Ulster squad additions

First topic message reminder :

All of the following will be contracted to Ulster next year - I don't know the nature of each contract though

Niall Annett
Jerry Cronin
Craig Gilroy
Paddy Jackson
Adam Macklin
Luke Marshall
James McKinney
Ian Porter

Will supply a fully list shortly - still no mention of Bryan Young. Also no mention of Gaston yet

Had it confirmed Wilson is effectively a done deal

Excellent news geoff. Aukster, Ruddock doesn't seem to want to come north. Thats the issue. I would hav welcomed signing Ruddock.

This is another fine bit of business by Humph Snr if true (not that i doubt you Geoff of course)

SU - I know Ruddock was approached and turned Ulster down - but then so did Wilson supposedly... at first. What deal was he offered? I suspect if Ruddock had been offered the same deal as Wilson, he would be coming north? Whether either are worth it remains to be seen, but what concerns me is that Ulster are likely to lose Ferris sooner rather than later and they have no-one being groomed to step up when that happens.

Don't jinx it Aukster.

Valid point but given what we here from Geoff therenis little or no chance of enticing these guys north at the minute. as things stand I would say is fez was injured Henry would have to move across and Faloon come in. ..........unless we sign Kaino

I'd rather have Ruddock than Wilson, I think Wilson's best days are behind him hence the Saints letting him go. He also comes with baggage and is a reminder of the bad old days. Ruddocks game was made for us.

That said if Wilson fits in and is a team player then I'm happy as hes a good player and will add depth and experience.

I seriously want to keep Pedrie, I can't see us getting Kaino and Pedrie has done enough to warrent another contract imo.

The difference between Wilson and Ruddock is Ruddock was offered a place when he was not i na contract and said no.

Wilson/Saints were approach last year when he was still in a contract and they said no. Now he is out of contract it looks like he has said yes.

He was a silly boy a few years back but he has mended his ways and has been a model professional at Saints. There is no issue at Ulster with respect to welcoming him back.

He is a better player now than when he left and will provided us with much needed depth in a position where we lack depth.

What can we do with respect to Ferris, and injury, - we will only have 1 NIE backrower next year, we cannot get players from the south and no 6 is coming through the ranks of the required standard so we are making the best of it. Also to be honest, if the rumours are true, Kaino seems to me to be a fairly handy 6 to bring in

Why shouldn't we get Kaino - we got Afoa, Payne and Pienaer so we have clearly shown we can attract players of the required pedigree

geoff998rugby wrote:
Why shouldn't we get Kaino - we got Afoa, Payne and Pienaer so we have clearly shown we can attract players of the required pedigree

That is true but unlike those guys Kaino is a nailed on starter for the AB's in the prime of his career. The above are all world class but weren't always starting players for their country.

I think we do have chance of getting Kaino but its a long shot I'd say. I like Pedrie and would like him to stay rather than bring in another NIE.

Money talks

He could play here for 2 years and then return to NZ an even better player

Happy days! There'll be no complaints from me if we sign Kaino!

These new rules seem to have club management having to play recruitment like a game of chess. Knowing that NIE players must be replaced by IQ players means taking them when you can get them rather than waiting until your hand is forced. Recruiting any IE players from here on in will prove ultimatly valuable.

Also, I'm with you Rodders, Pedrie is good enough to remain in my books. I'm a bit fed up with the stick we are getting about our 'foreigners'. If we are going to win something, I'd rather people didnt turn round and say it was because we had someone like Kaino!

The guys we have at the minute are plenty, they feel they belong here, have integrated with the team and community, and I would like to win something with what we have, they've worked hard enough to get us where we are already.

Vote for Pedrie!

clivemcl wrote:
The guys we have at the minute are plenty, they feel they belong here, have integrated with the team and community, and I would like to win something with what we have, they've worked hard enough to get us where we are already.

Vote for Pedrie!

Well said Clive!

Its not about being deserving lads. I actually am a really big fan of his and he has totally embraced ulster and I will be sad to see him go. If we can bring in a higher calibre of player then we have to do it.

Humph and McL are pretty ruthless when it comes to selection, like D'arcy being dropped for 3 fullbacks in a season for instance. There is little or no room for sentiment in professional sport

Standulstermen wrote:There is little or no room for sentiment in professional sport

No but there is room for loyalty. If Pedrie wasn't performing then fair enough but the fact that he's ever present in the XV shows how important he is. A good player who gives his all sometimes is better than a great player who doesn't.

Danielli should go because he isn't performing but Pedrie still adds value.

Would I swap Pedrie for Kaino? Of course but anyone below Kaino's level then I'm not so sure. I'm happy with what Pedrie has contributed and with Wilson coming then I think our resources are strong enough in that department.

If we can't get that calibre of player then yes you are right rodders I would be delighted to see Pedrie stay. Unfortunately loyalty is on the wane too. There are too many ££££'s a stake for loyalty to be as prevalent as it was. I would suggest it only lasts the length of a contract. I think we a in agreement anyway.

I'm in agreement with Rodders, if we can get Kaino then its sorry Pedre we'd love to keep you but can't.
If Kaino says no, then I wouldn't even look for anyone else I'd say "Pedre he's a new contact, if you'll still have us, sorry we flirted with Kaino, but the attraction to him, we just couldn't resist, we're weak, and it was just the once. sorry."

Yeah loyalty is on the wane but look at Munster...there's better players around than Coughlan but he does what they need him to do.

Overseas players are always hit and miss so when you get guys like Pedrie who fit in and do the business then they are worth their weight in gold. I'd like to see him get another year anyway but we shall see.

I think we're reaching the point were the quality of our players is no longer a limiting factor in terms of achieving the things we are after i.e. winning the RABO and the HEC.

We need to just build consistancy as a side and deliver on the pitch every week.

"don't walk out on us Pedre, think of the Ravens!"

I think a more pressing concern for us should be making sure we can keep muller beyond next season.

Absolutely Stand! Muller is vital! He'll stay won't he??

As things stand (I might be wrong) Pienaar is here a year after mullers contract ends. I would move heaven and earth to keep johann here as long as possible be it player, player/coach or potentially even a coach. I think he has had that big an impact on Ulster rugby and he is IMO the perfect role model for youngsters coming into the professional game.

"oh whats that, Kaino wants to come, and his willing to adopt the little raven backrowers as his own", "bye Pedre, we were right the first time, we don't love you anymore, its Kaino we really love. and since we're not Mormon we can only choose one of you"

Kingshu wrote:"oh whats that, Kaino wants to come, and his willing to adopt the little raven backrowers as his own", "bye Pedre, we were right the first time, we don't love you anymore, its Kaino we really love. and since we're not Mormon we can only choose one of you"

I thought Pedrie was superb last night btw.

Beat me to it Rava, I was about to come on and say something like 'Kaino can get to****'. But thats maybe a little much. After watchin last night I definatly felt very indifferent to whether Kaino was interested or not. Well done Pedrie, and the rest of the team! Phenomenal!

Pedrie for 1st minister!

I see Ferris is tweeting Kaino again trying to persuade him.

I agree Wannenberg was outstanding.
If he was to stay and with Wilson coming I would guess that he would play more games at 6.

Also a rumour doing the rounds that 2 backrowers are off - no idea who the other one is. Don't panic it isn't Ferris or Henry !
Means 2 of Wannenberg, Diack, Faloon, McCormish could be on the way out though.

Alos hearing that the new rules will be modified as none of the Provinces consider them workable.

geoff998rugby wrote:Also a rumour doing the rounds that 2 backrowers are off - no idea who the other one is. Don't panic it isn't Ferris or Henry !
Means 2 of Wannenberg, Diack, Faloon, McCormish could be on the way out though.

If Faloon is one of the two then that would be a huge mistake. Diack is surplus to requirements these days and haven't seen enough of McComish to comment on him but we need to keep Willie imo and unless Kaino is signed up we should keep Wannenburg too.

There is a link on the UAFC to a french site were it states Toulon and ourselves are in a battle for Kaino. Interesting reading.

Apparantly Toulouse and several Japanese clubs are after him too...fiver says he signs a new deal with the NZRFU....

Don't know rodders. He can go for 2 years and then return before the next RWC. He might not get another opportunity. Still he could go anywhere

Good point stand...2 quid says he signs with the NZRFU....

2 opposing snippets on the Kaino situation.

Ferris has again tweeted him about coming here...I do have to wonder if he would be allowed to do that if we were deep in negotiation. Really not convinced


On the positive side I did not realize Kaino was 29 in April. You dont see many 32/33 years olds playing for NZ in the back row. I wonder if he has reached a time of life when its time to cash in. Especially having just got married.

The worst kept secret in the World is offical

Roger Wilson has signed for 3 years

Thats a pretty long deal for a guy pushing 31...good to see us strengthening though, Wilson will bring experience and grunt and is a very good no 8. Happy days .

Here's another rumour with some legs

"a top quality forwards coach with current Natal Sharks Coach John Plumtree in the frame with a view to joining Ulster next October."

Geoff - had read that - was just coming to quiz you!

Let's just move them all here en masse and call ourselves the Ulster sharks or let's say we can become a province of new natal.

Someone on Uafc now saying that kaino's 3 year contract is awaiting being ratified by IRFU. Any word Geoff. I refuse to believe until you say it

Meaning that if they confirm he is signed??

Standulstermen wrote:Someone on Uafc now saying that kaino's 3 year contract is awaiting being ratified by IRFU. Any word Geoff. I refuse to believe until you say it

....nice one stand but yes we should keep the champagne on ice until Geoff gives the green light!

Well it does seem to have some legs.

Kaino has replied to Ferris with a tweet - suitable ambiguous of course.
Also you have to say that the fact Wannenberg is the only first choice player without a contract for next year is more than a coincidence.

On the backrow situation generally I can't find out how long MCcormish contract is for and Faloon's seems to be up this year. We need to get him signed.

It does seem that backrow sis the one area where the contract plates are still moving.

Only Ferris, Henry, Wilson and Diack definitely signed for next year.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Meaning that if they confirm he is signed??

Seems to be looking that way. Genuinely don't know.

Standulstermen wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Meaning that if they confirm he is signed??

Seems to be looking that way. Genuinely don't know.

That is what is being claimed.
I have not heard that it is as far down the line as that - doesn't mean it isn't though.

As most probably realize my contacts are Ulster players in the 25 and up age range.
I would know slightly less than them re NIE signings and trust me players are not kept that up to date on such matters as foreign signings

Kaino...would be a great signing if true.....but you've gotta feel for Wannenburg because unless both of them are staying at the expense of another NIQ player, (and there only is 1 more possibility) he's the one to be leaving..

He's played most if not ALL of Ulsters matches since he arrived. At worst...he has been very solid.

We will not have both as only 1 NIE slot left

Kaino in -Danielli out?

Why do we need to lose Pedrie too?

It's going from 5 and 1 to 4 and 1

Wanneburg & Danielli out - Kaino & Bowe in ?

I forgot about that!

I thought we had another year.

I REALLY hope the Kaino thing gets sorted one way or t'other soon as I would just hate to have Kaino turn us down and then find it's too late to keep Pedrie.

He was a man possessed on Friday night.

Played a huge role in 3 of the tries apart from all the other work he got through on the ground and in the air.

RF09 wrote:Wanneburg & Danielli out - Kaino & Bowe in ?

I could live with that!