Connacht Rugby Thread - Part III - The Violence of the Lams

connemara man

Bazzo wrote: »

Very ungraceful of me but I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a very small twinge of schadenfreude reading how unhappy Leinster were about the move.

Ah but it's very different though. Up and coming promising player is nothing compared to the player a brand was just about to be built on.

wp_rathead

I'll be honest, if it is true what Leinster says about him having signed a development deal and then it being broken it is rather unusual..

FACECUTTR

Great addition to the squad. LH and a lock now and we are in business.

ClanofLams

wp_rathead wrote: »

I'll be honest, if it is true what Leinster says about him having signed a development deal and then it being broken it is rather unusual..

Already agreed is quite different to signed. I would think it may have been verbally agreed with his rep but nothing signed.

connachta

IMO the indication is to triple each positions to be ready for ChampionsCup (45 men in the squad)

it's job done for the backline (assuming SOL and Finn stay)

9) Mamion, Cooney, Blade
10) Boshoff, Carty, SOL
11) Healy, Kelleher, O'Keefe
12) Robb, Ronaldson, McSharry
13) Aki, Griffin, Parata
14) Poolman, Niyi, Finn
15) TOH, Leader, Gaffney

for the forwards we need 3 last signings

1) Buckley, ???, Loughney/Cooney
2) McCartney, Delahunt, Heffernan
3) Bealham, Carey, White
4) Roux, ??? (the mysterious kiwi lock), Qualter
5) Dillane, Browne, Marshall
6) Muldoon, SOB, Connolly
7) Heenan, Fox-Matamua, Rory Moloney
8) Masterson, McKeon, ??? (can't be willie Ryan, just has signed with Ealing)

FACECUTTR

connachta wrote: »

IMO the indication is to triple each positions to be ready for ChampionsCup (45 men in the squad)

it's job done for the backline (assuming SOL and Finn stay)

9) Mamion, Cooney, Blade
10) Boshoff, Carty, SOL
11) Healy, Kelleher, O'Keefe
12) Robb, Ronaldson, McSharry
13) Aki, Griffin, Parata
14) Poolman, Niyi, Finn
15) TOH, Leader, Gaffney

for the forwards we need 3 last signings

1) Buckley, ???, Loughney/Cooney
2) McCartney, Delahunt, Heffernan
3) Bealham, Carey, White
4) Roux, ??? (the mysterious kiwi lock), Qualter
5) Dillane, Browne, Marshall
6) Muldoon, SOB, Connolly
7) Heenan, Fox-Matamua, Rory Moloney
8) Masterson, McKeon, ??? (can't be willie Ryan, just has signed with Ealing)

For me Bent at LH and the kiwi Lock would suffice. We are stacked with back rows so can't see an 8 coming too although I'd like one.

connachta

FACECUTTR wrote: »

connachta wrote: »

IMO the indication is to triple each positions to be ready for ChampionsCup (45 men in the squad)

it's job done for the backline (assuming SOL and Finn stay)

9) Mamion, Cooney, Blade
10) Boshoff, Carty, SOL
11) Healy, Kelleher, O'Keefe
12) Robb, Ronaldson, McSharry
13) Aki, Griffin, Parata
14) Poolman, Niyi, Finn
15) TOH, Leader, Gaffney

for the forwards we need 3 last signings

1) Buckley, ???, Loughney/Cooney
2) McCartney, Delahunt, Heffernan
3) Bealham, Carey, White
4) Roux, ??? (the mysterious kiwi lock), Qualter
5) Dillane, Browne, Marshall
6) Muldoon, SOB, Connolly
7) Heenan, Fox-Matamua, Rory Moloney
8) Masterson, McKeon, ??? (can't be willie Ryan, just has signed with Ealing)

For me Bent at LH and the kiwi Lock would suffice. We are stacked with back rows so can't see an 8 coming too although I'd like one.

Bent is still on contract with Leinster... I'm affraid we entirely rely on Bucley's fitness once more...

FACECUTTR

connachta wrote: »

Bent is still on contract with Leinster... I'm affraid we entirely rely on Bucley's fitness once more...

There were rumblings of Nucifora moving a few players around the Provinces. It would be a loan deal like the Roux/Cooney arrangements.

connachta

Hope you're right. TBH won't be that bad to have exchanged Henshaw to have Kelleher+Bent...

wp_rathead

connachta wrote: »

Hope you're right. TBH won't be that bad to have exchanged Henshaw to have Kelleher+Bent...

.....ah heyyooorrr

connachta

Just realised officially relegated London Irish have a lock called Lloyd, and he's a kiwi, from Auckland just as Pat... Would it be him???

Billysays no

Doing a bit of math as I read it if Connacht win with a try bonus point then they finish top of the league with Leinster second (assuming they win at Treviso with a try bonus point or not). If Glasgow get a losing bonus point Leinster will still finish second with a win at Treviso. If Glasgow get a losing bonus point and a try bonus point then Leinster need a try bonus point at treviso to finish second. So the aim has to be a try bonus point win against Glasgow. With that achieved Glasgow and Leinster will face each others in the semis. Any other result makes things a lot more difficult. Correct?

Robbo

Anyone know what the deal is with ticketing for a potential away Semi? Usual regular season style allocations and Ticketbastard free for all or something more substantial?

wp_rathead

Guessing it's like for the challenge Cup and season ticket get 24 hour priority if we get home semi
Not sure if we away

Funk It

Might be one of my stupider-est ideas, but when I heard about Mafi leaving Bath, he'd be the no.8 that could go really well for Connacht.

Of course ignoring the fact that he's basically annoyed everyone at Bath and is reportedly moving back to Japan.

connachta

I'd Prefer Narraway from London Irish if we have to put money on a NIQ n 8 (don't think it will happen)

Digifriendly

Billysays no wrote: »

Doing a bit of math as I read it if Connacht win with a try bonus point then they finish top of the league with Leinster second (assuming they win at Treviso with a try bonus point or not). If Glasgow get a losing bonus point Leinster will still finish second with a win at Treviso. If Glasgow get a losing bonus point and a try bonus point then Leinster need a try bonus point at treviso to finish second. So the aim has to be a try bonus point win against Glasgow. With that achieved Glasgow and Leinster will face each others in the semis. Any other result makes things a lot more difficult. Correct?

Just one mistake here. Leinster are not at Treviso but at home to them.

Zzippy

Idiot presenter on RTE bringing up the Quins game... "Connacht can win big one-off games". Swifty and the others correcting him... eh no, they've been doing it all season. Typical uninformed BS from O'Brien... :rolleyes:

ClanofLams

Zzippy wrote: »

Idiot presenter on RTE bringing up the Quins game... "Connacht can win big one-off games". Swifty and the others correcting him... eh no, they've been doing it all season. Typical uninformed BS from O'Brien... :rolleyes:

Not watching but not surprised. O'Brien is a joke. Surprised he kept his job after that gambling scandal a few years ago.

Buer

connachta wrote: »

I'd Prefer Narraway from London Irish if we have to put money on a NIQ n 8 (don't think it will happen)

Nah, Narraway is rapidly fading away as a force. He was once such a promising player, similar to Chris Jones at Sale. A really athletic and rangy forward.

He signed a one year extension a couple of weeks ago. He has completely lost his ambition. I can see him winding down for another year or two in a lower league and his career fizzling out. A real case of what could have been.

If Connacht were to look at someone of that profile, they'd be much better off looking at someone like Jordan Crane. He'd never leave to come to Ireland but he's several years younger and is more abrasive and driven on the field.

eezipc

Robbo wrote: »

Anyone know what the deal is with ticketing for a potential away Semi? Usual regular season style allocations and Ticketbastard free for all or something more substantial?

Knowing Connacht, the tickets will go on sale for the season ticket holders during the Glasgow game and on general sale as soon as the final whistle blows.

MarinersBlues

The betting is up!
Powers see us as two point outsiders which is how I would see it.

45% chance of a home semi, I would have taken that a month ago.

BrokenMan

A lot will depend on who's available. If white Aki and Healey are back then -2 sounds OK. If they aren't then those odds are going to change big time.

The Lost Sheep

Cian Kelleher confirmed on a two year deal

http://www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-sign-fullback-cian-kelleher/#ConnachtNews

Buer

It's precisely the sort of move that should happen. He'll benefit from the move as will Connacht. He might have been on the cusp of signing a 2 year development deal in Leinster but the fact is that he'd still find himself fighting with a glut of players for a start.

His style is very much one that would suit Connacht also. He's a free running attacker. He has some real gaps in his game but game time will hopefully improve those.

Zzippy

BrokenMan wrote: »

A lot will depend on who's available. If white Aki and Healey are back then -2 sounds OK. If they aren't then those odds are going to change big time.

Swifty was on Against the Head yesterday evening and he mentioned Aki being back as if it was expected, so I'd say he'll be ok for the weekend. White still being monitored so might be back, didn't know Healy was injured...

Bazzo

Zzippy wrote: »

BrokenMan wrote: »

A lot will depend on who's available. If white Aki and Healey are back then -2 sounds OK. If they aren't then those odds are going to change big time.

Swifty was on Against the Head yesterday evening and he mentioned Aki being back as if it was expected, so I'd say he'll be ok for the weekend. White still being monitored so might be back, didn't know Healy was injured...

*Matt Healy suffered a minor back injury last week to rule him out of selection for the Treviso game.

was the update given at the team announcement last week so with any luck he'll be available.

wp_rathead

As a bit of a Gaffney fanboy I'm worried this will stiffle his progression into the senior squad but it's hard not to be excited about signing Kelleher

b.gud

Pat Lam handed out this sheet at the press conference today

Bazzo

b.gud wrote: »

Pat Lam handed out this sheet at the press conference today

b.gud

Bazzo wrote: »

Need these?


Here's something to cheer you up from your post bank holiday fear. Bundee is running!!!!!!!!!

CatFromHue

Why did Lam hand that out?

RobbieRuns

CatFromHue wrote: »

Why did Lam hand that out?

To show the great job that he and the squad are doing............ less caps than anyone close. Less caps, less money, less experience. Press starting to come up with the "wheels have fallen off" the bandwagon stories.

Only guessing mind !

former total

CatFromHue wrote: »

Why did Lam hand that out?

He was making the point that Connacht are only doing well because they have hardly any internationals, and that they didn't really suffer during the World Cup or Six Nations and that's when they've really made hay.

He went on to say that, with Dillane, White and Marmion breaking through alongside Henshaw and with possibly more to follow in the coming years, people shouldn't expect Connacht to repeat this season's performance any time soon, and that the Treviso game was a sign of things to come.

I'm paraphrasing, obviously.

b.gud

CatFromHue wrote: »

Why did Lam hand that out?

No idea, I guess we'll find out over the next day or 2 when the journos who were there today have there articles published. I saw it on Sportsfile where they said he handed out some sheets and put a picture of that, the site looks to be down for me now so I can't link to it


On the injury front Aki and Healy are back fit again. Buckley and White still unavailable though Lam is hopeful Buckley will be back before the playoffs.

http://www.the42.ie/bundee-aki-fit-glasgow-warriors-connacht-matt-healy-2748291-May2016/

Zzippy

CatFromHue wrote: »

Why did Lam hand that out?

So the press could read it while he's talking and know what he's on about? :P

connachta

b.gud wrote: »

Lam is hopeful Buckley will be back before the playoffs.

http://www.the42.ie/bundee-aki-fit-glasgow-warriors-connacht-matt-healy-2748291-May2016/

Hell yes.

ClanofLams

Worrying how long Nathan White has been out with concussion, must be about 6 weeks now.

b.gud

ClanofLams wrote: »

Worrying how long Nathan White has been out with concussion, must be about 6 weeks now.

Was thinking the same myself, it was against Leinster at home which was 26th of March. That seems like long time to recover from a concussion.

FACECUTTR

b.gud wrote: »

Was thinking the same myself, it was against Leinster at home which was 26th of March. That seems like long time to recover from a concussion.

For his own well being he should not take part again until pre season.

connachta

FACECUTTR wrote: »

b.gud wrote: »

Was thinking the same myself, it was against Leinster at home which was 26th of March. That seems like long time to recover from a concussion.

For his own well being he should not take part again until pre season.

For Connacht well being he has to play the semi-final if he can.

Well Who will go Saturday. Loughney more penalised than Rodney, so I'd go with Bealham/AhYou to start, Loughney JP or Saba on the bench

Billysays no

I did same some time back say that Nathan looked in bad shape coming off the field against Leinster. The fact that he has since not returned would leave you to believe that he is unlikely to return before season end. So we make do with what we have. I do believe that with Aly, Ultan and Finlay returning the scrum will stabalize. I would suggest that Denis is a bigger loss particularly at the breakdown. Probably we must go with Ronan at LH and Finlay at tighhead. Its not ideal and would definitely require Kiernan to recycle quickly. Will be interesting to see if Peter retains his place or Robbie goes in the centre or takes over at fullback. Watching against the head it was a bit unfair that the try where Tiernan was pushed out of the way was given as the Treviso player was clearly in touch. That said by any measurement it was a shabby tackle by Tiernan.

wp_rathead

connachta wrote: »

For Connacht well being he has to play the semi-final if he can.

Well Who will go Saturday. Loughney more penalised than Rodney, so I'd go with Bealham/AhYou to start, Loughney JP or Saba on the bench

His health is paramount connachta
I'd go Bealham and Rodney on Sat also, agree Loughney was under serious pressure last week and Rodney was less worse

connachta

Billysays no wrote: »

I did same some time back say that Nathan looked in bad shape coming off the field against Leinster.

Come on, keep your smugness (revange )

Billysays no

no smugness on that one. he was wobbling badly and didnt seem to know where he was. its not something you want to see anytime

connachta

We all agree. + Nathan is a good guy, devoted to Connacht

connachta

McKeon should be ahead of SOB for his big games experience...
Nobody agrees to drop Niyi rather than Robb?


Anyway mixed feelings. On one hand the scrum won't be a Connacht weapon for the first time since... I don't even know
On the other hand the backline will be a real advantage, full stenght with players at their best. It's also new
I think Dillane and Heenan are game-changers : if the 1st one carries strong, the 2nd one finds his turnover-abilities again, and both push behind our LH is the scrum, then Buckley's absence won't be too damaging.

Billysays no

connachta wrote: »

McKeon should be ahead of SOB for his big games experience...
Nobody agrees to drop Niyi rather than Robb?

people have to be dropped. now i've only said it for years that i don't think robbie makes things happen at fullback and when we need things to happen this weekend it has to be tiernan at fullback. so then its unfair but i think robbie has to join bundee at centre. so that means matt and niyi on the wings. if we have an issue at centre peter/rory can cover. if we have an issue on the wing tiernan can move there and robbie to full back and peter/rory slots in the centre. if we have an issue at fullback then robbie moves there and peter/rory slot into the centre. so peter/rory covers all the needed disaster cominations so i see peter over rory at 23.

as for sob/mckeon you can call that one. myself, i'm a huge sob fan

connachta

Why I'd prefer Robb as 12

cumulative tackling stats since Ulster game

Henshaw 19 missed 10
Aki 16 missed 2
Robb 31 missed 2

Billysays no

wow. was talking to a buddy on sunday and he mentioned that robbie hadnt looked great recently. Jeepers those stats would suggest why