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

RobbieRuns · 24-10-2016 11:34am

Marc O Polo wrote: »

From what I heard (pure rumours) bundie has more interest in playing for Samoa rather then the all blacks! Very little interest in playing for Ireland which I actually find quite refreshing!

Same............ lots of respect for him as a player, if he is honest about not wanting to play for Ireland I will have more respect for him.

KBurke85 · 24-10-2016 11:43am

Bundee's tweet whatever it was about has since been deleted

MarinersBlues · 24-10-2016 11:53am

I would still be hopeful that Bundee would stay.
I can't for the life of me see why it would happen, but, if he moves to another province I will have a conniption.

Apart from that, if he leaves it'll be "Thank you very much and all the best!". We are gone past the stage of flagship signings in a mediocre team, and are about building a decent squad now. I'm sure Connacht have a cost/benefit analysis done on Bundee and we probably couldn't justify matching France/England financially. You'd hope we have more than money to offer for any player. It's up to him to make the right decision for him and his family, whatever that may be.
If he leaves the silver lining will be that we'll have more money to develop and strengthen the team.

Longer term, as long as Carolan keeps doing a stellar job for us in the academy and we get one or two central contracts on the books (TOH, Niyi, Buckley and Bealham I'm looking at ye) we are facing the right direction.

BUILD BUILD BUILD - don't go bust!

connachta · 24-10-2016 12:36pm

Interesting to see mitch Lam played 12 against London Irish. If he fits in well in Ireland, he might be prepared to be the next Bundee...

connachta · 24-10-2016 1:22pm

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

I think having Ronaldson there to kick for goal has made a massive impact on Carty's general play. He's not nailing a crossfield like that at the start of the season. Even in poor games he has always been able to spot gaps, his defending has always been as good as any back we've had bar a few, but now he doesn't have the pressure of kicking points. I think it's done his confidence the world of good and it's great to think he could give Boschoff a real fight for 10.

Totally agree. Asked earlier for releasing Carty from the tee-burden, and was delighted when Craig took and nailed the 1st touchline conversion. Carty looks so inspired in open play, when he can forget the "mind game". Could compete with Boshoff. The latter simply has to start when Ronaldson is off, Carty should never kick to the post again, and just focus on what he can be so brillant at.

Bazzo · 24-10-2016 1:30pm

Great result yesterday

Breakdown could still use some work. If Marmion wasn't so quick to the ball every time we'd have been in bother a few times and a better team than Zebre would have been making hay with all the unprotected rucks, but besides that a really good performance. Things started getting a bit broken up with the mass substitutions but that's to be expected. Thought DOC put it well on BT "A workmanlike performance from Connacht."

connachta · 24-10-2016 1:39pm

Bazzo wrote: »

Great result yesterday Breakdown could still use some work. If Marmion wasn't so quick to the ball every time we'd have been in bother a few times and a better team than Zebre would have been making hay with all the unprotected rucks, but besides that a really good performance.

Agree again. Even against 14-man Zebre we conceeded far too much turnovers. Main area to work on. And please, a fit Buckley until the end of the season. Please

connachta · 24-10-2016 5:06pm

Love how lost the commentator was about Poolman wearing a jersey without number. He had no idea who the guy was for 25 minutes and tried to go out of jail with "good move on the right side" etc...

wp_rathead · 24-10-2016 6:15pm

ClanofLams · 24-10-2016 7:34pm

Craig Ronaldson has been superb the last few weeks, he might be playing the best rugby of his career which is pretty insane considering six month layoff. If it was a different time he'd be in the Ireland squad but unfortunately for him, lot of centre options around at the moment.

Also I knows it's not much of a sample but his goal kicking has definitely never been better.

Adbrowne · 24-10-2016 8:19pm

murray kinsella reporting Aki is to sign a new contract with Connacht

dropping_bombs · 24-10-2016 8:19pm

The 42 are reporting that bundee is set to sign a new contract, with a possible announcement within the next two weeks. Hopefully their sources are correct!

Edit: I was too slow off the mark.

b.gud · 24-10-2016 8:23pm

Bundee Aki set to sign new contract to stay with Connacht http://the42.ie/3044263

Clegg · 24-10-2016 8:23pm

It's great for Connacht if he signs but I hope to God he never plays for Ireland. Sick of this project player nonsense. We've enough good centres as it is.

wp_rathead · 24-10-2016 8:26pm

I trust Murray Kinsella over Pundit Arena, but still no named sources or quotes so i'll take this with grain of salt until any official confirmation

Neil3030 · 24-10-2016 8:26pm

Clegg wrote: »

It's great for Connacht if he signs but I hope to God he never plays for Ireland. Sick of this project player nonsense. We've enough good centres as it is.

I see you're not too fond of these things called World Cups, so?

Zzippy · 24-10-2016 8:31pm

Clegg wrote: »

It's great for Connacht if he signs but I hope to God he never plays for Ireland. Sick of this project player nonsense. We've enough good centres as it is.

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Diabhal Beag · 24-10-2016 8:33pm

Not getting my hopes up to be heartbroken again but also very exciting about Robbson as a centre partnership. A blissful state of pessimism I calls it.

b.gud · 24-10-2016 8:34pm

wp_rathead wrote: »

I trust Murray Kinsella over Pundit Arena, but still no named sources or quotes so i'll take this with grain of salt until any official confirmation

I generally would be the same but Murray is usually very selective about rumours that he prints and usually they've been right.

You're right though, nothing is official until the announcement but this is definitely making me feel a bit happier

24-10-2016 8:36pm

Id say Bundee must be getting a central contract. No coincidence that the IRFU move on both him and Joe on the same day, must have been crunch time and they needed to pay out.

As I said yesterday, Bundee may have known a decision was immenent and wanted to fly a few kites to make sure there was no doubt about his willingness to walk. The fact he deleted the tweets only reinforces this. Good man, hope he gets all he deserves.

Clegg · 24-10-2016 8:46pm

Rumours today about Lancaster becoming Leinster's DoR. That alongside the Schmidt announcement and possibly Aki contract extension suggests an IRFU move to shore up things longer term for the provinces and the test side. Hope these rumours prove true.

Bazzo · 24-10-2016 8:56pm

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Not getting my hopes up to be heartbroken again but also very exciting about Robbson as a centre partnership. A blissful state of pessimism I calls it.

Same. I'd be very very happy but until there are official announcements I won't get my hopes up about any rumours.

testtech05 · 24-10-2016 9:06pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Id say Bundee must be getting a central contract. No coincidence that the IRFU move on both him and Joe on the same day, must have been crunch time and they needed to pay out.

As I said yesterday, Bundee may have known a decision was immenent and wanted to fly a few kites to make sure there was no doubt about his willingness to walk. The fact he deleted the tweets only reinforces this. Good man, hope he gets all he deserves.

Was wondering today is there any chance one of the guys could have got a hold of his phone and started messing around on Twitter after a few jars last night?

typhoony · 24-10-2016 9:06pm

unfortunately breaking news guys, a Russian Oligarch has swooped in and taken Bundee from under our noses, he loved the cold and snow so much in Krasnofreezeyourbollocksov that he has signed for Enisei-STM for the next 5 years

ClanofLams · 24-10-2016 9:15pm

Would be a huge statement to keep Aki. Equally as important as his on field contribution would be the message it sends. Far easier to retain and recruit top players when one of the most sought after players in Europe renews.

MayoForSam · 24-10-2016 9:28pm

typhoony wrote: »

unfortunately breaking news guys, a Russian Oligarch has swooped in and taken Bundee from under our noses, he loved the cold and snow so much in Krasnofreezeyourbollocksov that he has signed for Enisei-STM for the next 5 years

Mayo for Sam, Bundy for Connacht!

MarinersBlues · 24-10-2016 9:30pm

typhoony wrote: »

unfortunately breaking news guys, a Russian Oligarch has swooped in and taken Bundee from under our noses, he loved the cold and snow so much in Krasnofreezeyourbollocksov that he has signed for Enisei-STM for the next 5 years

As long as its not Munster I don't give a ****!

young bullock · 24-10-2016 10:46pm

announcement as soon as tmoro aparantly

Zzippy · 24-10-2016 11:24pm

young bullock wrote: »

announcement as soon as tmoro aparantly

Pints in O'Connells at 5 lads?

connachta · 25-10-2016 8:20am

b.gud wrote: »

Bundee Aki set to sign new contract to stay with Connacht http://the42.ie/3044263

BOOOOOOOOOOOM whatever the tweets were

Bazzo · 25-10-2016 8:30am

Independent running with the Bundee staying story and throwing Dillane in as possibly staying too.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-rugby/connacht-boost-as-aki-set-to-commit-to-bumper-deal-and-dillane-could-follow-35158794.html

connachta · 25-10-2016 8:45am

Bazzo wrote: »

Independent running with the Bundee staying story and throwing Dillane in as possibly staying too.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-rugby/connacht-boost-as-aki-set-to-commit-to-bumper-deal-and-dillane-could-follow-35158794.htm

Redo91 · 25-10-2016 8:56am

Bazzo wrote: »

Independent running with the Bundee staying story and throwing Dillane in as possibly staying too.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-rugby/connacht-boost-as-aki-set-to-commit-to-bumper-deal-and-dillane-could-follow-35158794.html

He's fairly changed his tune! What a joke of a journalist!

connachta · 25-10-2016 9:45am

Redo91 wrote: »

Bazzo wrote: »

Independent running with the Bundee staying story and throwing Dillane in as possibly staying too.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-rugby/connacht-boost-as-aki-set-to-commit-to-bumper-deal-and-dillane-could-follow-35158794.html

He's fairly changed his tune! What a joke of a journalist!

Now, they're saying Henshaw is willing to sign back, but Lam turn him down because Robb is too good

MarinersBlues · 25-10-2016 9:52am

Redo91 wrote: »

Bazzo wrote: »

Independent running with the Bundee staying story and throwing Dillane in as possibly staying too.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-rugby/connacht-boost-as-aki-set-to-commit-to-bumper-deal-and-dillane-could-follow-35158794.html

He's fairly changed his tune! What a joke of a journalist!

In fairness all he ever reported was that Munster were interested in Dillane and Aki.
http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/munster-rugby/munster-line-up-sensational-swoop-for-connacht-duo-35088085.html
It would seem that they were at least talking to both. I wouldn't say he was wrong.

I'm just waiting to see what spin PA put on it

MarinersBlues · 25-10-2016 11:05am

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/irfu-move-to-secure-bundee-aki-as-foreign-clubs-hover-1.2674799

I posted this article at the time, it goes a long way to explaining why Bundee might have moved over his family during the Summer but also decided to tell everyone he wants to play for Samoa.

I think we won't see Nucifora talking to the media much any more.