not a single bit of play or any excitement.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,047 ✭✭✭Bazzo


    awec wrote: »
    Are there any decent highlights to be got anywhere? The official ones are absolutely rubbish, last about 2 minutes and show the try only once and Madigan booting two penalties over the bar. Not a single bit of play or any excitement.

    Dunno about extended highlights but the full match is available if that'll do.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,504 ✭✭✭swiwi_


    That's the "Super Rugby" way though, isn't it?

    Le grand cliché: NH with the set-piece emphasis (especially scrum), kicking and miserly defence; SH with Harlem Globetrotters attack, lip-service to the set piece, and optional defence.

    It all came a but unstuck for England at the RWC when it turned out
    1) Australia could scrum
    2) Australia could defend
    3) They could still attack

    The Autumn Internationals should give a wee lie of the land.

    I agree with other posters: Connacht struck me as playing to their maximum, which was just enough to get over the line at home. I would expect Leinster to improve with their internationals starting and a bona fide flyhalf in place.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,978 ✭✭✭✭irishbucsfan


    swiwi_ wrote: »
    Le grand cliché: NH with the set-piece emphasis (especially scrum), kicking and miserly defence; SH with Harlem Globetrotters attack, lip-service to the set piece, and optional defence.

    It all came a but unstuck for England at the RWC when it turned out
    1) Australia could scrum
    2) Australia could defend
    3) They could still attack

    The Autumn Internationals should give a wee lie of the land.

    I agree with other posters: Connacht struck me as playing to their maximum, which was just enough to get over the line at home. I would expect Leinster to improve with their internationals starting and a bona fide flyhalf in place.

    Australia aren't a Super Rugby team, therefore they don't play the Super Rugby way: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/7278450/Lions-65-Waikato-Chiefs-72-match-report.html


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,047 ✭✭✭Bazzo


    swiwi_ wrote: »
    Le grand cliché: NH with the set-piece emphasis (especially scrum), kicking and miserly defence; SH with Harlem Globetrotters attack, lip-service to the set piece, and optional defence.

    It all came a but unstuck for England at the RWC when it turned out
    1) Australia could scrum
    2) Australia could defend
    3) They could still attack

    The Autumn Internationals should give a wee lie of the land.

    I agree with other posters: Connacht struck me as playing to their maximum, which was just enough to get over the line at home. I would expect Leinster to improve with their internationals starting and a bona fide flyhalf in place.

    I think people are forgetting that NEITHER side was at full strength here. White came off after a few mins, in the second row Dillane wasn't available, in the back Masterson and Heenan were missing, we had our 6 playing 8 and our 8 playing 7. Carty is also the favoured out half and a lot of Connacht fans make an arguement that with everyone else available Ronaldson should be starting there, both are injured.

    Yes, the deputies that filled in were more than capable but I think that speaks more to the work being put in to build a bit of depth in the squad than anything else.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,504 ✭✭✭swiwi_


    Australia aren't a Super Rugby team, therefore they don't play the Super Rugby way: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/7278450/Lions-65-Waikato-Chiefs-72-match-report.html

    Cue IBF on lollypop rugby in the SH provincial comps.

    Fairplay IBF, you were out of the blocks quickly.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,504 ✭✭✭swiwi_


    Bazzo wrote: »
    I think people are forgetting that NEITHER side was at full strength here. White came off after a few mins, in the second row Dillane wasn't available, in the back Masterson and Heenan were missing, we had our 6 playing 8 and our 8 playing 7. Carty is also the favoured out half and a lot of Connacht fans make an arguement that with everyone else available Ronaldson should be starting there, both are injured.

    Yes, the deputies that filled in were more than capable but I think that speaks more to the work being put in to build a bit of depth in the squad than anything else.

    Fair enough.

    But Sexton would add more to Leinster I feel. Also, Cullen took too long to introduce his firepower.

    Anyway, Connacht continue to surprise, and I will be personally happy if they do win the Pro 12, gen-u-ine-ly.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,978 ✭✭✭✭irishbucsfan


    swiwi_ wrote: »
    Cue IBF on lollypop rugby in the SH provincial comps.

    Fairplay IBF, you were out of the blocks quickly.

    To be fair there are some great tackles put in down there as well, on the rare occasions the guys involved can be bothered.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,813 ✭✭✭CMOTDibbler


    swiwi_ wrote: »
    Fair enough.

    But Sexton would add more to Leinster I feel. Also, Cullen took too long to introduce his firepower.

    Anyway, Connacht continue to surprise, and I will be personally happy if they do win the Pro 12, gen-u-ine-ly.
    Kirchener should have been starting. He was the standout player in the backs and the only one who made clean breaks. I really like the way he's playing at the moment; strikes me that he's trying to nail down his place in the squad.

    The two sides were almost perfectly matched. A point in it at the end and a bounce of the ball decided it really. Connacht rightly deserve their top spot and it will take a very good team to knock them off it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,504 ✭✭✭swiwi_


    To be fair there are some great tackles put in down there as well, on the rare occasions the guys involved can be bothered.

    Your magnanimity does you credit IBF, written like a true gentleman.

    I must admit with the internet, you never know what degree of earnestness to attribute to a post.

    I'll grit my teeth, swallow my pride, and admit there is some handy attacking play north of the equator too.

    Call it quits?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,978 ✭✭✭✭irishbucsfan


    Kirchener should have been starting. He was the standout player in the backs and the only one who made clean breaks. I really like the way he's playing at the moment; strikes me that he's trying to nail down his place in the squad.

    The two sides were almost perfectly matched. A point in it at the end and a bounce of the ball decided it really. Connacht rightly deserve their top spot and it will take a very good team to knock them off it.

    Kirchner has been great recently. Definitely starting for me in my Leinster 1st XV. I think we should see him and the Kearney bros when they're back.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,045 ✭✭✭Yeah_Right


    Australia aren't a Super Rugby team, therefore they don't play the Super Rugby way: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/7278450/Lions-65-Waikato-Chiefs-72-match-report.html

    Come on. A game from 6 years ago.

    All this talk about how Connacht are a running, passing team that goes wide all the time and is always running into space is such BS. It's the same as what was said about Leinster when they won back to back Heineken Cups.

    It ignores the grunt work that is done to create the space that guys can then run into. You have to earn the right to go wide. Space isn't created by simply throwing the ball around or offloading wildly-nilly.

    Connacht are a good side that does the hard work that then allows them to use their attacking talent. Against the weaker sides it makes them look like the Harlem Globetrotters against the better teams, they have shown they can grind out victories as well. They are now in new territory though. They're top dog and it's coming to the business end of the season. Mental strength, experience and squad depth are key if Connacht want their first title. Do they have what it takes?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,978 ✭✭✭✭irishbucsfan


    Yeah_Right wrote: »
    Come on. A game from 6 years ago.

    It's the best example of the fact that every rugby player from the south of the equator is rubbish except for a massive coincidental increase in ability when playing at international level


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,308 ✭✭✭✭.ak


    Kirchner has been great recently. Definitely starting for me in my Leinster 1st XV. I think we should see him and the Kearney bros when they're back.

    I think he should've started, his boot is ideal for playing into the wind.


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