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

Paul Smeenus · 08-05-2019 9:16am

launish116 wrote: »

Kerp forgetting about Curtis, he always impressed when I saw him. Definitely more a 12. Am i right in thinking he was stood down due to concussion for the season? Aint seen any mention in ages?

That's right - a couple of bangs to the noggin earlier in the season and they've given him the test if the season off as a cautionary measure, I think.

bilston · 08-05-2019 10:52am

Johnston was a lot more impressive than McPhillips in the 2016 JWC team. He just kept getting injured. But based on that he would be an upgrade on McPhillips.

McPhillips should try 15 or maybe 12. He's talented, but not consistent enough at 10.

Squidgy Black · 09-05-2019 5:52pm

bilston · 09-05-2019 10:40pm

Stuart McCloskey won player of the year tonight. Eric O'Sullivan was Young Player of the Year.

Locke_Lamora · 09-05-2019 11:04pm

Seems fair to me. McCloskey has logged a lot of minutes and has been fantastic throughout the year. Baloucoune has had a great breakout year, but O'Sullivan has been a revelation for us.

troyzer · 09-05-2019 11:07pm

Would Henderson be the favourite for Ulster captain now?

bilston · 09-05-2019 11:14pm

troyzer wrote: »

Would Henderson be the favourite for Ulster captain now?

I would have thought so. Coetzee might be a possibility too.

troyzer · 09-05-2019 11:16pm

bilston wrote: »

troyzer wrote: »

Would Henderson be the favourite for Ulster captain now?

I would have thought so. Coetzee might be a possibility too.

Is Coetzee a bit of a merc though? He doesn't strike me as the hardcore lifer you hand the captaincy to.

Maybe I'm wrong. I just can't picture him playing in Ulster forever.

Paul Smeenus · 09-05-2019 11:47pm

troyzer wrote: »

Is Coetzee a bit of a merc though? He doesn't strike me as the hardcore lifer you hand the captaincy to.

Maybe I'm wrong. I just can't picture him playing in Ulster forever.

Dunno about lifer, but he signed a three year contract in Feb, so we won't lose him any time soon. Apparently Ulster sticking by him during his two years injured means a great deal to him.

launish116 · 10-05-2019 7:51am

bilston wrote: »

Stuart McCloskey won player of the year tonight. Eric O'Sullivan was Young Player of the Year.

Fair to say very tight call on a few of those awards

Buer · 10-05-2019 8:49am

troyzer wrote: »

Is Coetzee a bit of a merc though? He doesn't strike me as the hardcore lifer you hand the captaincy to.

Maybe I'm wrong. I just can't picture him playing in Ulster forever.

No non-Irish eleigible player will ever play for a province for the rest of their career unless they're someone like Muller who arrives when he's 30 and announces his retirement at 33.

But that didn't stop Ulster making him captain and it was the right call. Just as it was when they made Pienaar captain no numerous occasions. I don't see why they wouldn't strongly consider Coetzee. He's arguably the best player at the province, captained the Sharks in the past, would be available throughout the 6N and has committed to the province long term.

bilston · 10-05-2019 10:56am

troyzer wrote: »

Is Coetzee a bit of a merc though? He doesn't strike me as the hardcore lifer you hand the captaincy to.

Maybe I'm wrong. I just can't picture him playing in Ulster forever.

He's just signed his second 3 year deal until June 2022 with us so I wouldn't call him a mercenary at all.

As a fan I'd rather see Hendy as Captain, but if Coetzee is the best man for the job then it should be him.

Dubinusa · 10-05-2019 3:33pm

Rassie would be mad to omit Coetzee from the springbok squad. Best 8 on the island, imo.

Paul Smeenus · 11-05-2019 9:29am

Had a quick skite through our HEC group games last night over a couple of beers - still had them recorded.

Had forgotten that we beat Racing at home without Hendo or Cooney. Forgotten the insane drama of Leicester away, winning 13-14 and running down the clock in the last five minutes. Just how comfortable we looked against the Scarlets. Forgotten how fantastic Will Addison is!

We just look, for the first time in several years, like a team that is being, y'know, coached. What a great season, silverware or no.

bilston · 11-05-2019 10:06am

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Had a quick skite through our HEC group games last night over a couple of beers - still had them recorded.

Had forgotten that we beat Racing at home without Hendo or Cooney. Forgotten the insane drama of Leicester away, winning 13-14 and running down the clock in the last five minutes. Just how comfortable we looked against the Scarlets. Forgotten how fantastic Will Addison is!

We just look, for the first time in several years, like a team that is being, y'know, coached. What a great season, silverware or no.

The great thing is I think we will be even better next season...if key players stay fit.

Plus Roddy Grant will bring fresh ideas to the forwards too.

One worry I have is that I can see Marcel Coetzee getting a call up to the SA WC squad...listen you can't deny him it if the call comes, but it will probably mean him playing in the Rugby championship in July, so he won't get much chance to rest up anytime soon.

Locke_Lamora · 11-05-2019 10:11am

Yea I was thinking that a call-up could be possible and I'd be delighted for him, but from an Ulster perspective I'm hoping that SA don't want to rock the boat too much so close to the world cup.

What's Roddy Grant's reputation like?

Paul Smeenus · 11-05-2019 12:05pm

We'll just send out Marcus Rea... Nah, obviously Coetzee would be a huge loss. He really started to assert himself in the last third of the season. But I couldn't begrudge him, and he does deserve it.

Also noticed Stockdale diving in with the ball in both hands for his HEC tries...

Think Roddy Grant has been part of the overall improvement in Edinburgh, but McFarland has already had a huge effect. Is Dundon being replaced? Hopefully Carter can help the lineout generally. Even watching those games last night, it's obvious that the lineout is, while significantly better, not as impressive an improvement as those made to our scrum, maul, maul defence and restart receptions.

sydthebeat · 11-05-2019 12:18pm

The bokke are actually pretty stacked in the back row though... Even as good as coetzee is playing.

Kolisi, de toit, vermullen, Loue, whiteley, notshe, the du preez twins.. And even locks who can play in the back row like mostert and snyman.

Hopefully for ulster he's deemed surplus

blackdog1 · 11-05-2019 4:29pm

sydthebeat wrote:

Kolisi, de toit, vermullen, Loue, whiteley, notshe, the du preez twins.. And even locks who can play in the back row like mostert and snyman.

Hes a better back row than any of them with the exception of vermeulen. He's like louw but more physical.

launish116 · 12-05-2019 1:30pm

blackdog1 wrote: »

Hes a better back row than any of them with the exception of vermeulen. He's like louw but more physical.

Would have him over Vermeulen!

awec · 13-05-2019 12:41pm

I see the Schools Cup is getting it's format changed, with a group stage introduced for the lesser schools. They've introduced tiering for the schools. Three schools will be excluded from the competition entirely.

Means more games for the lower ranked teams before they're soundly dumped out of the competition.

awec · 13-05-2019 6:03pm

Lacey and Clancy for Ulster on Friday night.

The Pro14 are some jokers inflicting that pair on us again.

Also have to say having three IRFU referees in a fixture involving an Irish team is some farce.

The Lost Sheep · 13-05-2019 7:01pm

awec wrote: »

I see the Schools Cup is getting it's format changed, with a group stage introduced for the lesser schools. They've introduced tiering for the schools. Three schools will be excluded from the competition entirely.

Means more games for the lower ranked teams before they're soundly dumped out of the competition.

Great idea and next step would be some form of second chance within top cup for all sides. Though its a great first step.

awec wrote: »

Lacey and Clancy for Ulster on Friday night.

The Pro14 are some jokers inflicting that pair on us again.

Also have to say having three IRFU referees in a fixture involving an Irish team is some farce.

Ah stop. Theyre not that bad though Awec they'll be finished up soon enough so dont stop.
Only this way because of lack of more referees from other pro14 nations

awec · 13-05-2019 7:09pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Great idea and next step would be some form of second chance within top cup for all sides. Though its a great first step.

Ah stop. Theyre not that bad though Awec they'll be finished up soon enough so dont stop.
Only this way because of lack of more referees from other pro14 nations

There are 2 second chance trophies, the Schools Bowl and Schools Trophy.

Depending on when you are eliminated you enter one of those.

And yes, they are that bad. They are useless. Clancy reminded us all just a few weeks ago, in fairness we've been spared from the delights of Lacey for a while now. Why not Welsh / Italian / South African refs?

Bazzo · 13-05-2019 7:14pm

So you'd be happy with any of Ben Whitehouse, Jaco Peyper or Marius Mitrea then?

The Lost Sheep · 13-05-2019 7:18pm

awec wrote: »

There are 2 second chance trophies, the Schools Bowl and Schools Trophy.

Depending on when you are eliminated you enter one of those.

And yes, they are that bad. They are useless. Clancy reminded us all just a few weeks ago, in fairness we've been spared from the delights of Lacey for a while now. Why not Welsh / Italian / South African refs?

There is but would rather see more work within the main cup competition and chances within that.
Theyre not that bad.

Bazzo wrote: »

So you'd be happy with any of Ben Whitehouse, Jaco Peyper or Marius Mitrea then?

Marius can be grand a lot of the time
Wont comment on whitehouse and all i'll say on peyper is cant understand how he deals with some foul play incidents as there's been some very very strange decisions around big foul play incidents in his games...

awec · 13-05-2019 7:19pm

Bazzo wrote: »

So you'd be happy with any of Ben Whitehouse, Jaco Peyper or Marius Mitrea then?

Yes.

Bazzo · 13-05-2019 7:22pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

There is but would rather see more work within the main cup competition and chances within that.
Theyre not that bad.

Marius can be grand a lot of the time
Wont comment on whitehouse and all i'll say on peyper is cant understand how he deals with some foul play incidents as there's been some very very strange decisions around big foul play incidents in his games...

I have no issue with the vast majority of refs, was just pointing out that people moan about refs from everywhere

bilston · 13-05-2019 7:45pm

Bazzo wrote: »

So you'd be happy with any of Ben Whitehouse, Jaco Peyper or Marius Mitrea then?

Nothing wrong with Mitrea. Whitehouse is still relatively young. Peyper I can offer no excuse for!

launish116 · 14-05-2019 10:18am

Matt Faddes confirmed

bilston · 14-05-2019 10:58am

launish116 wrote: »

Matt Faddes confirmed

Just seen bits and pieces on YouTube but he looks a good player.

Interesting to note that he visited in 2016. This seems to have been a signing a few years in the making. I wonder did we previously try to get him in as a project.

kingofthekong · 14-05-2019 11:03am

Matt Faddes is absolute quality - that is a very good signing byb Ulster

sydthebeat · 14-05-2019 12:05pm

youre after getting a good 'un there

gonna miss him at the highlanders

Dubinusa · 14-05-2019 12:14pm

Ulster have the makings of a serious squad. If Jack McGrath regains form, they will be very formidable.
I think they will be a force next season and possibly win some silverware.

Squidgy Black · 14-05-2019 12:29pm

Matt Faddes, Sam Carter, Jack McGrath and Milasinovich.

Some really decent signings by Ulster so far to bolster what's seen as a decent young team with potential.

bilston · 14-05-2019 1:44pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Matt Faddes, Sam Carter, Jack McGrath and Milasinovich.

Some really decent signings by Ulster so far to bolster what's seen as a decent young team with potential.

Possibly Bill Johnston as well

briandebum · 14-05-2019 1:53pm

Really can't overstate how much Ulster have turned things around in the space of 1 season. If you take a look at where they are now compared to last season it's night & day.

Some great signings on paper any way, combined with continued progression from the young lads and it should be a seriously competitive squad next year.

A lot of credit has to go to McFarland, just shows how quickly things can change when you nail a coaching choice. On the basis of this season he seems like future international coach material.

bilston · 14-05-2019 9:19pm

Someone on UAFC is suggesting Ludik may be fit for Friday

swiwi_ · 14-05-2019 9:47pm

I reckon Faddes is one of those moneyball signings. And he gives hope to all men with receding hairlines. Ulster putting together a handy squad for 19/20 season.

Squidgy Black · 14-05-2019 10:19pm

swiwi_ wrote: »

I reckon Faddes is one of those moneyball signings. And he gives hope to all men with receding hairlines. Ulster putting together a handy squad for 19/20 season.

Matt Faddes and Will Addison in the same backline. Ulster really flying the banner for male pattern baldness awareness.

bilston · 14-05-2019 10:32pm

Going to do the 1st team/2nd team thing for next season

1st XV. 2nd XV
1 Jack McGrath. 1 Eric O'Sullivan
2 Rob Herring. 2 Adam McBurney
3 Marty Moore. 3 Ross Kane
4 Iain Henderson. 4 Alan O'Connor
5 Sam Carter. 5 Kieran Treadwell
6 Nick Timoney. 6 Matthew Rea
7 Jordi Murphy. 7 Sean Reidy
8 Marcel Coetzee. 8 Marcus Rea
9 John Cooney. 9 Dave Shanahan
10 Billy Burns. 10 Mike Lowry
11 Jacob Stockdale. 11 Rob Lyttle
12 Stuart McCloskey. 12 Angus Curtis
13 Luke Marshall 13 James Hume
14 Matt Faddes. 14 Craig Gilroy
15 Will Addison. 15 Louis Ludik

Others
Kyle McCall
Andy Warwick
Milosevich (sp?)
Tom O'Toole
John Andrew
Matt Dalton
Clive Ross
Greg Jones
Jonny Stewart
Bill Johnston ????
Pete Nelson
Robert Balacoune
Angus Kernohan
Academy players

Looking at our starting XV we could maybe do with improvement at 6. Maybe by the end of next season Marcus Rea will have squeezed his way into the 6 jersey.

Obviously it would be great to have a world class 10 as well.

But it looks better than it has done in a long while.

Burkie1203 · 14-05-2019 10:36pm

bilston wrote: »

Going to do the 1st team/2nd team thing for next season

1st XV. 2nd XV
1 Jack McGrath. 1 Eric O'Sullivan
2 Rob Herring. 2 Adam McBurney
3 Marty Moore. 3 Ross Kane
4 Iain Henderson. 4 Alan O'Connor
5 Sam Carter. 5 Kieran Treadwell
6 Nick Timoney. 6 Matthew Rea
7 Jordi Murphy. 7 Sean Reidy
8 Marcel Coetzee. 8 Marcus Rea
9 John Cooney. 9 Dave Shanahan
10 Billy Burns. 10 Mike Lowry
11 Jacob Stockdale. 11 Rob Lyttle
12 Stuart McCloskey. 12 Angus Curtis
13 Luke Marshall 13 James Hume
14 Matt Faddes. 14 Craig Gilroy
15 Will Addison. 15 Louis Ludik

Robert Balacoune

I think Balacoune will nail down a place in the 23 for big games ahead of Gilroy.

bilston · 14-05-2019 10:51pm

Burkie1203 wrote: »

I think Balacoune will nail down a place in the 23 for big games ahead of Gilroy.

He may well do, although I think fitness permitting next year could be a big one for Rob Lyttle. Either way it illustrates a bit of depth on the wing.

Stockdale
Faddes (utility)
Gilroy
Lyttle
Balacoune
Kernohan
Ludik can play there
Sexton

Paul Smeenus · 16-05-2019 12:18pm

Ulster team to play Glasgow Warriors, Guinness PRO14 semi-final, Scotstoun Stadium, Friday 17th May 2019 (7.35pm):
(15-9): J Stockdale; R Baloucoune, L Marshall, S McCloskey, L Ludik; B Burns, J Cooney;
(1-8): E O’Sullivan, R Best (captain), R Kane, I Henderson, K Treadwell, N Timoney, J Murphy, M Coetzee;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, A Warwick, T O’Toole, A O’Connor, S Reidy, D Shanahan, M Lowry, D Cave.

Best winger in Ireland at FB, with a FB at wing. Not quite sure what's going on.

Other than that, good as it gets, and big congrats to Baloucoune.

launish116 · 16-05-2019 12:23pm

Moore be a big loss.

Paul Smeenus · 16-05-2019 12:28pm

True dat.

jacothelad · 16-05-2019 1:14pm

Lyttle missing out is wrong. If Ludik is selected on the wing it is stupid. Lyttle is probably the most skilled guy in the squad and he is certainly a better wing than Ludik. every time I see Lyttle he displays a fantastic array of abilities.

bilston · 16-05-2019 1:14pm

The Stockdale/Ludik business doesn't make much sense

jacothelad · 16-05-2019 1:23pm

bilston wrote: »

The Stockdale/Ludik business doesn't make much sense

Yes. Ludik is good and versatile. Stockdale at 11. Ludik at 15.....or Lyttle...and Lyttle / Ludik on the bench as cover for all the back spots.

awec · 16-05-2019 1:43pm

I'd guess McFarland is worried about the damage the Glasgow back 3 could do and is going with solid over mercurial.

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

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