Connacht Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread - Part II

CIARAN_BOYLE · 10-04-2014 9:08pm

galwaylad14 wrote: »

He wanted him on the bench ahead of Leader. In fairness Pooleman is a better player than Leader and one would imagine he'd have more impact from the bench than Leader but can see the logic in Pat's "if it ain't broke" approach. Although to contradict that he did say he was going to start Heenan ahead of Masterson but Heenan's hamstring was at him

I think Leader is going to be thee 15 next season, when Henshaw moves to 13 and Lam is making sure to give some time every week to give him experience.

ouncer · 10-04-2014 9:24pm

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

I think Leader is going to be thee 15 next season, when Henshaw moves to 13 and Lam is making sure to give some time every week to give him experience.

I think we have to wait and see what pat decides. my only hope is that if his choice doesn't happen to work out that he doesn't spend half the season trying to make it work before changing it as has been evident from selections this season

its_phil · 10-04-2014 9:48pm

galwaylad14 wrote: »

He wanted him on the bench ahead of Leader. In fairness Pooleman is a better player than Leader and one would imagine he'd have more impact from the bench than Leader but can see the logic in Pat's "if it ain't broke" approach. Although to contradict that he did say he was going to start Heenan ahead of Masterson but Heenan's hamstring was at him

That's a squad selection, not a team selection in my eyes. Team is first XV and squad is first XV plus subs. But it's not something worth as long a rant as it got for the selection of a utility back on the bench.

Think you meant Faloon but the cases of Masterson and Leader are separate IMO

ouncer · 10-04-2014 10:28pm

its_phil wrote: »

That's a squad selection, not a team selection in my eyes. Team is first XV and squad is first XV plus subs. But it's not something worth as long a rant as it got for the selection of a utility back on the bench.

Think you meant Faloon but the cases of Masterson and Leader are separate IMO

sorry, must clarify my understanding. team to me means 1 to 23. squad means available players to choose from for the final 23. as robbo said and also my belief, poolman adds more to the team (squad) from the bench than darragh does

Stan27 · 11-04-2014 9:10am

When is ronaldson back?

ouncer · 11-04-2014 7:07pm

being looking forward to the ulster game all week. go Connacht. let's do it in ravenhill

freyners · 11-04-2014 10:16pm

Tonight was a rough scoreline but there was a couple of positives from it. McSharry is slowly but surely hitting best form again and we got a glimspe of what a McSharry Henshaw partnership will do, lovely work form both for our first try.

Similarly Henshaw was immense, best player for us by a mile. His passing, strength in contact and and offloading are exceptional at his age.

I like how lam is trying to make the side play but it was not the right type of strategy for away in ravenhill. Most of ulsters scores were from our mistakes and playing such an expansive game aggravated it. However the phase work and patience shown is not something I've seen in Connacht teams for a long time and I think with the addition of a defensive coach (must be Lams first recruit before any players) should aid this. Marmion had a quiet one by his standards but kept the backs moving nicely.

Disappointed Buckley and Ah You couldnt get an edge at scrumtime but ulster were far heavier behind the row so its understandable.

As I said, a bad defeat scoreline wise but we have had much closer games and played a lot worse. We're getting there and I believe 100% with time and some recruitment over the summer, Lam can get us into the top 6

ouncer · 11-04-2014 10:54pm

it was a good game of rugby and ulster proved how good they really are. very impressed with henshaw. leader did well when he came on. eoin wasn't very visible, Dave did OK but the reality was our defence were simply torn apart. you can blame a sloppy kick from Dan, you can blame many things, but the reality is we were outclassed by a better team. so how do we regroup. it was hard to see how easily ulster simply cut through our defence. I pose the question, as I did against scarlets, do we really have the speed in the front row and the quickness of thought to cover fast developments in the back row. it was annoying to see toh simply outnumbered by players coming at him on a regular basis considering it was the exact same scenario against scarlets. the only conclusion is that the two centres are simply not doing their job (mcsharry try or no mcsharry try)

Bazzo · 11-04-2014 11:16pm

Henshaw was yet again immense tonight, we'd be lost without him.

Utopia Parkway · 12-04-2014 3:00am

Bazzo wrote: »

Henshaw was yet again immense tonight, we'd be lost without him.

He was very good. I just fear the IRFU want to get him out of Connacht as soon as they can. And if Connacht ship beatings like that then how can they complain?

Bitterly disappointed with tonight. I thought our days of getting destroyed like that were behind us. Especially against an understrength Ulster side.

Stanza2 · 12-04-2014 7:06am

Hard to find any positives from that. Every time we string some good results together, this happens. Hard, hard hard team to follow.

S12b · 12-04-2014 12:31pm

http://www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-sign-centre-bundee-aki/#ConnachtNews

24 year old Chiefs centre signed!!

CatFromHue · 12-04-2014 12:36pm

S12b wrote: »

http://www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-sign-centre-bundee-aki/#ConnachtNews

24 year old Chiefs centre signed!!

I don't think he's played International rugby for anyone so I wonder if that came into his mind?

He doesn't seem to be getting that many games for them this season.

Tox56 · 12-04-2014 12:40pm

S12b wrote: »

http://www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-sign-centre-bundee-aki/#ConnachtNews

24 year old Chiefs centre signed!!

Just had a look, he played at 12 for the Chiefs today, dont know anything else about him

SWIWI ALERT

porterbelly · 12-04-2014 1:07pm

6 tries in 14 appearances this season

Great signing

CatFromHue · 12-04-2014 1:12pm

porterbelly wrote: »

6 tries in 14 appearances this season

Great signing

The Chiefs have only played 7 games this season though?

Do you mean last season?

CIARAN_BOYLE · 12-04-2014 1:21pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

I don't think he's played International rugby for anyone so I wonder if that came into his mind?

He doesn't seem to be getting that many games for them this season.

Three year contract so probably, first game back after injury today.

CatFromHue · 12-04-2014 1:23pm

He will be joining after Counties Manukau finish up in the ITM. They've been doing pretty well recently (made the SF's in 2013) so it could be November before he moves over.

porterbelly · 12-04-2014 1:34pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

The Chiefs have only played 7 games this season though?

Do you mean last season?

Yeah my bad, meant over his Chiefs career

porterbelly · 12-04-2014 1:34pm

9. Marmion

10. Carty

11.Healy

12. Aki

13. Henshaw

14. Poolman

15. Leader/TOH

That backline should have a bit about it. Both wingers Healy and Poolman are way better defensively than Carr and TOH and probably better going forward too. Definitely smarter players, Healy is a fine prospect. Poolman will score tries as he has showed and runs very good lines, very balanced runner. Big power in the centre.

15 is a worry but maybe Leader can show a bit more, not convinced by him though. Carty should be given a run in the 10 jersey, he's a running 10 who can bring the best out of those lads. He is no JJ/Jackson/Madigan but should be given his chance consistently and see how he goes.

Now for a couple of signings in the pack. Bit worries about JHW, he's way too slow around the park. Dave Heffernan can maybe take up the mantle, he's big powerful and dynamic as a former flanker. We will pray we can get Clarke back. Heenan to return to 7, Faloon there as well and hopefully a signing in the back row like Dave O Callaghan/Jack Conan who can carry ball.

And as I said, lock Muldoon and Swifty in cold storage til the ground gets soft and roll them out for the bit of mullocking off the bench in the winter

CatFromHue · 12-04-2014 1:36pm

porterbelly wrote: »

Yeah my bad, meant over his Chiefs career

Still impressive though.

My only worry is that it's over a short time frame so will he reproduce it when he comes North.

porterbelly · 12-04-2014 1:39pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

Still impressive though.

My only worry is that it's over a short time frame so will he reproduce it when he comes North.

Well he's young and that is a quality Chiefs team tbf

He's got all the attributes, pace, power and a step with offloading skills

Him and Henshaw paired could be tasty

Pity he doesn't arrive til end of ITM Cup

its_phil · 12-04-2014 2:07pm

Wow what a signing. Hats off to Pat and Tim here. I'd heard a name for a center but this wasn't it and I don't think he was as high a quality either.

Now if we get a 10, a hooker, one more center just for cover that doesnt break the bank and either a second row or back row (depending on if George moves to second row where we can use his bulk) to add we will be doing very well.

Conan would be a great signing but did I hear someone mention on another thread he might re-sign with Leinster. The potential competition between McKeon and Conan would bring the two of them on.

porterbelly · 12-04-2014 2:12pm

its_phil wrote: »

Wow what a signing. Hats off to Pat and Tim here. I'd heard a name for a center but this wasn't it and I don't think he was as high a quality either.

Now if we get a 10, a hooker, one more center just for cover that doesnt break the bank and either a second row or back row (depending on if George moves to second row where we can use his bulk) to add we will be doing very well.

Conan would be a great signing but did I hear someone mention on another thread he might re-sign with Leinster. The potential competition between McKeon and Conan would bring the two of them on.

Have we a 10 signed or are we after one do you know?

its_phil · 12-04-2014 2:16pm

porterbelly wrote: »

Have we a 10 signed or are we after one do you know?

After one, I haven't heard anything in a couple months. But that's from lack of discussion on my part more than anything else.

S12b · 12-04-2014 2:25pm

I'd argue the only two signings we must make are a defence coach and a scrum half.

Against both Scarlets and Ulster we have looked good going forward but have been very weak defensively.

Someone mentioned we are signing one of the Ulster back up scrum halfs....surely he can't be any better than what he already have as back up. A decent scrum half is a must as if we get our wish, Marmion will could well be unavailable for chunks of next season.

Outside of that, I'd love a big ball carrying 8 like Conan, I feel we lack a solid source of go forward. And finally, if we somehow win the lotto, a loosehead, hooker and 10 who can both run the ball and kick at 75%+.....I'm not asking for much I know!!

:D

Swiwi. · 12-04-2014 2:35pm

Tox56 wrote: »

Just had a look, he played at 12 for the Chiefs today, dont know anything else about him

SWIWI ALERT

HERE I AM! As I said in the SXV thread that is a truly excellent signing for Connacht, damn I wouldn't have minded if he'd chosen Leinster. OK, SBW & Nonu will have the 12 shirt for 2015, but I honestly would have rated him an AB chance from 2016 onwards.

Well done Connacht, I wouldn't be surprised to see NZRFU contract killers hunting down Lam, what with Heenan and now Aki.

freyners · 12-04-2014 2:36pm

Great signing but after the Ulster game the signing im looking for is a defence coach

its_phil · 12-04-2014 2:44pm

Swiwi. wrote: »

Well done Connacht, I wouldn't be surprised to see NZRFU contract killers hunting down Lam, what with Heenan and now Aki.

Good luck to those contract killers with Michael Swift still about the place. He isn't called the Choke Tackle King down here because of his ability on the rugby pitch.

Swiwi. · 12-04-2014 2:45pm

its_phil wrote: »

Good luck to those contract killers with Michael Swift still about the place. He isn't called the Choke Tackle King down here because of his ability on the rugby pitch.

Lam was a fine tackler himself in his time. Played in the great Auckland sides of the 90s. Not so sure about his coaching ability yet.

jacothelad · 12-04-2014 3:03pm

Swiwi. wrote: »

Lam was a fine tackler himself in his time. Played in the great Auckland sides of the 90s. Not so sure about his coaching ability yet.

Lam was a fantastic player and Connacht have played better rugby than they ever did under the previous coaches. The team just need better depth and a 10 who isn't Parks. There are some cracking players there and some, who are past it like Swift, need to retire and allow the new guys to get on with it. It's a shame Griffin is leaving but a backline with Henshaw, Marmion, TOH, Healy, Poolman, Leader, Nikora, Carty etc as options is a good one. Up front, they can fear no side next season when Clarke, Heenan etc are fit and firing.

porterbelly · 12-04-2014 3:05pm

Swift has been playing more out if necessity with Clarke being out and Muldowney not producing.

On an aside, anyone know anything about a kit sponsor/manuafacturer. Are we still going to be BLK? Talk that there will be somebody else, would be given credence with the big sales in the shops of their merchandise

freyners · 12-04-2014 3:06pm

jacothelad wrote: »

Lam was a fantastic player and Connacht have played better rugby than they ever did under the previous coaches. The team just need better depth and a 10 who isn't Parks. There are some cracking players there and some, who are past it like Swift, need to retire and allow the new guys to get on with it. It's a shame Griffin is leaving but a backline with Henshaw, Marmion, TOH, Healy, Poolman, Leader, Nikora, Carty etc as options is a good one. Up front, they can fear no side next season when Clarke, Heenan etc are fit and firing.

TBf to Parks he can take a lot of pride in how he played for us, especially in his first season. Memory I will always have is him calming down Henshaw and Marmion when we demolished Leinster last year. Both were showing a lot of nerves and he was the one to calm them down. Better options than him now but he was a great OH to have when they were making there way initially

Hagz · 12-04-2014 3:26pm

Wow. Aki and Henshaw is a tasty centre combination.

Connacht need a better 10 though.

its_phil · 12-04-2014 3:26pm

porterbelly wrote: »

On an aside, anyone know anything about a kit sponsor/manuafacturer. Are we still going to be BLK? Talk that there will be somebody else, would be given credence with the big sales in the shops of their merchandise

It's still BLK, launch is for August with release in September. New sponsor the reason for sale, but I'm sure enough there is a new kit too.

Hagz · 12-04-2014 3:32pm

I'm sure most of you have gone and done your own research, but I'll put this up anyway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjuWhC8LRs8

wp_rathead · 12-04-2014 5:54pm

S12b wrote: »

I'd argue the only two signings we must make are a defence coach and a scrum half.

Against both Scarlets and Ulster we have looked good going forward but have been very weak defensively.

Someone mentioned we are signing one of the Ulster back up scrum halfs....surely he can't be any better than what he already have as back up. A decent scrum half is a must as if we get our wish, Marmion will could well be unavailable for chunks of next season.

Outside of that, I'd love a big ball carrying 8 like Conan, I feel we lack a solid source of go forward. And finally, if we somehow win the lotto, a loosehead, hooker and 10 who can both run the ball and kick at 75%+.....I'm not asking for much I know!! :D

We have signed Porter from Ulster so that is scrum-half sorted.

Main area of concern is outhalf. We have Nikora, Ronaldson and Carthy on the books for next season - all can get backline moving but all have questions over their place kicking (oh to have Keatley back with this backline)

Im big fan of JHW but he is rather small- another hooker be a bonus

Can Aki play 13? Just an inform McSharry be too good to leave out..

Swiwi. · 12-04-2014 5:56pm

wprathead wrote: »

We have signed Porter from Ulster so that is scrum-half sorted.

Main area of concern is outhalf. We have Nikora, Ronaldson and Carthy on the books for next season - all can get backline moving but all have questions over their place kicking (oh to have Keatley back with this backline)

Im big fan of JHW but he is rather small- another hooker be a bonus

Can Aki play 13? Just an inform McSharry be too good to leave out..

He strikes me as almost a specialist 12. He probably could play 13, the same way that Nonu & SBW can sort of play 13, but really I think he's a 12. Besides, you have Henshaw!

NB: Great signing for you guys, if you read back thru the AB thread, you'll see I name-checked him several times as a possible AB.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 12-04-2014 6:12pm

Swiwi. wrote: »

He strikes me as almost a specialist 12. He probably could play 13, the same way that Nonu & SBW can sort of play 13, but really I think he's a 12. Besides, you have Henshaw!

NB: Great signing for you guys, if you read back thru the AB thread, you'll see I name-checked him several times as a possible AB.

But who will play 13 when henshaw is with Ireland.

McSharry/Aki could be a better pairing than any other options

thomond2006 · 12-04-2014 6:24pm

Any news on Craig Clarke?

ouncer · 12-04-2014 8:59pm

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

But who will play 13 when henshaw is with Ireland.

McSharry/Aki could be a better pairing than any other options

strangely ronaldson has played all his best rugby at 12 and not 10. I've said this before but I think its really important to spend the last games of the season shaping the back line for next year. tend to agree with porterbelly on much of his selection. carty has had a fine season for buccs and needs the game time to build his confidence at 10 facing into a new season. I really think this guy can be as good as keatley. his biggest weakness is the range of his place kicks (same problem that nikora has but carty is a far more exciting out half in all other things).

tiernan played extremely well at full back for Ireland u-20s and I think his defensive play has come on in leaps and bounds. I would like to see him given as shot at this. I think lam has knocked his confidence badly by leaving him at 24 for most of the season. with a bit of confidence restored in him I think he could be as good a full back as any in the country.

it struck me after the ulster game that Connacht without henshaw would be a much weaker proposition. Robbie has progressed game on game this season to vindicate the hype in his possible inclusion in the national team.

what disappointed me most about last night was marmions performance. it wasn't terrible but he wasn't as usually brilliant as he has been of recent times. I felt sorry for him, with Joe Schmidt in attendance, that he didn't show what he has shown for so many consecutive games. I think he has really excelled to the point that he is now definite international standard. such a pity he didn't show Joe last night, but my guess is that Joe could not possibly have missed kiernans progression this season

Utopia Parkway · 13-04-2014 4:07am

The scoop on Aki according to a Chiefs/kiwi fan on Planet Rugby. Chiefs fans seem genuinely gutted he's leaving which is tough on them but it's usually a good sign for the team that gets him.

He's just returned from reconstructive surgery on his shoulder. Very good player, solid on defence, very quick for a midfielder, a decent jackling centre in the Umaga-mould and appears to have the semblance of a kicking game.

Probably would have made the All Blacks given his current trajectory.

All that said. Connacht need a defence coach badly.

BeardySi · 13-04-2014 9:38am

Hagz wrote: »

I'm sure most of you have gone and done your own research, but I'll put this up anyway.
...

Bloody hell that lad's got pace!!

its_phil · 13-04-2014 2:57pm

Muliaina being chased by Connacht according to the Indo.

Swiwi. · 13-04-2014 3:04pm

its_phil wrote: »

Muliaina being chased by Connacht according to the Indo.

You can have him. He has lost all his pace. Covers a few positions though.

freyners · 13-04-2014 3:04pm

its_phil wrote: »

Muliaina being chased by Connacht according to the Indo.

Pie in the sky signing I reckon,would be a great signing but unless our finances got a lot better I cant see us having the financial muscle to do so

its_phil · 13-04-2014 3:09pm

freyners wrote: »

Pie in the sky signing I reckon,would be a great signing but unless our finances got a lot better I cant see us having the financial muscle to do so

€350k budget increase

Zzippy · 13-04-2014 3:25pm

its_phil wrote: »

€350k budget increase

Is that accurate? And if so, what percentage of an increased European competition payout to the IRFU does it represent? I wonder what the other provinces' budgets are increasing by...

its_phil · 13-04-2014 3:40pm

Zzippy wrote: »

Is that accurate? And if so, what percentage of an increased European competition payout to the IRFU does it represent? I wonder what the other provinces' budgets are increasing by...

It's in the Independent today. Eric Elwood being lined up by Munster as an assistant coach too, which would be great.

CatFromHue · 13-04-2014 3:47pm

Is lined up or in the running?

I thought he was just in the running.

Connacht Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread - Part II

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