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Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

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    #7952
    connachta
    Registered Users Posts: 7,964 ✭✭✭connachta


    evil_seed wrote: »
    You're back row is all mixed up IMO




    Butler will be moved to 7, as soon as Papali'i comes. I'm nearly sure of it. Oliver is good IMO, better then some said, but not 1st choice




    the rest is about E.Masterson or SOB at 6 or 8. I've got no firm opinion about it


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    #7953
    Bazzo
    Registered Users Posts: 7,047 ✭✭✭Bazzo


    Mul, it's over
    connachta wrote: »
    Butler will be moved to 7, as soon as Papali'i comes. I'm nearly sure of it. Oliver is good IMO, better then some said, but not 1st choice




    the rest is about E.Masterson or SOB at 6 or 8. I've got no firm opinion about it

    Personally I think you're more likely to see SOB at 6 and Boyle at 8, not that it matters much what number they wear as the back row will be the same.


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    #7954
    realhorrorshow
    Registered Users Posts: 1,887 ✭✭✭realhorrorshow


    connachta wrote: »
    Butler will be moved to 7, as soon as Papali'i comes. I'm nearly sure of it. Oliver is good IMO, better then some said, but not 1st choice




    the rest is about E.Masterson or SOB at 6 or 8. I've got no firm opinion about it

    I think our best back row now is some combination of SOB, Butler, and Boyle. SOB is bullish about his ability to play 8, but I prefer him at 6. Papali'i will have his work cut out displacing Boyle.


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    #7955
    connachta
    Registered Users Posts: 7,964 ✭✭✭connachta


    He will cause havoc.
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1280865804536381440
    He was fast to get tired, even when he played XIII. So probably a regular and efficient impact n°20 at first times.


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    #7956
    Wegians89
    Registered Users Posts: 3,446 ✭✭✭Wegians89


    The Friend Zone
    With good conditioning and the right attitude papalii could be a very exciting signing


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    #7957
    realhorrorshow
    Registered Users Posts: 1,887 ✭✭✭realhorrorshow


    By my extremely rudimentary calculations the average age of the senior squad is ~25.5 years.


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    #7958
    Tommybojangles
    Registered Users Posts: 388 ✭✭Tommybojangles


    Mul, it's over
    Back row looks light when you factor in SOB and Masterson inevitable injury and the totally unknown nature of the new lad. Would make a huge difference if he can make a good contribution


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    #7959
    connemara man
    Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional West Moderators Posts: 6,773 Mod ✭✭✭✭connemara man


    The Friend Zone
    I watched through some Bay highlights and he definitely had hands on hips more than you'd want to see especially near the opposition tryline.
    But when he get going he's some wrecking Ball.

    JOC will whip him into shape and I get the feeling from Andy if your not fighting to start and annoyed when you don't you're not gonna be around long


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    #7960
    Lucas44
    Registered Users Posts: 379 ✭✭Lucas44


    connachta wrote: »
    FFS, hope it's just based on the "theorical maximum" (12 months)

    It’s generally 9-10 months when working side by side with physios and treatment centres everyday, with everything going on have to think he wasn’t able to see the aus 7s physio for a few weeks which would of set him back despite being able to communicate via zoom or what not


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    #7961
    KBurke85
    Registered Users Posts: 1,100 ✭✭✭KBurke85


    The Friend Zone
    Tommybojangles wrote: »
    Back row looks light when you factor in SOB and Masterson inevitable injury and the totally unknown nature of the new lad. Would make a huge difference if he can make a good contribution

    In fairness to Masterson he was pretty much involved in most games last season.


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    #7962
    Richie_Rich89
    Registered Users Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Richie_Rich89


    Mul, it's over
    Papali'i looks like just the right type of powerful ball-carrier Connacht needed. He should be pretty skillful too, coming from NZ. It doesn't look as if he's tied to any other country, so he could qualify for Ireland by the 2025 Autumn internationals if he stays around that long. He'd be 32 by then.


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    #7963
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,061 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    The Friend Zone
    Richie_Rich89 wrote: »
    Papali'i looks like just the right type of powerful ball-carrier Connacht needed. He should be pretty skillful too, coming from NZ. It doesn't look as if he's tied to any other country, so he could qualify for Ireland by the 2025 Autumn internationals if he stays around that long. He'd be 32 by then.

    i honestly dont think anyone in the IRFU would have had that high on the list of USPs when looking at papali'i. Yes he may qualify... but anyone looking at a project that lasts 5 years shouldn't be looking at a 27 year old.


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    #7964
    Dog Botherer
    Registered Users Posts: 1,641 ✭✭✭Dog Botherer


    You've got a Friend in me
    reminds me of a younger Nick Williams tbh


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    #7965
    connachta
    Registered Users Posts: 7,964 ✭✭✭connachta


    Dog Botherer wrote: »
    reminds me of a younger Nick Williams tbh




    I haven't dared to say but yeah that was my goal, 15kg lighter:P


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    #7966
    ClanofLams
    Registered Users Posts: 4,210 ✭✭✭ClanofLams


    Mul, it's over
    There’s an awful lot of hype here around a 27 year old who has basically never played professional rugby.


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    #7967
    thomond2006
    Registered Users Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Some Like It TOH
    He reminds me of Kieran Read.


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    #7968
    connachta
    Registered Users Posts: 7,964 ✭✭✭connachta


    ClanofLams wrote: »
    There’s an awful lot of hype here around a 27 year old who has basically never played professional rugby.




    There’s an beautiful lot of hype here around a guy who can carry a ball across the ganeline, which we had not had for 5 years (Naoupu)


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    #7969
    Diabhal Beag
    Closed Accounts Posts: 15,238 ✭✭✭✭Diabhal Beag


    I'd love to see Boyle fighting it out for 8 with the newbie. I see a much higher ceiling for Boyle at 8 than Butler (who works his bollocks off but is a better 7 which hopefully we'll get to see next season).


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    #7970
    connachta
    Registered Users Posts: 7,964 ✭✭✭connachta


    Right about Butler at 7
    Boyle is too light to play there. I don't think everyone should be Nick Williams but between 108 kg (Boyle and Butler), and him (130kg),
    there are the mobile ball-carrying 8s I love, 115-120kg, Big George, and now Big Papa:D


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    #7971
    connachta
    Registered Users Posts: 7,964 ✭✭✭connachta


    It's not like we were like Montpellier with too much mass around the park.

    Roux, Robb, Daly, and now Sullivan and Papali'i are the 5 only among 43 who are above average corpulence
    McAllister for a LH slightly maybe, and Kenny but he may slim a bit
    let's admit 7 heavy guys

    on the other hand, Healy, Heff, Aungier, Thornbury, Dowling, Murray, Oliver, Butler, Porsh have huge qualities but not physical guys (Boyle to a lesser extent I admit)

    So we have (now, with this big n°8), a better balanced squad


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    #7972
    Lucas44
    Registered Users Posts: 379 ✭✭Lucas44


    connachta wrote: »
    Right about Butler at 7
    Boyle is too light to play there. I don't think everyone should be Nick Williams but between 108 kg (Boyle and Butler), and him (130kg),
    there are the mobile ball-carrying 8s I love, 115-120kg, Big George, and now Big Papa:D

    Jesus you really are obsessed with players weights😂 il be more impressed by what he does on a pitch for Connacht more so than the number that appears on the scale.. don’t set the expectations too high there’s a reason he hasn’t played super rugby


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    #7973
    connachta
    Registered Users Posts: 7,964 ✭✭✭connachta


    Lucas44 wrote: »
    Jesus you really are obsessed with players weights�� il be more impressed by what he does on a pitch for Connacht more so than the number that appears on the scale.. don’t set the expectations too high there’s a reason he hasn’t played super rugby




    The reason is because he chose to play XIII until recently


    I don't say he's player of the year.
    I say he brings a profile comparable to Naoupu's. And it's very worthy in our quite light pack


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    #7974
    Wegians89
    Registered Users Posts: 3,446 ✭✭✭Wegians89


    The Friend Zone
    Just to let you know Connachta most of those published weights for players are probably way off, Marmion had a weight put down for him at one point and There was no way he was that heavy, can’t remember the figure exactly.


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    #7975
    Former Former
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,728 ✭✭✭Former Former


    You've got a Friend in me
    connachta wrote: »
    The reason is because he chose to play XIII until recently

    But even then, he was playing semi-pro level.

    Like, best of luck to the guy but it's an odd signing.


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    #7976
    thomond2006
    Registered Users Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Some Like It TOH
    He was a signing at short notice to fill a gap. If he stays fit and makes a few appearances he's done as much as you can expect for the CV. There will potentially be an upgrade available from another province in 2021.


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    #7977
    connachta
    Registered Users Posts: 7,964 ✭✭✭connachta


    thomond2006 wrote: »
    He was a signing at short notice to fill a gap. If he stays fit and makes a few appearances he's done as much as you can expect for the CV. There will potentially be an upgrade available from another province in 2021.




    Think you underestimate his role. He's a beast. Like Nick Williams. We don't ask much more to him, Ulstermen did not either to N.W, we need this ball-carrying abilities.


    How long haven't you seen a Connacht forward

    1) putting another forward on his arse
    2) offloading when tackled by another 2 forwards


    Naoupu was the last one to do this. 1 specific profile of this type (I don't say all forwards) was badly needed


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    #7978
    Bazzo
    Registered Users Posts: 7,047 ✭✭✭Bazzo


    Mul, it's over
    I think it's fair to say that now that we have the next Billy Vunipola on the way we should be a much more formidable outfit.


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    #7979
    connachta
    Registered Users Posts: 7,964 ✭✭✭connachta


    Bazzo wrote: »
    I think it's fair to say that now that we have the next Billy Vunipola on the way we should be a much more formidable outfit.


    exactly:cool::cool:


    more seriously, we have a more balanced squad, that's all I keep saying


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    #7980
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,061 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    The Friend Zone
    We'll just have to see if he will be allowed to / be fit enough to loiter in the back field for receiving kicks like he is in those clips. Also, he makes good breaks running an outside in line off rucks, will he be able to reproduce that against top level defenses?


    Hopefully he can, but as yet he's unproven at this level.


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    #7981
    connachta
    Registered Users Posts: 7,964 ✭✭✭connachta


    sydthebeat wrote: »
    We'll just have to see if he will be allowed to / be fit enough to loiter in the back field for receiving kicks like he is in those clips. Also, he makes good breaks running an outside in line off rucks, will he be able to reproduce that against top level defenses?


    Hopefully he can, but as yet he's unproven at this level.




    My main issue is will he adapt to wet and slow rythm...


This discussion has been closed.
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