Ulster v Scarlets Friday 4/1/2013 match thread

[neilthom7]

First topic message reminder :

So this Friday 4/1/2013 Ulster take on Scarlets at Ravenhill. Kick off is at 7:05pm.
Ulster are coming off their first league loss of the season away to Munster albeit with a significantly weakened team. I think here we can expect to see a very different looking Ulster team especially with on this game to go before the crucial Heineken Cup final round matches.
The Scarlets are coming off a heavy boxing day away defeat to Ospreys as well and will be looking to close the gap and build momentum into their own Heineken cup ties.
Should be a cracking match with a rivalry that has really developed in the past few seasons I can't wait.
BBC 2 NI are covering th match any other broadcasters I come across will be added as will teams as the week goes on.

Ulster XV
(15-9): A D’Arcy, A Trimble, D Cave, L Marshall, C Gilroy; P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, R Herring, A Macklin, L Stevenson, D Tuohy, R Diack, C Henry c, N Williams;
Replacements (16-23): N Annett, C Black, J Afoa, N McComb, R Wilson, M Heaney, P Wallace, R Andrew.

Scarlets : Dan Newton, George North, Gareth Maule, Jonathan Davies (capt), Kristian Phillips, Aled Thomas, Tavis Knoyle, Phil John, Emyr Phillips, Jacobie Adriaanse, Sione Timani, Richard Kelly, Josh Turnbull, Johnathan Edwards, Rob McCusker.

Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Rhodri Jones, Deacon Manu, Tomas Vallejos, Craig Price, Gareth Davies, Scott Williams, Adam Warren.

Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU)

Assistant Referees: Sean Gallagher, Brian MacNeice (both IRFU)

Citing Commissioner: Gordon Black (IRFU)

TMO: Marshall Kilgore (IRFU

[Golden]

Bonus points for both Irish teams tonight. Ulster vs Leinster in Ravenhill at the end of the season?

[rodders]

Bonus points for both Irish teams tonight. Ulster vs Leinster in Ravenhill at the end of the season?

It's a date

[neilthom7]

I don't really care what the score is or if it was a corker of a game i no longer have an ounce of interest in this league,if a ref wont let you get a grip in a professional game there is nothing any player can do!
Seen it for years now in this League.
I have better things to do with my time than watch a man with a whistle.

A few clean and jerks, a protein shake and 8 pints of and you'll feel better about things mate

good call rodders

[Golden]

Bonus points for both Irish teams tonight. Ulster vs Leinster in Ravenhill at the end of the season?

It's a date

Ill bring the

Hopefully you lot are a bit worn out from winning the Heiniken at that stage and give us a chance

[Guest]

No sour grapes from me as mentioned i don't care for the league nothing more than a training patch for new refs.

My opinion on Ulster v Scarlets i imagine Ulster would beat the Scarlets with a top class ref, the result is no issue to me Ulster are the better team.

But for example penalizing Scarlets for pointing out Ulster holding on is pathetic.
I remember two seasons ago in the Scarlets v Ulster game the ref penalizing Scarlets player for shouting at an Ulster player whilst trying to charge him down!!
Refs words "you are trying to put him off".

For Scarlets to have a chance tonight they needed the score close so Ulster wouldn't pull away then start building up steam,
as i have already said no sour grapes from me iam happy to admit Ulster by far the better team at the moment,
So how can the Scarlets keep a tight tense game when the ref is intimidated by the crowd and giving every single decision to the home team?

This is a forum designing for rugby chat so i don't see the problem with airing my views on the matter?

[Notch]

Your views are interesting, and I would like to subscribe to your pamphlet.

[rodders]

View seriously old buddy, I think the Refs are not always the best in this league.... I thought there were some odd calls. Actually I think Ulster were on the end of a few too but yes we got a few home town calls which is par for the course....he was a reasonable enough ref by Rabo standards.

However the bottom line for me, and as an Ulster fan it's easier to say, the better side won and it was a great game of rugby.

Always happy to hear your views

[Guest]

[neilthom7]

Absolutely no problem with you giving your view but you just kept repeating you weren't going to watch the league there s no real need to keep telling us just dont watch it.
As for the decision players talking back to the ref is a punishable offence they were told just before he wasn't going to accept it any more and they continued to do it therefore no one to blame but themselves if they had of not said anything they probably would have got the pen. There were many times when Ulster got penalised too and times Scarlets got away with things like going off their feet at a dangerous ruck for Ulster and having very lazy runner clearly disrupting Ulster's pattern I didn't think the ref was great but I felt he evened out all decisions by being equally as bad to both teams.

[neilthom7]

Although I agree in general the refs are not great in this league but you can only use what you have I guess more of us should take up reffing show them how its done boys

[glamorganalun]

Noyle went off 61mins too late, he was dreadful the guy is too slow in the head. Aled Thomas had a good game considering the service from his scrum half. The ref has been having lessons from Nigel, how many forward passes did he miss and how the hell could he ask the video ref to check on a try when no Ulster player attempted to ground the ball after a forward pass and a knock on!

Well played Ulster and Scarlets but the better team won.

[Glas a du]

Very much so. Ulster changed gear in the second half and blasted us off the Park. They are awesome when their blood is up.

[PenfroPete]

Very much so. Ulster changed gear in the second half and blasted us off the Park. They are awesome when their blood is up.

GLAS, are you Ieuan Evans in disguise

[Glas a du]

For sure.

[neilthom7]

I think he was asking for the 22 drop out checking the grounding by the Scarlets player and was then informed it was a knock on by Ulster to be fair but yeah there was a forward pass in there maybe 2

[Glas a du]

Hodges was poor but even if he had been perfect we wouldn't have got an lbp, let alone a win, such was the gulf in class. Ulster are on a roll.

[rodders]

Hodges was poor but even if he had been perfect we wouldn't have got an lbp, let alone a win, such was the gulf in class. Ulster are on a roll.

Glas you are gentleman. Harsh scoreline but Scarlets are a very good side and will be well in the mix for Rabo play off places .

[Glas a du]

I'm guessing if Deccie comes sniffing around your squad 6 Nations time, you'll tell him to feic off eh Rodders?

[neilthom7]

That will be the only downside Glas we could be stretched a bit come that time.

[Notch]

Apparently Dan Tuohy injured the same calf as before and is a major doubt for next week. Luke Marshall went off with a finger injury.

[rodders]

I'm guessing if Deccie comes sniffing around your squad 6 Nations time, you'll tell him to feic off eh Rodders?

The old me would of told him to feic off Glas....but I'm on my best behavior these days... as long as he doesn't try and poach Ruan Pienaar, me and Deccie are good....

[neilthom7]

its the kind of cute thing a munster man would do

[Standulstermen]

Firstly I hope north isn't as bad as feared. My two cents...

Court- decent outing. Held his end up grand and decent work rate.
Herring - one line out aside when the call was mangled he was ok with Rory to come in
Macklin- got a few decision in the first half when he looked to have been bettered. He is our only backup at present but I'm not convinced
Tuohy- not really on long enough to rate
Stevenson- still getting fit but decent work rate. Looks like he is operating at 70 %
Diack- I thought he had a poor opening 30 but picked up massively. Seems to be our best line out caller after muller
Henry- quiet enough by his own high standards. Breakdown was a bit of a mess though
Williams- 2nd best player on the pitch. Has to start next week
Pienaar- best player on the pitch. Say no more
Jackson- poor first 30 but improved massively. Still doesn't look quite right
Gilroy- unlucky with some high ball attempts. Another night he catches them. The old zip was back though
Marshall- outperformed paddy for me and has to start next week. He is so strong that even if he only a a grip of a shirt he will bring the man down
Cave- I hope he is just rusty but he doesn't look anywhere near his best.
Trimble- looks right at his best. Probably the on form winger in Ireland with Zebo.
D'arcy unlucky. Andrew did really well I have to admit. Was pleasantly surprised.

Court, Best, Afoa, Tuohy, Henderson, Diack, Henry, Williams, Pienaar, Jackson, Gilroy, Marshall, Cave, Trimble, Payne

For next week. If tuohy is out then Stevenson comes in

[AlastairW]

I hope North is alright. Looked like he took a neck injury, never good

[Standulstermen]

Incidently what was the final score. A mate of mine had £40 on ulster by 26-30 at 12-1 and I was certain that last conversion from the scarlets went over as I was in line with it. That would make it 47-17

[rodders]

47-17 it was... a fine last 20min it was.

Pienaar MOTM for me but some huge carries and excellent try by Williams makes him a worth winner. Excellent game again by Trimble too. Was also impressed by Stevenson, Herring and Andrew.

Not a huge game by Henry but an excellent captain he is..seems to always make the right calls.

[Standulstermen]

The first 3 trys were a thing of beauty it has to be said

[maestegmafia]

The first 3 trys were a thing of beauty it has to be said

Can't disagree with that at all..! Ulster are pleasure to watch.

[Standulstermen]

The first 3 trys were a thing of beauty it has to be said

Can't disagree with that at all..! Ulster are pleasure to watch.

When it comes off maestag!

[rodders]

The first 3 trys were a thing of beauty it has to be said

Can't disagree with that at all..! Ulster are pleasure to watch.

Very generous of you, we have plenty of not so pleasurable moments too! Cheers .

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Here are my two cents on your two cents

Court- decent outing. Held his end up grand and decent work rate

.
Looks to be getting better and better IMO. Has upped his work around the pitch this season.

Herring - one line out aside when the call was mangled he was ok with Rory to come in

Looks like a pretty solid second choice over the last few weeks.

Macklin- got a few decision in the first half when he looked to have been bettered. He is our only backup at present but I'm not convinced

Not sure what to make of this lad tbh. Seems to have footballing potential but can implode.

Tuohy- not really on long enough to rate

Some serious tackles and rucking from what I saw.

Stevenson- still getting fit but decent work rate. Looks like he is operating at 70 %

Really strong bloke by the looks of it, gets around the pitch well too.

Diack- I thought he had a poor opening 30 but picked up massively. Seems to be our best line out caller after muller

Looked like he was the lad that made things tick from my couch.

Henry- quiet enough by his own high standards. Breakdown was a bit of a mess though

Another who seemed to do all the things that meant others could play the game all flashy

Williams- 2nd best player on the pitch. Has to start next week

So much go forward, yeah he makes mistakes but he is worth it. The guy gets you yards and more importantly momentum.

Pienaar- best player on the pitch. Say no more

His kicking from hand is just silly! That is all.

Jackson- poor first 30 but improved massively. Still doesn't look quite right

I'm still unconvinced I think Pienaar is carrying him a fair bit. If he didn't have him inside him I'd be interested in how he'd fare against good teams.

Gilroy- unlucky with some high ball attempts. Another night he catches them. The old zip was back though

Apart from one break he looked kinda quiet

Marshall- outperformed paddy for me and has to start next week. He is so strong that even if he only a a grip of a shirt he will bring the man down

Definitely out played Wallace, made some mad tackles on North. Ulster could do with getting him running straight off multi option moves.

Cave- I hope he is just rusty but he doesn't look anywhere near his best.

Is beginning to look quite poor compared to the rest of the backs in Ulster (and to an extent Ireland)

Trimble- looks right at his best. Probably the on form winger in Ireland with Zebo.

Unreal game I thought he was fantastic. Did everything as far as I was concerned.

D'arcy unlucky. Andrew did really well I have to admit. Was pleasantly surprised.

This guy looks like he has serious potential hope to see more of him.

[Standulstermen]

Pete

I thought Gilroy looked dangerous when he got the ball. Andrew has looked totally out of his depth before tonight and I think the ball went threw his legs when he first came on. I feared the worst at that point but his Garryowens were all on the money.

I'm beginning to think that even if Tuohy is fit we should use Stevenson and Henderson next week. Im reluctant to ditch Diack due to his line out worth but Henderson adds so much grunt he needs to feature.

I hope tonight has restored Jacksons confidence a bit. His flat passing (it looked flat from where I was but haven't seen it twice) was excellent, really getting big nick and trimble on the front foot.

[Artful_Dodger]

I missed this bloody game, second match I've missed this season, both of which were against Scarlets. If anyone has highlights please PM me, hoping the BBC might put the whole match up on their rugby page though.

[Artful_Dodger]

Just reading the report on the Ulster rugby website:-

More excitement was to come on 55 minutes as Williams bulldozed his way through half a dozen tackles to the line, his final pass just eluding Wallace's outstretched arms. The big Number Eight then resolved to do it all himself seconds later, astutely capitalising on slothful Scarlets defence at a five-metre scrum to dive over the line.

Another vintage Nick Williams performance then

[WillyGilly]

I'm guessing if Deccie comes sniffing around your squad 6 Nations time, you'll tell him to feic off eh Rodders?

Come 6n time I shall be cutting telephone lines around ulster's training ground and nervously watching out for cars with southern registrations that I can helpfully divert to Londonderry. Seriously though our boys where good enough last year and they were good enough in the autumn. If he wanted them he should have taken them then. Kidney clock currently stands at 136 days. Bring it.

[Notch]

Mark Anscombe on last night;

“We were a bit flat in that first half and were not looking after the ball and our break down work was pretty average. It was concerning to be honest.

“In fairness to the boys, they got it going early in second half and we pretty well controlled it. It was disappointing to concede that try at the end.”

I love his attitude. Such a perfectionist. We'll be working hard again this week because nothing is ever good enough- we can always do better. But we have some injury concerns;

“It is not looking good for Dan.

“That has got to be a concern, it is early to tell but it is not looking good at this stage.

“Luke is a real concern with his finger. He backed up last week’s game with another superb 40 minutes tonight.

“Jared is a really big concern, he is really important, but hopefully the few days off allows him sufficient time to be up for next week.

“We hopefully will have Rory Best back and hopefully nothing else will come out of the woodwork.”

[WillyGilly]

Awk balls I didn't realise Payne was as bad as that.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Pete

I thought Gilroy looked dangerous when he got the ball. Andrew has looked totally out of his depth before tonight and I think the ball went threw his legs when he first came on. I feared the worst at that point but his Garryowens were all on the money.

I'm beginning to think that even if Tuohy is fit we should use Stevenson and Henderson next week. Im reluctant to ditch Diack due to his line out worth but Henderson adds so much grunt he needs to feature.

I hope tonight has restored Jacksons confidence a bit. His flat passing (it looked flat from where I was but haven't seen it twice) was excellent, really getting big nick and trimble on the front foot.

I thought Andrew looked really good apart from the ball through the legs thing. He kicked well, tackled well and that pick up off Ruan's offload was really good oh and seconds later he handed off George North, no big deal like.

Tuohy doesn't look like next week is an option for him which is sad I was hoping to see him in the 6N 23.

Ha yeah I was looking at that Ulster got a lot of breathing room from the ref in that regard passes from Ruan, Paddy and Paddy Senior went beyond flat at times I think but sure the end result was good gainline rugby.

He had one great run and in fairness his defence was considerably better than in previous weeks

[Scrumpy]

Whats the latest on North?

[clivemcl]

As much as I love the guy, if Muller says "It doesnt get much bigger than this" one more time, I'm going to scream!

Its like an involuntary reflex for him. According to him, that sentence applies to every HEC match and every Rabo side apart from the italians....


They can't all be equaqlly the 'biggest' can they.

Sorry, Johan, I love you in every other way!

[Notch]

I thought Jackson had a few mistakes but watching the game back he did a lot right too! Some of his kicks to the corner and passes on the gainline were very good. Turns 21 today, I can only see him getting better. Right now we're taking the rough with the smooth but long-term its the right thing to give him all this gametime because he'll be top outhalf once he gets more consistency in his game.

[neilthom7]

I've stood in UUJ on the 3G with Muller directly behind me as far as I'm concerned he can say whatever he likes to me I ain't arguing with him lol

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

I thought Jackson had a few mistakes but watching the game back he did a lot right too! Some of his kicks to the corner and passes on the gainline were very good. Turns 21 today, I can only see him getting better. Right now we're taking the rough with the smooth but long-term its the right thing to give him all this gametime because he'll be top outhalf once he gets more consistency in his game.

I think this is really poignant in how a senior player can help develop a younger player. Jackson is getting so much experience, he's learning so much about the game and how to play it and all the time he has that safety net of Ruan Pienaar to help him in games but also in training.

I think we could all learn from this style and get young guys playing with more experienced guys cough Marshall-Bod Centre partnership cough

Clears throat

[Artful_Dodger]

Notch did you record the game or have you got it on a link, if so could you send it to me in a pm please.

[Standulstermen]

Listen, Clive

Watched it back and the only pass i thought was well forward was Wallace to Williams for his big run into the 22. The rest seemed flat to me and credit to jackson for it. Some of his distribution was first rate.

To be honest after rewatching, even with big Dan fit i would be inclined to go

Court, Best, Afoa, Stevenson, Henderson, Diack, Henry, Williams in the pack.

The big one is Payne for me. He adds so much class to our backline and i am hoping there is an element of kidology in Anscombes remarks about his injury. Watching Anscombe i have to say i love his interviews and his attitude to performances. We have been run close by teams and he seems happy, we bonus point the 2nd place team in the league and he is raging (rightly so for large parts). I was always in favour of bringing in a new coach over McLaughlin (no disrespect intended) but i didnt think it would work out so well!



edit; i will add the the Penalty try was harsh but understandable. In no way would big Lewis have got Paddys pass but the ref only gets one look at it (can he go to the TMO there?). Definitely a Penalty and a yellow but not a PT for me

[Artful_Dodger]

Finally got some highlights on the BBC website.

[Notch]

Notch did you record the game or have you got it on a link, if so could you send it to me in a pm please.

its on iPlayer.

[Artful_Dodger]

Ohhhh....of course, silly me.

[Don Alfonso]

Well, another superbly accurate prediction from the Big Book of Alfonso. I'm like a Greek oracle, I tells ya...

While Pienaar undoubtedly shepherds Jackson along, it's worth bearing in mind that three of tho tries came with service from Heaney. The misdirection and pop passes for Trimble's try came from Jackson amd Cave. A smart, well executed move that showed how accurate and intelligent a player Jackson can be.

[Notch]

One thing Scarlets have to look at is their transfer policy... they seem to have brought in quite a few NWQ journeymen into their pack. I've picked up on Scarlets fans complaining abut their backs but they do still look underpowered up front.

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