Ulster return to Aironi in search of Five Points - Sat 17th December, Stadio Brianteo, Monza (kick off 1.30pm GMT)

by Rava Tue 13 Dec 2011, 12:26 pm

First topic message reminder :

Ulster Coach Brian McLaughlin has only made one change in the starting lineup, bringing back Tom Court with Paddy McAllister moving to the bench. Nevin Spence has been named having been passed fit. Adam D'Arcy retains his place at full back with Terblanche on the bench.

Elsewhere in the Pool, Clermont defeated Leicester at the Stade Marcel Michelin 30-12 on Sunday with no bonus points scored, making Pool 4 the tightest in the tournament at this stage with just 2 points separating the top three teams.

Ulster Match Day Squad to face Aironi, Saturday 17th December, Stadio Brianteo, Monza (kick-off 1.30pm GMT)
(15-9): A D'Arcy; A Trimble, D Cave, N Spence, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (capt), D Tuohy, S Ferris, C Henry, P Wannenburg;
Replacements (16-23): N Brady, P McAllister, A Macklin, T Barker, R Diack, P Marshall, P Jackson, S Terblanche

The match is televised live on Sky Sports behind the red button.

by red_stag Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:37 pm

But Paddy Wallace already plays for Ulster.

by Standulstermen Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:38 pm

Just shift him to 8 rodders. Imagine Ferris and Kaino in the same backrow. Pure guess though. Only hoping big John put in a good word over some wedding cake

Just read geoffs post and im sticking with Kaino. No idea about a relative but who knows maybe there was a Jerome O'Kaino somewher

by Rava Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:38 pm

Question is if its a NIQ player, whose contract isn't being renewed/extended?

by red_stag Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:39 pm

geoff998rugby wrote:NIQ - not Welsh !

Toby Falatau?
Jonathan Davies?
Luke Charteris?

by marty2086 Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:41 pm

Definately NIQ?

Wouldnt mind Cillian Willis cousin in the team when hes fit

by Glas a du Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:42 pm

Matfield?

by geoff998rugby Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:42 pm

Rava wrote:Question is if its a NIQ player, whose contract isn't being renewed/extended?

Wannenberg, Pienaer and Danielli all are not signed for next year.

If we go down to 4 NIQ and sign this guy only one of the above can be resigned - no surprise which one I think it should be.

by geoff998rugby Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:43 pm

red_stag wrote:
geoff998rugby wrote:NIQ - not Welsh !

Toby Falatau?
Jonathan Davies?
Luke Charteris?

Excellent

by Standulstermen Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:45 pm

I will say again but no matter who it is we MUST re-sign Pienaar

by Rava Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:45 pm

geoff998rugby wrote:
Rava wrote:Question is if its a NIQ player, whose contract isn't being renewed/extended?

Wannenberg, Pienaer and Danielli all are not signed for next year.

If we go down to 4 NIQ and sign this guy only one of the above can be resigned - no surprise which one I think it should be.

Absolutely agree Danielli should be retained Whistle

Only joshing Laugh

by Rory_Gallagher Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:47 pm

Best friends with a current Ulster player.. I am guessing they are either from SA or NZ..

by **rodders** Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:47 pm

Right folks name some ex-ulster players! Headscratch

Is Bakkies related to BJ?? steam

by Glas a du Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:48 pm

I would refer you to a higher authority than I, Lord Wellington:

"being born in a stable does not make a man a horse"

by **Notch** Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:48 pm

roddersm wrote:Kaino wouldn't get in the side Stand!

...not sure if serious...

by red_stag Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:48 pm

Stand - knowing when to release a top player is as important as knowing when to sign them.

Rocky Elsom came to Leinster and gave it his all. He was outstanding. However he only was contracted for 12 months which has turned out to be an amazing team despite Leinster fans sorry to see him leave.

As a Munster fan I simply love how Doug Howlett is committed to us. However I wouldn't be all that upset if his contract wasn't reknewed in the summer.

by marty2086 Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:49 pm

geoff998rugby wrote:
Rava wrote:Question is if its a NIQ player, whose contract isn't being renewed/extended?

Wannenberg, Pienaer and Danielli all are not signed for next year.

If we go down to 4 NIQ and sign this guy only one of the above can be resigned - no surprise which one I think it should be.

Did Pienaar not sign an extension last season?

by geoff998rugby Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:49 pm

another tempter - the relative never played for the first team Wink

for rather unusual reasons Whistle

by **Notch** Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:52 pm

I think we did it well with BJ Botha Stag, well rid and repalced with John Afoa- looks like a better player on lower wages. But seriously- our halfbacks without Pienaar; Paul Marshall and Ian Porter at 9. Ian Humphreys, Paddy Jackson and James McKinney at 10.

There are very few teams in the Pro12 with weaker halfbacks than that, never mind the HC. Humphreys and Marshall both have the capacity to lose games single-handedly as well as win them!

by **rodders** Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:53 pm

geoff998rugby wrote:another tempter - the relative never played for the first team

for rather unusual reasons

Feck I thought I was on to something!....I actually thought it was quade cooper.... steam

by red_stag Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:53 pm

Yes exactly Notch just like BJ Botha at Ulster.

by Standulstermen Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:53 pm

Stag

We are nowhere near ready to release Pienaar as long as Humph is our first choice 10. If Jackson and Marshall were established and tearing up trees at 10 and 12 i would say release Pienaar but not before.

Geoff

It was yer man and his cousin is that other boy. Close enough?

In all seriousness though what was the name of that big lad (was he Samoan or NZ) played lock and backrow at a pinch.

by Rory_Gallagher Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:55 pm

red_stag wrote:Stand - knowing when to release a top player is as important as knowing when to sign them.

Rocky Elsom came to Leinster and gave it his all. He was outstanding. However he only was contracted for 12 months which has turned out to be an amazing team despite Leinster fans sorry to see him leave.

As a Munster fan I simply love how Doug Howlett is committed to us. However I wouldn't be all that upset if his contract wasn't reknewed in the summer.

Especially since Zebo looks like an adequate replacement for Howlett. Zebo, Earls and Jones would be a fantastic back three.

by **Notch** Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:56 pm

Right so, Filo Paulos cousin so someone with Samoan heritage, big name, out of contract and mates with a current Ulster player. The areas we are looking for are well known to be halfback and backrow.

Your hints are a bit too obvious Geoff!

by geoff998rugby Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:56 pm

Stand you are on to something - Filo is the guy you are thinking of.

by **rodders** Mon 19 Dec 2011, 4:59 pm

Bollix I've been wasting my time looking up Xavier rush's family tree then!

by Standulstermen Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:01 pm

I am exploring my Kaino theory is all Notch/geoff. afoa is his best mate and i thought Pienaar/Muller were best mates and they already play for us. I honestly dont know enough about the other guys lol.

While i am on the topic of backrows and i know that Scrum.coms stats arent 100% accurate but have you seen the amount of tackles they credit Chris Henry with week in week out. His stats are phenomenal.

by Rory_Gallagher Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:03 pm

If it is Kaino.. which would you move to 8? Remember my old suggestion of Ferris becoming the Irish 8? Wink

by geoff998rugby Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:03 pm

To be honest I have been over to the supporters club site and seen that someone has as good as let the cat out the bag anyway so not such a big deal to be honest.

I'm off now - I'll put you out of your misery tomorrow after I have checked something up.

To be clear though we are talking negotiations only at this stage but Filo and the current player in question have been talking us up to the man in question.

by Standulstermen Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:05 pm

If we ar taking Stephen Donald off Bath there may well be a lynch mob awaiting you Geoff.

Rory

In the unlikely event it is Kaino i dont think we would need to worry about where to play them. Just let them line up against the opposition, offer them the chance of a forfeit and accept it graciously when they walk off the pitch heads bowed.

by Rory_Gallagher Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:07 pm

Standulstermen wrote:If we ar taking Stephen Donald off Bath there may well be a lynch mob awaiting you Geoff.

Rory

In the unlikely event it is Kaino i dont think we would need to worry about where to play them. Just let them line up against the opposition, offer them the chance of a forfeit and accept it graciously when they walk off the pitch heads bowed.

by **rodders** Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:07 pm

Notch wrote:
roddersm wrote:Kaino wouldn't get in the side Stand!

...not sure if serious...

Feck I was joking! I love you Jerome! Ulster return to Aironi in search of Five Points - Sat 17th December, Stadio Brianteo, Monza (kick off 1.30pm GMT) - Page 5 3602195817

Ulster return to Aironi in search of Five Points - Sat 17th December, Stadio Brianteo, Monza (kick off 1.30pm GMT) - Page 5 3602195817

by Rory_Gallagher Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:08 pm

To the supporters club, quick!

by Thomond Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:11 pm

Steven Donald has family in Cork, so hopefully something similar doesn't occur...

by Rory_Gallagher Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:13 pm

The player in question is indeed Kaino it seems! Yahoo

The thought of Ferris and Kaino in the same backrow.. Drool

by **rodders** Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:13 pm

Feck off Donald we want Kaino!!

by red_stag Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:14 pm

Kaino would be replacing Ferris who looks set to move to Leinster.

by Don Alfonso Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:14 pm

It's Kaino. Allegedly.

We cannot let Pienaar go.

by **rodders** Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:14 pm

Brilliant we can play Ferris in the HEC then roll Kaino out in the Rabo when hes having a rest Ulster return to Aironi in search of Five Points - Sat 17th December, Stadio Brianteo, Monza (kick off 1.30pm GMT) - Page 5 3602195817

!

by Rory_Gallagher Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:16 pm

haha good one rodders! That would most likely mean Wannenburg is going for sure.. Diack will find it very hard getting gametime, as will Faloon. Henry would be the definite starting 7.

by Standulstermen Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:18 pm

Kaino would be well worth losing Wannenburg and Danielli for but our stocks at half back are ludicrously poor, Pienaar aside.

I am delighted that Paul Marshall is showing some great form but for me he is still as ridiculously inconsistent as his pass. Pienaar must be retained even if it was at the expence of Kaino or some other top class player.

by Rory_Gallagher Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:22 pm

Agreed that we must keep Pienaar.

by asoreleftshoulder Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:25 pm

So what is the unusual reason Filo Paulo never played for Ulster,I know thats not the exciting bit but it's gonna bug me unless I find out.

by Don Alfonso Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:34 pm

Something to do with his employment status.

Although I'm pretty sure he did feature as injury cover - maybe against Glasgow a couple of years ago?

Anyway, he couldn't get a proper contract and couldn't stay.

by **Notch** Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:43 pm

red_stag wrote:Kaino would be replacing Ferris who looks set to move to Leinster.

Y U Do Dis?!

by Thomond Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:44 pm

Ferris moves to centre and Wallace retires?

by Rory_Gallagher Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:45 pm

Retires? Wallace won't be retiring til another world cup with Ireland Wink

by Thomond Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:46 pm

Doomed to fail before we start.

by Don Alfonso Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:48 pm

If he’s got any sense, Wallace would move way down south after this contract ends. He’ll still be better than any centre in Munster.

by Thomond Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:49 pm

Wait until you see JJ Hanrahan. That kid will be a playmaker.

by MrsP Mon 19 Dec 2011, 5:53 pm

Don't worry you Munster munchers.

We'll pass Kaino on to you when we're finished with him, okay?

Ulster return to Aironi in search of Five Points - Sat 17th December, Stadio Brianteo, Monza (kick off 1.30pm GMT) - Page 5 3602195817

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