Moy wrote: I would be very surprised if AJ left for a US team. I'm basing that mostly on a timing issue rather than my complete doubt about the stability of the league; which is a different discussion altogether.

I only found the league website after reading your post Moy ( www.prorugby.org/ ). I didn't know they had even confirmed details of the season yet.
The fact that there are only 5 teams and the website says "Teams will be announced on an ongoing basis!" doesn't inspire confidence.
And when a professional league has an online form you fill in if you want to play, well, eh ...
www.prorugby.org/international-player-application/
Based on the league schedule (April to July) it might be an idea to extend Aj's contract til the end of the Euro pool stages, if USA is his intended destination and the IRFU are OK with it., etc.

I hope mcginty realises that all Connacht supporters think he has done a brilliant job at 10 for us since he took over and that good competition for places is what drives a team and player to better heights. Hopefully his continued good performances will show he will fight anyone for the starting 10 Connacht jersey.

I would be very surprised if AJ left for a US team. I'm basing that mostly on a timing issue rather than my complete doubt about the stability of the league; which is a different discussion altogether.

Connacht will play until late May (I can say that without being a jinx, right?) The Eagles play June 18 and 25 vs Italy and Russia, and I would assume he'd be around for those matches, but after that there would only be 5 weeks of the PRO Rugby* season left which means 4 league games per team since one team is on a bye each week. Even if he decided that playing in a teams final 4 matches is worth a move then I can't see him waiting around another 8-9 months for the next PRO season to start (IF there is a season #2).

Other reasons to think he wouldn't come to the US would be 1) low salaries, 2) no following yet, 3) lesser opposition. If he has plans of being an impact player for the Eagles in Japan in 2019 then playing 12 matches a year in the US, against light competition isn't going to help him. Selfishly I'd like him to stay with Connacht but if he doesn't want to (or can't) then I hope he lands elsewhere in Europe.


*terrible league name

Would gladly have AJ back for another season or two but could you imagine the whinging coming out of Munster if the IRFU allowed that? Two NIQ outhalves at one province? I can't see it happening especially when Connacht finish above Munster in the Pro12.

Darragh wrote: I am not sure you get a Springbok cap if you are average or below. He is sure to have something about him.

No harm in him having a chip on his shoulder. Happens with lots of players who don't get the game time or squad standing they feel they warrant. He is young and a new start can be a beautiful thing for anyone.

Once Madigan went abroad, we had to go for a foreign flyhallf really as there didn't seem to be any Irish qualified players who fitted the profile.

If by any chance McGinty stays on, we will be very well served. Sadly, I don't particularly rate Carty, although still young.

And the fact that with Robbie heading off to the Cappuccino Cowboys (mutter, mutter... ) Craig will almost certainly be exclusively picked forthwith at centre unless we recruit another International class centre... :ohmy:

I am not sure you get a Springbok cap if you are average or below. He is sure to have something about him.

No harm in him having a chip on his shoulder. Happens with lots of players who don't get the game time or squad standing they feel they warrant. He is young and a new start can be a beautiful thing for anyone.

Once Madigan went abroad, we had to go for a foreign flyhallf really as there didn't seem to be any Irish qualified players who fitted the profile.

If by any chance McGinty stays on, we will be very well served. Sadly, I don't particularly rate Carty, although still young.

Boshoff still has a contract with the Lions until the end of the year, but since the announcement was made now it can only point at one thing and that is that the Lions agreed that he be released early from his contract.

By early they mean after Super Rugby as opposed to next week.
www.citizen.co.za/1034662/boshoff-excited-about-ireland-move/

sea_point wrote: Sounds like that is just supporters putting two and two together; because he wa dropped from the Lions traveling squad for the three games series just finished and the talk about him being unhappy about it.

So he'll have a chip on his shoulder? He'll fit right in.

pinky wrote: Now I read it again that SuperSport article says he's moving at the end of Super Rugby so he'd be here for the start of the season.
Though some of what is in that article plus comments on one of the Lions forums, etc. almost seemed to be hinting he was gone already. Could be reading too much into it. We'll know more with this weekend's team announcement.

Sounds like that is just supporters putting two and two together; because he wa dropped from the Lions traveling squad for the three games series just finished and the talk about him being unhappy about it.

Now I read it again that SuperSport article says he's moving at the end of Super Rugby so he'd be here for the start of the season.
Though some of what is in that article plus comments on one of the Lions forums, etc. almost seemed to be hinting he was gone already. Could be reading too much into it. We'll know more with this weekend's team announcement.

sea_point wrote:

connachta wrote:

sea_point wrote: It's an interesting signing, with potential to be great. I'm holding fire on the superlatives though, because Galway ain't the High Veldt or Jo'burg.The Lough Atalia wind will test him out handy enough. I don't know if they've ever been to UK/Ireland before but having lived with South Africans, they really, really don't like the cold and damp.

He's bringing his wife Monique, so a long as he's happy he'll be happy and settle mor quickly. Danie Poolman will be key to the success of their early integration I guess..

.

Poolman, Van der Merwe, all the Sarries tribe, and someone called Quinn Roux did fit in well in wet and cold conditions coming from S-Af. True Poolman/Roux will help for sure indeed.

Yeah really, and how many backs amongst them, specifically tens....?
Danie didn't bring a new bride to Galway either, so there was no additional pressure on him.....

And kicking at altitude where air is thinner and even slighter tens can kick a helluva distance is completely different to kicking in the teeth of a gale in Galway, He's going to need a season to adjust especially to the Rugby required in the worst of winter. But he does seem to fit the skill set for the Rugby blueprint that Pat has implemented.....

His wife coming with him should be more a support than a pressure. McCartney, Aki, fit in very well. If a player career could born again abroad after a small crisis of confidence, I deeply think Pat LAM Connacht's is the best door to knock at.

Boshoff has obviously some talent if he made the S-Af and Baa-Baas squads. His only problem isn't kicking, passing or even line-breaking. He excels in all these attacking pattern. But his defence.
When you look at his stats and closely to the Golden Lions gameplan in October, you can see he missed tackles and is often placed in the 2nd line of defence.

I do think Lam should do the same, he can be fly-half in attack and Full-back/winger in defensive configuration. Poolman/TOH are well able to be engaged in the 1st line, and Boshoff has monster kicks in his pocket that could help to gain territory if he covers the opposition clearance kicks

I wouldn't expect much out of the Kings either but he's with the Lions who are playing a damn good brand of rugby at the moment. They picked up a win over the Chiefs two weeks ago in NZ. Admittedly they got blown away by the Highlander's last weekend with two tries in two minutes.

They're first choice 10 Jantjies, is looking like a pretty slick operator so it will be interesting to see how many games Marnitz is involved in.

ConnachtCows wrote:

pinky wrote: Was there any confirmation on when Marnitz is actually due to start?
Is his Lions contract just to the end of the Super Rugby season or is he there for the Currie Cup til October?

I read one article that said the end of the Super Rugby season

That's what I was assuming, but wasn't sure. Unlike NZ where the Super Rugby and NPC contracts are basically separate, in SA the franchises each have an associated team in the Currie Cup, so it would make sense for them to run their contracts til the end of the season. One of the articles mentioned that he had dropped down to the golden Lions Currie Cup squad. That said, Danie arrived in June, so it probably depends on the individual contract.

Super Rugby Quarterfinals are end of July, you would'nt expect the Kings to make it past that stage. Don't think there's curry cup matches after that but it will depend i guess on when his contract ends, i remember Bundee had to fulfill some lower level club games before he came over. My guess is he'll be with us in September and ready to play in October

pinky wrote: Was there any confirmation on when Marnitz is actually due to start?
Is his Lions contract just to the end of the Super Rugby season or is he there for the Currie Cup til October?

I read one article that said the end of the Super Rugby season

Was there any confirmation on when Marnitz is actually due to start?
Is his Lions contract just to the end of the Super Rugby season or is he there for the Currie Cup til October?