Well I suppose there had to be another blog
in me. The first two have been Andy Goode and the third I reckon will set the
Devin Toner for Ulster versus Montpellier on Saturday afternoon.
I genuinely do feel a sense of pressure every
time I am writing a blog. I don’t understand why, as I am a man who has won a 3rd
Fifteen Cup medal at a neutral venue so I expect to step up.
This Saturday will be a Titanic battle as Ulster face Montpellier in the second round of Pool 5 of the Heineken Cup. The top 14 team are known as the ”‘Chelsea of French rugby” so no doubt Paddy McAlister supports them, as there is a bandwagon on which to be jumped.
The French Giants seemed to have a serious
amount of Pat Cash this summer and with their signifanct summer signings they are
one of the favourites for this year’s trophy. However a positive for the White
Knights is that there is one man missing, Rene ‘Queens Park’ Ranger who has
just finished a season with Northland will not arrive in time for the
encounter.
To be honest he probably didn’t fancy
having to be picked out of Tommy Bowe’s back pocket by Francois- Trinh –
Aromatic Duc at the end of 80 minutes on his debut for the French side.
Ulster should welcome back two superstars.
John ‘Cornerstone’ Afoa but then again I suppose that depends on his 32 10 ‘pay
as you go contract’. Secondly, Ruan ‘Points’ Pienaar - let’s hope he didn’t
sign that deal last week with a pencil or he could be on a one-way flight to
France.
There were many positives from last week’s
performance however my mate Trimby- what can I say.
I am sure he had a maroon CAI shirt on playing
for the under 14Bs, with the coach saying time and time again ‘TV Screen Andrew”.
For Ulster’s benefit let’s hope he returns
back to his usual self this week-Cutting lines like the wrecking ball we know he
is. What’s the chance he scores a five
pointer this week- similar to the one he scored against Bath at the Wreck in
2010. Monumental!
Big call at centre for Mark Anscombe. Stuart “I promise I wont step of my right” Olding is
back in great from. Is it just me or could he sidestep you in a telephone booth?
It will be interesting to see who gets the
nod beside the Caveman.
It’s such a tight call between the two
Ireland internationals and don’t forget P- Wall is on the road to recovery.
However he can’t seem to get a direct flight out of the “Pacific Islands” but
he should feature in the near future. What a class act that man is. Stick any
number on his back and he will do a job!
I have to mention the “fans’ favourite” who
used to represent the White Knight’s Jimmy ‘I love the Snooze button” Nagusa -a
man who has a different clock to anyone else. I really hope Jimmy makes their
22 on Saturday, as he was a local hero when at home. But then again Montpellier
would probably only have a squad of 21, as he wouldn’t fancy it.
The electric Graig Gilroy may come back
into contention this weekend. He spent
all last week funding Jameriah Beach on the Ormeau Road so he should be rested,
fresh and up for the challenge.
Match-
Ups
Mamuka
Gorgodze vs. Chris Henry
This guy Gorgodze has often featured on WWE
RAW with Jim Ross on a Friday night. A colossal figure. He is the most famous Georgian superstar star behind Temuri Ketsbaia (8 goals in 78) games for
Newcastle United. Gorgodze is the first
name on the team sheet, so destructive at the breakdown and offers himself as
the main ball carrier for Montpellier.
Ulster’s back row will have their work cut
out at the weekend. But if there is one man you want to man-mark “the beast” then
you wouldn’t look past Chris “Carb Loader” Henry (Birthday Boy) his defensive
work is outstanding. If he’s not choke tackling, then he’s a chopping boys at
the ankles. This match -up will give a real insight into how good Henry is and
with the November tests in sight he will want to remind Joe Schmidt of the
quality and balance he can add to the Irish back row.
Super
RU vs. Benoit Paillaugue.
Let’s face the facts here, Benoit Paillaugue
will probably be looking for Ruan’s autograph, or a training jersey after the
game, or if he was like me a “Selfie” with the South African. Even though it’s
true, enough of that.
Paillague is a nippy scrum half with an eye
for a gap. He will keep Ulster’s post and pillar men alert for the full 80
minutes. What can I say Super RU my hero- reads scripture on a Monday and then
runs the show at the weekend! An incredible talent and will be at the forefront
this weekend and for whole season.
Andrew
Trimble vs. Anthony Tuitavake,
Andrew ‘Shooter’ Trimble as Drico likes to
call him will be wanting to redeem himself this weekend. I just hope he has the
optimum green rugby gloves on this Saturday for his own benefit. With over 50 international caps to his name
Trimble is a top class winger, good feet and as strong as an Oxlade Chamberlain.
He has worked so hard over a number of years on his kicking and rumour has it
he has nearly perfected the spiral bomb.
It will be an interesting match up against Antony Tuitavake who has 8
caps for the All Blacks but you must remember they have a conveyer belt for wingers.
The Tongan descendent has had more clubs than Nicholas Anlkea, however he is an
outstanding finisher and has awareness to create space for others is a talent
you can’t buy.
‘Shooter’ will need to be on the top of his
game this weekend, in both attack and defense. If he can stop the New Zealander
before he picks up speed I fully believe he can shut him out of the game.
Overview
Looks like I just produced a blog without
mentioning the “Ginger Prince Jackson.”
But then again there is always next week.
What a thriller this Saturday should be.
I am predicting an Ulster win- by less than
7. Huge call I know, but I believe my
brain ticks like Stephen Larkham’s did. So I wont be far off.
For all you Ulster fans travelling to the Stade Yves-du-Manoir. Soak it up
and enjoy.
Lastly remember to SUFTUM……………
Any
feedback tweet SpikeSandro30.
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