Don't think Santa trip from North Pole will last as long as the N-Z/L.A/london/Galway journey... :evil:

PS : he arrived 2 hours ago (not Santa, but Bundee our raising star :woohoo: )

connachta wrote: Aki arrived in London 20 minutes ago. Should be in Ireland in a few hours :woohoo: .

Only 66 days till Santa arrives. Bet you can't wait :silly:

connachta wrote: Aki in the plane. When I read the emotion of his girlfriend on twitter, I can't help to think how valuable Muliaina and Heenan are, even injured. They both seem anchored to Connacht now and will help Aki a lot to fit in well and quick, without breaking the ties with his country. I believe the "homesickness issues" will be reduced.

It's a huge move for a couple who've never been to the NH before, but with the support of our not so little Galway/KIwi community (Rodney / Nathan / George / Tim Alnnutt/ Mils / Jake and their respective Wives/Partners not to mention the beautiful West of Ireland and the similarity in personality Irish & Kiwi's are I think theyll settle in. Galway gotta show them the love too...

Don't know why they travelled via LAX, really bad decision imo. Transferring there is always a complete bloody 'mare. :oops:
No wonder they're both feeling emotional...
They definitely should have gone westward via Singapore or Dubai., far less stressful...

Aki arrived in London 20 minutes ago. Should be in Ireland in a few hours :woohoo: . Except if he's waiting for the squad in Exeter to see them play, but it's unlikely I think

Aki in the plane. When I read the emotion of his girlfriend on twitter, I can't help to think how valuable Muliaina and Heenan are, even injured. They both seem anchored to Connacht now and will help Aki a lot to fit in well and quick, without breaking the ties with his country. I believe the "homesickness issues" will be reduced.

Auckland : Lineouts on own throw 10 won, 0 lost (100.0%) :woohoo:

Bad news : Extra-time in ITM McCartney played 93 min
Good news : comments say he played his best match, and Auckland lost!

RogueXV wrote: I guess a case can be made either way on Bundee but IMO it might be better in the long run if Connacht didn't slot him in until Nov. The longer rest might ensure he has some gas left in the tank come the end of the season and certainly it should be easier to ease into the squad against Zebre at home rather than the Ospreys away.

2 against 2 but apparently Lam isn't choosing your side
Looks like the first time we see Aki play could be Ospreys according to the Indo

www.independent.ie/sport/rugb...-30665380.html

The brains behind Ireland's pack, Feek and Easterby, were at Connacht training today
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I guess a case can be made either way on Bundee but IMO it might be better in the long run if Connacht didn't slot him in until Nov. The longer rest might ensure he has some gas left in the tank come the end of the season and certainly it should be easier to ease into the squad against Zebre at home rather than the Ospreys away.

In addition, while Bundee has had a long enough season a number of his Chiefs appearances were off the bench, and they didn't get to the final like the last few years, plus the ITM is somewhere between English Championship and Pro12 level, so he hasn't been playing super rugby level rugby constantly. I think he'll be excited to get integrated into the team and start showing his worth immediately.

ETA: the latest Connacht squad update seems to have Andrew Browne listed as exclusively a lock. Does anyone have any opinions on this? Given Swift is recently injured and we're already light in that position I can understand the move, but will this improve our second row and simplify our back row questions somewhat? Is he actually big enough to play lock consistently against any opposition?

clanman wrote: Bundee is arriving this weekend, we'll have to wait a bit longer for McCartney

the match on the 31st at the Liberty may come a bit too quick but you never know. Probably his 1st game will be at home to Zebre end of November.

Don't agree at all, Lam told about a couple of week of rest, from the 12th to the 31th he has got them. Plus a 3-week-time to integrate better just after. I don't know why he souldn't play. We've waiting for him for two months, it's time to use our "big gun" now, as he has no injury concern.
Add to this Henshaw might not be allowed to play right before Nov tests, Aki is indeed the solution for 13 in the Liberty Std

Bundee is arriving this weekend, we'll have to wait a bit longer for McCartney

the match on the 31st at the Liberty may come a bit too quick but you never know. Probably his 1st game will be at home to Zebre end of November.

Dellahunt injured but JHW cleared to play

They have James Connolly in their as well that's encouraging.

Shane Layden age : 32 :lol: