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6 years 7 months ago #56303

green13 wrote: Griffin's time with LI was blighted by injury. When he did manage to get a run of starts it was as part of a team in a flat spin out of the Premiership. There was no game plan and FA leadership both on and off the pitch so very harsh to judge him on that.


That's a fair comment Green13. I also think its very hard to replace one part of an Aki/Henshaw partnership. We all have looked at the Pro12 final countless times and Robbie simply saved his best til last. Always thought he was a better 13 than 12 and in that game he was sublime. So its very hard for anybody to live up to the standard set in that game. Its a pity Joe continues to use him as a battering ram at 12 when he has proved how good he is as an outside centre. But back to today. And today we have Aki playing inside or outside centre dependent on who is available. And that in itself says something. If its Ronaldson then Aki is outside centre, if its Farrell or Griffin then he is inside centre. As for Peter Robb (the man is enormous), well Peter has to be an inside centre. So Aki is simply rotating positions to accommodate strengths and weaknesses.I think Aki's position is by nature inside centre and if he playing then we select an outside centre to play with him. So that kills the Ronaldson/Aki combination which folks consider as the primary centre combination based on Ronaldson's kicking ability. But that is based on kicking duties.

So Jack's kicking is simply not good enough. Game by game his overall can be good or bad but overall it doesn't go above average. So I thought Crosbie looked a decent kicker. With a new coach, a new season I have no massive expectation. So rather than the same ole, same ole I wouldn't mind seeing Crosbie given a chance. He looked decent any chance he was given last year. So then its a matter of who you put at outside centre. And this is why I was so disappointed we let Rory Parata go. I thought he looked the real deal.

Anyway its one fan to the next on this. If I were to look to the near future, things look hugely positive. SOB2, Tom, Aki, Heenan certainly should be under consideration for international duty. In the long term, that's a bit more concerning, very few youngsters coming through from Connacht at U-20 level

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6 years 7 months ago #56304

Bit more fuel for the Andrew Deegan to Conancht rumour ...


Rookie flyhalf heading to Europe
One Percenters: Rugby dynasties - Rugby.com.au
www.rugby.com.au/news/2017/07/29/23/06/one-percenters-july-30

Andrew Deegan is joining Connacht.

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Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley

It seems the emergence of Mack Mason in Sydney has cost the Waratahs squad flyhalf Andrew Deegan.

The Randwick No.10 has struggled for an opportunity at the top level at the Tahs and has opted to take his rugby to Irish side, Connacht, joining Brumbies flanker Jarrad Butler in a switch to the Pro 12.

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6 years 7 months ago #56310

Hopefully the competition for the 10 jersey steps up the quality.

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6 years 7 months ago #56311

A bit off topic but I think Robb and Farrell could form a nice little backup centre partnership. They both have strengths that would compliment each other nicely, as well as weaknesses that they will have to iron out.

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6 years 7 months ago #56313

A rumour surfacing that Rey Lee Lo is Connacht bound from Cardiff .

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6 years 7 months ago #56315

sligsup wrote: A rumour surfacing that Rey Lee Lo is Connacht bound from Cardiff .


He was signed by Cardiff on a "long term deal" in 2015 which would suggest 3 years to next summer. However given their financial troubles and their release of Franco Van Der Merwe before he's played a game for them, they may let him go too.

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6 years 7 months ago #56317

I can't 100% vouch for the validity, but my mate- a Cardiff Blues fan who I would consider fairly well in the loop- says that Connacht are talking to him. Whether or not that means we'll sign him, who knows. Personally, I'd love it. We really need a hard running centre for when Aki is away with Ireland.

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6 years 7 months ago #56318

Further to my first post, he's apparently not that keen on uprooting right now but they're in a bad way financially and that may facilitate a move. They've released Franco van der Merwe, too, if i'm not mistaken.

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6 years 7 months ago #56319

salmson wrote:

sligsup wrote: A rumour surfacing that Rey Lee Lo is Connacht bound from Cardiff .


He was signed by Cardiff on a "long term deal" in 2015 which would suggest 3 years to next summer. However given their financial troubles and their release of Franco Van Der Merwe before he's played a game for them, they may let him go too.


I can't 100% vouch for this, but my mate- a Cardiff Blues fan who I would consider fairly well in the loop- says Connacht are talking to him. However, at 31, he isn't too keen to uproot now but Cardiff's precarious financial state may facilitate a move.

With Aki on Ireland duty, he'd be an ideal replacement and he'd even form an excellent, hard running centre partnership with him. Really hope it happens, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

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6 years 7 months ago #56336

He would be ideal to replace Bundee and partner him.

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6 years 7 months ago #56337

FACECUTTR wrote: He would be ideal to replace Bundee and partner him.


Supposedly Simon Tomas stating this as a complete rumour with no substance can't find him saying it though

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6 years 7 months ago #56338

He follows me. I'll DM him and ask.

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6 years 7 months ago #56339

Anyway, whether or not it happens- and i'd lean toward it not happening now- hopefully it shows we're looking for a centre because we're quite bare there. When Aki plays for Ireland, too, we'll need quality reinforcements there.

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6 years 7 months ago #56341

NotoriousJOS wrote: He follows me. I'll DM him and ask.


He said that his latest information is that he'll stay at Cardiff this season.

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6 years 7 months ago #56371

Confirmed that Marnitz has being released.Disappointed it didn't work out but best of luck to him in the future.

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6 years 7 months ago #56372

Boshoff officially gone.
Must be ready to announce his replacement

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-rugby-release-marnitz-boshoff/


@ConnachtCows - Always looking for new followers :)
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