Good win for the Chiefs this morning. Caught the second half.
Our boy Craig looked handy enough around the rucks.

Devils own wrote: Well done to everyone invovled in the top class signing of clark just the type of player we need to make the next step up.

I think Loose head is a bit of a problem area buckley is a liitle light weight and brett can be up and down and offers less around the park. Paddy mccallister in ulster would be a good purchase seeing as mcgrath in leinster is being tightly held onto. I might be wrong but i dont think loughney will every make the top tier in the tight head position, i wonder would he make a very good hooker though his physique would seem to be is more suited to that postion.

Great to hear there is a big clear out ahead aswell and we are now on the top quality over quantity ship.

To be fair, it wasn't that long ago that we were all calling for Brett to be put into the Irish team, and Buckley has been playing outstanding all season, holds himself well in the scrums and has been brilliant in the loose. I wouldn't be at all against strengthening that area of the team, but don't think that it is the biggest concern.

Well done to everyone invovled in the top class signing of clark just the type of player we need to make the next step up.

I think Loose head is a bit of a problem area buckley is a liitle light weight and brett can be up and down and offers less around the park. Paddy mccallister in ulster would be a good purchase seeing as mcgrath in leinster is being tightly held onto. I might be wrong but i dont think loughney will every make the top tier in the tight head position, i wonder would he make a very good hooker though his physique would seem to be is more suited to that postion.

Great to hear there is a big clear out ahead aswell and we are now on the top quality over quantity ship.

So is Stringer being looked at then by the Branch?

connachtexile wrote: Yeah I remember been annoyed when that rule came in. To be fair I think the IRB could have done an amnesty for guys who played 7's before the date and let them chose if they wanted to stay or not. Ireland lost out on Paul Warwick, Liefema Mafi and George because of it and I'm sure countries like Samoa lost got knows hoe many players as well.

Personally I wouldn't have extended it to NIQ's. Fair enough for guys who are born with two or more options and get disqualified by playing Sevens/A Side for the country of their birth/residence from exploring the other option.

But not so much sympathy for guys who aren't IQ get capped at that level for their country but then fail to progress.

If a guy opts out of his countires program before a disqualifying cap because he is or want's to qualify for Ireland then fair enough...

But they should have to make that commitment....

Yeah I remember been annoyed when that rule came in. To be fair I think the IRB could have done an amnesty for guys who played 7's before the date and let them chose if they wanted to stay or not. Ireland lost out on Paul Warwick, Liefema Mafi and George because of it and I'm sure countries like Samoa lost got knows hoe many players as well.

phatguerilla wrote: You used to be able to swap countries but that was changed shortly before Nacewa played for Fiji.

Indeed and not to far in the past either...

Frano Botica (Dad of Quins back up 10 Ben) was a former All Black (27 caps) who's Grandparents were from Croatia, at the tail en of his career (1998-2001)...

You used to be able to swap countries but that was changed shortly before Nacewa played for Fiji.

Borders no.2 wrote:

Woody wrote: Rumour has it that he is also Irish qualified, with a name like Clarke then the rumour might be true.

He's played Junior All Blacks so I think that rules him ineligible to become Irish qualified. Open to correction on that one though.

You're right. He's NIQ. IRB Rule 8.2 " A Player who has played for the senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team or the next senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team or the senior National Representative Sevens Team of a Union is not eligible to play for the senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team or the next senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team or the senior National Representative Sevens Team of another Union. "

Can't figure out how Pat Lam managed to play 34 times for Samoa and once for All Blacks

You got me Salmson :lol:

What's your point? Sure Eddie O'Sullivan would have sweet-talked Devin Toner into signing....

:evil:

The departing Chiefs lock believes the time is right for a new adventure in his rugby career. He says he was in the right place at the right time and people rave about Galway so it's a natural fit.

Clarke has also revealed that Pat Lam was a factor in his decision to join the Irish team. He says he chatted to him a couple of weeks ago about the move and Northern Hemisphere rugby in general.

Anyone else feel like e-mailing a bunch of idiot journalists and going this is why we went with Pat Lam you pack of f*cking reprobates?

Maith an fear Padraig

Clarke has confirmed Pat Lam was involved in his appointment
www.rhema.co.nz/index.php?option=com_k2&...to-connacht&Itemid=5

qualter has done well at eagles level without setting world alight. hes more doc than poc in that he doesnt carry much, is agood lineout operater and works hard for the team around the pitch. imo a development contract is worth it on him.

any time ive seen coneely he has been at 8 or off the bench. grace has played 7 for eagles any time ive seen them. 1 yr dev deal with grace leaving is worth it imo. he has to step up a grade ail wise imo though and should join a div 1 club.

Anyone wouldn't happen to know if our two year 3 academy graduates are going to get promoted next year? It's Danny Qualter and Aaron Conneely. I don't think Conneely has played for the first team in a competitive game yet which is disheartening.