Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all! We have been experiencing an issue on site where threads have been missing the latest postings. The platform host Vanilla are working on this issue. A workaround that has been used by some is to navigate back from 1 to 10+ pages to re-sync the thread and this will then show the latest posts. Thanks, Mike.
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

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

24567…210

Comments

  • #52
    molloyjh
    Registered Users Posts: 24,767 ✭✭✭✭molloyjh


    AdamD wrote: »
    Ferg loves a high tackle. Hardly ridiculous to call him dirty.

    Really? How many more high tackles does he commit than others? How many of those are entirely accidental? He plays with a good deal of aggression, that sometimes means that when he gets it a bit wrong it has a greater impact. Thagt doesn't make him a dirty player. Plenty of players commit high tackles. Ringrose has been pinged for it a few times this season. Is he a dirty player too?

    All that aside, it is ridiculous to say that headbutts are in character for him or to say that hes been banned "substantially more" than other wingers.


  • #53
    Buer
    Registered Users Posts: 24,258 ✭✭✭✭Buer


    molloyjh wrote: »
    A dirty act in and of itself does not make a dirty player. Heaslips knee to McCaws back was dirty. Hayes stamping on Cian Healys head was dirty. I doubt anyone would call either of those players dirty though.

    Hayes was as filthy as he was overrated.


  • #54
    Paul Smeenus
    Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭Paul Smeenus


    molloyjh wrote: »
    Substantially more!? When was he last banned and how many times in his career has he been banned. From recollection he received 2 bans in 2016 for a reckless high hit and a reckless stamp. Neither were malicious. I dont recall a ban since and have no recollection of any bans prior to that. If I'm wrong then by all means let me know, but having watched Ferg for 10 years now hes not someone I'd ever describe as dirty.


    He's been banned for six weeks for foul play, not including anything that might come of this.

    That's a month more than Earls has been banned, a month and a half more than Bowe was ever banned, a month and a half more than Trimble was ever banned, and a month and a half more than Gilroy has ever been banned. I think it's a month and a half more than Fitzgerald has been banned, and a month and a half more than Dave Kearney has ever been banned.It's a month and a half more than Stockdale has ever been banned, but that's hardly a fair comparison, given the stages they're at in their careers.

    You are aware "more" is a term than necessitates relativism? Do I think those comparisons merit McFadden being described as being "substantially more" likely to be banned than any of those players? Yes, I 100% stand by "substantially more" (not withstanding three of them have retired...)

    And why are we having this conversation? Because he's been cited again. Look at the figures and the facts. Being cited three times, for a winger, is A LOT. If he's banned, that'll be three bans, which, for a winger, is A LOT.

    I'm talking about verifiable numbers, you're inside Fergus' head, saying you don't think his foul play can be described as "malicious", but "reckless".


  • #55
    Paul Smeenus
    Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭Paul Smeenus


    molloyjh wrote: »
    Let's be clear here, I'm not arguing against a ban or claiming it was anything other than a headbutt or anything remotely like that. I have no sympathy either. Seamus is claiming though that this is entirely within character for Ferg and he has always been a dirty player. This bit is simply not true. That Ferg has been suspended "substantially more" than any other winger is also not true.

    A dirty act in and of itself does not make a dirty player. Heaslips knee to McCaws back was dirty. Hayes stamping on Cian Healys head was dirty. I doubt anyone would call either of those players dirty though.

    I've offered, I think, fairly comprehensive comparative numbers in my previous post.

    If I'm wrong, it should be eminently, objectively provable.


  • #56
    swiwi_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,501 ✭✭✭swiwi_


    Buer wrote: »
    Anyway, Ulster thread and all that jazz...who would win in a fight? Iain Henderson or a polar bear?

    Henderson. Although James Ryan would take down the bear blindfolded without breaking a sweat. Munster fans would claim Beirne would be even better, but he seems to do better against provincial bears and struggles a bit against international ones.


  • #57
    Squidgy Black
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,721 ✭✭✭✭Squidgy Black


    swiwi_ wrote: »
    Henderson. Although James Ryan would take down the bear blindfolded without breaking a sweat. Munster fans would claim Beirne would be even better, but he seems to do better against provincial bears and struggles a bit against international ones.

    Beirne wouldn't have the size to compete at the level of international polar bears, he'll be shown up.


  • #58
    molloyjh
    Registered Users Posts: 24,767 ✭✭✭✭molloyjh


    This is getting ridiculous. He'll have been banned 3 times in over 200 professional appearances. You can try and spin it any way you want, but you're clearly having a massive overreaction to this. His ban ratio would be far better than Balacounes (if I were to get similarly ridiculous), so I'm assuming you'll be keeping a close eye on him to make sure he behaves, right? 3 in > 200 is less than 1.5% whereas 1 from 12 is over 8%. :pac:


  • #59
    Mr Tickle
    Registered Users Posts: 1,165 ✭✭✭Mr Tickle


    Squidgy Black wrote: »
    Beirne wouldn't have the size to compete at the level of international polar bears, he'll be shown up.

    I think you guys are underestimating the unseen anti-polar bear work that Devin Toner does.


  • #60
    Paul Smeenus
    Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭Paul Smeenus


    molloyjh wrote: »
    This is getting ridiculous. He'll have been banned 3 times in over 200 professional appearances. You can try and spin it any way you want, but you're clearly having a massive overreaction to this. His ban ratio would be far better than Balacounes (if I were to get similarly ridiculous), so I'm assuming you'll be keeping a close eye on him to make sure he behaves, right? 3 in > 200 is less than 1.5% whereas 1 from 12 is over 8%. :pac:

    I don't think I'm the one overreacting. This started because I said I had misgivings about Ferg for the international team. Balacoune is nowhere near the international team.

    (I also had quite a detailed post above where I talked about the difference I saw between reds and bans from taking players out in the air, and tip tackles, and "dirty play". But that's neither here nor there, really. I don't want to start an endless argument about that.)

    Look, I don't care. I think McFadden has become a dirty player, and if you disagree, fine. As long as he's not wearing green, it's Leinster's problem.

    But I notice you've dropped your hysteria about the phrase "substantially more".


  • Advertisement
  • #61
    mfceiling
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,861 ✭✭✭✭mfceiling


    Is the bear in captivity or the wild?


  • #62
    Utah_Saint
    Registered Users Posts: 1,816 ✭✭✭Utah_Saint


    molloyjh wrote: »
    Anyway, Ulster thread and all that jazz...who would win in a fight? Iain Henderson or a polar bear?

    Who'd you rather fight..........100 duck sized Henderson's or 1 Henderson sized duck?


  • #63
    Squidgy Black
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,721 ✭✭✭✭Squidgy Black


    Utah_Saint wrote: »
    Who'd you rather fight..........100 duck sized Henderson's or 1 Henderson sized duck?

    Or more appropriately, 100 Rob Lyttle-sized Hendersons, or 1 Henderson-sized Rob Lyttle?


  • #64
    Paul Smeenus
    Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭Paul Smeenus


    Squidgy Black wrote: »
    Or more appropriately, 100 Rob Lyttle-sized Hendersons, or 1 Henderson-sized Rob Lyttle?

    Erm... 1 Henderson-sized Lyttle. I'd rather that than 1 Lyttle-sized Hendo, who'd still be an astonishing freak and able to break you using just his forefingers.

    More pertinently, could we just spray a red hand logo in the polar bear and put him in second row with Hendo?


  • #65
    Sinbad_NI
    Registered Users Posts: 1,059 ✭✭✭Sinbad_NI


    molloyjh wrote: »
    ....
    All that aside, it is ridiculous to say that headbutts are in character for him...

    But he did the headbutt. So it is absolutely 100% in his character.
    No one held his head and moved it. It was his brain doing the moving,
    in the heat of the battle yes, but when the pressure comes on that's when the true character of a person comes out.

    I feel that's a totally different character trait than a poor technique for a high tackle or badly timed impact.
    Apples and oranges for me.


  • #66
    Utah_Saint
    Registered Users Posts: 1,816 ✭✭✭Utah_Saint


    Lyttle has that farmer strength...bit like the Rea's...

    Hopefully lyttle can kick on next year injury free. If he does he would be an outside bet to make the extended 6N squad.


  • Advertisement
  • #67
    bilston
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,808 ✭✭✭✭bilston


    Utah_Saint wrote: »
    Lyttle has that farmer strength...bit like the Rea's...

    Hopefully lyttle can kick on next year injury free. If he does he would be an outside bet to make the extended 6N squad.

    I would agree with this. I think Lyttle has a real chance of getting higher recognition if he stays fit. Whether that's next season or not remains to be seen. Personally I think he is ahead of Balacoune (who is a year younger and less experienced in fairness). In fact I'd say Gilroy will do well to take Lyttle's spot in the team next season.

    Thinking in Ireland terms you have Stockdale, Larmour, Earls, Conway and possibly Lowe (I'm assuming Kearney will drop out after the WC), Adam Byrne is improving all the time as well, but Lyttle could be there or thereabouts.


  • #68
    bilston
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,808 ✭✭✭✭bilston


    Squidgy Black wrote: »
    or 1 Henderson-sized Rob Lyttle?

    That's a good description of Jacob Stockdale


  • #69
    molloyjh
    Registered Users Posts: 24,767 ✭✭✭✭molloyjh


    Sinbad_NI wrote: »
    molloyjh wrote: »
    ....
    All that aside, it is ridiculous to say that headbutts are in character for him...

    But he did the headbutt. So it is absolutely 100% in his character.
    No one held his head and moved it. It was his brain doing the moving,
    in the heat of the battle yes, but when the pressure comes on that's when the true character of a person comes out.

    I feel that's a totally different character trait than a poor technique for a high tackle or badly timed impact.
    Apples and oranges for me.

    The phrase "in character" would mean normal or expected behavior for that person. It was not normal nor expected behaviour for Ferg, therefore it would be deemed out of character.

    I don't disagree with you on the incident in question, how bad it was and how deserving of punishment it is. I disagree that it is something that has been a feature of his career to date. He did something like this in 2016 vs Connacht but that's the only other example of this kind of thing from him. In over 200 professional appearances. Anyway, as already said, this is the Ulster thread.


  • #70
    Bazzo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,047 ✭✭✭Bazzo


    Just fwiw as a couple people have mentioned it I think it's very much eh "divided opinion" on whether McFadden's stamp in 2016 was "simply careless". He got an at the time mid range ban for it having hit White's head 3 times in a row.


  • #71
    Jewelers
    Closed Accounts Posts: 226 ✭✭Jewelers


    ah he isn't the brightest tool in the box is he ? head strap is needed to hold the brain in , doesn't work alot though, a jockstrap might work better


  • Advertisement
  • #72
    Jump_In_Jack
    Registered Users Posts: 3,822 ✭✭✭Jump_In_Jack


    bilston wrote: »
    I would agree with this. I think Lyttle has a real chance of getting higher recognition if he stays fit. Whether that's next season or not remains to be seen. Personally I think he is ahead of Balacoune (who is a year younger and less experienced in fairness). In fact I'd say Gilroy will do well to take Lyttle's spot in the team next season.

    Thinking in Ireland terms you have Stockdale, Larmour, Earls, Conway and possibly Lowe (I'm assuming Kearney will drop out after the WC), Adam Byrne is improving all the time as well, but Lyttle could be there or thereabouts.

    Why adding in Lowe? He’s only here 18 months so far?


  • #73
    bilston
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,808 ✭✭✭✭bilston


    Jump_In_Jack wrote: »
    Why adding in Lowe? He’s only here 18 months so far?

    He will qualify in September 2020 I think. So ok, not next season, but the season after.


  • #74
    Jump_In_Jack
    Registered Users Posts: 3,822 ✭✭✭Jump_In_Jack


    bilston wrote: »
    He will qualify in September 2020 I think. So ok, not next season, but the season after.

    November 2020, he arrived late last season.


  • #75
    Sinbad_NI
    Registered Users Posts: 1,059 ✭✭✭Sinbad_NI


    Bazzo wrote: »
    Just fwiw as a couple people have mentioned it I think it's very much eh "divided opinion" on whether McFadden's stamp in 2016 was "simply careless". He got an at the time mid range ban for it having hit White's head 3 times in a row.

    That’s not pretty at all. Was that 2016? Downright dangerous TBH.

    I’ll revise my sentiment. He’s a dirty player without any caveats.


  • #76
    Utah_Saint
    Registered Users Posts: 1,816 ✭✭✭Utah_Saint


    Anyone for the match on Saturday...?


  • #77
    Paul Smeenus
    Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭Paul Smeenus


    Yep! Can't wait. Nervous, though, especially without Stockcube.


  • #78
    Utah_Saint
    Registered Users Posts: 1,816 ✭✭✭Utah_Saint


    Paul Smeenus wrote: »
    Yep! Can't wait. Nervous, though, especially without Stockcube.

    surprised it hasn't sold out yet. Might grab a ticket but will most likely be driving....any news on Best if he's def playing?


  • #79
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Amazed at the amount of mud slinging in the build up to this game. The Westies over on the Connacht thread have really had some choice remarks for Best, Stockdale or 'Healy-lite' as they like to call him and Pienaar.

    At least there has been nothing like that in this thread...


  • #80
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    According to John Cooney, Kieran Marmion is a "big eejit with terrible hair and the worst accent he's ever heard". Good to see some fighting words between the two big lads.


  • #81
    mfceiling
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,861 ✭✭✭✭mfceiling


    [Deleted User] wrote: »
    According to John Cooney, Kieran Marmion is a "big eejit with terrible hair and the worst accent he's ever heard". Good to see some fighting words between the two big lads.

    He's not far wrong though....


  • Advertisement
  • #82
    Jump_In_Jack
    Registered Users Posts: 3,822 ✭✭✭Jump_In_Jack


    [Deleted User] wrote: »
    According to John Cooney, Kieran Marmion is a "big eejit with terrible hair and the worst accent he's ever heard". Good to see some fighting words between the two big lads.

    Think you meant to post that on the Connacht thread?


  • #83
    launish116
    Registered Users Posts: 2,447 ✭✭✭launish116


    ULSTER

    (15-9): M Lowry; R Baloucoune, L Marshall, S McCloskey, R Lyttle; 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: R Herring, A Warwick, T O’Toole, A O’Connor, S Reidy, D Shanahan, D Cave, A Kernohan.

    CONNACHT

    (15-9) Tiernan O’Halloran, Stephen Fitzgerald, Tom Farrell, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion, (1-8) Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Gavin Thornbury, Eoin McKeon, Colby Fainga’a, Jarrad Butler (Capt).

    Replacements (16-23): Shane Delahunt, Peter McCabe, Conor Carey, Eoghan Masterson, Paul Boyle, Caolin Blade, Tom Daly, Darragh Leader


  • #84
    connachta
    Registered Users Posts: 7,965 ✭✭✭connachta


    It's a 50/50!!


  • #85
    Paul Smeenus
    Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭Paul Smeenus


    Six weeks for McFadden.


  • #86
    Scythica
    Registered Users Posts: 966 ✭✭✭Scythica


    So apparently Lealiifano has received an offer from Ireland...

    Must be us surely?!


  • #87
    launish116
    Registered Users Posts: 2,447 ✭✭✭launish116


    Scythica wrote: »
    So apparently Lealiifano has received an offer from Ireland...

    Must be us surely?!

    Has Faddes fallen through?

    Could be Andy Friend? Didnt Connacht cancel a NIQ contract prior to arrival?


  • #88
    Squidgy Black
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,721 ✭✭✭✭Squidgy Black


    launish116 wrote: »
    Has Faddes fallen through?

    Could be Andy Friend? Didnt Connacht cancel a NIQ contract prior to arrival?

    Yeah Connacht cancelled Sevu Reece's contract before he arrived, are also light on outhalf depth behind Carty.


  • #89
    launish116
    Registered Users Posts: 2,447 ✭✭✭launish116


    Squidgy Black wrote: »
    launish116 wrote: »
    Has Faddes fallen through?

    Could be Andy Friend? Didnt Connacht cancel a NIQ contract prior to arrival?

    Yeah Connacht cancelled Sevu Reece's contract before he arrived, are also light on outhalf depth behind Carty.

    Be interesting to see if he comes back to Ireland. Would be a great edition for any club. Definitelt be happy for him to join us again. Worried about the silence on Faddes.


  • #90
    bilston
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,808 ✭✭✭✭bilston


    Utah_Saint wrote: »
    surprised it hasn't sold out yet. Might grab a ticket but will most likely be driving....any news on Best if he's def playing?

    Decent enough crowd in the end. Over 15k for a bank holiday weekend.


  • Advertisement
  • #91
    launish116
    Registered Users Posts: 2,447 ✭✭✭launish116


    bilston wrote: »
    Decent enough crowd in the end. Over 15k for a bank holiday weekend.

    From a financial point of view? would these 3 additional play off games add much to the war chest? I'm guessing they weren't considered in the accounts for the years forecast?


  • #92
    launish116
    Registered Users Posts: 2,447 ✭✭✭launish116


    Bill Johnston to leave Munster to join Ulster.

    https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/bill-johnson-set-to-move-to-ulster-as-munster-opportunities-dry-up-1.3884160?mode=amp


  • #93
    Locke_Lamora
    Registered Users Posts: 1,340 ✭✭✭Locke_Lamora


    launish116 wrote: »
    Bill Johnston to leave Munster to join Ulster.

    https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/bill-johnson-set-to-move-to-ulster-as-munster-opportunities-dry-up-1.3884160?mode=amp

    It's maybe a little worrying that he couldn't force himself in front of Bleyendaal and Hanrahan, but his injuries could've contributed to that. I've always rated him though and 10 isn't a position we're blessed with depth in, so it's a good (potentially great) signing imo.


  • #94
    Dubinusa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,608 ✭✭✭Dubinusa


    Great news for Ulster. I think he could be really good, if he stays healthy. Good bit of business. Very surprised that Connacht didn't try to get him onboard.


  • #95
    Utah_Saint
    Registered Users Posts: 1,816 ✭✭✭Utah_Saint


    I find this move a bit odd unless mcphilips is leaving?


  • #96
    Burkie1203
    Registered Users Posts: 11,790 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    Bill Johnston to Ulster


  • Advertisement
  • #97
    Paul Smeenus
    Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭Paul Smeenus


    Heard from some in the know that the feeling is McPhilips has stalled and not kicked on.


  • #98
    Squidgy Black
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,721 ✭✭✭✭Squidgy Black


    Paul Smeenus wrote: »
    Heard from some in the know that the feeling is McPhilips has stalled and not kicked on.

    Considering Curtis seems to be getting the nod ahead of him, and his game time dropping off since McFarland joined, I'm not really surprised. Wasn't there talk of him trying to work out a move back to England at the end of last season as well?


  • #99
    Utah_Saint
    Registered Users Posts: 1,816 ✭✭✭Utah_Saint


    We have...burns, lowry and Curtis. Mcphilips if he is staying. I'd be more keen that we try and bring lowry and Curtis through. Another OH would create a bit of a backlog


  • #100
    Paul Smeenus
    Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭Paul Smeenus


    Utah_Saint wrote: »
    We have...burns, lowry and Curtis. Mcphilips if he is staying. I'd be more keen that we try and bring lowry and Curtis through. Another OH would create a bit of a backlog

    Wouldn't be surprised if Curtis is seen more as a Paddy Wallacesque 12. Cave is away, Marshall has settled in to 13, Hume and Addison play at 13 - we're actually a bit short at 12.


  • #101
    launish116
    Registered Users Posts: 2,447 ✭✭✭launish116


    Paul Smeenus wrote: »
    Wouldn't be surprised if Curtis is seen more as a Paddy Wallacesque 12. Cave is away, Marshall has settled in to 13, Hume and Addison play at 13 - we're actually a bit short at 12.

    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?


  • Advertisement
Advertisement