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

BrokenMan

Ronaldson out until Mid January. Feck it.

Mr Tickle

without ronaldson, boshoff or o'leary who covers 10?
and how is this happening again?

tobdom

Mr Tickle wrote: »

without ronaldson, boshoff or o'leary who covers 10?
and how is this happening again?

Good question - if they were adding to their already named CC squads you would have imagined it would have been reported like in this article: http://www.epcrugby.com/news/34060.php#.WEgfYWpDT4Y

So coverage must be coming from what's already there/named. We're light......

b.gud

Mr Tickle wrote: »

without ronaldson, boshoff or o'leary who covers 10?
and how is this happening again?

Maybe Buckley can become a part time out half to go with his part time flanker and part time scrum half roles

Mr Tickle

b.gud wrote: »

Maybe Buckley can become a part time out half to go with his part time flanker and part time scrum half roles

I think you'll find Bealham is ahead of buckley in the scrum half pecking order.

Bazzo

Mr Tickle wrote: »

I think you'll find Bealham is ahead of buckley in the scrum half pecking order.

Nah, Buckley is definitely the better passer. Bealham is your man for an offload.

On the squad update: Nothing says "Welcome to Connacht, Marnitz!" like getting injured in your second match and being unsure of a return date.

Mr Tickle

Bazzo wrote: »

Nah, Buckley is definitely the better passer. Bealham is your man for an offload.

On the squad update: Nothing says "Welcome to Connacht, Marnitz!" like getting injured in your second match and being unsure of a return date.

Bealham's box kicking though. That's why joe keeps him around.

MarinersBlues

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro12/pat-lam-saying-goodbye-to-axel-was-key-in-my-decision-to-move-1.2896546

I didn't think i'd get to the acceptance stage of grief so quick but **** it - he has come out with massive integrity and respect despite moving for money.

He is like a super hero or some thing -  Captain Integreto.

NOW LETS GET THIS SEASON BACK ON TRACK!!!!

Aki12

Cooney to start v wasps so

MarinersBlues

Aki12 wrote: »

Cooney to start v wasps so

I actually think that is our best starting half back combo.
Quite happy with that to start the game.

mysticmick

MarinersBlues wrote: »

Aki12 wrote: »

Cooney to start v wasps so

I actually think that is our best starting half back combo.
Quite happy with that to start the game.

Fade to Jack......

Evil_g

MarinersBlues wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro12/pat-lam-saying-goodbye-to-axel-was-key-in-my-decision-to-move-1.2896546

I didn't think i'd get to the acceptance stage of grief so quick but **** it - he has come out with massive integrity and respect despite moving for money.

He is like a super hero or some thing -  Captain Integreto.

NOW LETS GET THIS SEASON BACK ON TRACK!!!!

Class act.

Moflojo

MarinersBlues wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro12/pat-lam-saying-goodbye-to-axel-was-key-in-my-decision-to-move-1.2896546

I didn't think i'd get to the acceptance stage of grief so quick but **** it - he has come out with massive integrity and respect despite moving for money.

He is like a super hero or some thing -  Captain Integreto.

NOW LETS GET THIS SEASON BACK ON TRACK!!!!

I got a bit emotional reading that story, I have so much more respect and admiration for the man now. Fair play to him.

wp_rathead

Aki12 wrote: »

Cooney to start v wasps so

Marmion on the wing

b.gud

wp_rathead wrote: »

Marmion on the wing

Marmion, Niyi, and Tiernan our international back three

errlloyd

Moflojo wrote: »

I got a bit emotional reading that story, I have so much more respect and admiration for the man now. Fair play to him.

Me too, weirdly enough. A man in his forties shouldn't be feeling his mortality, but his family and Foley's tragedy have put him in a place where he needs to be realistic.

Connacht Ireland will benefit massively from what he achieved here - now he will too.

Diabhal Beag

Am I mistaken or did Blade end up at outhalf at some stage last season? It could have been on the wing but certain a chuckle was had at some point because of how easily he slotted in.

connachta

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Am I mistaken or did Blade end up at outhalf at some stage last season? It could have been on the wing but certain a chuckle was had at some point because of how easily he slotted in.

Nobody noticed O'Leary was still on protocols in the last update. I guess he's ok, if not it's up to Blade/Cooney to cover outhalf.
EDIT : sorry missed the end of previous page
Happy about Carty to start

connachta

So I know there are the "Cannon-fits-Lam-Strategy-fans", but my team would be

1) Buck
2) McC
3) Beal
4) Dillane
5) Roux
6) Nepia
7) Heenan
8) Muldoon
9) Cooney (kicker)
10) Carty
11) Kelleher
12) Ili or Aki (depends on where it's easier to tackle in our defensive structure)
13) Aki or Ili (depends on where it's easier to tackle in our defensive structure)
14) Niyi
15) TOH

17) J.P Cooney
18) Carey
19) Cannon
20) SOB
21) Marmion
22) O'Leary (can cover 10 to 14)
23) Healy/Poolman/Parata/Robb (in that order)

CMOTDibbler

connachta wrote: »

So I know there are the "Cannon-fits-Lam-Strategy-fans", but my team would be

1) Buck
2) McC
3) Beal
4) Dillane
5) Roux
6) Nepia
7) Heenan
8) Muldoon
9) Cooney (kicker)
10) Carty
11) Kelleher
12) Ili or Aki (depends on where it's easier to tackle in our defensive structure)
13) Aki or Ili (depends on where it's easier to tackle in our defensive structure)
14) Niyi
15) TOH

17) J.P Cooney
18) Carey
19) Cannon
20) SOB
21) Marmion
22) O'Leary (can can 10 to 14)
23) Healy/Poolman/Parata/Robb (in that order)

That should liven up the last quarter of the match

connachta

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

connachta wrote: »

So I know there are the "Cannon-fits-Lam-Strategy-fans", but my team would be

1) Buck
2) McC
3) Beal
4) Dillane
5) Roux
6) Nepia
7) Heenan
8) Muldoon
9) Cooney (kicker)
10) Carty
11) Kelleher
12) Ili or Aki (depends on where it's easier to tackle in our defensive structure)
13) Aki or Ili (depends on where it's easier to tackle in our defensive structure)
14) Niyi
15) TOH

17) J.P Cooney
18) Carey
19) Cannon
20) SOB
21) Marmion
22) O'Leary (can can 10 to 14)
23) Healy/Poolman/Parata/Robb (in that order)

That should liven up the last quarter of the match

OH FFS I'm tired! but I deserved it

mogwai81

connachta wrote: »

So I know there are the "Cannon-fits-Lam-Strategy-fans", but my team would be

1) Buck
2) McC
3) Beal
4) Dillane
5) Roux
6) Nepia
7) Heenan
8) Muldoon
9) Cooney (kicker)
10) Carty
11) Kelleher
12) Ili or Aki (depends on where it's easier to tackle in our defensive structure)
13) Aki or Ili (depends on where it's easier to tackle in our defensive structure)
14) Niyi
15) TOH

17) J.P Cooney
18) Carey
19) Cannon
20) SOB
21) Marmion
22) O'Leary (can cover 10 to 14)
23) Healy/Poolman/Parata/Robb (in that order)

Unfortunately I've struggled to see more then a couple of Connacht games this season. Peter Robb's forms must be on a downward curve at the moment if lli is likely to start ahead of him. I know there was a game recently were apparently he dropped a crazy amount of ball, but apart from that game what has his form been like this season?

Bazzo

mogwai81 wrote: »

Unfortunately I've struggled to see more then a couple of Connacht games this season. Peter Robb's forms must be on a downward curve at the moment if lli is likely to start ahead of him. I know there was a game recently were apparently he dropped a crazy amount of ball, but apart from that game what has his form been like this season?

He was actually doing reasonably well up until that Dragons away game where he had something crazy like 5 knock ons. We all know how much emphasis Pat puts on skills so he obviously wasn't too impressed and there's been no sign of him since, but he's young and has a lot of talent as well as probably being the single best physical specimen at the province so I've no doubt he'll be back before too long.

Ili is kind of the opposite of Robb in a lot of ways. Lethal going forward but a lot of the time nothing more than a speedbump in defence. He is capable of tackling and has put in a few fairly big hits but he seems to miss more than hit.

connachta

Bazzo wrote: »

mogwai81 wrote: »

Unfortunately I've struggled to see more then a couple of Connacht games this season. Peter Robb's forms must be on a downward curve at the moment if lli is likely to start ahead of him. I know there was a game recently were apparently he dropped a crazy amount of ball, but apart from that game what has his form been like this season?

He was actually doing reasonably well up until that Dragons away game where he had something crazy like 5 knock ons. We all know how much emphasis Pat puts on skills so he obviously wasn't too impressed and there's been no sign of him since, but he's young and has a lot of talent as well as probably being the single best physical specimen at the province so I've no doubt he'll be back before too long.

Ili is kind of the opposite of Robb in a lot of ways. Lethal going forward but a lot of the time nothing more than a speedbump in defence. He is capable of tackling and has put in a few fairly big hits but he seems to miss more than hit.

Good summary but Robb made 7 knock-ons on that day I think

Johngoose

Presume wasps are going to win?They do have a number of injured players though.

connachta

Johngoose wrote: »

Presume wasps are going to win?They do have a number of injured players though.

Not that many. A BP would be great (offensive one is more likely IMO)

The Lost Sheep

mogwai81 wrote: »

Unfortunately I've struggled to see more then a couple of Connacht games this season. Peter Robb's forms must be on a downward curve at the moment if lli is likely to start ahead of him. I know there was a game recently were apparently he dropped a crazy amount of ball, but apart from that game what has his form been like this season?

Robb and few other players have exams this week which may be why not involved.

b.gud

http://www.the42.ie/pat-lam-connacht-press-conference-video-3126661-Dec2016/

irishbucsfan

Looks like Kurtley Beale may be making his debut for Wasps this weekend

connachta

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Looks like Kurtley Beale may be making his debut for Wasps this weekend

Yeah maybe on the bench. Game over.
At least no Haskell

former total

Johngoose wrote: »

Presume wasps are going to win?They do have a number of injured players though.

Wasps are heavy favourites with the bookies for what that's worth. A 15-point handicap sounds excessive but that's what PP are going with.

connachta

I think our setpieces will match them. Speed of handling/running too. For having seen them play last week, our issue will be about physicality. Their defence is a wall, always trying to turn the ball over. And our weakness is ruck protection+scramble defence after the loss of possession...

connachta

Dawai and Robb both on training pics, do you guys think they have outside chances to be ahead of SOB/Ili for n°20 and n°12?

Bazzo

connachta wrote: »

Dawai and Robb both on training pics, do you guys think they have outside chances to be ahead of SOB/Ili for n°20 and n°12?

I wouldn't say they have any more chance because they're in training pics. Everyone fit will be training(unless they have exams as the lost sheep pointed out).

If Pat expects a physical game then I'd say both Dawai and Robb have a shot of being in the 23, though really we have no idea what Dawai will be like in the team yet.

wp_rathead

Jono Gibbs appears to be a potential Lam replacement - Leinster fans will know more about him.

thomond2006

wp_rathead wrote: »

Jono Gibbs appears to be a potential Lam replacement - Leinster fans will know more about him.

Feck off. I have Carolan at 40/1 goddamnit.

connachta

Bazzo wrote: »

connachta wrote: »

Dawai and Robb both on training pics, do you guys think they have outside chances to be ahead of SOB/Ili for n°20 and n°12?

If Pat expects a physical game then I'd say both Dawai and Robb have a shot of being in the 23, though really we have no idea what Dawai will be like in the team yet.

It will be a hugely physical game, that's why I asked. SOB is the right man for that, but not Ili compared to Robb as 12. I guess he has to prove in training that his handling improved since Newport mare...

CIARAN_BOYLE

wp_rathead wrote: »

Jono Gibbs appears to be a potential Lam replacement - Leinster fans will know more about him.

I wanted him as a Schmidt replacement a few years back

connachta

wp_rathead wrote: »

Jono Gibbs appears to be a potential Lam replacement - Leinster fans will know more about him.

Didn't know anything about him but Clermont+New-Zealand+Leinster looks like a good combo!

b.gud

connachta wrote: »

Dawai and Robb both on training pics, do you guys think they have outside chances to be ahead of SOB/Ili for n°20 and n°12?

Personally I don't think Dawai is anywhere near a champions cup 23 at the moment. Muldoon, Heenan, Fox-Matamua, McKeon, SOB all ahead of him in terms of experience playing in the team system.

I know that you're excited to see him, but realistically what has he done to justify a place in front of one of the players, one of whom is probably going to miss out anyway.

I'm not trying to knock him it's just that he's a bit of an unknown entity at the minute, similar to Nepia he could turn out to be a great find but it's too early to say that we should play him in one of our biggest games of the season

molloyjh

wp_rathead wrote: »

Jono Gibbs appears to be a potential Lam replacement - Leinster fans will know more about him.

I'd have been happy with him as Joes replacement at the time. He's a quality forwards coach and he knew our set-up really well. He's well used to coaching teams who look to play (Leinster and Clermont) so could well be a really good option.

KBurke85

Dawai isn't in the Champions cup squad.

connachta

b.gud wrote: »

connachta wrote: »

Dawai and Robb both on training pics, do you guys think they have outside chances to be ahead of SOB/Ili for n°20 and n°12?

Personally I don't think Dawai is anywhere near a champions cup 23 at the moment. Muldoon, Heenan, Fox-Matamua, McKeon, SOB all ahead of him in terms of experience playing in the team system.

I know that you're excited to see him, but realistically what has he done to justify a place in front of one of the players, one of whom is probably going to miss out anyway.

I'm not trying to knock him it's just that he's a bit of an unknown entity at the minute, similar to Nepia he could turn out to be a great find but it's too early to say that we should play him in one of our biggest games of the season

As I said above, it was more about Robb vs Ili for centre

b.gud

connachta wrote: »

As I said above, it was more about Robb vs Ili for centre

Fair enough, Robb certainly has a chance but at the moment Pat seems to be preferring Ili, coupled with Robb having exams this week it may mean that he sticks with Ili

thomond2006

molloyjh wrote: »

I'd have been happy with him as Joes replacement at the time. He's a quality forwards coach and he knew our set-up really well. He's well used to coaching teams who look to play (Leinster and Clermont) so could well be a really good option.

Any posts promoting candidates other than Carolan should be a bannable offence.

irishbucsfan

I like Jonno but he lacks a certain je ne sais quois.

If PP were to start offering 40/1 on him I think he'd probably be more convincing as a candidate.

former total

Gibbes is contracted to Clermont until the end of next season.

ClanofLams

former total wrote: »

Gibbes is contracted to Clermont until the end of next season.

Yeah but he has release clause for head coaching position apparently.

CIARAN_BOYLE

former total wrote: »

Gibbes is contracted to Clermont until the end of next season.

Whatever Connacht go to release Lam early may be best spent getting the release of the right person.

former total

former total wrote: »

Gibbes is contracted to Clermont until the end of next season.

The article seems to indicate he can leave his contract early for a head coach job