Ulster Team Talk Thread IV... Go On My Henderson...

launish116 · 27-01-2021 6:25pm

awec wrote: »

Really?

Just think he’s to mobile and skilful to be doing the hard yards at 8!

awec · 27-01-2021 6:28pm

launish116 wrote: »

Just think he’s to mobile and skilful to be doing the hard yards at 8!

I'd say he'll play 8 for us. He'll play 6 a lot too I'm sure as we aren't going to get 80 minutes from Nakarawa every week.

Paul Smeenus · 27-01-2021 6:40pm

6. Nakarawa
7. Reidy
8. McCann

launish116 · 27-01-2021 6:43pm

bilston wrote: »

McCann could play 6/7 for a year with a few games at 8 when Nakarawa plays second row. It's a one year deal as well...McCann is only 20, so I'm not worried about him not getting game time because of this.

Agree with this, big ask for a 21 year old to hold down 8 especially in a team as reliant as Ulster for ball carrying.

Just think he’d be better suited to blindside and given room to roam. Rather than a traditional ball carrying no8.

Ideally Allison would get his act together and push on.

FACECUTTR · 27-01-2021 6:46pm

What a fantastic signing by Ulster !

bilston · 27-01-2021 7:14pm

launish116 wrote: »

McCann is not a 8!

???

He is an 8, but he can play anywhere in the back row.

irishbucsfan · 27-01-2021 8:00pm

Nucifora must be on holiday

launish116 · 27-01-2021 9:23pm

So is that business done? Only departures left?

No raid of Leinster stalks by the looks of it.

bilston · 28-01-2021 12:25am

launish116 wrote: »

So is that business done? Only departures left?

No raid of Leinster stalks by the looks of it.

Possibly.

Do we need a 10 if Johnston moves on? Or do we go with Burns, Madigan and Lowry as a 3rd choice 10? Doak can play 10 as well I believe.

We also need to see what happens with Carter. I expect we will try and keep him, but if he were to move on then he would need replaced.

launish116 · 28-01-2021 1:12am

bilston wrote: »

Possibly.

Do we need a 10 if Johnston moves on? Or do we go with Burns, Madigan and Lowry as a 3rd choice 10? Doak can play 10 as well I believe.

We also need to see what happens with Carter. I expect we will try and keep him, but if he were to move on then he would need replaced.

Word seems to be Carter is staying, no reinforcements from Leinster.

Really only waiting for Henderson and word on departures?

Curtis could cover 10 also I guess

Paul Smeenus · 28-01-2021 1:45am

bilston wrote: »

Possibly.

Do we need a 10 if Johnston moves on? Or do we go with Burns, Madigan and Lowry as a 3rd choice 10? Doak can play 10 as well I believe.

We also need to see what happens with Carter. I expect we will try and keep him, but if he were to move on then he would need replaced.

Is Johnston's contract actually up?

Paul Smeenus · 28-01-2021 1:52am

As someone else pointed out in T'Other Forum, Dan would have coached Leone during his first Glasgow stint.

Buer · 28-01-2021 8:59am

To be a miserable sod (it comes so naturally) and sound a cautionary note on Nakarawa, I'd be very surprised if he's close to the player that won European POTY three years ago. He made a sub appearance last week; his first time setting foot on a pitch in 11 months. He had a troublesome knee injury during that time and the Glasgow staff have also admitted that his fitness was frustratingly lacking when he came back from Fiji in September/October and that delayed his return further.

He's about to turn 33. I think a 1 year deal is the right move for him and, as Paul says, McFarland knows him and will hopefully get the best out of him. But I would not be shocked if he turns out to be solid rather than spectacular. He certainly isn't going to be a like for like replacement with Coetzee who was a workhorse at 8.

It will be interesting to see what the first choice 4-8 looks like...Henderson, Carter, Nakarawa and two from Reidy, McCann and Murphy?

Paul Smeenus · 28-01-2021 9:27am

Buer wrote: »

To be a miserable sod (it comes so naturally) and sound a cautionary note on Nakarawa, I'd be very surprised if he's close to the player that won European POTY three years ago. He made a sub appearance last week; his first time setting foot on a pitch in 11 months. He had a troublesome knee injury during that time and the Glasgow staff have also admitted that his fitness was frustratingly lacking when he came back from Fiji in September/October and that delayed his return further.

He's about to turn 33. I think a 1 year deal is the right move for him and, as Paul says, McFarland knows him and will hopefully get the best out of him. But I would not be shocked if he turns out to be solid rather than spectacular. He certainly isn't going to be a like for like replacement with Coetzee who was a workhorse at 8.

It will be interesting to see what the first choice 4-8 looks like...Henderson, Carter, Nakarawa and two from Reidy, McCann and Murphy?

No, we're certainly not getting him at his peak. We will have to temper our expectations slightly.

But if he plays for us five times, that's more than Coetzee was able to line out in his first season.

bilston · 28-01-2021 9:39am

Buer wrote: »

To be a miserable sod (it comes so naturally) and sound a cautionary note on Nakarawa, I'd be very surprised if he's close to the player that won European POTY three years ago. He made a sub appearance last week; his first time setting foot on a pitch in 11 months. He had a troublesome knee injury during that time and the Glasgow staff have also admitted that his fitness was frustratingly lacking when he came back from Fiji in September/October and that delayed his return further.

He's about to turn 33. I think a 1 year deal is the right move for him and, as Paul says, McFarland knows him and will hopefully get the best out of him. But I would not be shocked if he turns out to be solid rather than spectacular. He certainly isn't going to be a like for like replacement with Coetzee who was a workhorse at 8.

It will be interesting to see what the first choice 4-8 looks like...Henderson, Carter, Nakarawa and two from Reidy, McCann and Murphy?

Get out of here Buer!

Nah...I can see your point, and a mate whatsapped me the same point yesterday.

His age isn't a consideration for me...33 isn't that old given it is a one year deal...it would be more the lack of game time at Racing that I'd be a bit worried about. All the same I'd wager he is an upgrade for us and I'm sure he is capable of big performances.

thomond2006 · 28-01-2021 9:57am

I'd agree with Buer. A lot of the reaction online seems to ignore that Nakarawa's exceptional performances that built his profile came a few years ago.

Much like Madigan's initial contract, a one year deal is appropriate.

Buer · 28-01-2021 10:04am

On the plus side, I'm sure Ulster are compensating Nakarawa accordingly and the difference between a year of him versus the last year of Coetzee has facilitated some of those extensions we saw yesterday.

It could be an incredibly shrewd piece of business in that regard.

Paul Smeenus · 28-01-2021 10:11am

Buer wrote: »

On the plus side, I'm sure Ulster are compensating Nakarawa accordingly and the difference between a year of him versus the last year of Coetzee has facilitated some of those extensions we saw yesterday.

It could be an incredibly shrewd piece of business in that regard.

Agree with that. We're better with him than not.

And I'd say Coetzee's final year salary + sweetener money from Bulls to buy him out >>>>> Nakarawa's one year contract.

Think there's some canny manoeuvring in Ulster HQ.

bilston · 28-01-2021 10:41am

One year gives McCann time to develop, and hopefully allows the pandemic to settle down, get fans back, and maybe put us in a better financial position to look for someone younger from 2022-2025 or so. Or better still develop some more of our own. Sheridan looked more than decent in the A game, and Reuben Crothers has a good reputation in the Academy, not sure about Allison anymore. Also Reidy and Murphy have a few more years left in the tank as well.

bayern · 28-01-2021 10:42am

bilston wrote: »

One year gives McCann time to develop, and hopefully allows the pandemic to settle down, get fans back, and maybe put us in a better financial position to look for someone younger from 2022-2025 or so. Or better still develop some more of our own. Sheridan looked more than decent in the A game, and Reuben Crothers has a good reputation in the Academy, not sure about Allison anymore. Also Reidy and Murphy have a few more years left in the tank as well.

surely one of the leinster backrows will be ready to leave this time next year too.

Maybe 3rd time lucky approaching Conan.

launish116 · 28-01-2021 11:29am

bayern wrote: »

surely one of the leinster backrows will be ready to leave this time next year too.

Maybe 3rd time lucky approaching Conan.

Would hope by end of next season McCann, Rea Jnr & Jones would be regular first team players. It’s really now or never you’d think for Leinster players. Commit now and take the chance while it’s there.

awec · 28-01-2021 11:31am

launish116 wrote: »

Would hope by end of next season McCann, Rea Jnr & Jones would be regular first team players. It’s really now or never you’d think for Leinster players. Commit now and take the chance while it’s there.

No Leinster players are leaving, or at least none are moving to us.

launish116 · 28-01-2021 11:41am

awec wrote: »

No Leinster players are leaving, or at least none are moving to us.

So I hear, just think it’s a now or never approach needed! The opportunity is there for the taking now not the following season.

Then again wouldn’t be first time a last minute move has happened on Leinster.

bilston · 28-01-2021 11:50am

bayern wrote: »

surely one of the leinster backrows will be ready to leave this time next year too.

Maybe 3rd time lucky approaching Conan.

Signing 2nd or 3rd choice Leinster back rows is not a sustainable approach for the future. How can we be better than Leinster if we rely on their leftovers?

We need to develop our own and bring in two or three NIQs in the right position...the odd player from other provinces where there is an obvious need is fine. But having a squad of 8 or 9 ex Leinster players is not going to win us anything IMO. Although it might get us to semi finals and finals.

launish116 · 28-01-2021 4:33pm

Gilroy one year.

Paul Smeenus · 28-01-2021 4:53pm

Presumably Faddes must be gone, then.

Paul Smeenus · 28-01-2021 5:08pm

This place seems pretty calm given the Stander to Bordeaux rumours.

Paul Smeenus · 28-01-2021 5:09pm

Full contract for Marcus Rea. only one year though?

bayern · 28-01-2021 5:10pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Full contract for Marcus Rea. only one year though?

given how little senior time he has gotten, it's hardly surprising..

surely McCann will be getting promoted?

Paul Smeenus · 28-01-2021 5:24pm

Wouldn't be surprised to see McCann get a full two year contract.

Ulster Team Talk Thread IV... Go On My Henderson...

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