Ulster Rugby 2017-18

First topic message reminder :

Jeez - O’Donoghue eeled his way through that maul and caught Herring.

to be fair Marty haven't seen the game - got it recorded

Just going on what is the general assessment of him - slow but accurate.
Given the result I would not be surprised if he was rushed though

So the latest UAFC clue is 'Barnes Wallace'

Berrick perhaps, we will know soon enough but I feel that it hardly matters who it is now, the season is all but done for us, it's damage limitation mode from here on in.

Pete330v2 wrote:So the latest UAFC clue is 'Barnes Wallace'

So it could be a hybrid version of Stuart Barnes and Paddy Wallace?

....someone who is skilful, not great in defence, a bit portly and prone to give away penalties at crucial points in Grand slam deciders .... nope, I have no idea

Pete330v2 wrote:So the latest UAFC clue is 'Barnes Wallace'

Berrick perhaps, we will know soon enough but I feel that it hardly matters who it is now, the season is all but done for us, it's damage limitation mode from here on in.

Im guessing the second part is misspelled and it should be Barnes Wallis

Forgot to mention, aside from the dross Jonny Mcphillips  has really looked the part in his appearance so far.

Ulster could do worse than give this guy a few starts with Cooney doing the place kicking.

Dhesel has been poor too, Reidy and Rea offer more.

Ulster should stop wasting money on some of these average overseas players and give the homegrown guys a run, at this stage it can't get much worse, in fact they might inject some enthusiasm.

Agree with that - still not seen the game but not been impressed by Reidy this season

Also Trimble and Bowe are done in my opinion
To be honest not a big step to say P.Marshall and Henry are the same

The vibes are Shanahan days could be number - not sure if contract is 2018 or 2019

geoff999rugby wrote:
Also Trimble and Bowe are done in my opinion
To be honest not a big step to say P.Marshall and Henry are the same

Unfortunately I agree.

Bowe looks like he wants to keep going but his body is done it looks like, this latest injury is a huge blow, its hard to see him going on for long and keep coming back.

Trimble just looks a shadow of himself, apart from poaching a few important tries he has been anonymous in the little game time he's had. Defensively he looks so passive compared to the abrasive and aggressive player he has always been. Either he is carrying an injury or his heart is no longer in it but he's playing the worst rugby of his career.

For two of the best players Ulster have ever had to fade away rather than go out on top is sad to see, Stockdale and Gilroy are the 2 best wingers we have now without doubt.

Bowes latest one is an impact injury, could happen to anyone. Just rotten luck

Trimble just looks shot mentally more than anything

Listening to the Rugby Pod earlier, they say it's Cooper coming in

marty2086 wrote:Bowes latest one is an impact injury, could happen to anyone. Just rotten luck

Trimble just looks shot mentally more than anything

Listening to the Rugby Pod earlier, they say it's Cooper coming in

Short term or longer? He will certainly be interesting

carpet baboon wrote:

marty2086 wrote:Bowes latest one is an impact injury, could happen to anyone. Just rotten luck

Trimble just looks shot mentally more than anything

Listening to the Rugby Pod earlier, they say it's Cooper coming in

Short term or longer? He will certainly be interesting

Didn't say, Im hoping it was just them putting 2+2 together

Did ask how he would get on playing a cold wet night in Belfast and I think we all know the answer

marty2086 wrote:Bowes latest one is an impact injury, could happen to anyone. Just rotten luck

Trimble just looks shot mentally more than anything

Listening to the Rugby Pod earlier, they say it's Cooper coming in

Cooper who was let go because he's uncoachable? That'll fit well with Ulster who are uncoached.

I'd like it to be Giteau who would being a lot of leadership to the role and could instill this in the young players. I'm not sure you can instill what Quade Cooper has in anyone.

Where do you get to hear these podcasts Marty? For that matter what is a Podcast? :0

You get them on those new fangled thingy me bobbers

marty2086 wrote:You get them on those new fangled thingy me bobbers

Like the world interweb?

Well the Tele says its Donald.

If so besides having egg on my face my assessment is we are desperate because our 1st choice said No

Ulster are in crisis.

Ulster are a Circus?

carpet baboon wrote:Ulster are a Circus?

No they are not, a circus would at least attempt to entertain the punters.

He's 34. Hasn't played rugby in 3 months since the Mitre 10 finished.
My money is on this being another short term cover contract till summer.
Another NIQ long term signing due after Super Rugby season finishes.
It would surely be madness to give Donald anything longer.

Well Ulster do specialise in madness clive lol

Giteau > Donald > Cooper

I'd worry about Cooper's personality and how he'd fit in within the circus/crisis centre that is Ulster Rugby.

Redman wrote:Giteau > Donald > Cooper

I'd worry about Cooper's personality and how he'd fit in within the circus/crisis centre that is Ulster Rugby.  

I worry he might fit in a little too well

clive, Donald's playing in Japan. He's playing this weekend in a play off hence his unavailability

Yes, it seems Bowe's body is telling him it has lost the enthusiasm to go on.  Unfortunately, it isn't going to get younger or more resilient.  Then again, Ferg McFadden is having a bit of a rebirth of confidence and PACE at 31! Bowe is 33 but still... if he lingers, he might find one last blast of form next season?  

But for now that seems to be Trimble, Bowe ... and Kiss ... that look to be coming to the end of the line.  That unwanted word again - transition time?  
A time of low morale for any side but also the inevitable changes coming that might begin the 'rebuild' process.  I'm sure Kiss is a nice man but Ulster AND Ireland now need to see if a new Head might bring a new focus.  Of course too, not blaming him for all the extra-curricular issues that Ulster rugby have had to deal with in recent times.

BBC have now said it's Donald too

marty2086 wrote:clive, Donald's playing in Japan. He's playing this weekend in a play off hence his unavailability

He's doing alright then for somebody who said they were unemployed in August. How long is Japan season? when does it start? He def played Mitre 10 up till mid October.
Well at least he should be match fit.
Still don't see him staying beyond the summer.

The talk seems to be that we are signing Donald until the end of the season. We may still have someone better lined up for next season.

Artful_Dodger wrote:The talk seems to be that we are signing Donald until the end of the season.  We may still have someone better lined up for next season.  

I love the "may" in that last sentence. Just enough hope so I can be truly de-flanged later on

carpet baboon wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:The talk seems to be that we are signing Donald until the end of the season.  We may still have someone better lined up for next season.  

I love the "may" in that last sentence. Just enough hope so I can be truly de-flanged later on

I am getting destroyed with memes as the only Ulster fan on a facebook group I am in. Ya know like, memes of donkeys and people laughing hysterically.

In fairness if only for the rest of the season Donald is a decent signing, good at keeping things structured tactically on the field which lets be honest, we need. Plenty of experience for the younger lads and a goodkicking option when Cooney isn't around

Stephen Donald. Makes sense with the Jono Gibbes connection. And he’s twiddling his thumbs since Chiefs have not renewed.

Does Cooney know how to fish?

It seems Giteau was first choice and Donald the back up

I'm more than happy with the Beaver, it's a shame we didn't get him at the start of the season. Better late than never and seeing as he'll be living in Belfast we shall call him the Belvoir.

geoff999rugby wrote:It seems Giteau was first choice and Donald the back up

The story of Donalds life

Pete330v2 wrote:I'm more than happy with the Beaver, it's a shame we didn't get him at the start of the season. Better late than never and seeing as he'll be living in Belfast we shall call him the Belvoir.

Very good. A friend who moved there recently had to explain that to me. Her husband takes perverse pleasure in saying that he’s enjoying new Belvoir to anyone who asks.

KOTH says we've missed the boat with Lima. There goes the big signing for next year then. Lets get a few extra good pack members instead. Blood the young 10s now alongside the Belvoir and give them a pack to play behind next year.

If Coetzee is done we can have both though, no? Don’t know if any of our tens are good enough whether playing off a good pack or not.

Pete330v2 wrote:KOTH says we've missed the boat with Lima. There goes the big signing for next year then. Lets get a few extra good pack members instead. Blood the young 10s now alongside the Belvoir and give them a pack to play behind next year.

Did we miss the boat or did he pull that one out of nowhere?

It might all have something to do with news breaking last night that Sopoaga had signed for Wasps

Artful_Dodger wrote:The talk seems to be that we are signing Donald until the end of the season.  We may still have someone better lined up for next season.  

I'd be happy with McPhillips next season and give the young fellas a chance.

Rea has been far better than Deysel, it's about time we stopped wasting money on these overseas players looking for an opportunity to put themselves in European shop window.

What we need to do is get out of our useless contracts with NIQ

CL and Piatau seem to release 2 slots (not sure on this but the push to 3+1 as opposed to 4+1 doesn't seem to be being strickly enforced - that would be some vital wriggle room)

We need Coetzee playing or cut loose
I'd be seriously tempted to cut both vDM and Deysel loose - neither anywhere near good enough and a waste of a NIQ
If we did that we could have 4/5 contracts available !!

vDM is an added waste given he is essentially a project player and the last Ulster signed under the 3 year rules

Are there +1s anymore given that the eligibility rules have changed?

Also are any of the NIQ rules strictly enforced anymore?

I see Payne has been replaced by McPhillips in the Champions cup squad.

Clearly Ulster don't think Payne will be playing anytime soon, I have my doubts over whether he will play again at all.

It does occur to me for all the problems we have had this year we could have a good squad next year if they were coached properly and we used our NIQ's correctly.  
I mean our first team next year could look something like
McCall
Best
Moore
Henderson
Treadwell
Murphy
NIQ
Timoney
Cooney
NIQ
Stockdale
McCloskey
Marshall
Lyttle/Gilroy/Trimble (if he regains form)
Gilroy/Ludik/Nelson

I have only used 2 NIQ's there so would give 1 possibly 2 more that could be used in centres, back row etc. If used correctly that could be a good side.
I'm surprised we haven't taken a shot at bringing Oliver Jager to us.  Only 22, already Irish qualified, seems to have potential, is a prop and can't be worse than VDM.  Admittedly he may have no interest but feels like someone we should be pursuing.

geoff999rugby wrote:What we need to do is get out of our useless contracts with NIQ

CL and Piatau seem to release 2 slots (not sure on this but the push to 3+1 as opposed to 4+1 doesn't seem to be being strickly enforced - that would be some vital wriggle room)

We need Coetzee playing or cut loose
I'd be seriously tempted to cut both vDM and Deysel loose - neither anywhere near good enough and a waste of a NIQ
If we did that we could have 4/5 contracts available !!

Geoff, don’t think CL releases an NUQ slot. Nor doesDonald. They are special NIQs theIRFU granted us for this season. When they are done, a further NUQ 10 would you are the spot Piutau leaves behind.

neil, the squads just for the next two weeks and there's probably a bigger upside in having McPhillips in there than Payne

If Reidy gets his act together or Coetzee is able to come back that would be a good looking back row

re McPhillips. It's all well and good saying give the youngsters a chance. I agree, but only when a season is already in dire straits - as in right now. I'd be happy to see McPhillips instead of Donald for remainder of season. But as of next year we need somebody of Jacksons standard or better if we are hoping to actually win anything.

Unless is McPhillips touted as potentially being that good?

If we have NIQs to spare (and it looks like we will) I cant see why 10 wouldn't be a key position we would look at filling. But please fill it with a Piutau rather than a china cup like Coetzee or a Deysel.

Marty I think you are right the old 3+1 has gone.
Clive on that basis I reckon we could get an extra NIQ

My take is the plan was 4+1 becomes 3+1 but the extended residency qualification has forced a rethink
I reckon we are on 4 NIE + any residency qualification sanctioned by the IRFU

If true we have Deysel, Coetzee and 2 slots left
Lets hope I am right
If Coetzee doesn't make it we have 3 slots
If 2 slots get a LH and a 10.
Persuade Dooley to come north for a season then we could get a Lock instead of a LH

rodders wrote:I see Payne has been replaced by McPhillips in the Champions cup squad.

What does that tell you - Ulster consider a player in decline, who will probably retire this summer, whose best position is one with depth at Ulster and who is out for 8 weeks
to be more valuable to the squad this year
than a player who is the best 13 in Ireland and whose best position is one lacking depth at Ulster

More proof that Payne is finished.

Think you're reading too much into the way it was done, it was probably the plan ahead of these two games but sadly probably right about Payne given how long he's been out. Ulsters next defence coach maybe?

Would the IRFU open up an extra NIQ spot for Ulster because of the circumstances of not having a fly half available?

Baldrick Cunningplan has excelled himself yet again, by signing the stellar RWC winning All Black - just the man to get the season tickets flying off the shelf, while not blocking the development of depth at Ulster in any way shape or form at all at all. Apparently he's taking a big hit in wages as he's hoping Nelson might teach him how to run a game...

... if Kiss is shown the DooR, maybe Baldrick will be shown the DoR?