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

Bazzo

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

Was that not after the Ireland training squad was announced?

No, he played the match against Brive the week before the training squad was announced. There's also nothing stopping players from being added to the 6 nations squad at any time that I know of.

CMOTDibbler

Bazzo wrote: »

No, he played the match against Brive the week before the training squad was announced. There's also nothing stopping players from being added to the 6 nations squad at any time that I know of.

Thanks. I seem to remember some talk of him being unlucky with the injury at the time.

Bazzo

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

Thanks. I seem to remember some talk of him being unlucky with the injury at the time.

He was originally expected to be out for 8-12 weeks but he somehow had surgery and made a full recovery in less than 6.

its_phil

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

Sea_point wrote: »

Yeah fair to guess he's home thinking, really WTF Joe...?

Denis is our nailed down number one loosehead, and the form one ion the country consistently over last eighteen months.

Finlay will be fine, he's a much improved player himself over same period as Denis, but Denis has been at the coal front and demolishing opponents domestic and foreign week in/ week out....

Wasn't Buckley injured at the start of the six nations? I know he's played for Connacht since then, but probably too late to draft him in at that stage without having to drop someone else I suppose.

Yeah but he got injured at the worst time for an uncapped player in a position where ireland are well stocked.

Robbie, Denis and someone I'm forgetting being injured was a slight blessing for Connacht though. Allowed a recharge for key players during a run of 16 games straight which I think has massively aided us for the rest of the season.

CMOTDibbler

its_phil wrote: »

Yeah but he got injured at the worst time for an uncapped player in a position where ireland are well stocked.

Robbie, Denis and someone I'm forgetting being injured was a slight blessing for Connacht though. Allowed a recharge for key players during a run of 16 games straight which I think has massively aided us for the rest of the season.

The price of success

wp_rathead

its_phil wrote: »

Yeah but he got injured at the worst time for an uncapped player in a position where ireland are well stocked.

Robbie, Denis and someone I'm forgetting being injured was a slight blessing for Connacht though. Allowed a recharge for key players during a run of 16 games straight which I think has massively aided us for the rest of the season.

Tom McCartney is maybe who you are thinking off

nobbo

4 Connacht players on the field, just waiting for Finlay to make an appearance.

macslash

Proud day lads. Connacht abú

nobbo

Make that all 5.

wp_rathead

Now just Connacht lad to score and be one from every Province

macslash

Lovely hands from Bealham at the end there. Marmion and Dillane had good impact.

Billysays no

way later and we are supplied with bealham, white, marmion, henshaw and dillane. at least they got one player right. go ultan

Bazzo

Great day for the province!

Digifriendly

As an Ulster supporter, genuine congratulations to Connacht in providing one third of the Irish team for the last part of the match yesterday. Fully deserved and an indication of how rugby has evolved in the west recently. The only Irish team still in Europe and top of the Pro 12 with a real chance of a home semi. Well done.

Bazzo

Bazzo wrote: »

Great day for the province!

Ever since this picture was posted, it's been driving me nuts that Nathan White really reminds me of someone. Couldn't put my finger on it but finally it clicked after reading this post:

mjp

I see Andrew Conway has been added to Ireland squad with injury doubt over Rob Kearney. Crazy that he's ahead of Tiernan O Halloran in pecking order and hasn't stood out in the games I have seen him play for Munster.

Think Tiernan must feel hard done by in this case

wp_rathead

Neither would be involved vs Scotland anyway but agree, I'd have TOH ahead of Conway every day of the week for extended squad

ClanofLams

I'd have Buckley over Kilcoyne too. Albeit that one is probably closer.

Number 137

Does anybody know if Finlay Bealham was eligible for any other countries besides Ireland and Australia?

sydthebeat

Number 137 wrote: »

Does anybody know if Finlay Bealham was eligible for any other countries besides Ireland and Australia?

metrocity?

dropping_bombs

Connacht sign Marnitz Boshoff, South African outhalf. http://www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-sign-springbok-international-outhalf-marnitz-boshoff/#ConnachtNews


Anybody know much about him?

MarinersBlues

dropping_bombs wrote: »

Connacht sign Marnitz Boshoff, South African outhalf. http://www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-sign-springbok-international-outhalf-marnitz-boshoff/#ConnachtNews


Anybody know much about him?

That can't be good news for McGinty

wp_rathead

94% Goal Kicking last season!!!!!

Hagz

That is a very tidy signing. Nothing spectacular but I would certainly put him ahead of Connacht's current fly-halves.

oneofakind32

Do we really need 4 outhalfs? Who's getting cut?

wp_rathead

oneofakind32 wrote: »

Do we really need 4 outhalfs? Who's getting cut?

That'll be MacGinty gone unfortunately

d-gal

dropping_bombs wrote: »

Connacht sign Marnitz Boshoff, South African outhalf. http://www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-sign-springbok-international-outhalf-marnitz-boshoff/#ConnachtNews


Anybody know much about him?

We've now the second best outhalf in Ireland for next year. He's better than Keatley, PJ and whatever back up Leinster have. Great signing, exactly what was needed

BrokenMan

Sounds promising. Mention of him landing a drop goal as well. When was the last time Connacht actually scored a drop goal?

MarinersBlues

If his contract isn't renewed I wouldn't be surprised to see MacGinty pop up at another province.
All three could do with a player of his calibre.

However, I am concious that we haven't had a renewal for Ronaldson yet and this guy seems to be able to fill a few other positions as well as out half.

MayoForSam

Could be a very handy signing - I wonder is he any good at fish and chips ?

Bit unfortunate for McGinty - being NIE although born in Dublin is not helping his career. Let's hope his head doesn't go down for the rest of the season, we need him on top form.

thomond2006

The issue for MacGinty is he's NIE. Otherwise I'd say any of the provinces would want to sign him immediately. Munster already have an NIE 10 so they're not an option. Ulster need a backup 10 with Humphreys retiring but have already signed up more NIE players than the 3+1 quota. Leinster might possibly have a look but they have other concerns at lock, 9 and back three depth.

wp_rathead

MarinersBlues

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster already have an NIE 10 so they're not an option.

Is there not a possibility he won't be there next year? Munster can't be overly pleased with his contribution thus far.

ClanofLams

Excellent news. As others have said very tough on McGinty but if he maintains his current form there's no doubt he'll get picked up.

sydthebeat

Boshoff is a decent enough signing, but hes 3 rd choice at the lions currently and had a pretty bad arm break a year an a half ago... and since hes found it hard to break back into the squad

wp_rathead

The problem with MacGinty is he is NIE- otherwise all the provinces would be after him..
Hopefully he finds a club in Europe - if not he always has the new Pro League in America to play in

BrokenMan wrote: »

Sounds promising. Mention of him landing a drop goal as well. When was the last time Connacht actually scored a drop goal?

Dan Parks used to be handy for them

Neil3030

A superb kicker with a year or twos experience in Super Rugby with the Lions.

Everything. EVERYTHING Connacht are doing right now is impressing me.

spurscormac

thomond2006 wrote: »

The issue for MacGinty is he's NIE. Otherwise I'd say any of the provinces would want to sign him immediately. Munster already have an NIE 10 so they're not an option. Ulster need a backup 10 with Humphreys retiring but have already signed up more NIE players than the 3+1 quota. Leinster might possibly have a look but they have other concerns at lock, 9 and back three depth.

IMO, MacGinty could probably appeal that rule to Europe if he wanted.
It's effectively a restriction of trade for an EU citizen.
Look at how the various European football leagues had to remove their rules on maximum number of foreign players as it violated freedom of trade of EU citizens.

While MacGinty is not Irish qualified due to playing for USA, he is an Irish citizen and could take a case.
However, he's unlikely to do it himself and it would probably take a players union to take the case on his behalf.
I'm sure that knowing he was on a short term contract he has his reps working on getting him a contract elsewhere, if not at Connacht.

thomond2006

spurscormac wrote: »

IMO, MacGinty could probably appeal that rule to Europe if he wanted.
It's effectively a restriction of trade for an EU citizen.
Look at how the various European football leagues had to remove their rules on maximum number of foreign players as it violated freedom of trade of EU citizens.

While MacGinty is not Irish qualified due to playing for USA, he is an Irish citizen and could take a case.
However, he's unlikely to do it himself and it would probably take a players union to take the case on his behalf.
I'm sure that knowing he was on a short term contract he has his reps working on getting him a contract elsewhere, if not at Connacht.

I don't know the ins and outs of the above. You could argue MacGinty made a choice to play for the US and a choice therefore to make himself ineligible. I'm certain the IRFU would have any policy on quotas etc screened for possible legal issues.

Buer

d-gal wrote: »

We've now the second best outhalf in Ireland for next year. He's better than Keatley, PJ and whatever back up Leinster have. Great signing, exactly what was needed

Think you're getting ahead of yourself there. I've only seen him a few times in his one full S15 season where he was good if not spectacular but he has dropped off the radar massively since.

He's a good signing relative to what the current options are. He will be first choice at Connacht and is a good goal kicker, most importantly.

I wouldn't push him much more than that. He's generally a Currie Cup level or Super Rugby back up player.

spurscormac

thomond2006 wrote: »

I don't know the ins and outs of the above. You could argue MacGinty made a choice to play for the US and a choice therefore to make himself ineligible. I'm certain the IRFU would have any policy on quotas etc screened for possible legal issues.

I wouldn't be so sure.

I think the rule was implemented to prevent the provinces from getting flooded with foreign players (in much the same way soccer did), who generally would have been coming from outside the EU - Pacific Islanders, NZ, Oz & SA.
It was probably never considered that an Irish citizen could be Non Irish Qualified and playing for another country, while playing their club game in Ireland.

I just think that he, or any player in a similar position, let's say a French player was prevented from signing by the IRFU, would have a case.
In fact, if Stephen Moore qualifies for an Irish passport (pretty sure he does), and it could be proven that IRFU blocked his move, Moore or Munster could probably have taken a case against IRFU.

MarinersBlues

Covered seating at the bohermore end on the agenda according to their questionnaire...

I'd much prefer covered seating on the clan side!

swiwi_

Buer wrote: »

Think you're getting ahead of yourself there. I've only seen him a few times in his one full S15 season where he was good if not spectacular but he has dropped off the radar massively since.

He's a good signing relative to what the current options are. He will be first choice at Connacht and is a good goal kicker, most importantly.

I wouldn't push him much more than that. He's generally a Currie Cup level or Super Rugby back up player.

+1. He's your archetypal kicking SA 10 from my recollection. Not as good as PJ by any stretch.

Better than Keatley, but unfortunately for Munster that is not saying a whole amount.

I think he's a good acquisition, at the least you shouldn't lose games for want of a goalkicker. I wouldn't pin your hopes on him unlocking tight defenses though.

freyners

swiwi_ wrote: »

+1. He's your archetypal kicking SA 10 from my recollection. Not as good as PJ by any stretch.

Better than Keatley, but unfortunately for Munster that is not saying a whole amount.

I think he's a good acquisition, at the least you shouldn't lose games for want of a goalkicker. I wouldn't pin your hopes on him unlocking tight defenses though.

TBH we dont exactly have that at the moment. My only criticism of Carty is a reluctance to take on defences more, despite being quite good at it when he tries. AJ brings that in leaps and bounds. Lam might value experience more than me but I reckon AJ has a better offer on the table (ulster seems the obvious one) because I think we would be mad to let him go.

awec

freyners wrote: »

TBH we dont exactly have that at the moment. My only criticism of Carty is a reluctance to take on defences more, despite being quite good at it when he tries. AJ brings that in leaps and bounds. Lam might value experience more than me but I reckon AJ has a better offer on the table (ulster seems the obvious one) because I think we would be mad to let him go.

McGinty is NIQ, no way Ulster can sign him. We've already got special dispensation once.

its_phil

d-gal wrote: »

We've now the second best outhalf in Ireland for next year. He's better than Keatley, PJ and whatever back up Leinster have. Great signing, exactly what was needed

Eh, bit much that really?

freyners

awec wrote: »

McGinty is NIQ, no way Ulster can sign him. We've already got special dispensation once.

Whoops, would seem to be a good fit but forgot about the number of NIQs

seanin4711

BrokenMan wrote: »

Sounds promising. Mention of him landing a drop goal as well. When was the last time Connacht actually scored a drop goal?

miah nikora v bourgoin 2010 always rated him injury and lack of favour limited his run!
http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/nikoras-drop-of-magic-26648771.html

his boot sounds like a howitzer from WW1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-yfWQtHRgY

d-gal

its_phil wrote: »

Eh, bit much that really?

He's far better than Keatley. Mads is gone and he's far better than anything else Leisnter has as back up. PJ is a good player but this fella is a far superior kicker and they're both decent in attack but nothing special. Before his arm break he was one of the better a South African outhalves. He is slowly recapturing his form. I'd be extremely confident Lam will get the best out of him.

Being straightforward if you have a lad in your team that's a 90%+ conversion rate then you're a force to be reckoned with. The kicking at provincial level this year is absolutely awful at the moment

wp_rathead

Personally I'm not going to say he is better than PJ until I see the lad play but his kicking percentages are really promising