Connacht Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread - Part II

oneofakind32

typhoony wrote: »

not sure of the logistics of it but if Donnybrook was available it would be big advantage if they could train there for a few days.

Oranmore, not quite as far as Donnybrook
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152787626048562.1073741937.115936553561&type=1

freyners

connachta wrote: »

that's why we maybe should have both of them : Leader 13 TOH 15 or Leader 15 TOH 14. It depends if you prefer picking players on inner qualities and recent good shifts, even out of position OR a less experienced/talended player but used to play where he'll be assigned (Finn)

Tbh in if your rating talent as overall your correct but when it comes to talent in playing centre finn is the most talent player available to us at 13. Im a big believer in you play the best player available in that position, not forcing players into other positions just to have them on the team, and, at the moment, I rate Leader as better than TOH

ouncer

freyners wrote: »

Tbh in if your rating talent as overall your correct but when it comes to talent in playing centre finn is the most talent player available to us at 13. Im a big believer in you play the best player available in that position, not forcing players into other positions just to have them on the team, and, at the moment, I rate Leader as better than TOH

Couldn't agree more. Suspect more forcing in evidence for friday

Zzippy

freyners wrote: »

Tbh in if your rating talent as overall your correct but when it comes to talent in playing centre finn is the most talent player available to us at 13. Im a big believer in you play the best player available in that position, not forcing players into other positions just to have them on the team, and, at the moment, I rate Leader as better than TOH

Finn has hardly played for the first team this year, was he injured or does Lam just not rate him, as he's played Poolman and Leader at 13 when Robbie and Aki have been unavailable?

ouncer

All I will say is heed galwaylad. I could also add ignore me but hey☺

ouncer

connachta wrote: »

that's why we maybe should have both of them : Leader 13 TOH 15 or Leader 15 TOH 14. It depends if you prefer picking players on inner qualities and recent good shifts, even out of position OR a less experienced/talended player but used to play where he'll be assigned (Finn)

Connachta, 'inner qualities'. Wtf. Enjoyed that very much☺

freyners

Zzippy wrote: »

Finn has hardly played for the first team this year, was he injured or does Lam just not rate him, as he's played Poolman and Leader at 13 when Robbie and Aki have been unavailable?

I know he was injured at some point but tbh not a clue recently. Im not a huge fan if leader at 13 and hate poolman at 13 so its borne from that i want him in there. Seems to do well fir the eagles

typhoony

i still think our best option at 13 is Mils, so far Poolman hasn't done it and way better on the wing and as for Leader he may be short on confidence. We know that Mils has great defensive positional abilities, leave TOH at FB he deserves another shot after last weekend

also his inner Unagi is the best in the world.:D

S12b

Zzippy wrote: »

Finn has hardly played for the first team this year, was he injured or does Lam just not rate him, as he's played Poolman and Leader at 13 when Robbie and Aki have been unavailable?

My take, he just hasn't shone in training to grab the 13 shirt so Lam has taken the safer option and thrown a more experienced player in there rather than handing a novice the 13 shirt.

I actually think 13 is a spot we need more cover. We have plenty back 3 options and 12's but we're a bit light at 13....Robbie will be gone for a lot of next season and I get the sense Aki is quite prone to injury so I wouldn't like to flog him....that brings us back to the current Poolman, Leader, Finn position....Brendan Macken or Colm O'Shea would add a nice bit of depth and they certainly wouldn't cost much.

b.gud

S12b wrote: »

My take, he just hasn't shone in training to grab the 13 shirt so Lam has taken the safer option and thrown a more experienced player in there rather than handing a novice the 13 shirt.

I actually think 13 is a spot we need more cover. We have plenty back 3 options and 12's but we're a bit light at 13....Robbie will be gone for a lot of next season and I get the sense Aki is quite prone to injury so I wouldn't like to flog him....that brings us back to the current Poolman, Leader, Finn position....Brendan Macken or Colm O'Shea would add a nice bit of depth and they certainly wouldn't cost much.

Didn't Macken sign with some other team recently?

Zzippy

b.gud wrote: »

Didn't Macken sign with some other team recently?

Gone on loan to Gloucester I think

b.gud

b.gud wrote: »

Didn't Macken sign with some other team recently?

It was just a loan dealLeinster’s http://jrnl.ie/1965026

connachta

Leader has defensive weakness for 13, Poolman offensive one, and Muliaina isn't fast enough.. Maybe Finn is the best option after all...

wp_rathead

15. Mils Muliaina
14. Tiernan O’Halloran
13. Danie Poolman
12. Dave McSharry
11. Matt Healy
10. Craig Ronaldson
9. John Cooney
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Mick Kearney
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Jake Heenan
8. George Naoupu

Replacements:

16. Shane Delahunt
17. Ronan Loughney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Andrew Browne
20. Eoghan Masterson
21. Ian Porter
22. Jack Carty
23. Darragh Leader

Unavailable/Injured: Jason Harris-Wright, Sean Henry, Nathan White, Michael Swift, Willie Faloon, Eoin McKeon, Kieran Marmion, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Niyi Adeolokun.

b.gud

Cardiff Blues: 15 Rhys Patchell, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Cory Allen, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Joaquin Tuculet, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Lloyd Williams; 1 Sam Hobbs, 2 Kristian Dacey, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Lou Reed, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 Ellis Jenkins (c), 8 Josh Navidi

Replacements: 16 Rhys Williams, 17 Thomas Davies, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Filo Paulo, 20 Macauley Cook, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Tom Isaacs

Robbo

There was always going to be at least 2 changes in the backs so Pat's gone for the least disruption. I would have liked for Finn to start but happy enough with that.

Cardiff have a reasonably strong team named so it'll be a tight one. I see that Navidi has recovered which is a balls as he always seems to go well against us.

connachta

we've got very few chances against that team. Probably their best, Warburton and Amorosino aside I'm a big fan of Masterson, but Lam made a wise choice, experience needed for this kind of away games

total former

I look at that Cardiff side, and I look at their position in the league, and I just can't square the two. Hopefully for Connacht they won't click just yet.

typhoony

it was their backrow that did all the damage in the 2nd half of the home game, would have preferred Masterson to George, but at least he can be sprung from the bench early. still worried about Poolman at centre.

wp_rathead

If ever we needed a big performance by Mils it's in this one
Need something like Clarkes performance against Toulouse

connachta

wprathead wrote: »

If ever we needed a big performance by Mils it's in this one
Need something like Clarkes performance against Toulouse

Yeah if he does perform, I think our backline (11 to 15), even without Aki/Henshaw, can be slightly superior. 9/10 is international level for them...
Front row will be a key, Baby Rodney has to be back to his level, to help Buck/McCartney to destroy the Cardiff scrum at 100%

S12b

connachta wrote: »

we've got very few chances against that team. Probably their best, Warburton and Amorosino aside I'm a big fan of Masterson, but Lam made a wise choice, experience needed for this kind of away games

total former wrote: »

I look at that Cardiff side, and I look at their position in the league, and I just can't square the two. Hopefully for Connacht they won't click just yet.

Cardiff always have a great team on paper.....but paper is one thing, results are another.....and they're results are always distinctly average.

We have the beating of them in the front 5 and provided we keep that backrow quiet and Ronaldson kicks well.....I think we can get the win.

Funk It

Was supposed to be heading to this, but anyways moving along from that, my mate who's a massive Cardiff fan fears for their front row in this. I'm just hoping Rodney can pull out a performance like he did at home v Saracens.

Another massive part of the pitch to look at will be Cuthbert v Healy, such a massive size difference, will be interesting.

Also would have liked to see Naoupu start from the bench.

Really looking forward to this, could be a key result for us. Lineouts should be better tomorrow night and all.

ouncer

God, but I really dislike that team. 3 fullbacks and no centre cover. I know mils can play in the centre and darragh can play in the centre and dani can play in the centre but are any of them particularly good in the centre.

its_phil

connachta wrote: »

Leader has defensive weakness for 13, Poolman offensive one, and Muliaina isn't fast enough.. Maybe Finn is the best option after all...

What defensive weakness does Leader have in 13?

its_phil

ouncer wrote: »

God, but I really dislike that team. 3 fullbacks and no centre cover.

Tiernan has played the majority of his rugby on the wing and his try last week was a wingers try despite wearing 15. So really the only player out of position is Dani.

evil_seed

ouncer wrote: »

God, but I really dislike that team. 3 fullbacks and no centre cover. I know mils can play in the centre and darragh can play in the centre and dani can play in the centre but are any of them particularly good in the centre.

oh ouncer, when will you start making sense. No cover and then mention the cover

ouncer

ouncer wrote: »

God, but I really dislike that team. 3 fullbacks and no centre cover. I know mils can play in the centre and darragh can play in the centre and dani can play in the centre but are any of them particularly good in the centre.

You talking about Ireland ouncer?

S12b

its_phil wrote: »

What defensive weakness does Leader have in 13?

I'd say it's more in general rather than defensive issues at 13, you wouldn't characterise him as much of a beast in the tackle....I'd say he could be prone to falling off tackles if big lads were sent hard down his channel.....that's just my take on it now.

siltirocker

http://www.connachtrugby.ie/poolman-commits-future-to-connacht-rugby/#ConnachtNews

Poolman 2 year deal!

Robbo

Poolman's signed a new 2 year deal. Delighted with this as I thought things had been too quiet and he was maybe heading off to the Debt Star.

connachta

S12b wrote: »

I'd say it's more in general rather than defensive issues at 13, you wouldn't characterise him as much of a beast in the tackle....I'd say he could be prone to falling off tackles if big lads were sent hard down his channel.....that's just my take on it now.

yeah exactly what I meant. And that's a bigger issue at 13 than it is for a FB

wp_rathead

Beyond delighted we keeping Danie!!!

Bazzo

Quinn Roux has been dropped altogether? That's a bit strange. He's been quiet the last couple of matches but overall I thought he was doing well.

S12b

Hup ya boya, I came on here to post this stat I just saw on twitter about Dani....talk about good timing!!

https://twitter.com/OptaJonny/status/573513789078900736

connachta

S12b wrote: »

Hup ya boya, I came on here to post this stat I just saw on twitter about Dani....talk about good timing!!

https://twitter.com/OptaJonny/status/573513789078900736

May we wish he does those clean breaks against Cardiff, and for once, gets the needed support!

its_phil

S12b wrote: »

I'd say it's more in general rather than defensive issues at 13, you wouldn't characterise him as much of a beast in the tackle....I'd say he could be prone to falling off tackles if big lads were sent hard down his channel.....that's just my take on it now.

Don't think there is any precedent for that line of thinking on Leader, "beast in the tackle" certainly wouldn't be part of the pre-requisite for any center. I'd be more interested in how they fit in a defensive system.

Think it was a bad call picking Mils tomorrow. That 4G surface will demand a quick game and I don't think Mils has that required pace anymore.

S12b

its_phil wrote: »

Don't think there is any precedent for that line of thinking on Leader, "beast in the tackle" certainly wouldn't be part of the pre-requisite for any center. I'd be more interested in how they fit in a defensive system.

That line of thinking comes from lads who have played with him all the way up from underage. He rarely dominates collisions and while you get away with that as last man at 15 where you simply have to take your man down, at 13 it could lead to a lot of half breaks, off-loads etc. Personally, I'd have no issue with Darragh playing 13 but it would be naive to suggest there would be no concerns about him falling off tackles. Lam seems to favour the defensive solidity of Poolman.

its_phil

S12b wrote: »

That line of thinking comes from lads who have played with him all the way up from underage. He rarely dominates collisions and while you get away with that as last man at 15 where you simply have to take your man down, at 13 it could lead to a lot of half breaks, off-loads etc. Personally, I'd have no issue with Darragh playing 13 but it would be naive to suggest there would be no concerns about him falling off tackles. Lam seems to favour the defensive solidity of Poolman.

Huge difference between being last man at 15 and defending at 13. Last man at 15 you're gambling a little bit on what the linebreaker is going to do with all the space available, while at 13 you have the support of a 12 and winger inside. Two completley different positions for defending.

I don't have a problem with Poolman at 13 and am not calling for Leader at 13, I'm simply making the point that I don't think calling him weak defensivley is correct

connachta

its_phil wrote: »

Huge difference between being last man at 15 and defending at 13. Last man at 15 you're gambling a little bit on what the linebreaker is going to do with all the space available, while at 13 you have the support of a 12 and winger inside. Two completley different positions for defending.

I don't have a problem with Poolman at 13 and am not calling for Leader at 13, I'm simply making the point that I don't think calling him weak defensivley is correct

still calling him : Weak defensively at 15. For 13, I think nobody saw him enough there to judge...

thomond2006

siltirocker wrote: »

http://www.connachtrugby.ie/poolman-commits-future-to-connacht-rugby/#ConnachtNews

Poolman 2 year deal!

He turns 26 on Tuesday so he's just coming into his prime. That's a great coup for Connacht as I'm sure Leinster or Munster would gladly have Poolman in their squad.

S12b

Leinster team well capable of doing us a favour against Scarlets.....

15. Zane Kirchner
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Ben Te'o
12. Gordon D'Arcy
11. Luke Fitzgerald
10. Jimmy Gopperth
9. Eoin Reddan

1. Cian Healy
2. Sean Cronin
3. Marty Moore
4. Mike McCarthy
5. Kane Douglas
6. Rhys Ruddock CAPTAIN
7. Dominic Ryan
8. Jack Conan

16. Richardt Strauss
17. Michael Bent
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Tom Denton
20. Josh van der Flier
21. Isaac Boss
22. Noel Reid
23. Dave Kearney

connachta

S12b wrote: »

Leinster team well capable of doing us a favour against Scarlets.....

15. Zane Kirchner
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Ben Te'o
12. Gordon D'Arcy
11. Luke Fitzgerald
10. Jimmy Gopperth
9. Eoin Reddan

1. Cian Healy
2. Sean Cronin
3. Marty Moore
4. Mike McCarthy
5. Kane Douglas
6. Rhys Ruddock CAPTAIN
7. Dominic Ryan
8. Jack Conan

16. Richardt Strauss
17. Michael Bent
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Tom Denton
20. Josh van der Flier
21. Isaac Boss
22. Noel Reid
23. Dave Kearney

+ 2 former Connachtmen, willing to do us a favour;)

wp_rathead

connachta wrote: »

+ 2 former Connachtmen, willing to do us a favour;)

3

connachta

wprathead wrote: »

3

You're adding Reddan in the mix? Don't know if he does remember, 12 years ago^^

Robbo

S12b wrote: »

Leinster team well capable of doing us a favour against Scarlets.....

15. Zane Kirchner
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Ben Te'o
12. Gordon D'Arcy
11. Luke Fitzgerald
10. Jimmy Gopperth
9. Eoin Reddan

1. Cian Healy
2. Sean Cronin
3. Marty Moore
4. Mike McCarthy
5. Kane Douglas
6. Rhys Ruddock CAPTAIN
7. Dominic Ryan
8. Jack Conan

16. Richardt Strauss
17. Michael Bent
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Tom Denton
20. Josh van der Flier
21. Isaac Boss
22. Noel Reid
23. Dave Kearney

connachta

Robbo wrote: »

disgusting!:pac: (and not because of the Leinster's colours)

wp_rathead

That leinster frontrow!!!!!

Robbo

wprathead wrote: »

That leinster frontrow!!!!!

And Healy on a mission since he only got a few minutes last week. I won't have cheered on a Leinster team so much since their semi-final against Clermont.

ouncer

Really hope I'm wrong on this. As s12b pointed out the synthetic pitch will not suit mils. If you take the bench, and on the assumption that dani doesn't have a great game at centre then darragh goes in at centre, dani to wing and tiernan to fb. I simply don't get why conor wasn't at least on bench. Anyways fingers crossed