The truth does hurt and that is why kk got shafted connacht rugby want to remain in their bubble no criticism or honesty allowed.

RoadRunnerR1 wrote:

salmson wrote: Anscombe was at Ulster for two seasons, and was only ousted in a player revolt *after* Humphreys quit. But carry on, I'm delighted to see some daycent paranoia on this site again, if you ask me we'd gone all soft after the Pro12 win.

Forgive my memory lapse, but it doesn't really change the point I'm trying to make which is that Connacht Rugby is clearly not in a healthy place right now. One can only speculate as to the cause of the problem, be it the PGB or players and or coaches underperforming and refusing to take responsibility. But surely the reason we hired KK and brought him half way round the world was to fix the problem and get Connacht Rugby Healthy again. But the powers that be don't seem to like his diagnosis or his proposed course of treatment. So Fire the doctor and continue to let the disease run rampant. Seems madness to me and seems very comparable with what happened at Ulster. But hey it's only an uniformed opinion and what do I know. I admit I get very passionate when I believe in something strongly but does that make me paranoid.

You know Roadrunner - sometimes the truth hurts and I tend to agree with you.

salmson wrote: Anscombe was at Ulster for two seasons, and was only ousted in a player revolt *after* Humphreys quit. But carry on, I'm delighted to see some daycent paranoia on this site again, if you ask me we'd gone all soft after the Pro12 win.

Forgive my memory lapse, but it doesn't really change the point I'm trying to make which is that Connacht Rugby is clearly not in a healthy place right now. One can only speculate as to the cause of the problem, be it the PGB or players and or coaches underperforming and refusing to take responsibility. But surely the reason we hired KK and brought him half way round the world was to fix the problem and get Connacht Rugby Healthy again. But the powers that be don't seem to like his diagnosis or his proposed course of treatment. So Fire the doctor and continue to let the disease run rampant. Seems madness to me and seems very comparable with what happened at Ulster. But hey it's only an uniformed opinion and what do I know. I admit I get very passionate when I believe in something strongly but does that make me paranoid.

Anscombe was at Ulster for two seasons, and was only ousted in a player revolt *after* Humphreys quit. But carry on, I'm delighted to see some daycent paranoia on this site again, if you ask me we'd gone all soft after the Pro12 win.

sea_point wrote:

RoadRunnerR1 wrote:

Mark Mostyn wrote:

WillieMason wrote: Really feel for KK i for one will not be renewing my season ticket as a west of Ireland man i know all to well how poorly we have been treated by our neighbours and it turns my stomach to think connacht rugby has treated kk so badly, these are not the values of the people out west.

I hear from in camp this was player power plus the backroom staff. KK was unhappy when he arrived at the lack of preparation and work ethic throughout the club most likely as a result of pats long goodbye. kk became disillusioned at the lack of accountability and acceptance of lower standards something he clashed over with Nigel along with the contract renewals for injury prone players which he wanted out . KK clashed with some senior players be it mul over penalty count or jacks kicking. KK believed some players were going through the motion and were just collecting a pay cheque he pulled them up on it and told them some hard truths.

Its believed kk is now holding out for full payment of his contract along with other fees owned and is refusing to sigh anything which would stop him speaking about his time with connacht rugby. He is ready to spill the beans and is pissed. Its seems like there was a boys club or jobs of the boys culture developing at connacht which he didn't play ball with. It wont be easy sigh another overseas couch after the way a 64yr old highly regarded man who came from the other end of the world was treated after 9 months.

Nigel,willie,mul have a lot to answer for. Time to stop living off that pro12 title

This was going on well before Pat's long goodbye, we lost 41-5 to Glasgow at home in our first game after winning the league. Pat himself called out the players in the press for milking the league win. I hope he does spill the beans to be honest.

I most definitely agree and I'm sickened to think that the man who could see the rot that had set in and had the b***s to front up to the bu****iting, lip service paying bureaucrats that are collecting nice salaries while blindly leading this club to ruin, is the one to get sacked. As regard the comment as to his sacking being a done deal despite the support of the fans, well if we took that approach back when the IRFU tried to dispose of us well I suppose we wouldn't be having this conversation now. This is our club. We pay our hard earned money on season tickets, merchandising and many other revenue streams for the branch. I don't know what needs to be done or how it should be done but our voices should be heard in Dublin before we loose KK and get stuck with the same old s**t season after season.

Totally irrelevant, IRFU are backing this and there's no way they're clearing out their own men to reinstate KK regardless of any amount of demonstration. You'd need to be deluded to think otherwise. To do so they'd probably have to bring in a new coaching team of his choosing and replace the PGB, because at this stage the relationship between both parties is irredeemable...

I never believed they would but we only need to look to Ulster to see the path we're heading down. Back in 2012 despite leading them to a Heineken Cup Final they got rid of Brian McLaughlin and appointed Mark Anscombe. Just as with KK he was sacked after one year and David Humphreys saw the storm clouds approaching and walked away a year later. And ever since they've been in free fall under CEO Shane Logan. And finally after massive public criticism from former players and fans it seems his time may finally be up, but how much damage was done in the meantime and just how long will it take to fix it.

rugbylad.ie/ulster-ceo-set-leave-provinc...rmer-player-replace/

The PGB's are appointed at all provinces to deliver results and despite the high of 2 years ago, the Connacht PGB and setup are clearly not fit for purpose. I would even go so far as to say that Pat Lam saw the malaise setting in and it was a major factor in him leaving a job he clearly loved passionately. So the question is, Just how far does Connacht Rugby need to fall before the fan base lets it's voice be heard. It won't bring back KK but it just might lead to the IRFU taking some decisive action to prevent us hitting rock bottom.

P.S. The doctors say I ain't deluded no more and I don't even hear the voices anymore. They feel they're gettin close to balancing my medication and I'm due to be released back into society any year now. Maybe we could meet up for a beer when I eventually get out. Actually better make that a sody pop as I probably shouldn't mix alcohol with the drugs.

pinky wrote: While I haven't formally ruled myself out yet, later today I will be talking exclusively to Pundit Arena drinking Buckie down the Sparch, where I will speak candidly about my future plans.

I thought the conversation had reached Peak Silliness with this comment, but clearly I have been proved incorrect.

RoadRunnerR1 wrote:

Mark Mostyn wrote:

WillieMason wrote: Really feel for KK i for one will not be renewing my season ticket as a west of Ireland man i know all to well how poorly we have been treated by our neighbours and it turns my stomach to think connacht rugby has treated kk so badly, these are not the values of the people out west.

I hear from in camp this was player power plus the backroom staff. KK was unhappy when he arrived at the lack of preparation and work ethic throughout the club most likely as a result of pats long goodbye. kk became disillusioned at the lack of accountability and acceptance of lower standards something he clashed over with Nigel along with the contract renewals for injury prone players which he wanted out . KK clashed with some senior players be it mul over penalty count or jacks kicking. KK believed some players were going through the motion and were just collecting a pay cheque he pulled them up on it and told them some hard truths.

Its believed kk is now holding out for full payment of his contract along with other fees owned and is refusing to sigh anything which would stop him speaking about his time with connacht rugby. He is ready to spill the beans and is pissed. Its seems like there was a boys club or jobs of the boys culture developing at connacht which he didn't play ball with. It wont be easy sigh another overseas couch after the way a 64yr old highly regarded man who came from the other end of the world was treated after 9 months.

Nigel,willie,mul have a lot to answer for. Time to stop living off that pro12 title

This was going on well before Pat's long goodbye, we lost 41-5 to Glasgow at home in our first game after winning the league. Pat himself called out the players in the press for milking the league win. I hope he does spill the beans to be honest.

I most definitely agree and I'm sickened to think that the man who could see the rot that had set in and had the b***s to front up to the bu****iting, lip service paying bureaucrats that are collecting nice salaries while blindly leading this club to ruin, is the one to get sacked. As regard the comment as to his sacking being a done deal despite the support of the fans, well if we took that approach back when the IRFU tried to dispose of us well I suppose we wouldn't be having this conversation now. This is our club. We pay our hard earned money on season tickets, merchandising and many other revenue streams for the branch. I don't know what needs to be done or how it should be done but our voices should be heard in Dublin before we loose KK and get stuck with the same old s**t season after season.

Totally irrelevant, IRFU are backing this and there's no way they're clearing out their own men to reinstate KK regardless of any amount of demonstration. You'd need to be deluded to think otherwise. To do so they'd probably have to bring in a new coaching team of his choosing and replace the PGB, because at this stage the relationship between both parties is irredeemable...

Mark Mostyn wrote:

WillieMason wrote: Really feel for KK i for one will not be renewing my season ticket as a west of Ireland man i know all to well how poorly we have been treated by our neighbours and it turns my stomach to think connacht rugby has treated kk so badly, these are not the values of the people out west.

I hear from in camp this was player power plus the backroom staff. KK was unhappy when he arrived at the lack of preparation and work ethic throughout the club most likely as a result of pats long goodbye. kk became disillusioned at the lack of accountability and acceptance of lower standards something he clashed over with Nigel along with the contract renewals for injury prone players which he wanted out . KK clashed with some senior players be it mul over penalty count or jacks kicking. KK believed some players were going through the motion and were just collecting a pay cheque he pulled them up on it and told them some hard truths.

Its believed kk is now holding out for full payment of his contract along with other fees owned and is refusing to sigh anything which would stop him speaking about his time with connacht rugby. He is ready to spill the beans and is pissed. Its seems like there was a boys club or jobs of the boys culture developing at connacht which he didn't play ball with. It wont be easy sigh another overseas couch after the way a 64yr old highly regarded man who came from the other end of the world was treated after 9 months.

Nigel,willie,mul have a lot to answer for. Time to stop living off that pro12 title

This was going on well before Pat's long goodbye, we lost 41-5 to Glasgow at home in our first game after winning the league. Pat himself called out the players in the press for milking the league win. I hope he does spill the beans to be honest.

I most definitely agree and I'm sickened to think that the man who could see the rot that had set in and had the b***s to front up to the bu****iting, lip service paying bureaucrats that are collecting nice salaries while blindly leading this club to ruin, is the one to get sacked. As regard the comment as to his sacking being a done deal despite the support of the fans, well if we took that approach back when the IRFU tried to dispose of us well I suppose we wouldn't be having this conversation now. This is our club. We pay our hard earned money on season tickets, merchandising and many other revenue streams for the branch. I don't know what needs to be done or how it should be done but our voices should be heard in Dublin before we loose KK and get stuck with the same old s**t season after season.

WillieMason wrote: Really feel for KK i for one will not be renewing my season ticket as a west of Ireland man i know all to well how poorly we have been treated by our neighbours and it turns my stomach to think connacht rugby has treated kk so badly, these are not the values of the people out west.

I hear from in camp this was player power plus the backroom staff. KK was unhappy when he arrived at the lack of preparation and work ethic throughout the club most likely as a result of pats long goodbye. kk became disillusioned at the lack of accountability and acceptance of lower standards something he clashed over with Nigel along with the contract renewals for injury prone players which he wanted out . KK clashed with some senior players be it mul over penalty count or jacks kicking. KK believed some players were going through the motion and were just collecting a pay cheque he pulled them up on it and told them some hard truths.

Its believed kk is now holding out for full payment of his contract along with other fees owned and is refusing to sigh anything which would stop him speaking about his time with connacht rugby. He is ready to spill the beans and is pissed. Its seems like there was a boys club or jobs of the boys culture developing at connacht which he didn't play ball with. It wont be easy sigh another overseas couch after the way a 64yr old highly regarded man who came from the other end of the world was treated after 9 months.

Nigel,willie,mul have a lot to answer for. Time to stop living off that pro12 title

It's Connacht who've had the change of heart, so he's probably got a case.
Especially given his first season record is actually better than Pat's, as does being first Connacht Coach to beat all three provinces at home...

I wouldn't see him as the sort of person to go quietly into the night if he feels he's being hard done by, so the IRFU better have their check book to hand given it appears to have been leaked from Dublin..
Horse has already bolted at this stage, so KK can't stay now even if the supporters are mainly on his side....

WillieMason wrote: Really feel for KK i for one will not be renewing my season ticket as a west of Ireland man i know all to well how poorly we have been treated by our neighbours and it turns my stomach to think connacht rugby has treated kk so badly, these are not the values of the people out west.

I hear from in camp this was player power plus the backroom staff. KK was unhappy when he arrived at the lack of preparation and work ethic throughout the club most likely as a result of pats long goodbye. kk became disillusioned at the lack of accountability and acceptance of lower standards something he clashed over with Nigel along with the contract renewals for injury prone players which he wanted out . KK clashed with some senior players be it mul over penalty count or jacks kicking. KK believed some players were going through the motion and were just collecting a pay cheque he pulled them up on it and told them some hard truths.

Its believed kk is now holding out for full payment of his contract along with other fees owned and is refusing to sigh anything which would stop him speaking about his time with connacht rugby. He is ready to spill the beans and is pissed. Its seems like there was a boys club or jobs of the boys culture developing at connacht which he didn't play ball with. It wont be easy sigh another overseas couch after the way a 64yr old highly regarded man who came from the other end of the world was treated after 9 months.

Nigel,willie,mul have a lot to answer for. Time to stop living off that pro12 title

This was going on well before Pat's long goodbye, we lost 41-5 to Glasgow at home in our first game after winning the league. Pat himself called out the players in the press for milking the league win. I hope he does spill the beans to be honest.

Really feel for KK i for one will not be renewing my season ticket as a west of Ireland man i know all to well how poorly we have been treated by our neighbours and it turns my stomach to think connacht rugby has treated kk so badly, these are not the values of the people out west.

I hear from in camp this was player power plus the backroom staff. KK was unhappy when he arrived at the lack of preparation and work ethic throughout the club most likely as a result of pats long goodbye. kk became disillusioned at the lack of accountability and acceptance of lower standards something he clashed over with Nigel along with the contract renewals for injury prone players which he wanted out . KK clashed with some senior players be it mul over penalty count or jacks kicking. KK believed some players were going through the motion and were just collecting a pay cheque he pulled them up on it and told them some hard truths.

Its believed kk is now holding out for full payment of his contract along with other fees owned and is refusing to sigh anything which would stop him speaking about his time with connacht rugby. He is ready to spill the beans and is pissed. Its seems like there was a boys club or jobs of the boys culture developing at connacht which he didn't play ball with. It wont be easy sigh another overseas couch after the way a 64yr old highly regarded man who came from the other end of the world was treated after 9 months.

Nigel,willie,mul have a lot to answer for. Time to stop living off that pro12 title

Shelflife wrote: People are dragging up willies "perfect fit" comment when KK was signed, seriously ? its a throwaway marketing quote that you see when any new personnel are hired.

As regards not delivering the stadium yet and throwing that at his door, well thats an absolute joke. A number of years ago I built a commercial venture on my own property with my own money. What little hair I had was soon nearly gone with the whole planning and licencing rigmarole that I was put through.

Now imagine building a stadium , on land that you dont have with money that you dont have . Dealing with politicians, planners and state bodies that all have their vested interests and all working to a much slower pace than you want is a very hard situation to be in.

Nobody forced Willie to use the "Perfect Fit" comment, and if he was uncertain that that was the case (there must have been doubts for this to have escalated to this point within one season) it was at best reckless. I think everyone was of agreement that the coach Connacht were going to employ was nearly more important than the achievements under Lam.

With respect to the Stadium, I'd be mainly in agreement. But personally I believe it behoves Connacht and Willie in particular to keep the momentum going by keeping the discussion out in the open.
Having it behind closed doors only, allows the pressure to come off the IRFU to make up for the lost years in terms of proper investment in our infrastructure and also local Government who will be key stakeholders. Critical momentum post Pro12 win is being lost,and another season like the last two will seriously undermine the ability of the Branch to press for support/action on the Stadium...

You've put me off my lunch...

Please edit to (1) When he who should not be named got the bullet in Leinster......

the thought of makes me shudder

Shelflife wrote:
Straight off they havent covered themselves in glory here, what should have been a quick kill, done and dusted has dragged out into a slow death.

As regards not delivering the stadium yet and throwing that at his door, well thats an absolute joke.

Couple points here:

(1) When MOC got the bullet in Leinster he was there, then he was gone. Presumably he was just paid off his notice period and that was that. The fact that this hasn't happened in Connacht - and none of us can or should speculate on why that is - means Willie/the board/the branch have failed to deal with this expediently & efficiently. The fact that they had no plan to deal with a leak - and regardless of who actually leaked this, it was always going to leak like everything else in Connacht rugby - just compounds that failure.

(2) On the stadium, I think everyone on this board is aware of the enormous challenges of getting somewhere to build never mind building it. It's not the under-delivery I have a problem with, it's the over-promising. Willie Ruane didn't have to promise an announcement "soon" two years ago; he set the expectation that the stadium project would move, not the fans.

There seems to be a lot of anger towards the Branch and Willie in particular. As anyone who knows me will testify Im no apologist or fan of the branch but some of the criticism seems to me to be a bit unfair.

Straight off they havent covered themselves in glory here, what should have been a quick kill, done and dusted has dragged out into a slow death. Now thats not Connachts making from what I hear. They are in a position not of their making but are getting the brunt of the criticism. Im presuming that one side leaked in order to embarrass or strengthen their position. When dealing with staff and contractual issues you have to be very careful what you as an employer say in public.

People are dragging up willies "perfect fit" comment when KK was signed, seriously ? its a throwaway marketing quote that you see when any new personnel are hired.

As regards not delivering the stadium yet and throwing that at his door, well thats an absolute joke. A number of years ago I built a commercial venture on my own property with my own money. What little hair I had was soon nearly gone with the whole planning and licencing rigmarole that I was put through.

Now imagine building a stadium , on land that you dont have with money that you dont have . Dealing with politicians, planners and state bodies that all have their vested interests and all working to a much slower pace than you want is a very hard situation to be in.

Am I happy with the decision ? I would say that Im suprised that he has gone so soon , but you have to accept that the branch, coaching staff , players and the IRFU are in the best position to make this call, its not simply a clash of personalities between two people.

Am I happy with the way its played out ? even allowing for the other side being the leaker its still not a good look and it does damage the brand.

Heres hoping that it will work out soon and that it will be short term pain for long term gain

I think trying to make sense from all of the stuff that's been printed or commented on, the only real problem with KK has been his communication skills,
1) He speaks his mind and calls a spade a spade, criticising the players publicly, refusing to dress things in a pretty bow for the Media and hasn't gone out to deliver the Gospel
according to Connacht Rugby to the schools and clubs.
2) His playing philosophy is not being reproduced on field, either because he's not explaining it properly or the players are not listening.

I think it had to have been pretty clear to all at the IRFU and Connacht when they first talked to him that this guy is Ronseal (What it says on the label is exactly what's in the Tin) and therefore they can't now be surprised at any of this.

Personally I prefer his gruff style and honesty to a lot of the diplomatic bulls***ers who stand in front of cameras week after week and make stupid excuses for pathetic performances by their team. The fans know what they've just witnessed and the last thing they need is somebody trying to convince them that day is night. Players need to take responsibility for their own part in this mess and criticism of the heartless Sh**e they exhibited so often this season (Either Public of Private) is as justified as the adulation they rightly received from the all too rare performances of quality and desire.

The only important question to answer is whether or not he's the right guy to give the players a game plan to win matches and reproduce the kind of form we saw against Leinster, Ulster and Munster at home this season. I believe that nobody can say he's not the right guy without at least one more season in Charge. A big mistake, and I know I'm speculating here is the probable lack of input KK had in the appointment of his coaching team. To the best of my knowledge the Chiefs attack and Forward coaches under Dave Rennie were also looking to move North and the attack coach at least would IMO have been a very astute addition to KK's hiring and could have solved all of the speculated communication problems between KK, his coaches and players.

Delivering the Gospel to the schools, clubs and the whole community is vital for Connacht to grow both the game and the numbers playing the game here, but where does it say it has to be the head coach that does it. I believe there are plenty of people working for CBIRFU that would find it very hard to justify their salaries. Appoint some nice Rugby Knowledgeable Media friendly guy and give him a nice title like DOR to handle the media and do the community stuff and leave KK to do the job he was ultimately hired for, i.e. to get Connacht playing at the level we all know they're capable of.