Connacht V Queensland Reds

Dave Joyce

Although a great result and at times a great performance, there were a lot of things to be worried about for the forthcoming season. Firstly, although there are supposedly new fitness coaches, I thought the Connacht lads looked very tired towards the end of the game (which cost us God knows how many games last year) and Liam Bibo went off with a calf injury which would suggest the possibility of unbalanced fitness training/nuitrition. The worst thing though was there seemed a total lack of (Connacht) discipline towards the end of the game (maybe due to the tiredness???) with a number of penalties and two yellow cards, one of which after conceeding 10metres TWICE, the ref got pissed off with the backchat and sent off a Connacht player. Brilliant game play at times, some great tackling from Mathews, (would have made the Chiropractor proud:)) improved physical conditioning but CV stamina/endurance still a worry and one or two guys STILL need to learn how to tackle properly.

zAbbo

the return key, use it.

Zzippy

Didn't think it was that bad - jeez we won 24-12. Yeah they tired a bit near the end, but I thought overall they defended pretty well. The ref was giving all the decisions one way towards the end - even if there was backchat he didn't have to be so biased. The crowd around me were pretty incensed by how bad he was.
Well impressed by Keatley, Murphy and Carr. Quick ball from Murphy set up a lot of attacks, something we missed last year from scrumhalf. Duffy is also much better suited to centre, looking forward to seeing how Carr does at fullback.

Another thing - all this talk about ELVs and the ball being in play a lot more - didn't notice a significant difference. Also thought Queensland would be fitter having had a season playing ELV rules, but they weren't noticeably fitter than Connacht.

Heroditas

Zzippy wrote: »

Another thing - all this talk about ELVs and the ball being in play a lot more - didn't notice a significant difference. Also thought Queensland would be fitter having had a season playing ELV rules, but they weren't noticeably fitter than Connacht.

The only law change that will impact substantially on the amount of time the ball is in play is the kick to touch law. Apart from that, none of the other laws will affect the amount of time the ball is in play. Even then, the only reason this law keeps the ball in play more is because players will be kicking aimlessly downfield and giving chase.

ELV Nr.4 - If a team puts ball back into its own 22 and the ball is subsequently kicked directly into touch, there is no gain in ground

Hansel

Sounds like a pretty successful preseason for Connacht this year. Great news. Hopefully they can build on it and make some serious progression this year.

Climate Expert

Hansel wrote: »

Sounds like a pretty successful preseason for Connacht this year. Great news. Hopefully they can build on it and make some serious progression this year.

I wouldn't say that. They lost to two div. 1 English sides.

Hansel

Climate Expert wrote: »

I wouldn't say that. They lost to two div. 1 English sides.

But they also beat a Premiership team and a Super 14's side. I'm choosing to pretend the other matches didn't happen so that it doesn't affect my current sunny disposition. All is well in Irish rugby.:D

Zzippy

Climate Expert wrote: »

I wouldn't say that. They lost to two div. 1 English sides.

Hansel wrote: »

But they also beat a Premiership team and a Super 14's side. I'm choosing to pretend the other matches didn't happen so that it doesn't affect my current sunny disposition. All is well in Irish rugby.:D

Pre-season friendlies are meaningless results-wise - losing to poor teams or beating a supposed good team mean feck all - they are much more about giving new players game time, trying players in different positions, and getting an idea of your best XV for the start of the real season. So I wouldn't put too much stock in either losing to Div 1 sides or beating Prem/S14 teams.
However, I am very encouraged having seen some of the new signings in action, and I think it has the makings of a good season for us.

Oh, and I wouldn't worry too much about anything Climate Expert has to say - he seems to specialise in winding people up and making negative comments, from what I've seen on other forums...

Climate Expert

Zzippy wrote: »

Oh, and I wouldn't worry too much about anything Climate Expert has to say - he seems to specialise in winding people up and making negative comments, from what I've seen on other forums...

Talk about my post here if you have a problem and don't bring in other forums.

Amz

Relax the cacks here lads, comment on the post, not on the poster.

Dave Joyce

Yeah they tired a bit near the end,

Exactly, but the season is only STARTING and we're supposed to have had new fitness coaches hired!!

even if there was backchat he didn't have to be so biased.

Hold on, he awarded Reds a penalty, our lads mouthed off, which conceeded a further 10M, which STILL wasn't enough and Rigney (who had a great game up to then) had to go and say something else and got yellow carded. How many times last year did someone of our lads say/do something really stupid that cost us games???

Well impressed by Keatley, Murphy and Carr.

Yea, agree with ya there, Murphy and Carr was extremely good. However, while good in attack, I thought Keatley's defensive abilities are questionable particularly his tackling. However, I thought Gavin Duffy had a VERY poor game.

Zzippy

Dave Joyce wrote: »

Exactly, but the season is only STARTING and we're supposed to have had new fitness coaches hired!!

There's fitness and there's match fitness. It always takes a few weeks for teams to get properly match fit, there is no substitute for playing hard competitive matches to get properly match fit. I wouldn't be too worried about fitness levels yet.

Hold on, he awarded Reds a penalty, our lads mouthed off, which conceeded a further 10M, which STILL wasn't enough and Rigney (who had a great game up to then) had to go and say something else and got yellow carded. How many times last year did someone of our lads say/do something really stupid that cost us games???

Yes, agreed. But there was a period of 10 mins towards the end where he was giving everything to Reds, literally everything. He missed a blatant crossing/interference in midfield that resulted in them gaining 60 yards and almost scoring a try.

Yea, agree with ya there, Murphy and Carr was extremely good. However, while good in attack, I thought Keatley's defensive abilities are questionable particularly his tackling. However, I thought Gavin Duffy had a VERY poor game.

Not sure, he made some good tackles (Keatley), although he was knocked back a few yards on one occasion when he tackled the second row. Otherwise thought he defended well enough, its not like they made huge breaks through a gap in the 10 channel. Duffy blew hot and cold, made some good runs and also some poor decisions when in possession.

[Jackass]

I've high hopes for Connacht this season, I'd love to see them make the step up and qualify for HEC next season. With the new signings, imo they are a better side than Glasgow and Dragons and should be able to do it. fingers crossed.

bamboozle

Just reading the ospreys have brought in one of the super 14s coaches for 3 weeks to assist the existing coaching structure, it would be a great idea to bring in a good southern hemisphere coach on a short term contract during the SH offseason to work as a consultant to review & assess the structures Bradley has in place,

There are a lot of ‘development’ players at Connacht who would benefit hugely from good experienced coaches coming in and adding their knowledge

bipedalhumanoid

As a Queenslander I'm very sorry I missed this game. I didn't even know the Reds were in town. Unfortunately I won't even be able to make it to the Leinster match on Saturday

The Reds have not played well for a long time but well done to Connacht and Ulster anyway. I was not expecting to see a scoreline so incredibly weighted towards one side in either of those games.