Pro12 Playoff 1; Ulster (1st) vs Scarlets (4th) at Ravenhill

First topic message reminder :

Got my ticket booked for this one- expecting a good game if the weather holds up! Scarlets will probably raise their game from their abject home display against Treviso. Having watched them this season, I have noticed that when things don't go well for them and they start making mistakes they tend to get frustrated and make more and more. It seems they once again succumbed to this malaise against an excellent Treviso side who are slowly and surely growing into a team that can contend for a Top Six placing. But at Ravenhill, there is little pressure on them and they have everything to gain and nothing to lose. Totally different scenario.

Ulster were pretty poor for the first 40 minutes against Cardiff, no denying it, and will need an improved 80 minute display to see of the challenge of Scarlets and hopefully, in the event of a win, get primed to peak in the final two weeks later. Paddy Jackson has to return to the team at 10- a better defensive organiser and tackler, a more creative outhalf and it sees Pienaar return to his best position. Diack has to play too. Diack adds a great deal of balance to our backrow and I think dropping him to accommodate both Henderson and Williams would be a big mistake. Too unbalanced. Tuohy and Muller is a better balanced second row too, especially at lineout time, and Henderson hasn't been as impressive at lock as he has at 6. It seems like Henderson and Gilroy might both miss out- Gilroy maybe even not making the bench if Fridays selection is anything to go by, although I'd like to see him in there. Peter Nelson would be unfortunate to lose his place on the bench. In terms of impact subs, I actually think Tom Court can be a good impact sub coming on at loosehead. With Court, Henderson and Gilroy leading the charge from the bench in the second half hopefully we have enough to make it to our first ever Pro12 final.

Preferred Team;

1) Callum Black
2) Rory Best
3) John Afoa
4) Johann Muller (c)
5) Dan Tuohy
6) Robbie Diack
7) Chris Henry
8) Nick Williams
9) Ruan Pienaar
10) Paddy Jackson
11) Tommy Bowe
12) Stuart Olding
13) Darren Cave
14) Andrew Trimble
15) Jared Payne

16) Rob Herring 17) Tom Court 18) Declan Fitzpatrick 19) Iain Henderson 20) Sean Doyle 21) Paul Marshall 22) Michael Allen 23) Craig Gilroy

f**king hell............. Scarlets gave away that.....the scrum early engaged

YELLOW CARD SURELY

The Saint wrote:

sheephead wrote:Saint, how did he lose his place for the blonde haired Turk scurmy to start playing. Was it injury of form?

From what I remember Davies was the starting 9 over a year ago, but only because Knoyle was injured ( ), with Rhodri Williams as his back up. Not sure where Aled came from but he is certainly rated highly by Easterby. Gareth Davies did have a minor injury at the start of the season I think, but a turk is going to have to confirm that with me being not sure and everything...
Davies is the only similar 9 to Phillips for me, but with the desired pass.

Cheers butty. I rate Davies, the appearance v Northampton with all the cheap shots come to mind. Maybe he'll come to ponty =D

In what year did this game start?

Easterby has been inconsistent and wrong with his team selections this season. Timane, Owen (the only one who can pass), and G.Davies are the best in their positions.

Do ye reckon we should find a new Song For Ulster? Its a bit.. well... ya know... Limited? That must be why...

That sums up Rolland's night. Ulster 9 boots it out of the scrum, undeniably a penalty, possibly a yellow, he looks the other way.

Gibbo it's all the non fruit washing we do up here. The pesticides have gone to our brain. We just chant Ulster to remind ourselves where we are from. Its more a question that statement. The chant is more like "Ulster? Ulster? Ulster?" The last thing we'd want is to end up worshipping Keith Earls and eating turnips.

I think he should have went yellow there.

Gibson wrote:Do ye reckon we should find a new Song For Ulster? Its a bit.. well... ya know... Limited? That must be why...

We don't like change in these parts. Stand Up for the Ulstermen and Sir Cliff's millennium prayer will do us fine thank you Gibson.

Try for Scarlets I suppose you all want it disallowed for the shove or whatever that was on Payne off the ball?

Gibson wrote:Do ye reckon we should find a new Song For Ulster? Its a bit.. well... ya know... Limited? That must be why...

Stand Up For Rolland De Ulsterman?
Too subtle now that I read it back to myself.

Best gets MOTM

[quote="The Saint"]

Gibson wrote:Do ye reckon we should find a new Song For Ulster? Its a bit.. well... ya know... Limited? That must be why...

Stand Up For Rolland De Ulsterman?
Too subtle now that I read it back to myself. [
Too long mate we would never remember it

Deserved win

Well done Rolland and Ulster. It could have been a contest, but no.

Told ya.

Tommy!

rodders wrote:

Gibson wrote:Do ye reckon we should find a new Song For Ulster? Its a bit.. well... ya know... Limited? That must be why...

We don't like change in these parts. Stand Up for the Ulstermen and Sir Cliff's millennium prayer will do us fine thank you Gibson.

Well done Ulster. Consummate display.

Hard luck Scarlets. Ye got to the last 4 this time . Its a step up.

Right team won.

Sanjay should have been red.

Trip should have been yellow.

Video ref was wrong, couldn't see the ball grounded.

Muller is a better captain than McGog when it comes to talking to the ref.

By my reckoning Ulster and the Scarlets drew, but in the other game Rolland beat them 13-0 single handed

Scarlets are going to have a long season with losing the likes of North, Timani, Fendy, Williams, Murphy etc.

I expect Cardiff to be 2nd best region next season

Hahaha anyone watching this on rte? Horgan has to tell Hook that a flat pass is legal!

miaow wrote:That sums up Rolland's night. Ulster 9 boots it out of the scrum, undeniably a penalty, possibly a yellow, he looks the other way.

Bloody Southern Irish Frog-Paddies!

Oh Lord its hard to be Welsh sometimes.

You'll all come back tomorrow you hear and see the Weegies stride to the final...

Well done Ulster. Have been on fire for most of the season. Great team. Nick Williams is my player of the season for the Pro 12. Not sure if he's actually been 'the best', or even played that much, but it seems that every time I watch him he's stupidly good! My sort of No.8.

Job done, very physical game but Scarlet's went AWOL for the middle period of the game, some very poor displays from of their players including North and Davies who just couldn't be bothered.

Great games from Diack, Williams, Best, Court, Touhy and Muller. Backs looked sharp too.

Bring on Glasgow. SUFTUM

Well what a surprise the hand picked ref won Ulster the game.

Shocking! even as far telling a Scarlets scrum five meters out from the Ulster line going for a push over try to "use it" WTF?

Every Scarlet ruck formed he called "use it" immediately,
the trip,
the close line on Davies with the try line in sigh,
the ball slapped down on the Ulster line,
Tom Court didn't even get over the line,
Andrew Trimble assaulting someone with their arms pined down thn backing off when he fought back.
Sealing off
In the side.

SHOCKER!

flyhalffactory wrote:You'll all come back tomorrow you hear and see the Weegies stride to the final...

Every chance of that happening FHF. Every chance. Best footie-team in the League for me this year.

Believe.

Welsh sides never get beat its always the ref the weather wrong time of the month.

Gibson wrote:

miaow wrote:That sums up Rolland's night. Ulster 9 boots it out of the scrum, undeniably a penalty, possibly a yellow, he looks the other way.

Bloody Southern Irish Frog-Paddies!

Oh Lord its hard to be Welsh sometimes.

Whilst his dual nationality grates, especially as a Welshman on the international level, it would be meaningless if he were a decent and fair ref. He makes terrible calls/oversights, with little to no feedback to the players. His refereeing of the 'choke tackle' is a joke, giving it as soon as it goes to ground (often pulled down). Ulster undeniably stronger, and it's difficult to say if Scarlets would have had such a comeback had the scores been closer, but Rolland was dire tonight.

DOD wrote:By my reckoning Ulster and the Scarlets drew, but in the other game Rolland beat them 13-0 single handed

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Right team won.

Sanjay should have been red.

Trip should have been yellow.

Video ref was wrong, couldn't see the ball grounded.

Muller is a better captain than McGog when it comes to talking to the ref.

He was struck first though, fair is fair. And the rules state that a strike to the face results in a ban, so both players should be cited. Saying that if the commissioner is Irish or Scottish then it is only Sanjay who will be cited.

Gibson wrote:

rodders wrote:Hi I've just realised Rolland is yer man who sent off Warbs! The barsteward! He hates the Welsh!

Ja. True. But not as much as the Welsh hate themselves.

Me? I blame the English. For everything.

No surprise there then, guess you just need someone to blame.

I guess this is where you claim to have been trying to be smart/ sarcastic, etc.........

viewtothegym wrote:Well what a surprise the hand picked ref won Ulster the game.

Shocking! even as far telling a Scarlets scrum five meters out from the Ulster line going for a push over try to "use it" WTF?

Every Scarlet ruck formed he called "use it" immediately,
the trip,
the close line on Davies with the try line in sigh,
the ball slapped down on the Ulster line,
Tom Court didn't even get over the line,
Andrew Trimble assaulting someone with their arms pined down thn backing off when he fought back.
Sealing off
In the side.

SHOCKER!

Here's a man telling you how it is Rodders, Gibson, Neil, etc.

viewtothegym wrote:Well what a surprise the hand picked ref won Ulster the game.

Shocking! even as far telling a Scarlets scrum five meters out from the Ulster line going for a push over try to "use it" WTF?

Every Scarlet ruck formed he called "use it" immediately,
the trip,
the close line on Davies with the try line in sigh,
the ball slapped down on the Ulster line,
Tom Court didn't even get over the line,
Andrew Trimble assaulting someone with their arms pined down thn backing off when he fought back.
Sealing off
In the side.

SHOCKER!

View, I agree. Irish basterd! I just dont trust foreigners me.

Scarlets were walloped by a far superior team. How does that sound?

Well done Ulster, better team and deserved to win.
However, I hate it when people criticise the ref and blame them for the score. But Rolland and the rest of the officials were absolutely shocking. Some off the calls made especially at the break down were just pathetic. Also I thought that a ref of a certain nation could not officiate a game of a team in that nation without it being a derby. Pretty sure Rolland is Irish (oh and French still haven't forgot the world cup Allan). We Welsh don't like Rolland as it is, this isn't going to help his popularity in Wales. A Pathetic ref.

Injuries were just unbelievable 6 of the starting team but arguably the forwards on the bench should have started after the impact they came of the bench. Except Earle who always gives 100% (you could see he was truly gutted when he had to go off)

Ulster won deservedly but it should not have been by 11 points, they were by far the best side for 55 minutes but then we screwed our heads on. Would have been a better game if the score was closer.
Earle, Snyman and fenby all outstanding
Snyman or Ken Owens for captain next season, preferably Snyman because he is there all season. Great player.

It must be strange to be the only team in the league who are only ever beaten by the ref.

Horrible for a big chunk of the second half which was surely was a least in part due to the series of injuries. I hope all those Scarlets are okay!

Great to make the final.

The Saint wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Right team won.

Sanjay should have been red.

Trip should have been yellow.

Video ref was wrong, couldn't see the ball grounded.

Muller is a better captain than McGog when it comes to talking to the ref.

He was struck first though, fair is fair. And the rules state that a strike to the face results in a ban, so both players should be cited. Saying that if the commissioner is Irish or Scottish then it is only Sanjay who will be cited.

He wasn't punched he was cleaned out aggressively and the shock on the deck, that doesn't justify four or five puches at a bloke whi isn't able to get his hands up to defend himself.

I just wish the Scarlets had a captain who could talk to the ref and be heard

Gibson wrote:

viewtothegym wrote:Well what a surprise the hand picked ref won Ulster the game.

Shocking! even as far telling a Scarlets scrum five meters out from the Ulster line going for a push over try to "use it" WTF?

Every Scarlet ruck formed he called "use it" immediately,
the trip,
the close line on Davies with the try line in sigh,
the ball slapped down on the Ulster line,
Tom Court didn't even get over the line,
Andrew Trimble assaulting someone with their arms pined down thn backing off when he fought back.
Sealing off
In the side.

SHOCKER!

View, I agree. Irish basterd! I just dont trust foreigners me.

Scarlets were walloped by a far superior team. How does that sound?

Sounds just about right

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:Gibbo it's all the non fruit washing we do up here. The pesticides have gone to our brain. We just chant Ulster to remind ourselves where we are from. Its more a question that statement. The chant is more like "Ulster? Ulster? Ulster?" The last thing we'd want is to end up worshipping Keith Earls and eating turnips.

Perhaps some Irish should think back to when they were last beaten by Wales in the 6 Nations before you start making all these claims. Oh and there's the last Pro12 final where Leinster plus the ref were dominated by the Ospreys; the post match discussion being the Leinstermen blaming the ref for the loss!

Very happy with the win!

Williams, Diack and Best were just playing like men possessed. Superb game from the 3 of them.

Commiserations to the Scarlets, but lo and behold the Scarlets lose yet again and the referee is at fault. But hey, what else is new.

The Saint wrote:Perhaps some Irish should think back to when they were last beaten by Wales in the 6 Nations before you start making all these claims. Oh and there's the last Pro12 final where Leinster plus the ref were dominated by the Ospreys; the post match discussion being the Leinstermen blaming the ref for the loss!

TAXI.............

Rolland ruined what could have been a contest. Myopic is an understatment!

Welsh sides never get beat its always the ref the weather wrong time of the month.

Did you watch that game. I hate people criticising the referee for the score all the time but that performance by the ref was unprofessional. Even the touch judges were poor. Both officials were closer than Ken Owens when the trip occurred yet Ken Owens saw it (why he reacted the way he did and then told the ref, who then apologised) and Allan and the linesman didn't. Love sacks

The ref didn't cost the Scarlets the game! We were not good enough simple as.

The Saint wrote:Perhaps some Irish should think back to when they were last beaten by Wales in the 6 Nations before you start making all these claims. Oh and there's the last Pro12 final where Leinster plus the ref were dominated by the Ospreys; the post match discussion being the Leinstermen blaming the ref for the loss!

You welsh have funny memories.

I remember the Leinster fans questioning the lack of control the referee had on the scrum (the scrum was almost a 50/50) but ultimately accepting that they were beaten by a better team. I literally can't remember even one fan blaming the referee for the loss.

Contrast that with practically every time the Scarlets lose. It is incredibly tedious.

2ndtimeround wrote:

Gibson wrote:

rodders wrote:Hi I've just realised Rolland is yer man who sent off Warbs! The barsteward! He hates the Welsh!

Ja. True. But not as much as the Welsh hate themselves.

Me? I blame the English. For everything.

No surprise there then, guess you just need someone to blame.

I guess this is where you claim to have been trying to be smart/ sarcastic, etc.........

Possibly best to think and work it out, rather than guess your life away bud.

That would be a Quantum-Leap. And not just for you, but for Rugby-kind.

Love you. Givvis a cwytch. Gowan, ya know ya want to.

Yawn..

Have a good night people, I'm outta here.

Some things never change.

Gibson wrote:

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:Gibbo it's all the non fruit washing we do up here. The pesticides have gone to our brain. We just chant Ulster to remind ourselves where we are from. Its more a question that statement. The chant is more like "Ulster? Ulster? Ulster?" The last thing we'd want is to end up worshipping Keith Earls and eating turnips.

Stick to wearing bowler hats and marching up and down roads...that should do it