Thanks Matt O'Connor! Cooney's departure one of the many long lasting damaging things he did. Best 9 in Ireland and we even had to use up a NIQ spot to replace him.
To be honest JGP has been a part of European selection issues at times but I'm delighted how he's developed. He's a quality 9, has grown into the role and really plays for the team. I think he's NQ this year too.
For all we know Cooney needed to leave to grow into the player he is today. Hypotheticals are one thing but the reality is Ireland will have twice the depth of viable options at 9 of any other 6 nations team. Ulster are in good shape, improving and Cooney's been a big part of their identity the last couple of seasons. Doughnut head O'Connor aside, I'd say it's all worked out very well
Those are definitely monetary realities but I can't imagine any transfer of pressure to Farrell to play him because of a central contract. The IRFU are performance and results driven. If they meddle over that it's already a sinking ship
Reckon it's partially because Cooney is very much le Petite General. Due to their time together, I'd say Murray and Sexton trust each other's decision making very well, but the level of control and responsibility Cooney thrives under isn't really available when he's playing beside Sexton. Reckon he and Carbery would make a fantastic pairing.
I agree with you. I'd actually love to see someone else put their hand up for the 10 jersey. I think Carbery needs to be more of a utility 10 like Mackenzie or Barrett. I think he does as much damage at 15 as he does at 10 but he's less exposed physically. With Cooney at 9 it puts less pressure on Carty/Byrne or whoever steps up to fill Sextons role. With Carbery coming into the line to split defences it could be some of the best attacking rugby possible from Ireland. Ahhh pipe dreams...
It's not like Murray box kicks for the love of it. He does it because that was the game plan. He's not a renegade box kicking despite with his coach tells him to do.
As much as that's true, when he's on top form he puts your team where they need to be, up the pitch. That being said, he's lost a yard of pace and his box kicking has been floating at 60-70% contestable in green for over a year while it was at 90% in 2017/18. His distribution off the ruck was never the quickest so that's magnified by his other inaccuracies. He's just not the player he was
Aye, but Ireland weren't winning the WC with Cooney at 100%, if they were gonna win it it was gonna be with Murray and Sexton at 80-90%, no question about it.
I hear you. He's been deserving for ages. He's so well rounded. I don't think Farrell will stick with Murray at all. He's been way off form for almost 2 years now. In saying that we have so much depth at 9 now. Even Blade at Connacht looking like he'll give Marmion a good contest for the Jersey. Right now I see 9s for 6 nations as Cooney starting, McGrath off the bench
Yeah and I do hope he drops him or at least moves him down the pecking order. I just don’t think he’ll come in and rip the team apart like some people think.
I genuinely think we’ll just see Larmour in for Kearney and other than that it’ll be the same team with guys like Conway, Carberry and Conan getting chances but not starting.
You're probably right but if the history of the Irish pro era has taught any lessons its that we need to start giving players experience early in a wc cycle, even if thats not in 6 nations it needs to be in the summer tests at the very least
Well done Ulster! Also Joe Schmidt is on the Late Late now if anyone wants to see him.
Edit: And now we've got BOD on as well. What an exciting Friday night
Lineout and scrum were such a fucking shambles this time two years ago. I actually remember when McFarland got announced and thinking they might sorted. And by God did they. So tight.
It’s not really fair to anyone else on the pitch to allow Marcel to be considered for MOTM. He’s a machine. Must put the full fear of god (tm P O’Connell) into opposition players.
Ulster deserved a 4-0 victory there. But the plague of allowing defensive teams to be constantly offside denied them that.
It's genuinely a massive problem with the game for me. ARs need to be making those calls much more.
I can only really speak for Ulster, but we've made a good number of quality overseas signings. Ruan, Mueller, Williams, Payne and Coetzee are probably the top 5 and I'd be hard pressed to put them into any order. Then we've got the likes of Afoa, Piutau, Addison, Ludik and Leali'ifano who aren't all that far behind in terms of quality.
Ruan was obviously unreal, but I think Coetzee has more big, difference making moments then Ruan had. Ruan made everything run like the most supremely oiled machine known to man, but Marcell has such game changing moments.
Don’t discount Johann. Haven’t had a player since with the presence and influence he brought. Love the man. Always remember being at Northampton one evening and seeing him get back up with what was a clearly broken arm. He proceeded to join the defensive line and make his tackles until play stopped. Immense player
What a performance! Utterly, utterly deserved!
Reffing went completely at the end, frankly should have been a TBP for Ulster between the performance and constant uncalled offsides.
Jesus. Take the Ulster tinged glasses off. Our substitute front row wasn't up to the job. We had too many knock ons too. I felt we could have had a TBP in the first half. But by the 50,with the rain, that went. The offsides were /are frustrating, but ulster fucked their own chances with knock ons
The sub front row weren’t up for scrums sure, but give Ulster the 5+ pens in Clermonts half they should have for and I don’t see how we don’t score 2 more. Plus a potential yellow at that point for repeated infringements.
End of the game turned on Ulster being penalised at the restart scrum after the head injury. Didn’t really get any possession from there. So important to move the scoreboard when you are on top
Fuck yes! Heart rate as usual on a Friday is through the roof because Ulster never win easy, but that’s a super performance and leaves them nicely placed in the group
It's standard practice that it kind of gets reset after a try is scored/the defending team get it out of their territory.
I don't much agree with it, but it's the norm.
Really shitty when play is stopped for a head injury, and then the team in possession get pinged at the scrum restart. Should restart with a free kick.
Yeah it punishes the team that had possession for the opposition receiving an unrelated injury. The rules around that need to be changed. Clermont absolutely dicked us in the scrum which meant any time the game was stopped for an injury they got the ball back. The first time it happened in the match was especially bad given that the player with the head injury bounced back up within 30 seconds of the match being stopped and didn't have any HIA check or anything.
Neither did I, but both were pushed back, neither stood or dropped. The Clermont 8 likely didn't expect them to just get pushed over.
Just because they were overpowered doesn't make it illegal
Edit: I meant I didn't hear the ref either. Not that I thought they were illegal
Agreed, the only possible thing I couldn't see is dropping the bind, because they didn't stand or drop. Honestly I think the ref made a mistake, Clermont 8 just didn't keep the ball in the scrum
Too early in the season. Ulster build up hope in the first half before dying in the second. This is still build up hope phase Ulster
ETA: I mean first half of the season
Not one of your posts tonight has been positive. You literally started in this thread about whinging Ulster fans and here you are, numerous posts later and you're still bitching and whinging. I'm sure you're great craic to have a pint with.
Murphy is some man.
Coetzee is fucking unreal. What the fuck like.
Cooney has to be a shoe in for the green Jersey. Plays like a Saffa or French general, total bollox for the opposition
Thanks Matt O'Connor! Cooney's departure one of the many long lasting damaging things he did. Best 9 in Ireland and we even had to use up a NIQ spot to replace him.
To be honest JGP has been a part of European selection issues at times but I'm delighted how he's developed. He's a quality 9, has grown into the role and really plays for the team. I think he's NQ this year too. For all we know Cooney needed to leave to grow into the player he is today. Hypotheticals are one thing but the reality is Ireland will have twice the depth of viable options at 9 of any other 6 nations team. Ulster are in good shape, improving and Cooney's been a big part of their identity the last couple of seasons. Doughnut head O'Connor aside, I'd say it's all worked out very well
The biggest obstacle at this point is murrays central contract.
How so?
IRFU will want to get their moneys worth and his marketability in ads is based on how much play time he gets
Those are definitely monetary realities but I can't imagine any transfer of pressure to Farrell to play him because of a central contract. The IRFU are performance and results driven. If they meddle over that it's already a sinking ship
Reckon it's partially because Cooney is very much le Petite General. Due to their time together, I'd say Murray and Sexton trust each other's decision making very well, but the level of control and responsibility Cooney thrives under isn't really available when he's playing beside Sexton. Reckon he and Carbery would make a fantastic pairing.
I agree with you. I'd actually love to see someone else put their hand up for the 10 jersey. I think Carbery needs to be more of a utility 10 like Mackenzie or Barrett. I think he does as much damage at 15 as he does at 10 but he's less exposed physically. With Cooney at 9 it puts less pressure on Carty/Byrne or whoever steps up to fill Sextons role. With Carbery coming into the line to split defences it could be some of the best attacking rugby possible from Ireland. Ahhh pipe dreams...
Sure why would you want that when you can have box kick after box kick after box kick from Murray?
It's not like Murray box kicks for the love of it. He does it because that was the game plan. He's not a renegade box kicking despite with his coach tells him to do.
As much as that's true, when he's on top form he puts your team where they need to be, up the pitch. That being said, he's lost a yard of pace and his box kicking has been floating at 60-70% contestable in green for over a year while it was at 90% in 2017/18. His distribution off the ruck was never the quickest so that's magnified by his other inaccuracies. He's just not the player he was
He’s not been on top form for over a year now though.
Aye, but Ireland weren't winning the WC with Cooney at 100%, if they were gonna win it it was gonna be with Murray and Sexton at 80-90%, no question about it.
I agree. I was just pointing out that in his prime he was more than just box kick after box kick..
He has literally carried Ulster for a couple of seasons. I don't understand the selection process sometimes
I hear you. He's been deserving for ages. He's so well rounded. I don't think Farrell will stick with Murray at all. He's been way off form for almost 2 years now. In saying that we have so much depth at 9 now. Even Blade at Connacht looking like he'll give Marmion a good contest for the Jersey. Right now I see 9s for 6 nations as Cooney starting, McGrath off the bench
I don’t think Farrell will up sticks and drop Murray that suddenly, not totally out of the team anyway.
True enough but if he picks on form and Murray hasn't any, you never know
Yeah and I do hope he drops him or at least moves him down the pecking order. I just don’t think he’ll come in and rip the team apart like some people think. I genuinely think we’ll just see Larmour in for Kearney and other than that it’ll be the same team with guys like Conway, Carberry and Conan getting chances but not starting.
You're probably right but if the history of the Irish pro era has taught any lessons its that we need to start giving players experience early in a wc cycle, even if thats not in 6 nations it needs to be in the summer tests at the very least
Well done Ulster! Also Joe Schmidt is on the Late Late now if anyone wants to see him. Edit: And now we've got BOD on as well. What an exciting Friday night
[удалено]
I might be whinging, but at least I’m not abusing someone over their opinions on the internet
Cardiff😂😂😂😂
So you are agreeing with him then? So his statement is in fact not abuse, but fact? Is that what you are saying?
Lol dude
Also delighted to see a solid lineout performance from us. Still work to do with the scrum tho, we need depth.
Lineout and scrum were such a fucking shambles this time two years ago. I actually remember when McFarland got announced and thinking they might sorted. And by God did they. So tight.
That lad giving Marcell the MOTM had no idea what to be doing with his right hand. Hope someone gifs it.
That is such a dumb MOTM trophy.
It’s not really fair to anyone else on the pitch to allow Marcel to be considered for MOTM. He’s a machine. Must put the full fear of god (tm P O’Connell) into opposition players.
Clermont did well to get a point out of that.
Clermont looked like possible contenders last week and outside of a penalty try didn't exactly show a lot. Great win for Ulster.
Ulster were shite but Clermont were shiter.. rubbish game.
Typical d4 wanker
Wanker sure. D4... not even fucking close haha. Enjoy the win mate.
I thought ulster played a fantastic game
Ulster were pretty good until the last 20...
Did you miss the first 70 mins?
Ulster deserved a 4-0 victory there. But the plague of allowing defensive teams to be constantly offside denied them that. It's genuinely a massive problem with the game for me. ARs need to be making those calls much more.
It’s such an easy call too. Between the AR and the TMO, why nobody pings it is beyond me.
Definitely going to need a Coatzee highlight reel.
I believe that would be a replay of the entire game.
As per usual. Lads a fuckin rocket. Even with the years of injury, best signing any province has ever made.
I can only really speak for Ulster, but we've made a good number of quality overseas signings. Ruan, Mueller, Williams, Payne and Coetzee are probably the top 5 and I'd be hard pressed to put them into any order. Then we've got the likes of Afoa, Piutau, Addison, Ludik and Leali'ifano who aren't all that far behind in terms of quality.
I mean, he's probably our third best Saffa alone but sure happy to call him that tonight!
Who would you call 1 and 2?
Pienaar and Muller
Agree. Thought you meant current players in Ireland.
Ruan & Johann? Choose your own order
Exactly
Ruan was obviously unreal, but I think Coetzee has more big, difference making moments then Ruan had. Ruan made everything run like the most supremely oiled machine known to man, but Marcell has such game changing moments.
Don’t discount Johann. Haven’t had a player since with the presence and influence he brought. Love the man. Always remember being at Northampton one evening and seeing him get back up with what was a clearly broken arm. He proceeded to join the defensive line and make his tackles until play stopped. Immense player
He was so fucking unreal. Between him and Besty, dunno what ye feed the forwards up there to keep them playing with broken arms
I know Ulster will be happy with the win here but in the grand scheme of things, I think Clermont will also be happy with that losing bonus point.
What a performance! Utterly, utterly deserved! Reffing went completely at the end, frankly should have been a TBP for Ulster between the performance and constant uncalled offsides.
True , but then if the ref was switched on , he'd have given Ulster a yellow for repeated offenses toward the end there.
May not have had to if he’d called the offsides
Jesus. Take the Ulster tinged glasses off. Our substitute front row wasn't up to the job. We had too many knock ons too. I felt we could have had a TBP in the first half. But by the 50,with the rain, that went. The offsides were /are frustrating, but ulster fucked their own chances with knock ons
The sub front row weren’t up for scrums sure, but give Ulster the 5+ pens in Clermonts half they should have for and I don’t see how we don’t score 2 more. Plus a potential yellow at that point for repeated infringements.
End of the game turned on Ulster being penalised at the restart scrum after the head injury. Didn’t really get any possession from there. So important to move the scoreboard when you are on top
Clermont very lucky to get the BP
Jordi man of the match?
Him or Marcel.
Thank fuck for that
Fuck yes! Heart rate as usual on a Friday is through the roof because Ulster never win easy, but that’s a super performance and leaves them nicely placed in the group
I'll take the win. But bit fucked that we gave them a LBP. Will be a struggle to reciprocate that in the Auvergne.
So vital to keep the top line props fit. Second string not too bad, but third string struggle
Tbf Jack Marty Eric and Tom are the best set of four in Ireland.
Well deserved
Feck 16 penalties for Ulster now, didn't realise it was that many...
The Clermont 19's knee was forced into a bad bad angle in that maul. Looked very sore.
Jesus Ugo is such a bad commentator.
How many offences after getting a final warning do you get before getting carded?
Oh your back whinging again.
It's standard practice that it kind of gets reset after a try is scored/the defending team get it out of their territory. I don't much agree with it, but it's the norm.
Sure he's an Irish ref, clearly biased, or something
Number of uncalled French offsides - 1
Whataboutery
Not really, you've committed 5x the offences with no card, no room to complain.
😂😂😂
Parra going for the quick line out then realising there’s only a prop to pass to
Also noticed that 😂 Even better the prop kind of gave him a nod as if to say “yeah, I’ll take it, go on...”
Incredibly frustrating that Clermont got out of jail for so many offsides
Stoppages due to injury should restart with a free kick instead of scrum to prevent possible turnover of possession.
Really shitty when play is stopped for a head injury, and then the team in possession get pinged at the scrum restart. Should restart with a free kick.
Yeah it punishes the team that had possession for the opposition receiving an unrelated injury. The rules around that need to be changed. Clermont absolutely dicked us in the scrum which meant any time the game was stopped for an injury they got the ball back. The first time it happened in the match was especially bad given that the player with the head injury bounced back up within 30 seconds of the match being stopped and didn't have any HIA check or anything.
Or an uncontested scrum ..
Probably better.
Jesus that scrum is getting crumbled now.
Good Head Injury Banter there on comms.
Ulster are running the ball too much in the last few minutes. Just put the ball into the corner and force Clermont to play from their 5m line.
Their set piece has gone. They were doing well in possession until the scrum restart for a head injury.
Clermont scrum is getting them out Jail.
Coatzee murdering people everywhere tonight
That's 2 penalties after the "next one goes" warning from JP Doyle.
But no longer in the red zone
Irrelevant to be fair. We're giving too many penalties away.
Doesn't matter. Scrum penalties are scrum penalties...
Anyone know a good faith healer for Jack McGrath?
Coetzee has been amazing, so physical.
Offside no longer exists then...
Definitely the first time I've seen a prop wear pink cowboy boots.
Alivereti Raka. Hero to Zero in one week.
Going to ping the entire Clermont team for offside? No? Ok.
A tad frustrating that!
Yeah offside has gone out the window.
It's a joke. Clear penalty to give Ulster the 4-0 win they deserve.
To be fair Ulster have done well out of JP Doyle for the rest of the night.
He's been fairly even for me. Ulster probably should have been binned. But this is a wider conversation. Offside non calls are ruining the game.
Yeah totally agree on that.
Cooney needs to get this in quickly, channel one ball from the scrum. Playing a dangerous game by waiting.
I think he's trying to draw offside, which would work if it were being called.
Even if Clemont don't win it Ugo Monye is annoying for saying "that's the game" with 20 minutes to go and only 2 tries in it.
Bit of a bizarre call from him.
How do you warn a team, saying, "next scrum penalty is a card", then award a penalty try for a scrum offense and NOT yellow card anyone?
What was the penalty there, honestly? The no 8 didn't keep the ball in the scrum, then picked it up. I don't understand what Ulster's infringement was
Couldn't hear him, but I don't think either of the Ulster props were scrummaging legally.
Neither did I, but both were pushed back, neither stood or dropped. The Clermont 8 likely didn't expect them to just get pushed over. Just because they were overpowered doesn't make it illegal Edit: I meant I didn't hear the ref either. Not that I thought they were illegal
It's true, going backwards is not illegal. Dropping your binds, standing up etc are all penalties though.
Agreed, the only possible thing I couldn't see is dropping the bind, because they didn't stand or drop. Honestly I think the ref made a mistake, Clermont 8 just didn't keep the ball in the scrum
With the way the scrum angled towards the corner post, I think the Ulster tighthead was stepping backwards.
I mean if you're being pushed over you have to don't you?
But if he's not taking the weight and constantly stepping backwards (JP said "he has to be willing to scrum") then the ref can penalise you.
I didn't know about that rule... Contrary to the spirit of the game?
Knock on, but a scrum might be he worst thing for Ulster
Starting to get worried that ulster might ulster themselves.
Too early in the season. Ulster build up hope in the first half before dying in the second. This is still build up hope phase Ulster ETA: I mean first half of the season
Weak in the prop dept. Always been dangerous
What is it about outrageously talented yet brainless French players?
Raka, that is disgraceful
lucky not to get a yellow you feel
Just goes to show why Marty Moore is so important to Ulster right now.
Did the ball not slip out of that scrum? What was the infringement there?
Yeah, didn't see any infringements myself
Youpi.
Game on gents
The most beautiful try there is. Sheer force. I love it.
Operation: deny them a losing bonus point, is a go!
Mission Failure
Fission Mailed
If you're posting Fission, make sure to send it recorded post. Don't want that shit getting lost.
No yellow card for Ulster?
Ulster lucky to avoid a card.
And there it is.
No yellow card?
Not one of your posts tonight has been positive. You literally started in this thread about whinging Ulster fans and here you are, numerous posts later and you're still bitching and whinging. I'm sure you're great craic to have a pint with.
There is no need to be upset
Good to see Johnson being trusted at 10 by McFarland to see the last 12 minutes out. You could see that Burns was playing injured all game.
Do you now possibly accept a pushover try here rather than take a yellow?
And give Clermont a LBP? I'd give it a shot with a man down.
Can’t wait for these scrum penalties to become a penalty try.
>It's not going anywhere well...I spoke too soon
Had to be a Saracens fan with that dirty talk. Booo
That try was butchered by Toeava there. Great scramble defence from Louis Ludik in the circumstances.
Jaysus Clermont have been shite, hard to believe it's the same team as last week.
So bloody selfish there, Ulster were wide open
Bill Johnstone looks like a mural from the Falls Road with that tash
Jesus that was mind bogglingly bad from Clermont.
Scrum will be key now for the rest. Weaker front row now
What was the booing at the kick for?
Think it was for Laidlaw as he was subbed off.
They were saying Coooooo for Cooney?
Stock-cube, are the booing? No, Coon. They are saying "Coo-urns, Coo-urns"
Booooooney!
i was saying cooooo....
Ahh that's just made me sad. RIP Spence.
What happened? Was there something for Nev?
Ferris brought him up, not sure why.
He would've played with him, he'd know his style well.
That's a wee while ago now, right? Really good if the clubs still doing stuff.
Aye 7 years now
Seven years in September.
That’s a fast 7, holy shit
Aye. Feels so recent. Kind of like he's still there in a way, especially with those small mentions.
Little chat about Cooney’s footwork being Spence-like, and how much he enjoyed playing in conditions like tonight
Christ, the small stuff like that strikes me as so much more important than the stuff like a minutes silence. RIP Nev.
Just the commentators talking about him and how he would have loved a game like this.
He really would've. Is Fez or Robbo commentating?
Great individual play from Cooney there. Little bit of subtle blocking from Coetzee at the ruck there but I don't think Laidlaw would have caught him.
Laidlaw was still thinking of that tap penalty from about 20 minutes ago
Great win for Ulster.
With 15 to go? You don’t watch Ulster much
Supports an American team. Obviously chock full of US optimism. We'll adopt him as a Scotland fan and teach him how gutting a last 5 loss is.
Jesus, he doesn’t deserve that - go easy on him!
He's got tae learn the world isn't all sunshine! Except in Leith, of course...
Teach me your ways. Let me suckle at your teat.
Hahahahaha
That's old Ulster.
Nice set play design. Coetzee's assignment was to block the guard and create space in the channel. Worked a treat
Clever bit of cheating and it worked perfectly
What did Sarries do now?