Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

HBC08 · 23-01-2022 6:46pm

What date will the Leinster game be on?

Bazzo · 23-01-2022 7:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118521242#Comment_118521242

Pretty brain-dead statement when they picked up 10 points from 4 matches. Could equally be 2 wins and a draw.

HBC08 · 23-01-2022 7:23pm

Just saw the dates there.

How do two leg knockout games work in rugby? Aggregate score?

Wegians89 · 23-01-2022 10:00pm

Disappointing obviously but few positives:

Hansen looked strong defensively.

Tom Farrell and wootton looked back to speed after injuries.

Thought it was butlers best game in a good while.

Lost Ormond · 23-01-2022 10:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118522169#Comment_118522169

Has to be aggregate score.

Then if level on aggregate. extra time then most tries then penalties

HBC08 · 23-01-2022 10:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118522967#Comment_118522967

OK,I don't really remember it being used before.

If it is as you describe then the team playing at home for the 2nd leg has an advantage.

KBurke85 · 23-01-2022 10:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118522978#Comment_118522978

Thats why the higher seeds are at home second leg.

Lost Ormond · 23-01-2022 10:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118522978#Comment_118522978

It only really been used in pro rugby in championship playoff for promotion to premiership but not at top level it hasnt really been used before. its the only way to do it. yes the team at home in second leg has advantage

what other way would you decide winners using two legs then if not this?

Utopia Parkway · 24-01-2022 12:40am

Pity we have Leinster in the knockouts. Prefer to be playing teams you don't usually play in Europe. Now we have Leinster 3 times in 4 weeks.

phog · 24-01-2022 1:03am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118523649#Comment_118523649

As Meatloaf might say, two out three ain't bad. Let them have the URC

CowboyTed · 24-01-2022 3:20am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118521912#Comment_118521912

Think Burke is good and Robinson McCoy can hold, Duggan held his end today mainly his own but then the drop really happens... Other teams are bringing on fresh tanks and we are trying to see how long ours can last... Big difference...

Blaming Carty is a bit naive... Butler is there too... There is little he can do with such a weak pack at this level... We have major trouble from Scrum which becomes a penalty machine and then the driving mauls kill us... So a knock on in middle of a field yields tries...Very frustrating but this why injuries kill us... We are just getting back our only recognised 8 (Paul Boyle) who is a converted 6... Nearly every one of our back row are blindside flankers, Paps won't last 20 mins, only Boyle and Oliver are for other positions...

Former Former Former · 24-01-2022 8:34am

Defence is a big issue here lads.

117 tackles made and 30 missed (Stade were 103/18). And it's experienced guys too, TOH missed 4, Arnold 5, Carty 6. Last week it was 22 missed vs 8 by Leicester.

Of the teams in the last 16, only Montpellier conceded more points in the pools.

You're bringing a knife to a gunfight with stats like these.

macslash · 24-01-2022 9:08am

I remember Connacht having to play quarters and semis in the Parker Pen/Challenge Cup over two legs and on aggregate score.

HBC08 · 24-01-2022 10:08am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118523052#Comment_118523052

Just haven'really seen it before and not sure why it's been used in the last 16 only of this competition .

I would have thought the higher seeded team gets home advantage in a one off game.

salmocab · 24-01-2022 11:01am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118524220#Comment_118524220

It’s been used because there are only 4 group games so the extra match is needed to soften the blow of having two less games at group stage. It’s a mess and hopefully it gets back to a proper competition set up next season.

Zeugnis · 24-01-2022 11:38am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118522939#Comment_118522939

I was disappointed that Illo only got a five minutes. In the one scrum he seemed to hold his own and it was unclear why Barnes gave Stade the penalty, commentators were confused as well. Given the problems McGrath had been having, what was there to lose?

Hope Dowling wasn't badly injured, he's become an important player for us over the last few months, and is essential especially until Gav Thornbury returns. Fifita hasn't made much of an impact.

FACECUTTR · 24-01-2022 12:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118523904#Comment_118523904

I think Carty get a lot of unwarranted criticism. I think we lack leaders too. If Bundee is there he motivates the team. Butler whilst having a good game is not the best leader. All fit the backrow is 6 Prendergast 7 Oliver 8 Boyle. He maybe makes the 20 jersey. I know it's not a big bruising pack but you have to be able to win a few Scrum penalties in a game or at least hold your own. Missed tackles is something that is creeping back in too. Saying that with a fully fit squad I'd expect us to give Leinster 2 competitive games.

roadmaster · 24-01-2022 12:56pm

Since the GAA county grounds rules have changed and its now up to the countys could connacht may be look at using pearse park or mcchale park for there home game getting extra capacity that way and not having to cross the shannon?

HBC08 · 24-01-2022 1:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118524981#Comment_118524981

Mchale Park unavailable as a new pitch has gone in.Its touch and go whether it'll be ready for Mayo Galway on April 24th.

Would like to see it going to Pearse stadium for the novelty value and to see what kind of crowd it would get.

jimdemp · 24-01-2022 1:50pm

Any idea when Gavin Thornbury is back ? Buckley will at the least be able come on as a Sub. Tom Daly/Aki will be a better combo then the arnold/robb one leinster faced the last time. McCoy will need to be back to face portor as Aungier was destroyed by him. The players Connacht are missing have experience and size. So a Clean bill of health is needed when you have a small squad, much like Leeds Utd are discovering.

Zeugnis · 24-01-2022 2:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118525252#Comment_118525252

The report was Thornbury expected to be back training mid-February. By the time Leinster come around, Buckley should be fine. Aungier went off injured against Leicester, not sure what his status is. Given how effective Burke has been at LH, it seems to me that the area of concern is now TH.

Zeugnis · 25-01-2022 2:54pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118525252#Comment_118525252

According to the MasterofNone on twitter, Buckley will be available for this week's game against Glasgow.

RonnieL · 25-01-2022 3:17pm

Some comeback from Denis - he looked in serious shape in the photos from training last week. Fingers crossed the knee holds up well.

jimdemp · 25-01-2022 6:20pm

Buckley coming back at a good time. At least its coming into good weather again which suits Connacht style. Big difference playing Connacht on a wet Winter night and playing them in late spring/summer

Leva Fifita seems like a workhorse who covers a lot of ground, could see him covering 8 to see out a game. Thought he had a good cameo. Sam illo should probably get more game time going on his short appearance.

jimdemp · 26-01-2022 8:55am

Last Week brian o'driscoll main criticism of Jack Carty was he doesnt run square or run straight enough

But Ben healy has said this week

One of the first things I noticed with Steve early on was that he’s not afraid to break the rules in terms of what you are told growing up. Little things, like you are always told to run square or run straight as an out-half for example, whereas he’ll tell you that in different situations you need to be able to drift on the pass, you need to be able to cut under the pass. In terms of passing in wet conditions, he’s got little cues.