These blogs must be going down a treat as
even Lynne McAvoy aka spell check asked me this morning when’s the next blog
going out to your fans. Not going to lie - the highlight of my week was getting
the follow on twitter from Ulster Physio Gareth Robinson and even more
importantly Spurs League Cup 1999 physio. Yes that’s right he’s not only got a
winner’s medal
but he probably has David Ginola’s number.
but he probably has David Ginola’s number.
By the way incase you are wondering I do
actually write a serious match report for the South Belfast News and it will be
tweeted tomorrow.
Blog
4
What a result! The boys arrived at Stade de la
Mosson and delivered, 25-8 they smashed the Frogs.
I predicted they would win by 7 but it ended up
winning by 17 and it could have been more if #AngryTom had learnt how to draw and give when
he was a kid, but then again he was throwing a shot put from A to B so he
wasn’t fussed. Clearly Francois Trinh duck slipped him a few quid on his way up
the touchline as he gave him the ball.
Saturday’s encounter had everything from the
highs of Darren Cave’s off-load which simply can’t be taught, as it was so
good. I think he may have learned this from Conrad Smith in the summer tour
2012 when he was trying to grab his shirt as the ‘snake’ glided by. To the lows
of Dan Tuohy’s ‘gravy kacks’ being shown live on Sky Sports. He’s still waiting to hear what he gets fined,
if Nicklas Bendtner got 80,000 for showing his CK briefs in the Euros. Tuohy
could be in trouble!
Gorgodzee was clearly in contract negotiations
discussing his move from WWE Raw to Smackdown because let’s face it his head
wasn’t right. He reminded me of Ronaldo in the final of World Cup 1998. “Carb
loader” Henry actually pointed him out on Monday in the yellow door, he was
pretty squished in his back pocket. Rory Best definitely has been to the tattoo
parlour - getting a 7 on his back also helped out Henry. One of his turnovers
was simply sublime. In the second half he ended up doing the back crawl at
Olympia leisure Centre to steal ball. Best who let’s face it hasn’t had the
“Best” year for hitting his 180’s but as I predicted in blog 1 he will deliver
this year and so far so good.
A special mention must go to John Afoa, one
of the worlds greatest international tight head props. He was seen taking
flying lessons after 65 minutes from Nicholas Mas. Apparently Mas has his EasyJet
license.
Jared Payne clearly had the Morgan Pass
Developer out last week. That miss pass may as well have been in Cherryvale on
a Saturday morning with a size 3 bought from Wyse Byes. It was so easy for him.
He really is a rock at the back. If only Titus Bramble was as steady as Payne -
as he still looks for a club.
Fans,
I didn’t want to mention 9 or 10 this week. But when they run the show you can’t
dismiss them.
As for the kicking duties, it reminded me of swapping Premier
League cards at the Kings Hall in 2001.
“Your turn, my turn.
I have a shinny.”
Ulster A
team
Before I do my match –ups, I think it’s only
fair to give the Ravens or the A team a shout out. They squeezed home against
Jersey in a tight battle 24-19. Fair play to both Ulster props as they broke
the Guinness World record for the most metres walked back at scrum time in a
game. David Mclwaine superb solo effort reminded me of Spencer Bromley away to
Greystones in the AIL in 2001. “Casper” Cochrane
looked dangerous, Annett worked like Scott Parker did all last season and McKinney’s
kick to the corner in the 79th minute had Dan Parks written all over
it.
Match-ups
Diack vs. Quedraogo
Diack
deserves a great amount of credit. A man who was wearing the Malone jersey 18
months ago. Missing simple one on one tackles at the RDS on Boxing Day in 2011,
from the base of the scrum .The South African has worked very hard to win the 6
jersey. His physicality levels have increased going into contact and his
work-rate is higher than ever. At 6ft 5
he gives Ulster a superb platform in the lineout to work from.
Quedraogo-
The 30 times capped French international was kept very quiet throughout the 80
minutes firstly by Diack and then by “meat ball” head Henderson. Henderson even
makes Quedraogo look like a kid at Funderland on Friday night with candy floss
shouting, “Can we go on the water slide?’ On few occasions the French back row
looked dangerous when carrying ball however he was chopped at the ankles
immediately.
Tuohy vs. Privat
This
match-up was nearly as good as the match I got on Tinder last night.
Tuohy
has had a great start to the season and if he is overlooked when Schmidt is
picking his first match day squad in November I would be surprised. But then
again it might be a Leinster team that week. Tuohy is a one trick pony with the
fore-arm bosh but to be fair to him he makes metres when he carries. I wouldn’t
like to be on the end of the stiff right arm. Ask Tobias Flood his thoughts. On
a personal level I would advice Tuohy to wear a Ceri Sweeney KOGA fore–arm
guard from from now on.
Not going to lie this lad Privat has got a
great CV with a Grand Slam in 2002, a finalist in the French Championship with
Montferand in 07,08,09 but I would still prefer Matt Mustchin in my team any
day of the week. Privat was pretty non-existent on Saturday and his partner in
crime Jim Hamilton who was just looking forward to a night out at Opel in
Edinburgh when he returns with the national side in a few weeks.
Jackson vs. Trinh Duck
He
is even playing himself into these blogs at the moment. The ‘Ginger Bread man’
Jackson is proving to those “real rugby supporters” he is a top-class out-half.
His tactical kicking improves weekly and how good was his tackle in the 72nd
minute on Benoit Sicart? Still think my tap tackle for the medallions B’S away
to RBAI in 2006 on Freddy Thompson beats it!!
He was even first pumping as he thought he was over the line but sure
enough he was chopped.
Francois Trinh - Duck - a quality ten who had
a steady game. Tom Court got an assist for him, which will be crucial to many
fans fantasy Heineken Cup team. I believe Tinh Duck hasn’t been the same since Marc
Lievremont dropped him for the 2011 World Cup. He was at the top of his game
then and I hope he can regain this level one-day. If I were on the French
coaching staff I would certainly have him at 10.
Overview.
Ulster
rugby are currently in a great position. Top of their Heineken Pool and in the
Champions League places for the Pro 12.
However it is so important we learn from last year and don’t peak too
early. Let’s face it we don’t want Ravenhill to be the new Emirates, “ A quiet stadium with no trophies and a
plaque with Sylvain Welford’s face on it.”
Anyway
that’s enough I apologies if blog 4 was slightly longer than usual but I had to
get the “A team involved”.
It’s
back to Ravenhill this Friday night, enjoy and make sure the Ulster Mafia sing
SUFTUM…..
Any comments tweet SpikeSandro30
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