Ulster 2016/2017

by marty2086 Mon Feb 13, 2017 9:43 am

First topic message reminder :

And it's been confirmed

Ulster Rugby has today announced that Jono Gibbes will join the Province as Head Coach ahead of the 2017/18 season, having signed a two-year contract.

The former New Zealand player is currently Forwards Coach at French giants ASM Clermont Auvergne and he previously held a similar position at Leinster Rugby.

Gibbes joined Leinster in 2008, helping the squad to win three Heineken Cup titles during a six-year spell in Dublin. The first of those successes came under the stewardship of Michael Cheika in 2009, before he assisted Joe Schmidt in the 2011 and 2012 triumphs.

He moved to France in 2014 and was part of a coaching set-up that guided Clermont to the Top 14 and Champions Cup finals in his debut season.

In addition to his expertise in forward play, the 40-year-old has also gained valuable experience in coaching other aspects of the game, such as attack, during his stints at Leinster and Clermont.

Gibbes said that there were many contributing factors in his move back to Ireland:

"The respect that I have for Les (Kiss), as a coach and as a person, was one of my main reasons for making this decision. He really sold his vision of where he wants to take Ulster over the next few years.

"Ulster is a team that I know well, having come up against them on a number of occasions. The Clermont-Ulster games this season gave me an insight into the strengths of the squad and it's exciting to think that I'll be part of that environment from next season.

"With 6 years at Leinster and 3 years at Clermont in the Top 14, I've been afforded many different experiences, working with some very talented coaches and players. I hope to apply what I've learned to the role at Ulster and my family and I are looking forward to integrating into a strong community in Belfast."

Welcoming the news, Director of Rugby Les Kiss, added:

"Jono's CV speaks for itself and I know that he's looking forward to joining Ulster and working with the team. Jono has vast experience on both the playing and coaching fronts, having worked in many different environments such as Super Rugby, PRO12, the French Top 14 and European competitions.

"Since his retirement from playing, Jono has had an integral role in the coaching teams of two of European rugby's most successful sides. He was a key part of the Leinster set-up that won three Heineken Cups in four years and he has continued to be hugely successful during his time in France.

"Jono's expertise as a Forwards Coach is obvious, however his wealth of knowledge in other areas of the game will be really important for us."

"A review of the coaching structure is ongoing ahead of next season and the appointment of Jono as Head Coach is the first part of that process. A further announcement will be made in the coming weeks, which will focus on getting the right balance in our coaching team."

by InjuredYetAgain Mon Feb 20, 2017 7:45 pm

Bloody hell. And I thought that the Edinburgh/Glasgow thread was full of wall-to-wall utter bollix Whistle

Seriously, though, it's good to see Ulster back (until you pump Edinburgh anyway). There's nothing like watching a game with a full house giving it loads. Did Kiss just rub the players up the wrong way or what?

by Guest Mon Feb 20, 2017 9:08 pm

Not convinced we're back just yet, but the signs are good, this far.

Think it's more that Clarke was rubbing the players up the wrong way Shocked

. With Clarke and Doak both confirmed as going, it seems to have given Ulster a bit of a lift. Also the good news of Gibbes taking over as head coach, and the impact of Coetzee as a player and a leader, we seem to have raised our games, especially the forwards. Hopefully it's not a flash in the pan, but something that Ulster can build on towards the ends of the season. Still a lot of improvement needed.

p.s. Ulster folk can match any Scot when it comes to talking bollox Cool

p.p.s and Fly Smile

by geoff999rugby Tue Feb 21, 2017 9:25 am

I certainly got the impression there was a spring in the step of the players, after the match, that wasn't there before and it wasn't just the performance.
Having the coaching set up resolved has taken a weight off of a number of people.

by Don Alfonso Tue Feb 21, 2017 9:29 am

Interesting comments on The Other Forum about the URSC "meet the players" thing last night.

by **rodders** Tue Feb 21, 2017 9:39 am

What was interesting about it? Spill the beans Don!

by geoff999rugby Tue Feb 21, 2017 9:50 am

Definitely no Darren this weekend

Someone elsewhere said Ludik for captain?

Not a bad shout.
He'll be Irish next year, not afraid of telling someone else off, has been our most consistent back, is popular and is a good thinker on the game.
Give him the job and get Coetzee to run the forwards.
Dare I say it there is something about Coetzee that reminds me of Muller re pack leadership.
No higher praise

What's not to like

by Don Alfonso Tue Feb 21, 2017 10:03 am

Well, apparently –

When asked about special players coming up, Cave, without stopping to think, answered “Mattie Rea, a beast of a young fella who rules the gain line”. (Quoting poster, not Cave there.)

Ludik probably available next weekend. Cave back for the Dragons. Payne doing well, back in four weeks perhaps.

Marcell is seen as an absolute monster and already freeing up Henry and Reidy to concentrate on what they do best as backrowers.

Cave thanked everyone for sticking with the team and keeping the support up – the players had obviously been frustrated by all the losses as well. It sounds like they have no intention of writing off this season.

Seemingly diplomatic when it came to the coaching change – said the players had discussed before how they would answer the question when it came up and sticking with “no comment”. Few comments throughout the night about a more expansive game and shackles being removed. Whether that’s about now or next season, no idea.

NB – that’s me summarising the online comments of someone who attended. The original points are on a couple of threads on the Other Forum.

Rodders, you’re just lucky it’s quiet in work this morning.

Did none of our great and good go?

by Pete330v2 Tue Feb 21, 2017 12:43 pm

Apparently Ruan was also asked about coaching but replied he wasn't thinking about coaching as he still wanted to play. And yes he did at one point deflect a question to someone else with a "I won't be here next year"...

I'm still stubbornly refusing to believe it though just out of my willingness to be like an ostrich

by Pete330v2 Tue Feb 21, 2017 12:51 pm

Cave also said that he feels that we will be playing an away semi-final, thinks that the others involved will be suffering if they get deeper into European rugby and that with hopefully something approaching our best team, could be the first away semi winners. They intend to win the league. Optimism in the squad? Something new?

Also generally the entire team love beating Glasgow & Darren said how Glasgow are whooping and hollering winners and words to the effect that they aren't used to winning and are pretty graceless winners.

by marty2086 Tue Feb 21, 2017 2:00 pm

Speaking of players coaching, anyone see Payne as a future coach?

Seemed to be doing a bit on Saturday on occasions, it may have been instructions from above so to speak but just seemed to be very animated with it and into the role.

Given how highly his organisational ability is regarded at the highest levels, would seem to be a natural fit

by Pete330v2 Tue Feb 21, 2017 2:04 pm

marty2086 wrote:Speaking of players coaching, anyone see Payne as a future coach?

Seemed to be doing a bit on Saturday on occasions, it may have been instructions from above so to speak but just seemed to be very animated with it and into the role.

Given how highly his organisational ability is regarded at the highest levels, would seem to be a natural fit

It would seem logical, already a proven organizational leader, rugby brains to burn, why not. On another note it's absolutely amazing to hear that his recovery has come along better than anyone expected. 4 weeks would suit very well for the playoffs Wink

by geoff999rugby Tue Feb 21, 2017 3:06 pm

I doubt Payne will be here once his playing days are over - straight back to NZ I reckon

Agree re his recovery - he is another Rory.
Fixes in the half the time of ordinary players

by marty2086 Tue Feb 21, 2017 3:35 pm

geoff999rugby wrote:I doubt Payne will be here once his playing days are over - straight back to NZ I reckon

Agree re his recovery - he is another Rory.
Fixes in the half the time of ordinary players

Did he not knock up a local girl? That's why I was thinking of him sticking around

by geoff999rugby Tue Feb 21, 2017 4:45 pm

I think she more likely to move rather than him stay.

Very much second hand though

by Kingshu Tue Feb 21, 2017 5:04 pm

I don't know he was at the home show the other day, that must be a sign that he's putting down roots.

by marty2086 Tue Feb 21, 2017 5:15 pm

He's another Esportif man, that would ensure a job for life if he wants it Whistle

Need to get him some business interests here like Pienaar and Diack, more likely to stick around then

by SecretFly Tue Feb 21, 2017 6:37 pm

Sure let him be First Minister. It would be nice to see a Neutral in that role for a change ....

by neilthom7 Tue Feb 21, 2017 7:23 pm

Well he's better at organising a defence than Arlene Run

by Pete330v2 Wed Feb 22, 2017 9:16 am

neilthom7 wrote:Well he's better at organising a defence than Arlene

Arlene could have sorted out our frozen pitch debacle by installing a woodchip boiler in that one frosty corner Smile

by marty2086 Wed Feb 22, 2017 9:20 am

Pete330v2 wrote:
neilthom7 wrote:Well he's better at organising a defence than Arlene

Arlene could have sorted out our frozen pitch debacle by installing a woodchip boiler in that one frosty corner

Maybe they should have got her to sort one out for the IRFU too in exchange for keeping Ruan Ok!

by geoff999rugby Wed Feb 22, 2017 12:18 pm

Kingshu wrote:I don't know he was at the home show the other day, that must be a sign that he's putting down roots.

You could be right - never underestimate the persuasion of a good woman, or a bad one come to that Ulster 2016/2017 - Page 5 3933776953

I suppose I was going on the fact that when the topic has come up only Ruan and Robbie have said they will be staying, the rest have said they are going home.
To be fair though, at least in my presence, Jared has stayed quiet.

by Don Alfonso Wed Feb 22, 2017 2:35 pm

Piutau and Olding available, Cave and McCloskey not. Ludik and Andrew looking "positive".

Might be an Olding/Stockdale centre combo if Ludik isn't healthy.

by Don Alfonso Wed Feb 22, 2017 2:48 pm

Rob Lyttle is making his U20s debut this weekend... off the back of 7 Ulster caps.

by **rodders** Wed Feb 22, 2017 3:49 pm

Stockdale is a cracking talent, one of the bright sparks in a fairly poor season. He's improved massively since last season.

Getting all these guys gametime to develop is a real issue - totally forgot about Lyttle.

Rotation in the forwards is healthy but backs need to be playing regularly I think.

by geoff999rugby Wed Feb 22, 2017 3:59 pm

Could be our backs are Ludik, Stockdale, Olding, Bowe and Owens - if so Owens will be the 15.

Then again one of Marshall or Gilroy will be back IF Trimble makes it - in which case it will be Ludik at 15 and no Owens

by Don Alfonso Wed Feb 22, 2017 4:22 pm

Presumably if there had been need, Lyttle wouldn't have been released.

I am a bit worried in that we need five points form this, no ifs or buts.

by Guest Wed Feb 22, 2017 4:45 pm

Yep, we have to target the 5 points, and Kiss did say that there's no room for complacency in this game. Hopefully the squad is fired up and hungry for a ruthless display, rather than thinking of this as a training session. Less than a bonus point win will be viewed as a failure.

by geoff999rugby Wed Feb 22, 2017 5:43 pm

Piatau fit as well so plenty to choose from Very Happy

by toml Wed Feb 22, 2017 6:21 pm

Pienaar
Nelson
Stockdale
Olding
Ludik
Bowe
Piatau

Is a pretty strong bacline. Subs of Shanahan Heron and Owens not as much

by clivemcl Thu Feb 23, 2017 12:46 am

toml wrote:Pienaar
Nelson
Stockdale
Olding
Ludik
Bowe
Piatau

Is a pretty strong bacline. Subs of Shanahan Heron and Owens not as much

It's the number of injuries we tend to take to our backs during games that would concern me. Two backs injured in first half and we could really struggle. One good thing is that the starting players are all extremely versatile.

by geoff999rugby Thu Feb 23, 2017 9:11 am

If Marshall is released he will play so if true it will be him and Olding in the centre

by Pete330v2 Thu Feb 23, 2017 9:31 am

Here's the last desperate effort. I know it's probably utterly futile and should have happened a long time ago but let try anyway, lets keep Ruan Smile

http://click.exacttarget.change.org/?qs=7f22671d2da237df29c90e188ecf2fac5d1cf0d912ce7ad0695db80d53c846701c5a3f033a850c98128fac11891a60f1350508aabca1e4239c91524844ced76d

by Redman Thu Feb 23, 2017 1:37 pm

Signed. Hope however miniscule is worth clinging to ...... even if it kills you.

by marty2086 Thu Feb 23, 2017 1:41 pm

Seems you wasted your time, Pienaars said he knows where he's off too and should be announced in the next few weeks Sad

by Pete330v2 Thu Feb 23, 2017 3:08 pm

I'll keep on hoping right up until the end, if only they had started this petition at square one Sad

by geoff999rugby Thu Feb 23, 2017 8:07 pm

There was a petition at the beginning - not a great response 1000 or so.

Most didn't bother because they knew it was a complete and utter waste of time

by geoff999rugby Thu Feb 23, 2017 8:17 pm

What a surprise all the established backrowers we enquired about at Leinster and Minster have turned us down.

We will be getting AOCs brother and Greg Jones from Leinster and that will be it.

So our backrow squad next year will be - Botha, Coetzee, Henry, Reidy, Rea, O'Connor, Jones, Dow, Ross

4 established players of the required
4 promising youngsters
1 cover player

by geoff999rugby Thu Feb 23, 2017 8:18 pm

No Gilroy on the bench so I am guessing we will get him not Marshall back

by Don Alfonso Thu Feb 23, 2017 9:26 pm

geoff999rugby wrote:What a surprise all the established backrowers we enquired about at Leinster and Minster have turned us down.

We will be getting AOCs brother and Greg Jones from Leinster and that will be it.

So our backrow squad next year will be - Botha, Coetzee, Henry, Reidy, Rea, O'Connor, Jones, Dow, Ross

4 established players of the required
4 promising youngsters
1 cover player

Mulholland and Joyce gone?

by geoff999rugby Thu Feb 23, 2017 11:38 pm

Probably - even if they stay they will be nowhere near the 1stXV

by marty2086 Fri Feb 24, 2017 12:10 pm

Ulster team & replacements to play Zebre, Guinness PRO12 Round 16, Sunday 26th February, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, 12.30pm GMT, Sky Sports:
(15-9): J Stockdale, T Bowe, L Marshall, S Olding, C Piutau, P Nelson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): A Warwick, R Herring (captain), W Herbst, R Diack, A O'Connor, C Ross, C Henry, M Coetzee;
Replacements (16-23): J Andrew, C Black, R Lutton, P Browne, S Reidy, P Marshall, J Payne, D Busby.

by marty2086 Fri Feb 24, 2017 12:11 pm

Jareds back Yahoo

That backline though Drool

by geoff999rugby Fri Feb 24, 2017 12:15 pm

geoff999rugby wrote:If Marshall is released he will play so if true it will be him and Olding in the centre

Nice to be proved right.

Payne has made a remarkable recovery.

Confirms what I think we all know - Diack will be a lock fulltime next year.

by Pete330v2 Fri Feb 24, 2017 12:21 pm

Well if we can't get a bonus point in the first half with that squad I'd be surprised Smile

Jared's return makes me very, very happy

by marty2086 Fri Feb 24, 2017 12:23 pm

If you think you're happy imagine how Joes feeling

A win this weekend and I bet he sees a change for the Wales game at 13

by Don Alfonso Fri Feb 24, 2017 12:32 pm

What a backline.

Gilroy 24th man?

by geoff999rugby Fri Feb 24, 2017 12:35 pm

Coming on as a sub only - I cant see him turning out for Ireland in the 6N unless Ringrose is absolutely awful.
He will start at home against Trevisio but will it be enough of a test?

Probably coming back just too late - which in itself is remarkable.
If he does basically telling Ringrose 'you only play if Payne is injured, he is a better 13 than you for at least the next 3 years or so'

Will be one of the key players on the summer tour of Japan.

by geoff999rugby Fri Feb 24, 2017 12:35 pm

Don Alfonso wrote:What a backline.

Gilroy 24th man?

Must be

by Guest Fri Feb 24, 2017 12:46 pm

Brilliant to see Payne back so soon. I did think it might be next season before we see him again.

Strong side. Should be a 5 point win.

by Pete330v2 Fri Feb 24, 2017 1:27 pm

Don't forget the other important game for Ulster tonight. Munster hopefully will sent Scarlets off home empty handed.

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