Ulster Vs Cardiff Blues Friday 28th September k/o 7.05

First topic message reminder :

From an Ulster point of view, we may not get much chat on this one, thats fine and understandable. For those on both sides who want to discuss the game ahead, I feel they should be welcomed to do so.

Ulster are (understandably) taking a little longer to announce a squad for this one. I wonder if anyone has any info on whether there was training as per usual?

I imagine that the new guys and the older more experienced guys will play. Perhaps a few younger guys might be advised to sit it out for another week. I think all in all, there's a fairly Northern Irish attitude to get on with things. I think we will see a strong Ulster side. And I expect they will play well.

I want Cardiff fans to talk freely on here. You should be targeting a win (same as always), and not worrying about our team. I believe once the selected players hear that whistle, it will be business as usual.

I really want Ulster to get a few more...

Woohoo! Beautiful rugby tonight. It's been a really good game.

Not from the Blues POV!!!

Defence poor, tight 5 awfull, back row average, Lloyd Williams garbage, backline no chance...

We need big men and they are busy sat in the stands!!

Nick Williams fend on Harry Robinson there- so half-hearted! He strolled in. Robinson was never taking him down was he?

Well if he did he wouldve just got back up

when do ulster play Leinster? WHEN?????

This is a nice thrashing. Credit to Warburton for not giving up though. The scrum and rucks have been Ulsters department tonight. Apart from that it's hard to see where it wrong for Blues, they haven't looked too bad at times. Must be the classy skills and finishing from the Irish.

Morg are you Phil Davies?

Nothing up front is good enough from the Blues, we need a pack, at least 6 players, and not rejects on the cheap

That ball was never out of the scrum

Here that brunette wasn't bad?

No TMO?

Looks like he scooped that up from an offside position, not that it matters now though, I guess.

Wonder if the Brunette was Cardiff or Belfast?

thebluesmancometh wrote:Morg are you Phil Davies?

Nothing up front is good enough from the Blues, we need a pack, at least 6 players, and not rejects on the cheap

No, but can you explain his appointment? With that track record of wrecking settled teams and turning them into drubbers.....

I was trying not to take anything away from Ulster. I can see what Blues are trying to do, but the fact they been bettered up front and come up against a good defence, it's really stuffed the Blues. I also commented on the changes to the pack before the game as I was puzzled.

Anyway, good hammering Ulster.

Sorry Cardiff but that was exactly what our lads needed.

I am unspeakably proud.

I was doing okay till Jim Neilly said we all know who they lads were playing for.

Given everything that has happened in the last two weeks, that was glorious stuff, in fact if nothing had happened in the last two weeks it would be glorious stuff. A lot of people suggested that Ulster's season could be derailed after what happened to Nevin and his family, but in fact Ulster have put in a performance like this and blown away any doubters.

PS

Nick Williams is an absolute colossus and an absolute colossus that can offload beautifully at that and has won 2 man of the match awards in 4 games. Roger Wilson is going to have to work his heart out for that 8 shirt.

Yes Mrs P. no need for that comment.
That was the best Ulster performance I've seen. And we still have seven Internationals sitting on the sidelines.

MrsP wrote:Sorry Cardiff but that was exactly what our lads needed.

I am unspeakably proud.

I was doing okay till Jim Neilly said we all know who they lads were playing for.

That performance came from somewhere deep. It was a beautiful release. As for the players, I'm sure they were happy just to get back on a rugby pitch.

Notch wrote:

MrsP wrote:Sorry Cardiff but that was exactly what our lads needed.

I am unspeakably proud.

I was doing okay till Jim Neilly said we all know who they lads were playing for.

That performance came from somewhere deep. It was a beautiful release. As for the players, I'm sure they were happy just to get back on a rugby pitch.

Absolutely. What a win. That was one for Nevin for sure. What a win.

I hope the whole of Ulster are proud tonight. Once again well done, you're surely in for a good season.

SUFTUM.

Thanks Morgannwg - the support we have received from clubs and fans all over these Isles and the world has been immense and has been an absolute credit to the entire rugby family.

SUFTUM!

Thanks Morgan

I hope so. I thought we were already, but the rugby has been on pause for the last two weeks.

Brilliant performance, one of the best I've ever seen by Ulster.

Great to seen Bowe scoring in a white jersey again but Nick Williams stole the show again. Great team effort though and everyone involved should be proud

The Blues played some cracking attacking Rugby too and played their part in an entertaining game.

SUFTUM .

Evening All !

Just got back from a top night's rugby. Sooooo proud of Tommy tonight too - and he kept his tries for the second half and scored them near where I was stood

The ref was getting a bit of stick from some people stood near me, but that's just annoying to me. I don't listen to all that sort of talk.

Artful_Dodger wrote:Thanks Morgannwg - the support we have received from clubs and fans all over these Isles and the world has been immense and has been an absolute credit to the entire rugby family.

SUFTUM!

+1

Artful_Dodger wrote:Thanks Morgannwg - the support we have received from clubs and fans all over these Isles and the world has been immense and has been an absolute credit to the entire rugby family.

SUFTUM!

+ 2

rodders wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:Thanks Morgannwg - the support we have received from clubs and fans all over these Isles and the world has been immense and has been an absolute credit to the entire rugby family.

SUFTUM!

+ 2

+3

I am so happy about the result. The players were magnificent, I am so proud of every one of them. That is just what the team needed.

+4

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

rodders wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:Thanks Morgannwg - the support we have received from clubs and fans all over these Isles and the world has been immense and has been an absolute credit to the entire rugby family.

SUFTUM!

+ 2

+3

I am so happy about the result. The players were magnificent, I am so proud of every one of them. That is just what the team needed.

+5

Speechless. Thoughts tomorrow.

Amazing performance, so proud of everyone of those men. To go out there and do that, they are an absolute credit to this province and make me proud to be an Ulsterman SUFTUM

Also hope Michael Allen and Jason Tovey are not too badly injured both looked like they could be bad. Anyone got any info on them?

Wow. Just,wow.

Now that's a heartfelt performance.

[quote="thebluesmancometh"]Morg are you Phil Davies?

Nothing up front is good enough from the Blues, we need a pack, at least 6 players, and not rejects on the cheap[/quote]

Welcome to the world of a dragons fan bluesman! What you witnessed tonight were two teams at very different ends of a development cycle. Ulster have been building nicely over the last few seasons and have a very good mix between home grown talent and a few quality overseas signings, and im sure when the blues settle themselves financially the best of your youngsters will will rise, and i bet when that happens you will be able to hold onto them and will prob be able to add a few me al la scarlets this season. At least you will prob keep hold of your bestyoung players and not see them leave for other welsh regions like us perpetual developers at dave parade

That was a good performance from Ulster but can't see any positives for the Blues. That's the third time I've watched the Blues this season and they offer so little. The pack is useless for this level of rugby as is the scrum half. It's going to be a very, very long season in Cardiff. James should find a different sport that better suits his brain because it certainly isn't rugby.

For the Ulster supporters... Congratulations, and well done on a great performance.

Spoiler:

Well done Ulster I think we all knew you had it in you somewhere

Jesus Christ Cardiff. That was appaulling.

neilthom7 wrote:Also hope Michael Allen and Jason Tovey are not too badly injured both looked like they could be bad. Anyone got any info on them?

Not heard anything but I hope neither one is as bad as Tovey's injury looked.

This mornings paper suggested Tovey had broken his leg . Hope that's not the case.

Yeh WalesOnline confirming in the last half hour that Tovey has broken his right leg. That is an absolute disaster for the young fella making his first start at a new club and a disaster for the Blues who now have a fly half injury crisis on top of the depth problems they already have.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/09/29/cardiff-blues-face-outside-half-injury-crisis-after-tovey-and-patchell-injuries-91466-31929867/

A leg break isn't that bad an injury (unless it is to the rare extent that Czekaj ro Stoddarts break). The fact he didn't need to be stretchered off might hint that it isn't as severe and he could be back by the tail-end of the season. Bad news for him and Blues. G.Davies looked alright when he came on and hopefully Patchell can make a speedy recovery.

I have broken my leg before and have to agree with Morgan - it should only take a few months, unless it is very serious, which it didn't look.

Hope you are right but I was thinking,

"What on earth are they playing at trying to carry that lad off instead of immobilising him on a stretcher!"

It looked pretty clear that he had done significant damage to that leg.

If I ever do that please someone insist on a stretcher!

Delighted for Ulster lads you deserve this lift. Performance based on emotion.

Some seriously good performances in there from individuals as well as the collective.

Ulstermen you have every right to feel very proud

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Delighted for Ulster lads you deserve this lift. Performance based on emotion.

Some seriously good performances in there from individuals as well as the collective.

Ulstermen you have every right to feel very proud

Pete thank you very much for your comments.
I don't buy the performance based on emotion thing though. I'd say our first ten minutes were based on emotion but after that this was a serious team performance that was being threatened in the earlier games. Believe me this is a seriously good Ulster squad, best I've seen.

Agreed Rava. I am seriously optimistic about this Ulster squad.

On a side note, might we expect to see Payne start quite a few games at 13? Especially if Cave is with Ireland this season. It would also give Nelson more opportunities at 15.

I agree with a lot of that Rava, I personally can't remember the last time Ulster had such quality depth, you really have guys in a few positions who are second choice but high quality. It is a huge testement to Humphreys and his backroom staff.

Ulster did very well last year and they could up it this year too.

I don't really have links with the North to be honest (some with Donegal) but I feel a sense of pride, I can only imagine what you guys are feeling.

Also - regarding Gilroy, he must start somewhere IMO. He is just too good to leave out right now. I don't know who should miss out, but Gilroy is something else. Watching him just burst through the Cardiff defence was incredible to watch.

Rory if Cave is with Ireland or unavailable through injury or being rested I would like to see.

11- Gilroy
13- Bowe
14- Trimble

That way we wouldn't be leaving out any of Gilroy, Bowe and Trimble. Payne would be a great option at 13 but I would go with Bowe as moving Payne to 13 leaves us looking weaker in the back 3.

I agree there Rava, this is the best Ulster squad we've ever had with real class in just about every position. I mean I was a serious Paddy Jackson doubter as he was pretty much an unproven player but he has grown immeasurably and looks like he is indeed the real deal. Nick Williams needs to change that name to Sonny-Bill . He's seriously good and I never did understand the ragging he got on a certain inferior forum that rhymes with UAFC where they said he was a lazy, fat player who was past his sell by date, boy do they look stupid now. Jared Payne for me is our classiest player, he is close to the form he had for the Blues in his last season there and just has a sixth sense and abilities that nobody else possess. He's just going to get better, mark my words. Tommy Bowe looked like he had never had a break from rugby........I mean I could go on but my keyboard only takes so much. So proud of the team last night, we will fear no side if we can continue to play like this and will definately be fighting for some silverware over the coming seasons.

Artful_Dodger wrote:Rory if Cave is with Ireland or unavailable through injury or being rested I would like to see.

11- Gilroy
13- Bowe
14- Trimble

That way we wouldn't be leaving out any of Gilroy, Bowe and Trimble. Payne would be a great option at 13 but I would go with Bowe as moving Payne to 13 leaves us looking weaker in the back 3.

Dodger agree with you here but if Cave is away on Irish duty you can almost assume Bowe is too and most likely one of Trimble and Gilroy.

Is 12 your weakest position in the backs? If so it is still very strong with Wallace-Marshall-Cave all available.

I have been HUGELY impressed with Allen too, hope he is ok