Ulster 2016/2017

First topic message reminder :

Well the danger is always that life happens and he might refocus his entire life after two years in France.... were he to go.

Tommy Bowe is the new defense coach!

Really??

Just the usual weekly prematch press conference

@UlsterRugby wrote:48 minutes ago

.@TommyBowe14 fielding questions at this week's press conference #SUFTUM

Bloody hell, I've been waiting all week for this!

Well that's all a bit anti-climatic. Heads will have to roll

I said I didn't believe there was to be a big news conference. I was right

4 F sake

Well, look at it this way; the good news for this week is that there is no bad news

The week isn't over yet though

Now I know why nobody told me about a press conference

If wasn't worth mentioning

On a positive note I was worried I'd missed something but I hadn't

marty2086 wrote:The week isn't over yet though

I say the week is officially over

Still waiting for the New Conference? Someone is havin' a larf.

So Munster will make a case to IRFU to retain Jaco Taute and Francis Saili.
In a world where Donald Trump can be the US president anything can happen I suppose.

If they are allowed this then the IRFU surely has to make a U-turn on Ruan's case.

Ulster Rugby has today confirmed that Sam Windsor will be replaced in the senior squad by Ballymena RFC centre Callum Patterson.

Windsor requested an early release from his contract to allow him to move to America to be with his fiancée, while he will also pursue his rugby career in the region.

The 29-year-old Australian made three appearances for Ulster since his arrival 18 months ago, including a start against Edinburgh last month. He regularly covered as 24th man for the Province in the Guinness PRO12 due to his ability to cover flyhalf and centre.

Patterson has been a prominent figure for Ballymena RFC in recent seasons, while he has also featured for Ulster A in the British & Irish Cup. He will join up with the Ulster squad on a full-time basis from the third week of February for the remainder of the season, and will be training out of work hours until then.

Patterson, who plays most of his rugby in midfield, was instrumental in helping Ballymena Academy win the 2010 Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Cup; his second half drop-goal clinched a 10-7 triumph over Belfast Royal Academy.

The 24-year-old said: "It's fantastic that I've been added to the senior panel as it's something that I've always been trying to achieve. I'm somewhat of a late developer, having come through the club game with Ballymena, so it's a great opportunity for me.

"Playing for Ulster A over the past couple of seasons has been brilliant for me, it's given me confidence and experience of playing at a good level. I learnt a lot being part of that environment and hopefully I can continue to improve my game under Les (Kiss) and the other coaches. I'd also like to thank my employers for their flexibility in giving me time off to pursue this opportunity."

Windsor added: "I got engaged about a month ago and my fiancée is over in America so it was a personal decision to join her over there. The plan is to continue to play rugby - it's a sport that is growing rapidly in that part of the world and it presents a new challenge to me.

"I've loved it here in Belfast; I probably didn't expect to love it so much. It's been a great city to live in, the people here are amazing and I've forged some life-long friendships with the boys at the club. I'll be keeping an eye on Ulster's results and I think they will have nothing but success this season and beyond."

Commenting on the news, Director of Rugby Les Kiss paid tribute to Windsor and welcomed Patterson into the squad:

"Sam is a hugely popular member of the group and he has been a top class professional in training. His positivity has really rubbed off on the rest of the squad on a weekly basis and that is hugely important.

"I know that he has contributed a great deal to Ballynahinch RFC during his time in Ulster as well, so we are not the only ones who will be sad to see him go. While it's disappointing that's he's leaving, the welfare of our players is of paramount importance to us and we fully understand his reasons. We wish Sam every success for the future.

"Callum is someone who we've been tracking for quite some time and he has played a number of times for the Ulster A team. Indeed, he has collected a few Man of the Match awards for us and that, coupled with his excellent form for Ballymena RFC, meant he has been knocking on the door of the senior squad.

"He has a great work ethic and is relishing this chance - it's exciting for us to have someone like that coming on board. We are looking forward to seeing what he can contribute to our roster."

Seems we were short at centre

Total waste of time - we don't need a centre  and he is nowhere the level of the ones we have.

Good luck to him but if he ever sees the first XV I'd be gobsmacked

One pointless contract replaced by another pointless contract

So many words for such little consequence.

It seems we are signing players these days with the sole purpose of playing for the team formerly known as the Ravens, something I don't oppose if we are strengthening there and trying create more competition and a winning culture until we can actually nurture the depth through the academy like Leinster have done

So are we saying there isn't a single young backrow worth giving a shot? Not one?

marty2086 wrote:

Kingshu wrote:

marty2086 wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:

marty2086 wrote:Interesting that he says that Nucifora wants to ensure Erasmus succeeds, does that mean he would make decisions to hamper other provinces to get his own people in place?

Maybe but the most obvious thing is the inconsistency shown. The rules are unbending when dealing with Ulster it seems. Even with exactly the same argument being used to retain the player.

It all depends on what Munster are asking for, if they get Taute for a few years and Saili leaves in the summer that wouldn't be a bad idea for me especially if Taute is doing better work with the young guys but if they keep both for longer then its the same argument or worse because there are actually players there ready to come through which isn't the case with Pienaar as yet

Have Munster not had a NIQ center as long as Ulster have had Pienaar, or is it longer?

Casey Laulala etc,

If they are allowed Taute, or to sign him or someone else after Sali leaves and we are not allowed Pienaar, it does smack of double standards.

They've usually had a NIQ going back over a decade but at the same time there have been plenty of IQ centres to keep the IRFU happy so as not to worry about the NIQ numbers over the years

Scrum half is a problem position across the sport but what should be pointed out is that Munster were allowed to let O'Leary go and had to bring in a Kiwi injury replacement along with Angus Lloyd at scrum half instead of going into the academy

Munster brought Cathal Sheridan back (from AIL) who promptly got injured. Both O'Leary & Sheridan are injured at the moment!

Sin é wrote:
Munster brought Cathal Sheridan back (from AIL) who promptly got injured. Both O'Leary & Sheridan are injured at the moment!

And Leinster lost Fitzgerald and Morris to career ending injuries and were told to suck it up plus O'Leary now plays in France

marty2086 wrote:It seems we are signing players these days with the sole purpose of playing for the team formerly known as the Ravens, something I don't oppose if we are strengthening there and trying create more competition and a winning culture until we can actually nurture the depth through the academy like Leinster have done

All this sort of signing does is deny talented youngsters experience for a journeyman AIB player - as I say pointless

Mulholland last year comes into the same category

Munster are Nazifora's new pet province it seems only because it'll look bad on him if Erasmus doesn't succeed.

marty2086 wrote:Seems we were short at centre

Ulster Rugby

geoff999rugby wrote:

marty2086 wrote:It seems we are signing players these days with the sole purpose of playing for the team formerly known as the Ravens, something I don't oppose if we are strengthening there and trying create more competition and a winning culture until we can actually nurture the depth through the academy like Leinster have done

All this sort of signing does is deny talented youngsters experience for a journeyman AIB player - as I say pointless

Mulholland last year comes into the same category

If someones good enough they'll play but if they aren't able to displace the journeyman AIB player are they worth worrying about?

marty2086 wrote:

Sin é wrote:
Munster brought Cathal Sheridan back (from AIL) who promptly got injured. Both O'Leary & Sheridan are injured at the moment!

And Leinster lost Fitzgerald and Morris to career ending injuries and were told to suck it up plus O'Leary now plays in France

They lost Fitzgerald who was always injured and Morris was on a short term deal as there were question marks over his fitness anyway.

You seem to forget that Munster have the Ireland starting scrumhalf who hardly plays for Munster as it is. Munster obviously tried to recruit Irish Qed players which hasn't worked out well with the injury prone O'Leary who is injured anyway.

Didn't Ulster pull a fast one on the IRFU anyway by giving Pienaar an exceptionally long contract just before the new rules came in? Maybe its payback time now!

So the IRFU are motivated by revenge?

If Ulster drop of the top 6 next season, that will be some revenge and well done IRFU

Munchkin wrote:So the IRFU are motivated by revenge?

If Ulster drop of the top 6 next season, that will be some revenge and well done IRFU

Not revenge - putting manners on you

Sin é wrote:

Munchkin wrote:So the IRFU are motivated by revenge?

If Ulster drop of the top 6 next season, that will be some revenge and well done IRFU

Not revenge - putting manners on you

Same thing.

Sure, maybe we will get Blade, or someone who can step up to that level (HEC level, not world class Pienaar level). If not, it's going to be a very tough season for Ulster.

P.s it wasn't me who gave you a negative

No its not. Its ensuring that Ulster take the IRFU seriously.

Sin é wrote:

marty2086 wrote:

Sin é wrote:
Munster brought Cathal Sheridan back (from AIL) who promptly got injured. Both O'Leary & Sheridan are injured at the moment!

And Leinster lost Fitzgerald and Morris to career ending injuries and were told to suck it up plus O'Leary now plays in France

They lost Fitzgerald who was always injured and Morris was on a short term deal as there were question marks over his fitness anyway.

You seem to forget that Munster have the Ireland starting scrumhalf who hardly plays for Munster as it is. Munster obviously tried to recruit Irish Qed players which hasn't worked out well with the injury prone O'Leary who is injured anyway.

Didn't Ulster pull a fast one on the IRFU anyway by giving Pienaar an exceptionally long contract just before the new rules came in? Maybe its payback time now!

O'Leary isn't injured hes only 3rd choice at Montpellier and even if he was he wasn't when Munster let him leave which left them short of players in his position

Sin é wrote:No its not. Its ensuring that Ulster take the IRFU seriously.

Yes, it is. There's nothing to suggest that Ulster don't take the IRFU seriously. I mean, it's not as though we don't practice good house keeping and pay back our debts. In fact, we are fairly debt free Anyway, your claim of 'payback' isn't believable. It's just Nucifora being a prat.

4 dislikes

marty2086 wrote:

Sin é wrote:

marty2086 wrote:

Sin é wrote:
Munster brought Cathal Sheridan back (from AIL) who promptly got injured. Both O'Leary & Sheridan are injured at the moment!

And Leinster lost Fitzgerald and Morris to career ending injuries and were told to suck it up plus O'Leary now plays in France

They lost Fitzgerald who was always injured and Morris was on a short term deal as there were question marks over his fitness anyway.

You seem to forget that Munster have the Ireland starting scrumhalf who hardly plays for Munster as it is. Munster obviously tried to recruit Irish Qed players which hasn't worked out well with the injury prone O'Leary who is injured anyway.

Didn't Ulster pull a fast one on the IRFU anyway by giving Pienaar an exceptionally long contract just before the new rules came in? Maybe its payback time now!

O'Leary isn't injured hes only 3rd choice at Montpellier and even if he was he wasn't when Munster let him leave which left them short of players in his position

Tomás O’Leary ruled out until Christmas after injury blow
http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/tomas-oleary-ruled-out-until-christmas-after-injury-blow-429911.html


Munster brought in former Munster scrum half Cathal Sheridan back to cover for TOL.

Cathal Sheridan breaks leg in AIL game days after signing short-term Munster contract
http://www.the42.ie/cathal-sheridan-munster-injury-update-3019411-Oct2016/

marty2086 wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:

marty2086 wrote:It seems we are signing players these days with the sole purpose of playing for the team formerly known as the Ravens, something I don't oppose if we are strengthening there and trying create more competition and a winning culture until we can actually nurture the depth through the academy like Leinster have done

All this sort of signing does is deny talented youngsters experience for a journeyman AIB player - as I say pointless

Mulholland last year comes into the same category

If someones good enough they'll play but if they aren't able to displace the journeyman AIB player are they worth worrying about?

The worry is that the natural instinct at Ulster is to play an inadequate journeyman who will never be good enough rather than give a young raw player with talent a chance.
It has been like ever since McCall left.

Secondly it is the waste of cash

Munchkin wrote:4 dislikes

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I just give you another one there ...don't take it personally I was just testing what the buttons did as I didn't see them before

rodders wrote:

Munchkin wrote:4 dislikes

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I just give you another one there ...don't take it personally I was just testing what the buttons did as I didn't see them before  

Well, seeing as it's in the interest of testing

geoff999rugby wrote:

marty2086 wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:

marty2086 wrote:It seems we are signing players these days with the sole purpose of playing for the team formerly known as the Ravens, something I don't oppose if we are strengthening there and trying create more competition and a winning culture until we can actually nurture the depth through the academy like Leinster have done

All this sort of signing does is deny talented youngsters experience for a journeyman AIB player - as I say pointless

Mulholland last year comes into the same category

If someones good enough they'll play but if they aren't able to displace the journeyman AIB player are they worth worrying about?

The worry is that the natural instinct at Ulster is to play an inadequate journeyman who will never be good enough rather than give a young raw player with talent a chance.
It has been like ever since McCall left.

Secondly it is the waste of cash

Geoff to be fair there are plenty of backs getting an opportunity and have done over the years, its the forwards where Ulster seem inclined to not over the opportunities and we only have the one centre in the academy at the minute.

I doubt there is much being spent of Patterson and he has little chance of making a 23 anytime soon, if ever, but if he can offer something to the 'A' team for a few years until a new batch of youngsters come through then maybe its worth the investment especially if it means not shoehorning young guys into unfamiliar positions

Munchkin wrote:

Sin é wrote:No its not. Its ensuring that Ulster take the IRFU seriously.

Yes, it is. There's nothing to suggest that Ulster don't take the IRFU seriously. I mean, it's not as though we don't practice good house keeping and pay back our debts. In fact, we are fairly debt free    Anyway, your claim of 'payback' isn't believable. It's just Nucifora being a prat.

Munster had to give up Paul Warwick, Mafi and Wian du Preez in the past. Leinster had to give up Isa Nawcea (who decided to retire rather than move to another european club). Paul Warwick is married to an Irish woman and had an Irish child at the time who suffers from cystic fibrosis. We had Mafi since he was a young lad - but as soon as he hit 30 he was gone. BJ hung on for a while on short term contracts. He has just qualified for Irish citizenship recently.

Anyway, maybe Ulster could look to Munster to help them out - 2 SHs in Academy, 4 in the sub academy. Doubtful Munster will take them all into the Munster Academy.
Scrumhalf
John Poland(CBC) - u21
Keith Kavanagh(Shannon) - u20
Jack Stafford(Shannon) - u20
Jack Lyons(Young Munster) - u20
James Lennon(UL Bohs) - u20
Aaron Rice(Thomond) - u19
Joe Murphy(UL Bohs) - u19

Sin é wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

Sin é wrote:No its not. Its ensuring that Ulster take the IRFU seriously.

Yes, it is. There's nothing to suggest that Ulster don't take the IRFU seriously. I mean, it's not as though we don't practice good house keeping and pay back our debts. In fact, we are fairly debt free    Anyway, your claim of 'payback' isn't believable. It's just Nucifora being a prat.

Munster had to give up Paul Warwick, Mafi and Wian du Preez in the past. Leinster had to give up Isa Nawcea (who decided to retire rather than move to another european club). Paul Warwick is married to an Irish woman and had an Irish child at the time who suffers from cystic fibrosis. We had Mafi since he was a young lad - but as soon as he hit 30 he was gone. BJ hung on for a while on short term contracts. He has just qualified for Irish citizenship recently.

Not strictly true actually most (or all) of those guys you mention left because they were post 30 and the IRFU would only allow 1 year contracts, so decided to take a better deal elsewhere, same with Hines.

Pienaar's case is different because he isn't allowed a contract at all.

rodders wrote:

Sin é wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

Sin é wrote:No its not. Its ensuring that Ulster take the IRFU seriously.

Yes, it is. There's nothing to suggest that Ulster don't take the IRFU seriously. I mean, it's not as though we don't practice good house keeping and pay back our debts. In fact, we are fairly debt free    Anyway, your claim of 'payback' isn't believable. It's just Nucifora being a prat.

Munster had to give up Paul Warwick, Mafi and Wian du Preez in the past. Leinster had to give up Isa Nawcea (who decided to retire rather than move to another european club). Paul Warwick is married to an Irish woman and had an Irish child at the time who suffers from cystic fibrosis. We had Mafi since he was a young lad - but as soon as he hit 30 he was gone. BJ hung on for a while on short term contracts. He has just qualified for Irish citizenship recently.

Not strictly true actually most (or all) of those guys you mention left because they were post 30 and the IRFU would only allow 1 year contracts, so decided to take a better deal elsewhere, same with Hines.

Pienaar's case is different because he isn't allowed a contract at all.

They were hitting 30 - Pienaar is 32 going on 33. Nacewa's contract was cut short by a year as far as I can remember as well. Hines I can semi understand.

Sin é wrote:

rodders wrote:

Sin é wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

Sin é wrote:No its not. Its ensuring that Ulster take the IRFU seriously.

Yes, it is. There's nothing to suggest that Ulster don't take the IRFU seriously. I mean, it's not as though we don't practice good house keeping and pay back our debts. In fact, we are fairly debt free    Anyway, your claim of 'payback' isn't believable. It's just Nucifora being a prat.

Munster had to give up Paul Warwick, Mafi and Wian du Preez in the past. Leinster had to give up Isa Nawcea (who decided to retire rather than move to another european club). Paul Warwick is married to an Irish woman and had an Irish child at the time who suffers from cystic fibrosis. We had Mafi since he was a young lad - but as soon as he hit 30 he was gone. BJ hung on for a while on short term contracts. He has just qualified for Irish citizenship recently.

Not strictly true actually most (or all) of those guys you mention left because they were post 30 and the IRFU would only allow 1 year contracts, so decided to take a better deal elsewhere, same with Hines.

Pienaar's case is different because he isn't allowed a contract at all.

They were hitting 30 - Pienaar is 32 going on 33. Nacewa's contract was cut short by a year as far as I can remember as well. Hines I can semi understand.

I can understand, and agree with, contracts being refused. What I will not agree with is refusing to renew a contract when it makes no sense. In Pienaars case it makes no sense. Pienaar isn't blocking any player coming through, and adds huge value to Ulster Rugby and ultimately the IRFU. It's a self-defeating move by Nucifora/IRFU.

There are so many negatives and absolutely no positives with forcing Pienaar out.

Sin é wrote:

rodders wrote:

Sin é wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

Sin é wrote:No its not. Its ensuring that Ulster take the IRFU seriously.

Yes, it is. There's nothing to suggest that Ulster don't take the IRFU seriously. I mean, it's not as though we don't practice good house keeping and pay back our debts. In fact, we are fairly debt free    Anyway, your claim of 'payback' isn't believable. It's just Nucifora being a prat.

Munster had to give up Paul Warwick, Mafi and Wian du Preez in the past. Leinster had to give up Isa Nawcea (who decided to retire rather than move to another european club). Paul Warwick is married to an Irish woman and had an Irish child at the time who suffers from cystic fibrosis. We had Mafi since he was a young lad - but as soon as he hit 30 he was gone. BJ hung on for a while on short term contracts. He has just qualified for Irish citizenship recently.

Not strictly true actually most (or all) of those guys you mention left because they were post 30 and the IRFU would only allow 1 year contracts, so decided to take a better deal elsewhere, same with Hines.

Pienaar's case is different because he isn't allowed a contract at all.

They were hitting 30 - Pienaar is 32 going on 33. Nacewa's contract was cut short by a year as far as I can remember as well. Hines I can semi understand.

Nacewas contract wasnt cut short he retired, it was his choice noone elses

Reading on another forum that Stockdale said Pienaar is leaving.

Also said that Payne fractured a rib which lacerated his kidney. From experience; it's very hard to run with fractured ribs, but lacerated kidney must be so much worse. No surprise he didn't come out in the second half

[quote="Munchkin"]Reading on another forum that Stockdale said Pienaar is leaving.

Let's hope Stockdale's full of it then

Hell's bells forget about Pienaar don't we have a game this weekend??

Can we come away with something from Clermont? Will a point be enough to keep us in the hunt for a QF?

Munchkin wrote:Reading on another forum that Stockdale said Pienaar is leaving.

Also said that Payne fractured a rib which lacerated his kidney. From experience; it's very hard to run with fractured ribs, but lacerated kidney must be so much worse. No surprise he didn't come out in the second half

And he had back spasms as well going into the match, the guy must have some pain threshold

Saw on Instagram that Reidy went back home this weekend and got hitched, wonder if he will be back for Sunday

marty2086 wrote:Saw on Instagram that Reidy went back home this weekend and got hitched, wonder if he will be back for Sunday

This weekend, or last weekend? We really need Reidy to be playing.

rodders wrote:Hell's bells forget about Pienaar don't we have a game this weekend??

Can we come away with something from Clermont? Will a point be enough to keep us in the hunt for a QF?

I think a point will keep us in it, but not confident we can do that. We don't usually do two big games, back to back, but we did win both Toulouse games last year.

A lot depends on how the other sides play this weekend. We can take 8/9 points from the last two games.

Munchkin wrote:

marty2086 wrote:Saw on Instagram that Reidy went back home this weekend and got hitched, wonder if he will be back for Sunday

This weekend, or last weekend? We really need Reidy to be playing.

Sorry that was meant to be this week

Posted a pic last night of the wedding saying

Top trip back home, especially tying the knot with @sireepatricia