Ulster 2013/2014

First topic message reminder :

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

Ah the speed bump technique, very good.
I do think he'll prove a good signing though, would be seriously worried if we ended up relying on him and p Marshall as the halfbacks.

Wee Paul is a better tackler by a country mile, I'm sure he could cover for Ian

Did you see how Wee Paul smashed Daveaverage Kearney back in the tackle at the weekend, he was like a mini Steven Ferris.

I am honestly glad to see Ian back though, as a cover player he'll be more than adequate.

Daverage couldn't even keep on his feet when untouched! His farcical attempt at a tackle on Jennings was what worries me.

I do agree, he is an immeasurable improvement on McKinney.

Ihumph is quality - great to have him back. He'll be ideal cover for Jackson and a real impact player from the bench if he grows that beard again.

At this advanced stage of his career I suspect he'll revert to touch rugby style tackling but he'll spark our back line when PJ is away to a far greater extent than anyone else we could ever get for this role. Good to have him back.

Have there been any injury updates that anyone is aware of?

Afoa and Ferris? Have we seen the last of Afoa's offering to Ulster and is Ferris to be on the pitch again this season. I had heard he was being offered a contract renewal. Is Ruan going to be ready for the rematch with Leinster that we will play with 15 men? Rory Best?

Notch, you're absolutely right. One of the biggest problems this season has been the backline looking poor when we have 2nd/3rd choice players. Ihumph should help fix this.

Court Banned for 2 weeks. Looks like black is our main man at 1 to close out the season, do you reckon Warrick will stay at 3 this weekend seeing as it's going to be a relative under strength side anyway, couldn't hurt to give him a bit more game time there, we may need him at 3 for periods next season!

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/news/14992.php#.U2ugxqIcaOY

Court got a 2 week ban plus an extra week as a deterrent then reduced it by 3 weeks because of his excellent disciplinary record but hes still got a 2 week ban?

Probably a typo.

"in imposing a four-week suspension, they applied a deterrent factor of an additional week but then reduced the sanction by three weeks"

Marty he got 5 weeks minus three hence the two weeks. It's a dreadfu way for the guy to finish his Ulster career unless we can make the final. Lets do it for Tom

Pete its been changed since yesterday, they obviously couldn't make sense of their own decision

Sneaky barstewards Marty, you've been victimised by the Rabo

Ulster share the Pro12 Fair Play Award with Connacht... Tom Court red card doesn't detract from the fact we've the least yellows in the league. A red is worth three yellows, I think, but still didn't knock us off top spot.

And Connacht won the Collision Kings award, which is good to see.
The irony presumably not lost on Clarke, the most concussed man in rugby, who collected the award.

To be honest, I still have no idea what that award is for.

Most tackles made throughout the season perhaps?

JJ gets the golden boot award. Gareth Davies top try scorer and Biggar top points.

Also this was the try of the season

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwZln3PXyJE&feature=youtu.be

  

Nice heads up rugby from Niko but its just a kick chase. There were better tries scored last weekend not to mind the whole season.

A lot of the time when they would nominate tries of the round, they wouldn't get the best tries in the game.

This wasn't nominated for try of the round;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKLIxI0f-oo

But this was;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ8gp1REaDg

It was just a pick up and one pass... was surprised as wouldn't have said it was the best in that game alone. Not second best.

That Marshall try was an absolute beauty

Was a little surprised to see Roger Wilsons name in among the star studded World XV squad...

fair play!

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_9309942,00.html

rabodirectpro12.com wrote:"The committee decided that the offence, a dangerous "lifting" tackle contrary to Law 10.4(j), was at the four-week low end of the IRB's scale of sanctions for this type of offence and, in imposing a four-week suspension, they applied a deterrent factor of an additional week but then reduced the sanction by three weeks, to reflect, among other factors, the player's acceptance of the red card and his previous excellent disciplinary record.

Tom Court is therefore suspended until midnight on Sunday 18 May and has the right of appeal.

So if what Notch says is correct that Irish teams collude so as not to cite compatriot opposition, Kearney gets off scot free for a frightful head-lopper.

That's a disgrace imo; Kearney deserved a longer ban that Court.

What would be the point of Ulster citing the Kearney tackle?

It was seen by the ref. It was clearly seen by several TV cameras and presumably seen by the citing officer.

None of the above deemed it to warrant a RC.

Even if Ulster felt it was worthy of a RC, which they don't, what possible end would be served by asking the same people to look at the same footage that lead to the correct decision to award a YC?

No conspiracy, just common sense.

The provinces are forbidden to cite each other by the IRFU.

Hmm... I've just been thinking (which isn't a very common occurrence), will the return of iHumph have unforeseen effects on the development of players in other positions?
The reason for the question is at the moment we'd normally use Pienaar as our back up outhalf, and this has afforded us an extra space on the bench normally occupied by an extra back row or an extra center.

Presumably however iHumph hasn't returned home to be reduced to making couple of cameo appearances during the test windows and spending every other week in the AIL as we've expected our previous outhalves to do.
If iHumph is going to be on the bench through the season, it's going to take careful management to ensure that fringe and developing players are kept involved. And unfortunately careful management is not something the Ulster coaching staff have an history of excelling in.

We may still do that in games we expect Jackson to last the 80. If Humphreys is on the bench we'll likely nominate a back three player depending on where Payne plays. Payne can play at 13 or 15 so if he is at 13 we may have a centre on the bench and move him into the back three if needed. Otherwise a winger may be the best choice, especially given Trimble and Bowe are capable of stepping into centre in an emergency.

Tbh Olding is the key. He can cover 10, 12 and 15. If he's on the pitch or on the bench it gives us a lot more versatility. No need for Humphreys if Olding is around covering 10, so we can have a centre and a back three player.

rodders wrote:The provinces are forbidden to cite each other by the IRFU.

And therein lies the nub of the problem.
The Rabo has no independent citing obsever.

Golden wrote:That Marshall try was an absolute beauty

Indeed. Don't see many scores from first phase these days.

So we have or are about to sign a backrower, 6 or 7.
Any information anyone?
Where's the Geoff man?

There's a rumour about this guy;

http://www.theblues.co.nz/players/204-Brendon-OConnor.aspx

Notch wrote:There's a rumour about this guy;

http://www.theblues.co.nz/players/204-Brendon-OConnor.aspx

Is it just me or does he look like Sam Warburton?

But with a name like that theres got to be some Irish blood in there

marty2086 wrote:

Notch wrote:There's a rumour about this guy;

http://www.theblues.co.nz/players/204-Brendon-OConnor.aspx

Is it just me or does he look like Sam Warburton?

But with a name like that theres got to be some Irish blood in there

Surely an Irish qualified player.

Has Geoff deserted us?

Yeah I think he is Irish qualified. We can't sign a non-iq player. This is just a rumour, do not know if there is truth in it.

Is he related to Niall?

No, Sinead.

Paddy Wallace has announced his retirement    

Pity he wasn't able to get one last run out, deserved a decent send off   

Damn, I knew it was coming but had hoped the reports were premature. He has been some servant to Ulster for what seems like forever.

It was in the programme at the Leinster match. He'll be missed but there is a new generation of 12s in Ulster that can carry on his mantle. I hope they have learned as much from him as possible!

All the flowers that you planted, Paddy
In the back yard
All died when you went away
I know that living with you baby was sometimes hard
But I’m willing to give it another try
Nothing compares
Nothing Compares to you....  

Way to tie 2 stories together there Rodders!

  

Paddy was just great!

You see his little interview in the Sunday times?

He was asked to give his advice to any aspiring professional players.

"Don't answer your phone when your on holiday and don't agree to play the worlds best rugby team having not touched a ball in over a month."

  

Always liked wee Paddy, got an awful time down here from the media and fans in general.

That was the craziest selection decision of all the selection decisions... you've picked your squad! Pick someone who is in your squad!

Paddy has to rank up there as one of our wee countries finest sporting icons. He always gave his all and I will have fond memories of how he destroid many defences with his quick feet.

A true Ulster Great, thank you PW         

From ROG on Twitter

@paddywallace12 congrats on a wonderful career.Under appreciated by many yet truly respected by his peers.#classact
#teamplayer

Wee Paddy was a class act ok. Great guy who made the most of his talent despite the shyte talk from the begrudgers.

Really skillful guy whose quick hands brain and feet kept him ahead of the big lumps.

Class act indeed.

I sat beside Cillian Willis's dad on the plane back from Ulster's HCup game in Bath. We had a great chat but the thing that stuck in my memory most was his glowing praise of Paddy Wallace. He stated that Paddy was both "the most naturally gifted rugby player in Ireland" and was by far "the most underated player in Ireland too".

High praise... coming from BOD's uncle!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9V1yMIjxQc

Great memories...

Why on earth would you post a video of a guy who only shares a surname with Paddy getting a career ending injury with the caption 'Great memories'? That is an exceptionally classless post.

Firstly.

That is DAVID WALLACE!

Secondly.

I think it's pretty poor to celebrate a career ending tackle.

You really have out done yourself there Portnoy.

#truecolours!

Portnoy's Complaint wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9V1yMIjxQc

Great memories...

Lest you try to change it.

Classy indeed from Portnoy.

  

Portnoy's Complaint wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9V1yMIjxQc

Great memories...

Oh Portnoy, why?