Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

Interested Observer

slingerz wrote: »

i see this pedalled a lot but i dont agree with it. They can get jobs like everyone else once finished playing rugby. its good money for a job full stop in my opinion

Yes but the chances of earning hundreds of thousands per year after rugby are probably quite slim for most players.

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

Realistically could be looking at godwin, faingaa, Horwitz and Copeland leaving in the summer with the likes of Lloyd, Rory Burke and Johnny Murphy mightn’t be kept. Rumors of Masterson to Scotland seem to have gone quite.

In terms of ins you’d need to look at a replacement for faingaa, this should be a marquee 7. I’d also look at bringing in a second back row, possibly another 7 or a ball carrier of an 8. I’d look to promote the likes of kerins, Reilly and DTM in the places of Lloyd and Murphy. Conor Kenny has been pretty impressive but if a cheap prop who can play both sides was available id bring him in for Burke.

If Godwin goes there could be a few problems. The man is single handily covering the full back line pretty much. I’d be hopeful that both Bundee and Farrell will be involved with the Irish squad so I’d probably look at a NIQ 13 again of reasonable quality and possibly try and nab a back three player from one of the other provinces.

connachta

You double posted it, but as I agree 200% with what is said, that's fair

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

connachta wrote: »

You double posted it, but as I agree 200% with what is said, that's fair

Sorted hahah I’d even look at a guy like Mullins for the 13 role too

freyners

The Friend Zone

Realistically we are not getting a best runner up spot but to keep an unbeaten record at home in Europe is something we should be valuing

Also Jim Hamilton's preview for rugbypass is worth a read

Jim Hamilton wrote:

Pool 5

Connacht vs Toulouse

Toulouse are unbeaten in Europe. We will see what they are made of this weekend. Connacht have giant killer performances in them and I would not be surprised if they beat Toulouse.

Tough one... f*** it:

Connacht by 5

KBurke85

The Friend Zone

connemara man wrote: »

No word in Marmion at all

He is in training pics though

Craggy Rugby Podcast listed him as back next week with the likes of Tom Farrell

connachta

KBurke85 wrote: »

Craggy Rugby Podcast listed him as back next week with the likes of Tom Farrell

Game vs Montpellier will show the best team we've had this season, everybody's back! :pac:
Does someone know which block has been picked for Connacht fans in the Stadium?

its_phil

Mul, it's over

freyners wrote: »

Realistically we are not getting a best runner up spot but to keep an unbeaten record at home in Europe is something we should be valuing

Also Jim Hamilton's preview for rugbypass is worth a read

Love Murray Kinsella analysis but any piece with a two line prediction including "f*** it" is just as good.

Former Former

You've got a Friend in me

I don't think Connacht are out of contention this weekend, a home win wouldn't be a shock. Toulouse are very patchy on the road (their first string got well beaten at Stade Francais last weekend).

Now, Connacht have been playing awful rugby, but it wouldn't take a huge swing for them to win IMO.

FACECUTTR

Former Former wrote: »

I don't think Connacht are out of contention this weekend, a home win wouldn't be a shock. Toulouse are very patchy on the road (their first string got well beaten at Stade Francais last weekend).

Now, Connacht have been playing awful rugby, but it wouldn't take a huge swing for them to win IMO.

They also have a 6 day turnaround. Connacht have more starters back now too. If the mentality is right you never know.

its_phil

Mul, it's over

Former Former wrote: »

I don't think Connacht are out of contention this weekend, a home win wouldn't be a shock. Toulouse are very patchy on the road (their first string got well beaten at Stade Francais last weekend).

Now, Connacht have been playing awful rugby, but it wouldn't take a huge swing for them to win IMO.

Given the squad we’re going to have at home this weekend, I’d be very annoyed if we don’t win. Just can’t accept losing at home

ClanofLams

Mul, it's over

According to Murray Kinsella on 42 podcast there was some delay in the contract offer Connacht made to Fainga’a, despite Connacht being very keen to keep him that allowed Lyon to swoop in late. That’s annoying if accurate, would have thought he would be offered deal months ago when Butler, Aki, etc were.

KBurke85

The Friend Zone

ClanofLams wrote: »

According to Murray Kinsella on 42 podcast there was some delay in the contract offer Connacht made to Fainga’a, despite Connacht being very keen to keep him that allowed Lyon to swoop in late. That’s annoying if accurate, would have thought he would be offered deal months ago when Butler, Aki, etc were.

Because he’s NIQ they probably needed approval from the IRFU for any contract offer most likely where a delay arose I’d guess

testtech05

Some Like It TOH

ClanofLams wrote: »

According to Murray Kinsella on 42 podcast there was some delay in the contract offer Connacht made to Fainga’a, despite Connacht being very keen to keep him that allowed Lyon to swoop in late. That’s annoying if accurate, would have thought he would be offered deal months ago when Butler, Aki, etc were.

That's very disappointing if true.....

Former Former

You've got a Friend in me

ClanofLams wrote: »

According to Murray Kinsella on 42 podcast there was some delay in the contract offer Connacht made to Fainga’a, despite Connacht being very keen to keep him that allowed Lyon to swoop in late. That’s annoying if accurate, would have thought he would be offered deal months ago when Butler, Aki, etc were.

It wouldn't make any odds though? His agent would be shopping him around regardless.

Diabhal Beag

Former Former wrote: »

It wouldn't make any odds though? His agent would be shopping him around regardless.

Agreed. Even if Connacht had offered a contract in time it wouldn't match 300k.

ClanofLams

Mul, it's over

Former Former wrote: »

It wouldn't make any odds though? His agent would be shopping him around regardless.

Possibly not but getting an offer on table last October before other clubs such as Lyon had decided what/who they needed might have increased chances of him signing. It certainly wouldn’t have harmed them anyway.

Edit - Fairly sure pro players, like anyone else, don’t like job uncertainty. Had Fainga’a broke his leg in November he would likely only be getting an offer from Connacht and it might be reduced from what was previously on the table (in the hypothetical where Connacht had made an offer in October). Early offer is always better.

ClanofLams

Mul, it's over

KBurke85 wrote: »

Because he’s NIQ they probably needed approval from the IRFU for any contract offer most likely where a delay arose I’d guess

That would make the most sense alright especially as he can’t qualify for three seasons.

connachta

ss

ClanofLams wrote: »

That would make the most sense alright especially as he can’t qualify for three seasons.

on the contrary IRFU should have pushed as he's qualified right before RWC
But there's already too many IQ quality back-rows, the point now is to have 1 to Connacht

Lucas44

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Agreed. Even if Connacht had offered a contract in time it wouldn't match 300k.

Why not ? Not far off what Copeland is earning

Squidgy Black

Lucas44 wrote: »

Why not ? Not far off what Copeland is earning

There's not a hope Copeland is on a 300k contract after being a 2nd/3rd string player for Munster.

Standard provincial contracts are 1-200k at most. Even if you look at the reported value of central contracts, the top 8 bottoms out at 400k, so you would imagine there's plenty of international team players on less than that.

connachta

connachta wrote: »

So good to have dilemna again

1) Buckley or McAllister?
2) Heffernan, McCartney, or Delahunt?
3) Bealham or McCoy?
6) Boyle, McKeon or Masterson?
7) Fainga'a, Butler or Boyle?
8) Butler, Boyle or Copeland?
9) Marmion, Blade, or Kerrins?
12/13) Aki, Robb, Godwin or Daly?
11/14) Niyi, Healy, Godwin or Porch?

Can't wait for the team 1/2 an hour to keep waiting


I'd like


1 McAllister (fresher and bigger unit) 17 Buckley
2 Heff (ball carrying) 16 McCartney (experience and throws)
3 Bealham (experienced) 18 McCoy
6) Boyle (can't have him elsewhere because of Fainga'a/Butler)
7) Fainga'a
8) Butler
20) Masterson (slightly better than McKeon/Copeland and lineout jumper)
9) Blade (will rest fully next week with Marmion back) 21 Kerrins (can't start him in that game)

12) Robb (useful in rucks, behind scrums and to gain the line)
13) Aki
11/14) Healy/Niyi (fresh and experienced)
22) Godwin (covers 10/12)
23) Porch (covers 14/15)

KBurke85

The Friend Zone

I see Rowing Ireland have received money from the Large Scale sport infrastructure fund. I wonder have Connacht got any word.

https://www.rowingireland.ie/rowing-ireland-receive-large-scale-sport-infrastructure-funding/

Scottmactom

They have.. Not good news

MarinersBlues

Mul, it's over

Scottmactom wrote: »

They have.. Not good news

I take it Leo came down to have his photo taken while delivering the "Not good news"

FACECUTTR

CONNACHT MATCHDAY SQUAD V TOULOUSE (11/1/20 @ 15:15)
15-9: Tiernan O’Halloran, Niyi Adeolokun, Bundee Aki, Peter Robb, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Stephen Kerins.
1-8: Paddy McAllister, Tom McCartney, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Gavin Thornbury, Paul Boyle, Colby Fainga’a, Jarrad Butler (C).
Replacements: David Heffernan, Denis Buckley, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Joe Maksymiw, Eoin McKeon, Caolin Blade, David Horwitz, John Porch.

franglan

What's that Toulouse side like?

WallyGUFC

Declan Varley reporting on Twitter that they got 10m, not the 20m they requested. "Galway Regional Aquatic and Fitness Centre" in Cappagh got 8.3m.

arsebiscuits1

You've got a Friend in me

FACECUTTR wrote: »

CONNACHT MATCHDAY SQUAD V TOULOUSE (11/1/20 @ 15:15)
15-9: Tiernan O’Halloran, Niyi Adeolokun, Bundee Aki, Peter Robb, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Stephen Kerins.
1-8: Paddy McAllister, Tom McCartney, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Gavin Thornbury, Paul Boyle, Colby Fainga’a, Jarrad Butler (C).
Replacements: David Heffernan, Denis Buckley, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Joe Maksymiw, Eoin McKeon, Caolin Blade, David Horwitz, John Porch.

Does McAllister offer more than Buckley? Suprised to see him start.

Kerins over Blade is a big statement from Friend

sydthebeat

The Friend Zone

franglan wrote: »

What's that Toulouse side like?

fully loaded !

Clement Castets
Julien Marchand
Charlie Faumuina
Florian Verhaeghe
Iosefa Tekori
Rynhardt Elstadt
Jerome Kaino
Selevasio Tolofua
Antoine Dupont
Zack Holmes
Cheslin Kolbe
Pita Ahki
Sofiane Guitoune
Arthur Bonneval
Thomas Ramos

Substitutes
Peato Mauvaka
Rodrigue Neti
Dorian Aldegheri
Rory Arnold
Alban Placines
Sebastien Bezy
Romain Ntamack
Yoann Huget