From the Examiner today:

www.irishexaminer.com/sport/cweygbojeyql...ource=Irish+Examiner

The centre was selected to make his debut for Connacht against Saracens last Friday night — but had to leave the country during the week until his permit was sorted.

The 24-year old spent a couple of nights in an airport hotel in London before he could return to Galway later on Thursday night when the paperwork was finally sorted out. Connacht coach Pat Lam explained: “We followed all the rules. This is the biggest frustration. We signed James in May and he was booked to get here on July 4th. He was ready to go, he had a flight and then we had to wait for the permit. He missed pre-season and five Rabo games. We got him over here when we got notification his permit was being looked at. He was here for the Treviso game, we were about to play him but the permit was still held up.”

So’oialo was ready to start against Saracens before another issue arose.

Lam said: “He trained with us on Monday last week, we named the team for the Saracens game and then Tuesday at 4pm we were told he has to leave the country. He had to go to London and he sat in an airport hotel until he could get back into Galway when the permit came though. He got back on Thursday midnight. He was extremely frustrated to the point where he wondered is this ever going to come through and should he just move on.”

Glad he didn't give up on it in the end, can only imagine how frustrating it must have been for him.

One thing I noticed about Friday's game was how much Seamus seemed to be apart of the squad, he was the first one up to KM when he scored his try and just the little tap he gave everyone on their chests as they came out of the dressing room. Not massive things but still stuck with me he has bought into the squad.

He probably couldn't be insured until he had a work permit, and training would obviously constitute a large part of the job, so they probably couldn't risk him or at the least couldn't do any contact training?

pinky wrote: Linley said today in the Advertiser that Seamus didn't train for a couple of days last week due to work permit issues.
I guess that explains the late switch with Ronaldson.
Sounds like it was sorted but then not sorted and now it's sorted again.

Does that imply that while they've been waiting for the work permit he hasn't even been able to train with the team? I assumed it just meant he couldn't play in matches. Hopefully it's sorted now.

Linley said today in the Advertiser that Seamus didn't train for a couple of days last week due to work permit issues.
I guess that explains the late switch with Ronaldson.
Sounds like it was sorted but then not sorted and now it's sorted again.

Somaoa squad announced for November internationals
www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16021_8966102,00.html
Seamus not included
? punishment for "not releasing the ball" incident
? lack of game time
In either case we won't be complaining

connacht rugby has tweeted that james had arrived in galway yesterday.

they posted a picture of him at training. watching on!

I suppose he obtained this visa yesterday or today if his club says that... I hope so

connachta wrote: Same Wellington rugby website refered today to James So’oialo "ahead of his departure next week to Connacht in Ireland."

Linley McKenzie in Advertiser says he is "still in New Zealand awaiting a permit".
Must be some issues there as you would assume they would want to bring him over as early as possible as he's not under contract.

Same Wellington rugby website refered today to James So’oialo "ahead of his departure next week to Connacht in Ireland."

Little article about James and his family

www.clubrugby.co.nz/wellington/story.php?id=659



Love the idea of him as "five-eight", in N-Z it means a rugby player positioned between the halfbacks and three-quarters

I voted for pink, mainly because it it the one with which I am most familiar.
Sockeye appears to be the run away winner, will have to try it out.

connachta wrote:

www.courierislander.com/sports/samoa-s-j...-groin-area-1.331866

Connachta, if there was an end of season award for the most left field source of rugby news, it would be all yours for this gem.
The only mystery is why the good folk of Campbell River, British Columbia give a sod about a Samoan mining a South African's jewels.
They would surely be more concerned about the online poll: What is your favourite salmon to eat? (Pink, Coho, Chum, Sockeye, Chinook)

connachta wrote:

ididnotkillmywife wrote: The incident didn't show So'oialo in a good light but glossing over that, it's great news for Connacht.

He looked decent in the last three games and appears to be a good goal kicker. The last point could be key next season. Dan Parks has a kicking game but can't get the outside backs moving. Might Connacht be better off next season plugging So'oialo into one of the full back or wing positions to kick goals if Miah Nikora or Craig Ronaldson can bring the best out of those numbered 11-15?

the principle is ok, but I see him better 12-13

3 reasons :

1)we have a lot of talented 11 and 15, we're shorter at centre
2) he seems unreliable under high balls
2) he seems better with quick hands and strenght (centre abilities), then ultimate defence and speed (winger and fullback abilities)

and balls in the ruck (I'll get me coat)

ididnotkillmywife wrote: The incident didn't show So'oialo in a good light but glossing over that, it's great news for Connacht.

He looked decent in the last three games and appears to be a good goal kicker. The last point could be key next season. Dan Parks has a kicking game but can't get the outside backs moving. Might Connacht be better off next season plugging So'oialo into one of the full back or wing positions to kick goals if Miah Nikora or Craig Ronaldson can bring the best out of those numbered 11-15?

the principle is ok, but I see him better 12-13

3 reasons :

1)we have a lot of talented 11 and 15, we're shorter at centre
2) he seems unreliable under high balls
2) he seems better with quick hands and strenght (centre abilities), then ultimate defence and speed (winger and fullback abilities)

Maybe It gave him a good leasson about dscipline, let's hope he will remember the risk of suspension for keeping quietnesss next season

galway_gas wrote: So he's not getting the sack?

Boom boom! he's here all season folks :lol: