Ulster vs Edinburgh, Build Up Thread

[Notch]

First topic message reminder :

Ulster vs Edinburgh
5.45pm, Saturday 28th April
AVIVA Stadium Dublin
Heineken Cup Semi-Final

Nice sparkly new thread for the build-up to the Heineken Cup Semi-Final. Links to press interviews, team speculation, breaking news and discussion in the week ahead.

Let's kick off with interviews with Ulster defence coach Jonathan Bell and Edinburgh coach Michael Bradley.

Jonny Bell thinks Ulsters fans can be the difference as he reflects on his own win in the 1999 competition.

Michael Bradley talks about the Toulouse quarter-final and assesses the threat of Ulster.

Post any and all match-related chat here

[The Great Aukster]

Poite got the call wrong for the Wannenburg try. The ball was out of the scrum and Edinburgh should have been allowed to contest for the ball.

Terblanche did slap Ford to stop being held - six of one, definite penalty but shouldn't have been a card. Poite wrong.

Ferris was being illegally held and tried to make a tackle, catching Blair's arm. Not a deliberate slap but technically a penalty - Poite got that one right.

Overall swings and roundabouts and Poite came out about even,

[Guest]

ha well to be fair I wasn't exactly sure about the word myself when you highlighted it. But then, as someone who studied creative writing, sure I can make up words if I want

Ooo almost time for Cwpan Heineken, but interesting to see what the Welsh panel makes of today's result. Blydi love this programme.

[HERSH]

Was it the HC today?

To be honest I lost interest when all the decent teams went out, Leinster will win it again as they're the only quality team still in it.

Yet another non event!

Rugby needs to take a long hard look in the mirror, thats the RWC, 6nations and now the HC that have failed to live up to the hype.

[Guest]

HERSH - all I can say, is that if you missed the match today, you missed out on a cracker, twas a fabulous game bless you

[Artful_Dodger]

Was it the HC today?

To be honest I lost interest when all the decent teams went out, Leinster will win it again as they're the only quality team still in it.

Yet another non event!

Rugby needs to take a long hard look in the mirror, thats the RWC, 6nations and now the HC that have failed to live up to the hype.

In other words no English teams in it so you missed out on an absolute scorcher or a game??

[eirebilly]

Poite got the call wrong for the Wannenburg try. The ball was out of the scrum and Edinburgh should have been allowed to contest for the ball.

Terblanche did slap Ford to stop being held - six of one, definite penalty but shouldn't have been a card. Poite wrong.

Ferris was being illegally held and tried to make a tackle, catching Blair's arm. Not a deliberate slap but technically a penalty - Poite got that one right.

Overall swings and roundabouts and Poite came out about even,

I am pretty sure the recomendation came from the TJ

[Knowsit17]

Didn't see the game so will only say well done Ulster and commiserations Edinburgh

[eirebilly]

ha well to be fair I wasn't exactly sure about the word myself when you highlighted it. But then, as someone who studied creative writing, sure I can make up words if I want

Ooo almost time for Cwpan Heineken, but interesting to see what the Welsh panel makes of today's result. Blydi love this programme.

I was so sure i had you, thats overconfidence for you

[The Great Aukster]

ha well to be fair I wasn't exactly sure about the word myself when you highlighted it. But then, as someone who studied creative writing, sure I can make up words if I want

Ooo almost time for Cwpan Heineken, but interesting to see what the Welsh panel makes of today's result. Blydi love this programme.

I've watched that... but they make up so many creative words I can't understand them!

[Glas a du]

You know HERSH, you are right. See you all, I'm going to support the Swans.

[Guest]

ha, aye the making up of the words is a particular Welsh skill They are really astute pundits on there usually, tis a big step up in quality from Y Clwb Rygbi anyways.

Will have a good look at the Ferris incident, as am not quite sure I agree with your interpretation of it, but have only seen the replay a couple of times on a dodgy stream. We shall see!

[Dave.]

Thanks for tip off Dreamer, I know little of your language but will be good to see!

[HERSH]

In other words no English teams in it so you missed out on an absolute scorcher or a game??

An Absolute Scorcher!

Two Rabo teams currently in 6th and 11th place in the league!!!!

Hardly world class.

[Guest]

dim probs Dave, you still over the moon aye?

[Artful_Dodger]

Two Rabo teams that have so far knocked out Munster, Toulouse, Leicester Tigers and Racing Metro you mean?

[HERSH]

If it was the Jeff it would have been Sale vs Wasps.

Not worth watching IMO, glad I went pants shopping instead.

[eirebilly]

Hersh you scamp, sneaking in here on the WUM

[Artful_Dodger]

If it was the Jeff it would have been Sale vs Wasps.

Not worth watching IMO, glad I went pants shopping instead.

If it was the Jeff you wouldn't have any teams in the semi finals - hence why you don't.

[The Great Aukster]

If it was the Jeff it would have been Sale vs Wasps.

Not worth watching IMO, glad I went pants shopping instead.

Do you have to buy a lot of pants Hersh?

[nathan]

Poite got the call wrong for the Wannenburg try. The ball was out of the scrum and Edinburgh should have been allowed to contest for the ball.

Terblanche did slap Ford to stop being held - six of one, definite penalty but shouldn't have been a card. Poite wrong.

Ferris was being illegally held and tried to make a tackle, catching Blair's arm. Not a deliberate slap but technically a penalty - Poite got that one right.

Overall swings and roundabouts and Poite came out about even,

if any of them are similar to the Youngs one then surely they should be banned for 1 week?

[HERSH]

At least tomorrows game is worthy of a HC Final.

Why anyone would waste an afternoon watching Ulster and Edinburgh beats me (unless you follow one of these teams of course)

[sugarNspikes]

Felt sorry for Edinburgh. They played some great rugby but far too many knock-ons and mistakes in general. Great off-loading.

Ulster (well, the SA players really) did enough to win but they look pretty ordinary apart from defence. How Ferris didn't get a yellow defies belief.

Leinster or Clermont will win comfortably in the final.

[Artful_Dodger]

At least tomorrows game is worthy of a HC Final.

Why anyone would waste an afternoon watching Ulster and Edinburgh beats me (unless you follow one of these teams of course)

Are you HERSH from 606 or do you just pretend to be him?

[HERSH]

The one and only

But lets keep it real guys, it was a great day out for both sets of fans (a bit like a non league team facing a prem club in the FA cup) but lets not kid ourselves, at the end of the day it was 6th vs 11th in the Rabo.

[Guest]

Great Aukster - just seen the Ferris incident again, definite yellow in my book

[Artful_Dodger]

When Ulster beat Clermont in the final we will see how smug you are then about the standard of Rabo teams, in saying that I;ve no doubt you realize that both Ulster and Edinburgh have been focusing on the HC all season, something Jeff teams don't have the luxury of doing due to your incredibly poor organizational and management skills.

[gmclachl]

Ferris was being illegally held and tried to make a tackle, catching Blair's arm. Not a deliberate slap but technically a penalty - Poite got that one right.

I just watched it on the highlights and for my money it was a blatant penalty and should have been a yellow. Poite got it half right.

[TJ1]

Terblanche did slap Ford to stop being held - six of one, definite penalty but shouldn't have been a card. Poite wrong.

disagree - a punch = yellow card.

Ferris should have got one for the slapping the ball down from an offside position - intentional knock on and playing from an offside position.

Shuld have been a penalty for the trip on Visser as well - but it don't matter - Edinburgh had enough ball to win the game adn didn't score the points - there are always contestable decisions. Thats not what cost Edinburgh the game

[Taffineastbourne]

Ferris is God's brother so he cant get a yellow-so Rory told me!!

[Guest]

AD - mate, just don't feed him!

[Guest]

Terblanche did slap Ford to stop being held - six of one, definite penalty but shouldn't have been a card. Poite wrong.

disagree - a punch = yellow card.

Ferris should have got one for the slapping the ball down from an offside position - intentional knock on and playing from an offside position.

Shuld have been a penalty for the trip on Visser as well - but it don't matter - Edinburgh had enough ball to win the game adn didn't score the points - there are always contestable decisions. Thats not what cost Edinburgh the game

+1, that's a v good post TJ.

[Glas a du]

I think people forget there was only three points in it.

[Knowsit17]

The one and only

But lets keep it real guys, it was a great day out for both sets of fans (a bit like a non league team facing a prem club in the FA cup) but lets not kid ourselves, at the end of the day it was 6th vs 11th in the Rabo.

Ah but that is the beauty of the Heino, the results aren't reserved for the higher-ranked sides

And it's just further confirmation of how the Rabo is in a class of its own atm. How many GS's and HC's will this make for Rabo clubs/countries in a short space of seasons?

[sugarNspikes]

Bloomin' Celtic coat-tailing. Hope Clermont win it

[HERSH]

When Ulster beat Clermont in the final we will see how smug you are then about the standard of Rabo teams, in saying that I;ve no doubt you realize that both Ulster and Edinburgh have been focusing on the HC all season, something Jeff teams don't have the luxury of doing due to your incredibly poor organizational and management skills.

That statement sums up the Rabo, and that is the reason why it is the third best league in Europe behind the Jeff and French league IMO!

But as a paying customer (well most of the time) fans want to see their clubs best players not a 2nd string team!

[eirebilly]

I think people forget there was only three points in it.

Stop bringing logic into this Glas, you have been warned. A MrsP warning

[Glas a du]

That's some try for Edinburgh, an indication of what may have been. You can't win big games with a poor scrum and handling.

[Artful_Dodger]

When Ulster beat Clermont in the final we will see how smug you are then about the standard of Rabo teams, in saying that I;ve no doubt you realize that both Ulster and Edinburgh have been focusing on the HC all season, something Jeff teams don't have the luxury of doing due to your incredibly poor organizational and management skills.

That statement sums up the Rabo, and that is the reason why it is the third best league in Europe behind the Jeff and French league IMO!

But as a paying customer (well most of the time) fans want to see their clubs best players not a 2nd string team!

We dont pay for Rabo coverage though do we? If anything we pay for sky sports HC coverage and see our teams best player put English clubs to the sword (seeing Ulster put 35 on Leicester was pure gold dust my friend) so whats your point? By the way why has the weakest league in your estimation won 3 of the last 4 HC's soon to be 4 of the last 5?

[Glas a du]

Gwyn Jones calls it a yellow for Ferris. Says Edinburgh fans will be annoyed, but it didn't decide the game.

Coward.

[HERSH]

The reason is that the Rabo players play fewer games, yet I have already said Id rather watch the best players week in week out rather than waiting for a HC weekend to see my clubs and the opposing clubs best team.

Each to their own I guess.

[The Great Aukster]

Why do the Welsh love criticising referees so much?

[Glas a du]

The reason is that the Rabo players play fewer games, yet I have already said Id rather watch the best players week in week out rather than waiting for a HC weekend to see my clubs and the opposing clubs best team.

Each to their own I guess.

I thought you supported Bath?

[Taffineastbourne]

When Ulster beat Clermont in the final we will see how smug you are then about the standard of Rabo teams, in saying that I;ve no doubt you realize that both Ulster and Edinburgh have been focusing on the HC all season, something Jeff teams don't have the luxury of doing due to your incredibly poor organizational and management skills.

That statement sums up the Rabo, and that is the reason why it is the third best league in Europe behind the Jeff and French league IMO!

But as a paying customer (well most of the time) fans want to see their clubs best players not a 2nd string team!

That shows how little you know.
As a Dragons fan I can barely tell the difference!
Seriously,we expect to beat Edinburgh at home and lose away.The detail is in the bonus point.This is the way the Rabo is approched.Has worked fairly well for Wales.We cannot afford SA players' pension funds so we have to keep developing Welsh players which leads to 6N's wins.Works for me.

[HERSH]

IMO rugby is more than just winning the HC and having another star on your shirt.

and for that reason I hope the Jeff never stops relegation and promotion and converts to a sterile league with little or no history.

[eirebilly]

Terblanch's yellow. Deserved
Ferris, very very lucky boy not to see yellow. That was clear as day.

Not having a dig at Poite or Ulster but Ulster have benefitted from Poite twice. It happens in rugby and i hope that Ulster take full advantge

[Artful_Dodger]

IMO rugby is more than just winning the HC and having another star on your shirt.

and for that reason I hope the Jeff never stops relegation and promotion and converts to a sterile league with little or no history.

So how do you feel about the fact that the team ranked 6th in the Rabo put 35 points on the team ranked 2nd in the Jeff?

[Croyman]

ah sure everyone loves an Ulsterman

[nathan]

Terblanch's yellow. Deserved
Ferris, very very lucky boy not to see yellow. That was clear as day.

Not having a dig at Poite or Ulster but Ulster have benefitted from Poite twice. It happens in rugby and i hope that Ulster take full advantge

havent seen the game, so havent seen the incidents but is it likely Ferris will be cited?

[nathan]

IMO rugby is more than just winning the HC and having another star on your shirt.

and for that reason I hope the Jeff never stops relegation and promotion and converts to a sterile league with little or no history.

So how do you feel about the fact that the team ranked 6th in the Rabo put 35 points on the team ranked 2nd in the Jeff?

But they wasnt ranked 2nd then. Which you full well know, so stop fishing!

[Glas a du]

Rolland is a Muppet.

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