Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

The Lost Sheep · 21-09-2018 11:54pm

ionapaul wrote: »

Does anyone know what time the ticket office in the Sportsground will be open tomorrow? Want to head into town and pick up a ticket well ahead of the match.

Buy online and you can then pick up ticket before kickoff from ticket office at main gate

connachta · 22-09-2018 5:24pm

Bundee is just different class

Buer · 22-09-2018 5:46pm

Kelleher showing why he's a dangerous attacker and a terrible defender in the space of 2 minutes.

ClanofLams · 22-09-2018 5:49pm

Mul, it's over

Jack Carty putting on a clinic thus far

ClanofLams · 22-09-2018 5:50pm

Mul, it's over

Buer wrote: »

Kelleher showing why he's a dangerous attacker and a terrible defender in the space of 2 minutes.

Think he has improved generally speaking but was poor for mcnicholl try alright

22-09-2018 5:57pm

Mul, it's over

Fabulous game of rugby here, Connacht playing terrific stuff.

freyners · 22-09-2018 5:59pm

The Friend Zone

Bundee and farrell really do offer that much more in attack

Burkie1203 · 22-09-2018 6:00pm

Mul, it's over

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Fabulous game of rugby here, Connacht playing terrific stuff.

Defence much improved and playing percentages a bit better and not playing themselves into trouble

ClanofLams · 22-09-2018 6:04pm

Mul, it's over

Great half. Said it already but really impressed with Carty, haven't seen him play better 40 min than that. Varying attack, great kicks to touch, lovely hands, prob a bit over ambitious with cross field kick to kelleher. Centre partnership on fire. Defence looks too narrow at times would be main concern, marmion did brilliantly because that was almost certainly a try otherwise. Disappointing for Thornbury to go off so early but Dillane done well since he came on.

Clegg · 22-09-2018 6:22pm

They butchered that try. Terrible hands on the lock. That's the sort of chance Connacht need to convert. Scarlets will punish you.

Clegg · 22-09-2018 6:23pm

Patchell carry that over?

Clegg · 22-09-2018 6:35pm

That's fairly ridiculous tbh.

Nichol jumped into him.

Burkie1203 · 22-09-2018 6:42pm

Mul, it's over

Clegg wrote: »

That's fairly ridiculous tbh.

Nichol jumped into him.

Kelleher did tackle him though. I felt it should have been a 22

Utopia Parkway · 22-09-2018 6:51pm

Just when we looked to have it wrapped up. Hope we don't get a repeat of the Glasgow game.

Buer · 22-09-2018 6:51pm

****e. Connacht really need to tighten up out wide although Scarlets are so good out there with their footwork and awareness.

Need another 3 pointer to secure it.

Buer · 22-09-2018 6:54pm

Brilliant score. Sean O'Brien. Remember the name.

Clegg · 22-09-2018 6:55pm

That's brilliant.

Game over.

Former Former · 22-09-2018 6:57pm

You've got a Friend in me

Serious work by O'Brien there.

Great result for Leinster and Ulster too.

22-09-2018 7:03pm

Mul, it's over

Brilliant match, brilliant win. Delighted.

Buer · 22-09-2018 7:06pm

I think the Scarlets have dropped sligjtly but regardless I believe Connacht are gonna be right in the mix for the playoffs.

They're going to be brimming with confidence for Leinster next week.

connachta · 22-09-2018 7:13pm

1 point lost or 4 points won?
I guess the latter. The team isn't well-oiled enough yet. Defense out wide is not good. LH subs aren't either (How did O'Donnell/Carey do vs Ospreys A??).
But the rest looks good.
It's gonna be a totally undicided 3-way battle for 1 and 1/2 spot between Connacht, Cardiff and Ospreys
(a full-euro + Play-off spot, and a 50% european chance if we finish 4th)

ClanofLams · 22-09-2018 7:17pm

Mul, it's over

Small bit disappointed not to get the bp - little bit more clinical and it was available but an awful lot to be positive about. Blade and McCabe continuing to deliver is really positive, means Marmion and Buckley don't have to be flogged. Bench was very good tonight in general, Niyi looks sharp. Be a right dogfight when Sevu Reece arrives for back three spots. Scrum and lineout generally solid, thought Roux and O'Brien were very good. Carty exceptional in almost everything he did including goal kicking, if he can maintain that it could be a very good season.

Bazzo · 22-09-2018 7:18pm

Mul, it's over

Great result

lostboy75 · 22-09-2018 7:26pm

Some Like It TOH

And Joe was at the game this evening.

freyners · 22-09-2018 7:48pm

The Friend Zone

Bundee may have got it but jack was motm for me. Another excellent game in apromising season

evil_seed · 22-09-2018 7:56pm

The Friend Zone

I'm very happy after that. We played a totally different game to last weekend. I think we're learning and improving. I think that was jack's best game for us. I hope he can maintain this. I am disappointed that we didn't get the bonus point, we messed up twice in the second half where we should probably have scored. The only other thing that needs work are the restarts. We haven't been able to deal with them for ages.

foxyladyxx · 22-09-2018 7:58pm

lostboy75 wrote: »

And Joe was at the game this evening.

Am sure he has got food for thought! Some great individual performances there,

ClanofLams · 22-09-2018 8:02pm

Mul, it's over

Was an interesting decision to go for posts with that penalty with just over ten to go and ten points ahead. Would be inclined to kick the corner because of the difficulty of the kick and the margin being ten already I think. Even if you don't score from the resulting lineout chances are you will kill another few minutes and give Scarlets the ball in their 22 still ten down. Worked out alright in any case.

MarinersBlues · 22-09-2018 8:31pm

Mul, it's over

Bundee Aki and Connacht didn’t have the ideal pre-season relationship, with the centre’s return to New Zealand causing some disquiet. His return in Edinburgh last week brought a slight criticism from Friend, but any rustiness seems to have been left in Scotland as Aki lit the fuse for a terrific, energetic attacking display this evening.

http://www.the42.ie/connacht-scarlets-pro14-galway-match-report-4249694-Sep2018/

That's the second time the 42 have pushed this narrative which seems totally unfounded.

What are they at?

wp_rathead · 22-09-2018 8:39pm

You've got a Friend in me

Thought Marmion was brilliant -with McGrath and Cooney playing well he needed a big first start to the season, especially with Joe watching, and by gawd he delivered it. Tackled like a man possesed
Jack is playing great rugby and I'm delighted for him - he is putting alot work in

The difference in the centre between this week's partnership Bundee-Farrell and last week's Godwin-Griffin is really night and day from an attacking POV

Roux, SOB, Findlay and Dillane had very busy days around the park
Copeland looks promising but I'd be tempted to bench him and start Boyle against Leinster

McCoy and McCabe did well when they came on too which was good to see

Only downside is Thornbury looks like he has badly damaged his shoulder

Diabhal Beag · 22-09-2018 8:50pm

A really positive showing tonight and although it would have been a great result to get 5 points out of it I was just pure relieved when Niyi ran in under the posts when it looked like we might have let a really poor Scarlets team back in.

It's surely never been less controversial to suggest Carty could get capped in Autumn than it is now. Absolutely immense this season. The confidence dents he used to get from poor tactical kicks he used to get seem to be completely reversed to the point that once he puts in a bad kick he is near pristine for the remainder. His work ethic is second to none and his link-up play is just what Schmidt and Co. would really be please with.

Also thought it was Marmion's best performance in a long time. He was properly up for it and making great breaks all night. Hopefully Blade's start to the season has lit a fire under him.

SOBII was fantastic. His break for the last try was the definition of clutch. Mammoth defending all day.

Dillane was looking lively too. Probably would've caused mayhem off the bench in the second half if Thornbury didn't get injured so early.

Bundee adds so much to our attack. It's a great shame for Connacht that his gametime will be significantly decreased per player welfare but it's a joy to see him succeed at international level.

I don't think Copeland set the world alight on his first proper outing but if he can keep his fitness and get a bit more match sharpness into him it could be a lovely battle for number 8.

typhoony · 22-09-2018 9:50pm

MarinersBlues wrote: »

http://www.the42.ie/connacht-scarlets-pro14-galway-match-report-4249694-Sep2018/

That's the second time the 42 have pushed this narrative which seems totally unfounded.

What are they at?

it was totally expected from the management that we wouldn't see Bundee until the end of September, when he goes off to get married at the end of this year are they also going to push this narrative

Zzippy · 22-09-2018 11:51pm

MarinersBlues wrote: »

http://www.the42.ie/connacht-scarlets-pro14-galway-match-report-4249694-Sep2018/

That's the second time the 42 have pushed this narrative which seems totally unfounded.

What are they at?

Sowing the seeds for the "Bundee to Leinster" rumours that they milk 6,254 clickbait articles out of...

FACECUTTR · 23-09-2018 1:19am

MarinersBlues wrote: »

http://www.the42.ie/connacht-scarlets-pro14-galway-match-report-4249694-Sep2018/

That's the second time the 42 have pushed this narrative which seems totally unfounded.

What are they at?

I'm sure there is an agenda there somewhere.

Losty Dublin · 23-09-2018 2:34am

wp_rathead wrote: »

Thought Marmion was brilliant -with McGrath and Cooney playing well he needed a big first start to the season, especially with Joe watching, and by gawd he delivered it. Tackled like a man possesed

Marmion's greatest fault is that he has come through in the same generation as Conor Murray. Were it not for CM then he would be the Scrum Half of choice for Ireland yet now now we have pretenders for his position on the subs bench, unthinkable a generation ago.

Bazzo · 23-09-2018 6:38am

Mul, it's over

Didn't get to watch the match back til after but thought Buckley deserved a mention too. Made a nuisance of himself at the breakdown and some lovely passing both from the base of the ruck and in open play. Not often you see a prop getting the ball around the 15 and going for the skip pass out to the wing and executing it all beautifully at pace.

Wegians89 · 23-09-2018 12:43pm

The Friend Zone

Very good result yesterday, would go full strength against Leinster at home and then rotate slightly over the ulster away and European matches

connachta · 23-09-2018 12:50pm

Wegians89 wrote: »

Very good result yesterday, would go full strength against Leinster at home and then rotate slightly over the ulster away and European matches

Copeland/Boyle/Fainga'a (+McKeon due early October) allow us backrow rotation.
Props are the main issue, we're light, not even a 7th prop...

realhorrorshow · 23-09-2018 2:24pm

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Marmion's greatest fault is that he has come through in the same generation as Conor Murray. Were it not for CM then he would be the Scrum Half of choice for Ireland yet now now we have pretenders for his position on the subs bench, unthinkable a generation ago.

IMO his greatest fault is his passing off his left hand, it was better yesterday but he still hits the inside shoulder of the receiver too often. He had a very good game yesterday, his decision making, support running, and defence were excellent as always.

Tommybojangles · 23-09-2018 2:25pm

Mul, it's over

Wegians89 wrote: »

Very good result yesterday, would go full strength against Leinster at home and then rotate slightly over the ulster away and European matches

Would agree with this, beat Leinster and we're in great shape regardless of The game in Belfast and we can hopefully afford a lot of rotation at home to Bordeaux. Hard to know with the Sale game? do you go all out or keep players wrapped up on anticipation of a huge game with Ospreys the following week

realhorrorshow · 23-09-2018 2:44pm

connachta wrote: »

Copeland/Boyle/Fainga'a (+McKeon due early October) allow us backrow rotation.
Props are the main issue, we're light, not even a 7th prop...

I thought before the game that Copeland and O’Brien were playing for one place against Leinster, with one making way for Boyle. With that said, I’d go SOB/Butler/Boyle, with Fainga’a to come in if Butler needs a rest.

Wegians89 · 23-09-2018 2:51pm

The Friend Zone

For Leinster I’d start sob/butler/Boyle with faingaa on bench injury permitting then for ulster Boyle/faingaa/Copeland starting and who ever on the bench.

Home games should be the priority in both competitions. There’s depth in the squad now to allow for small rotations to keep things fresh for the away games

Diabhal Beag · 23-09-2018 6:02pm

Seen a few comments around the place about how Reece is going to be great competition for Healy/Kelleher/Niyi which I absolutely hope happens. That said you'd nearly forget Rory Scholes is still on the books. Poor lad it really hasn't worked out for him here.

macslash · 23-09-2018 11:13pm

Mul, it's over

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Seen a few comments around the place about how Reece is going to be great competition for Healy/Kelleher/Niyi which I absolutely hope happens. That said you'd nearly forget Rory Scholes is still on the books. Poor lad it really hasn't worked out for him here.

Is he injured? He's not getting much of a run with the eagles even.
What did people think of the Thornbury injury? Doubt anything broken as he was able to move it with the physio on the pitch. He was in the dressing room after also. After Cannon, who do we have? Gallagher and the lad we got from Leicester I guess

wp_rathead · 24-09-2018 9:26am

You've got a Friend in me

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Seen a few comments around the place about how Reece is going to be great competition for Healy/Kelleher/Niyi which I absolutely hope happens. That said you'd nearly forget Rory Scholes is still on the books. Poor lad it really hasn't worked out for him here.

Scholes got badly injured in the Dragons A away game I heard, did his knee
Reece looks class tbf
We'll inevitably get injuries so can do with having 5 good options for the back 3 to rotate

macslash wrote: »

What did people think of the Thornbury injury? Doubt anything broken as he was able to move it with the physio on the pitch. He was in the dressing room after also. After Cannon, who do we have? Gallagher and the lad we got from Leicester I guess

Seemed to be his shoulder and Gavin does have a history of Shoulder Injuries, hopefully it's nothing reaccuring
Depth wise we have Clafferty, Gallagher and Joe after Cannon.

24-09-2018 3:36pm

Already excited for the game against Leinster on Saturday.
What are the chances of Robbie playing? Has he played against us since he moved to Leinster? I dont think he has. He definitely hasn't played in either game in the Sportsground.
I'd love to see him get one run out against us in Galway before he comes home in the summer

Zzippy · 24-09-2018 3:48pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Already excited for the game against Leinster on Saturday.
What are the chances of Robbie playing? Has he played against us since he moved to Leinster? I dont think he has. He definitely hasn't played in either game in the Sportsground.
I'd love to see him get one run out against us in Galway before he comes home in the summer

Wrong thread for trolling the Leinster fans...

24-09-2018 3:58pm

Mul, it's over

Must be almost time for a build up thread.

Zzippy · 24-09-2018 4:15pm

connemara man · 24-09-2018 4:42pm

The Friend Zone

Zzippy wrote: »

Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

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