Anyone knows if Adam Leavy, who's not much involved with 1st team 7's, is staying with us?

Looks good with Lansdowne, powerful and heavy wing, completing the light ones we have. + Reece won't come until November...

Yeah one last signing wouldn't help though, I'd be too excited with such a good team

It'd keep you from sleeping Connachta, wouldn't it?

Then, based on 6-7 games watched, I haven't seen them.
No real offensive tackles. Not bad but not very good defender IMO.

But I'm curious to see an all-Aussie pivotal bunch made of

6 Butler
7 Fainga'a
10 Horwitz
12 Godwin

looks tasty

Still very worried next season we will have a LH prop with less than 10 senior cap for the final part in ANY game even crucial ones
(and it'd be the best case scenario, if Buckley stays fit for 70 min, 25 games a year)

I believe defence is one of Godwins strongest assets

And I called him Bob!
Mixed him with the late Sky News Anchor - No idea why. Senior moment!

columoc wrote:

salmson wrote:

phatguerilla wrote: Sorry to be such a downer but that's a complete defense optional try, doesn't break a single tackle cause none of them were properly attempted at all. Tbf it does show an attacking intent that has been needed at times.

Are you in withdrawal from your World Cup gig with ITV, Roy?

Ha Ha!

However, there is a more worrying aspect about those who come from Super Rugby, including Bob Friend. That is the quality of defense. The type of try Godwin scored is a regular feature, and games of 6-10 tries are not uncommon; many due to appalling defense set ups with shooters missing tackles or lads going for intercepts.
The players are great athletes and ball skills impressive but they do not have the discipline defending that you get in Europe. Leinster have spent all last season trying to coach James Lowe (an undoubted super attacker) into fitting into a defensive system and while he has improved, he was shocking early on, he is not reliable enough, especially on staying outside and trusting his centres inside him. I would vouch that O'Gara's experience from Munster and Racing, where he was defense coach, is one of the reasons Crusaders has best defense in the league to date, but they still have leaked 39 tries after 16 matches, a marginally better average than Connacht last year.

That is my worry for next year, clear attacking intent, we will score more than you, but defense could be our Achilles heel.

I get your concerns but Peter Wilkins has a year under his belt and this means the incoming players should fuse more easily into the systems. At times last year I thought our defense looked solid then there were days it was abysmal.
All things being equal (and the caveat that all our signings full their potential and abilitiy) we have a much stronger squad than last year , from a fans point of few it is extremely easy to buy into AF and if his outward positivity to the media flows through the camp it should be a great season. I am excited , very very excited.

salmson wrote:

phatguerilla wrote: Sorry to be such a downer but that's a complete defense optional try, doesn't break a single tackle cause none of them were properly attempted at all. Tbf it does show an attacking intent that has been needed at times.

Are you in withdrawal from your World Cup gig with ITV, Roy?

Ha Ha!

However, there is a more worrying aspect about those who come from Super Rugby, including Bob Friend. That is the quality of defense. The type of try Godwin scored is a regular feature, and games of 6-10 tries are not uncommon; many due to appalling defense set ups with shooters missing tackles or lads going for intercepts.
The players are great athletes and ball skills impressive but they do not have the discipline defending that you get in Europe. Leinster have spent all last season trying to coach James Lowe (an undoubted super attacker) into fitting into a defensive system and while he has improved, he was shocking early on, he is not reliable enough, especially on staying outside and trusting his centres inside him. I would vouch that O'Gara's experience from Munster and Racing, where he was defense coach, is one of the reasons Crusaders has best defense in the league to date, but they still have leaked 39 tries after 16 matches, a marginally better average than Connacht last year.

That is my worry for next year, clear attacking intent, we will score more than you, but defense could be our Achilles heel.

phatguerilla wrote: Sorry to be such a downer but that's a complete defense optional try, doesn't break a single tackle cause none of them were properly attempted at all. Tbf it does show an attacking intent that has been needed at times.

Are you in withdrawal from your World Cup gig with ITV, Roy?

Sorry to be such a downer but that's a complete defense optional try, doesn't break a single tackle cause none of them were properly attempted at all. Tbf it does show an attacking intent that has been needed at times.

Well very good day in the office in Super Rugby

Rebels lost, there are not in play off, Fainga'a's coming
I'd bet on him to be the real gem. A great link-player. This morming he was the one trusted to play SH when their 9 was binned. Passes, involvement on the field, 8 tackles made no miss, small 7 so dynamic footing. Love him already

Rebel though took a BP, meaning Brumbies, despite impressive win (see Kyle's try below), are not qualified either. Godwin's coming too!

Yeah. This man

Burke played most of his Eagles season as LH...

Wouldn’t be at all surprised to see us sign Joey Conway or Jordan Duggan to the academy. Burke is a tighthead.

With Kyne released and Kenny clearly a heavy TH
That leaves us with either Matthew Burke (21 y.o Aca year 2) or Bealham as 4th choice LH.
Can't see McCartney used there again at 33

Could have been better. Still most important thing is O'Donnell stepping up behind Buck. Coulson (whatever he did) was a good 2nd choice on the field. Conan has to challenge him at the same age after all (22)

fatgav wrote: In a reply on twitter Murray Kinsella said he expected another front row signing by Connacht.

Apparently there was an agency on twitter advertising a position for an IQ loosehead at an Irish province.

Kyle Godwin just has scored a beauty of a try on his own!