Ulster 2013/2014

First topic message reminder :

Any reason why he didnt make an appearance for the Ravens?

We now need 5 points, not 6, as the Ospreys dropped a point today against the Dragons.

Massively important- 4 points against Leinster, one point against Munster will be enough.

If they had got the four tires we'd probably have had to score four against Leinster. If we can get all four against Leinster we can rest some players for an away semi-final.

For me, only winning this competition would represent making progress. Anything else is failure. We've screwed up really badly in the league this year and that'll probably cost Anscombe his job long-term... but if we can get some players back fit in time an away win at the RDS and an away win to Glasgow in the final is very achievable based on our away form in the big games over the past few years.

Well, I would be very happy to see you guys at Scotstoun / Murrayfield in the final.

And to see you lose, but I am sure it would be a great game and atmosphere!

Is that fair Notch?

What if Payne had not been carded in the 1/4 final? Same players, same season, same errors but possibly still in with a chance in the HEC. Would that mean Anscombe had done a better job?

No, it is fair. One win in the Heineken Cup doesn't make up for the five or six separate occasions in the league where we have gone out and put out performances that are unacceptable and well below standard. As you say the same errors, the same season and then we would be letting one big win paper over the cracks.

McLaughlin got to a Heineken Cup Final, but it was still an unacceptable season if you look at our league form and I was fully behind the decision to give him the boot on that basis because we needed to progress. Anscombe has taken us forward, but there has been a lack of improvement in the team compared to last season- in fact we've gone backwards really- so I question how much further he can take us. The mark of a team is how it performs without its stars. We have several players who are capable of pulling us through big games by themselves, we're lucky in that regard, but take out those players and we look seriously predictable and massively error prone with a propensity for being hugely inconsistent. A semi-final wouldn't change that.

This year was and is really the season where we either sh!t or get off the pot. Win silverware or the season is a failure, because we've been building up to this season for several years. But we shouldn't let a good Cup run or even a Cup win cover up our league form.

Dragons away
Glasgow at home
Scarlets away
Leisnter away
Cardiff away
Glasgow away

Performances that were totally sub-standard and unacceptable. Even one win out of those six and we would be basically already in the playoffs.

But how would winning the Rabo make any difference?

MrsP wrote:But how would winning the Rabo make any difference?

It wouldn't really. I definitely would be pretty upset if Anscombe got longer than the year he has left on the back of that after the way we've gone in the league. He's failed to address the underlying problems and winning a couple of games at the end of the season would be nice but it wouldn't change the fact we're only the 4th best team in the league this year (if that is where we finish). The table doesn't lie.

But it would be the minimum goal for the season met. I don't like it because I really don't think it is a fair system if we finish 4th and then win the playoffs. But the system is what it is. I would say the goals for the season would have been home draws in Europe and the Pro12 and to win either trophy.

We have the entire 2014/2015 season to search for his successor so let's try and find someone who really can bring us forward.

That's kind of what I meant. What happened in those poor performances will not change because some other team slip up and we happen to finish in the top 4.

I asked before, and nobody answered. Does anyone have a better idea than I who we would expect to have back from injury by the time if we were in a semi playoff? 16/17 may?

I honestly don't know clive. I think Best and Pienaar are goners, I don't know about the rest as I've read conflicting reports.

I think we are losing the run of ourselves a little bit here as regards Anscombe. That's not to say I'm against looking for a replacement, 3/4 years is a good run for most coaches and inevitably things do stagnate with the same coach.

I just think it's not down to Anscombe and the coaches that we will possibly have a disappointing season. Or at least it isn't the biggest factor. Squad size and quality is the biggest but is that Anscombe or humph or just a conscious decision to invest in top end quality and sacrifice depth?

Tom Court, Ricky Lutton and Darren Cave all having scans today after injuries picked up against Glasgow. Declan Fitzpatrick has a heart issue which is a serious concern.

The injuries just don't stop. We now are down to our third choice loose head and our fourth choice tight head if Afoa isn't back in two weeks.

A good prognosis for Lutton and Court fortunately;

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestNews/TabId/149/ArtMID/793/ArticleID/1437/Squad-Update-.aspx

Any more developments on Hart joining next season? Would like to see him playing in Ireland.

"Tom Court suffered a thumb injury on Friday evening. An x-ray today (Monday) showed that it was not broken and he will resume training later this week."

That all? He looked absolutely crocked against Glasgow.

It's crazy how our injury list piles up each year to reach a peak at the business end of the season. We are down to the bare bones of a squad right now which just leaves me at a loss as to how we can reach the playoffs. Why do we lose so many players? Is it down to the physicality of how Ulster plays or just damned bad luck? If we pick up any more knocks we'll be needing Andy Ward to get the suit off and the kit on.

Anyway, most importantly I do hope Dekkie Fitz makes a full recovery, sod the rugby.

Golden wrote:"Tom Court suffered a thumb injury on Friday evening. An x-ray today (Monday) showed that it was not broken and he will resume training later this week."

That all? He looked absolutely crocked against Glasgow.

I think Ulster need to get new medical staff in because Im almost certain they had a look at his neck and shoulder before he went off  

Well maybe Big Bad Tom really really didn't fancy playing TH so he went off looking like he was about to pass out with a neck injury when actually, all that was wrong was he had a nasty bruise on his thumb.

  

It is a strange one right enough. He actually looked unwell when he went off. A bit pasty.

I think Ulster will get 5 points from their remaining games. That's the home win against Leinster and a LBP away to Munster. Glasgow in the form they're in should get 14-15 points from their remaining 3 games. How do Ulster fans see this going? Ospreys fans are desperately hoping you slip-up and hope that they get 10 points from their final two games (though I can't see it personally).

Zebre in their last five games have beaten cardiff and edinburgh, drawn with Dragons and scored 20 points in a narrow defeat to scarlets.

I'm a little hopeful that Zebre could make life difficult for the Ospreys.

Leinster probably don't NEED to beat Ulster, so perhaps may rest some players. But who knows. It is always tough against Leinster.

I also do believe that Muller (not Anscombe) may just be the man to spark a massive end to his last season. The players will feel they owe it to him (and themselves) to come good.

I think we will get 5 points as well, which is enough to qualify us whatever happens to the Ospreys.

I'm much more concerned about what happens when we get to the playoffs. It will be an uphill struggle to win the Championship now.

Yes, would be good for Muller to end with some silverware, both Ulster and Glasgow are long overdue a trophy, so I'd like to see either of those win this competition.

Thanks for the heads up Notch, it seems I was right afterall when I told the Ospreylia dwellers that their team wouldn't get into the top 4.

Yes, well Ospreys need to get more than 5 points more than Ulster to overtake them. Put it like that.

Ospreys get all 10 points, Ulster need 5 points. Os get 9 points, it's down to 4 points etc.

Couple of people on the Scotsman website saying that Hogg is off to join ulster. "Belfast Telegraph report says Hogg to Ulster is a done deal" - Can't find anything about that online.
Anyone able to shed some light?

I think it's nonsense GLove.

Just as well. I'd be pretty peeved if we lost Hogg.

Just rumours at this stage about Hogg. Rumours are often wrong, problem is people always remember the one time they were right over the ten times they were wrong.

Think the source of the rumours was that Hogg was allegedly pictured in restaurant in Belfast with his agent, David Humphreys and Mark Anscombe. Don't think it will amount to anything though.

Some poeples maths is wrong we need 6 points not 5 to qualify because of Ospreys superior points difference.

I think we need to win both games to qualify - I dont think we will

Geoff - think its number of games won first then points difference so 5 points will be enough if they tie.

geoff998rugby wrote:Some poeples maths is wrong we need 6 points not 5 to qualify because of Ospreys superior points difference.

I think we need to win both games to qualify - I dont think we will

Their maths are fine. Os on 60 points with 12 wins. Best they can do is 70 points and 14 wins.

Ulster are on 65 with 14 wins. One win and one BP puts them out of reach of the Ospreys even if they win both games 150 nil.

Notch wrote:Just rumours at this stage about Hogg. Rumours are often wrong, problem is people always remember the one time they were right over the ten times they were wrong.

Think the source of the rumours was that Hogg was allegedly pictured in restaurant in Belfast with his agent, David Humphreys and Mark Anscombe. Don't think it will amount to anything though.

Cannot believe it's anything, really. Ulster don't really need him, apart from anything else although I wouldn't agree with the posters who have recently pontificated that Payne is clearly better than him.  

Hogg had a tight hammie and couldn't play in the last game. He has family in Cregagh so I'm guessing just went to see them and used the window to speak with Anscombe. Why wouldn't you? Slightly more perturbed if his agent was there, mind you.

Ah. Someone got there before me. So anyway Geoff. Now that we have established that, what we really need is a health report on your props.   

What kind of a side can you put out against us next week?

It's a bit baffling. Court looked seriously banjaxed coming off and yet he had a thumb injury. In truth I would start Warwick anyway. Court has dialled out already IMO.

Warwick and court should be fit. Maybe Lutton and Afoa.

GC

I think his agent was there judging from the photos but it's still a long shot. It's just given more weight by the fact that Payne (who I do rate as better, albeit he is much older) is wanted at 13 and rumours are rife about a move to Leinster. On the ulster fans site most of the more sensible posters say it's nonsense

Standulstermen wrote:It's a bit baffling. Court looked seriously banjaxed coming off and yet he had a thumb injury. In truth I would start Warwick anyway. Court has dialled out already IMO.

Warwick and court should be fit. Maybe Lutton and Afoa.

GC

I think his agent was there judging from the photos but it's still a long shot. It's just given more weight by the fact that Payne (who I do rate as better, albeit he is much older) is wanted at 13 and rumours are rife about a move to Leinster. On the ulster fans site most of the more sensible posters say it's nonsense

  I haven't heard "banjaxed" in ages.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

geoff998rugby wrote:Some poeples maths is wrong we need 6 points not 5 to qualify because of Ospreys superior points difference.

I think we need to win both games to qualify - I dont think we will

Their maths are fine. Os on 60 points with 12 wins. Best they can do is 70 points and 14 wins.

Ulster are on 65 with 14 wins. One win and one BP puts them out of reach of the Ospreys even if they win both games 150 nil.

Yep I got it wrong.

I thought it was point difference first but as you say wins take precedence - so we have a chance.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Ah. Someone got there before me. So anyway Geoff. Now that we have established that, what we really need is a health report on your props.   

What kind of a side can you put out against us next week?

My understanding is Black, Court, Afoa are all possibles in that order.
Forget Fitzpatrick - dont know about Lutton.

Works even better down here Bean (Pronounced Ban) is the Irish for woman. and a jax is a toilet.

I'm not even going into what a Big Gee is (pronounced with a hard G) as it might embarrass the poster of the same name.

Ah ok then. It is the bit a bean points at the jax.

Here... so seriously, can we not get some signings announced? Even if its only the iHumph/O'Hagan ones.

I'm getting a little uncomfortable.

Perhaps there is something going on that explains the delay, plus the strange sighting of Hogg.

Maybe a spanner has been thrown in the works which has forced ulster to stall signings that were lined up and instead consider other positions.

Perhaps an NIQ lock isn't happening now because we feel we need the NIQ spot for the backs...

I really hope not, but I'm getting uncomfortably nervous.

Why would signings not be finalised yet and announced?

If there is a spanner in the works it will be one, or more, of the following:

1. Van der Merwe is not passing injury tests such as the club are not prepared to sign in and are looking for a replacement
2. Doyle going back to Australia has caught them on the hop and they feel they need to sign a backrower who can play 7
3. Ferris is a cause for doubt - which only reinforces point 2
4. There is some mileage in the Payne to Leinster rumour and by extension it has brought into play the Hogg rumour and means the Ludik transfer is now up in the air

I dont believe it is 4 and I pray it is not 3.
If we have not heard anything before the Leinster game I would be worried myself.

I heard the dreaded word 'consolidation' mentioned - basically we may not have a pack good enough to be top draw next year.
Beginning to look like it

Any word on the Hart rumours Geoff? Is it dependent on Heaney moving?

Golden it would be the other way round - if we got Hart we would off load Heaney.
As I mentioned I think it is little more than a enquiry.
The club would be delighted if it came off but dont expect it to.

Are Ulster considering buying out his 3 year contract with Grenoble?

surely that would cost a packet?

Ah right. Sure Another few years playing top 14 won't do him too much harm.

It would and I would be almost certain that is why it wont happen.

In truth I think it is far more likely they are making clear to him an early interest in signing him as Pienaer replacement in 2016 or 2017 by which time he may want to come home to develop his Ireland aspirations

is Hart eligible for France too?

Yep. His Mom is French I think.

From Interviews I've read he seems to think of himself as Irish (IMO obviously), he has GAA jerseys on his wall and such. But whose to say if France come calling he would turn down a cap.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Works even better down here Bean (Pronounced Ban) is the Irish for woman. and a jax is a toilet.

I'm not even going into what a Big Gee is (pronounced with a hard G) as it might embarrass the poster of the same name.

Ah ok then. It is the bit a bean points at the jax.

I did not know that but its quite ironic really as my real surname is Dick!

Golden wrote:Yep. His Mom is French I think.

From Interviews I've read he seems to think of himself as Irish (IMO obviously), he has GAA jerseys on his wall and such. But whose to say if France come calling he would turn down a cap.

Thought I'd read that was the case, the way the French are discarding their half backs these days he could well be the last man standing and get a call up

BigGee wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Works even better down here Bean (Pronounced Ban) is the Irish for woman. and a jax is a toilet.

I'm not even going into what a Big Gee is (pronounced with a hard G) as it might embarrass the poster of the same name.

Ah ok then. It is the bit a bean points at the jax.

I did not know that but its quite ironic really as my real surname is Dick!

It's a Dublin only thing. Culchies and Nordies don't use the word. It comes from the fertility symbol Sile Na Gig (Pronounced Sheila na Gee) Which is a woman with a huge......... well google it if you are interested.

We had a French guy in work many years ago whose name was Guy (Pronounced Gee as in Guy Noves)

Women kept asking him his name. When he finally had it explained he was so embarrassed that he began pronouncing his own name the English way.   

If you come to Dublin for a game be sure and ask any woman you meet "How's yer gee luv?" or ask her "D'ya do the gee?"

Anyway sorry for usurping your thread with this filth Ulster folk  

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

BigGee wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Works even better down here Bean (Pronounced Ban) is the Irish for woman. and a jax is a toilet.

I'm not even going into what a Big Gee is (pronounced with a hard G) as it might embarrass the poster of the same name.

Ah ok then. It is the bit a bean points at the jax.

I did not know that but its quite ironic really as my real surname is Dick!

It's a Dublin only thing. Culchies and Nordies don't use the word. It comes from the fertility symbol Sile Na Gig (Pronounced Sheila na Gee) Which is a woman with a huge......... well google it if you are interested.

We had a French guy in work many years ago whose name was Guy (Pronounced Gee as in Guy Noves)

Women kept asking him his name. When he finally had it explained he was so embarrassed that he began pronouncing his own name the English way.   

If you come to Dublin for a game be sure and ask any woman you meet "How's yer gee luv?" or ask her "D'ya do the gee?"

Anyway sorry for usurping your thread with this filth Ulster folk  

BTW, Jennifer, if you want to put a fada on, use Ctrl+Alt+letter - Síle ...