Neil F wrote:Appreciate the dedication to the underground for the hipsters not voting for Henderson but, seriously...
Good to see you back Neil.
I have no problem with Hendo he was superb, however I voted Franco, for two reasons. 1) so many have underestimated him as a signing and he has been brilliant, most lineout takes in the league, barely missed a minute, must be the hardest working 2nd row in rugby. Clowns should remember he was suggested by Johann, that's good enough for me. 2) I thought that was his best game for Ulster, superb throughout.
Paddy Jackson was quality, his passing is what puts him a mile ahead of the other Irish 10s barring Sexton, injury stricken this year but right on cue coming good at the right time.
Ruan, I joked to friends after the game that nobody ever thinks of him as MOTM anymore for he just keeps doing what we expect and the rest weeks recently appear to have done him the world of good. Looked fresh & back on top of his game & with some help from Ginger Prince ran the game.
Cave & Payne as a centre partnership? A wise man of my acquaintance suggested he liked it before the game and was greeted with stony silence by all. He is right of course, it's just we mainly feel both guys are better in different jumpers.
Gilly, great support line & plenty to do for his try, really good to see him back in great scoring form at the right time.
Roger Wilson, Roger has had a very good year on the pitch, he made two bruising tackles early in the second half, one that nearly killed Toner, and I reckon he came close right then to letting the Mexicans know it wasn't a game they were winning. G'wan Roger.
Hendo was superb, a man apart and with Roger he is helping Chad back into the play after his break, Chad also coming into good form - anyone notice a recurring theme? - it is not insignificant that SOB who was a terror to Ulster until 2 or 3 years ago had the quietest of nights barring his card.
Yet again the front row were commendable as a group against more vaunted props & a couple of Rory's international underlings. Couple of tragically bad throws but Rory around the pitch is good as any playing.
That was a very mature win, I was in a state of high dudgeon after 8 minutes and 0-10, to play the next 72 minutes and nil Mexico and put 26 on them was a sight to see, tired or not - them, not me.
No point in getting ahead of ourselves but we all know, that this was a game we feared even though on the face of it we had all the advantages. Despite their average season, Mexico have more bonus points than any other team, last night they never looked like getting on after halftime.
That will be a great result for Ulster confidence. All things are possible.
