2015-2016 what's to be done?

[Cap'n Grumpy]

One of the good things about Humph was the feeling he was raking the whole world for good IQ players for Ulster, that he'd turn up in the middle of Amazon if needed; ..........

You can question whether he did as well as he might, but it seems unquestionable that he was trying. If Cunningham isn't doing the same, he must be truly bloody incompetent.

Too right he's incompetent - if like Humphreys he's getting players off Amazon, could he not have used Amazon Prime and got Charlie boy delivered quicker instead of waiting a year?

[bazzaj]

Thats gold grumps.
Do we have a returns policy where you can scroll down to product faulty on arrival.
Does that entitle us to a refund or replacement?
I think we should try ebay next season.

[Snipe Watson]

One of the good things about Humph was the feeling he was raking the whole world for good IQ players for Ulster, that he'd turn up in the middle of Amazon if needed; ..........

You can question whether he did as well as he might, but it seems unquestionable that he was trying. If Cunningham isn't doing the same, he must be truly bloody incompetent.

Too right he's incompetent - if like Humphreys he's getting players off Amazon, could he not have used Amazon Prime and got Charlie boy delivered quicker instead of waiting a year?

That's a five guffaw post

[scrum5]

I doubt, and would be somewhat dismayed, if we are paying Charlie Boy £500k PA a utility back is not worth that in anyone's world.

I'd be concerned for Bryn's long term viability if that were the case.

He's not a utility back, that's ridiculous. He is a top class, possibly world class back 3 player who will play fullback for us. Louis is a utility back.

He's a utility back, can play 13, wing or FB. His class doesn't take away from him being able to cover three positions.

I wouldn't pay £500k for Jules Savea, Ben Smith or Israel Dagg all of whom are ahead of him for the ABs.

Of course he can do a job at 13 any talented player can do a job at 13. I suppose it's really a matter of semantics, I think of a utility back as a pejorative term a guy who can play a number of positions without actually excelling at any of them.
Can we justify that kind of cash for a fullback? Well that's a different question. I'd say the only place we need a massive investment is 8. Can we justify £500k for an outside back? Possibly conspicuous consumption or worse, but let's see what is happening on the back row front before calling this signing a wrong'n.

I'll call it now, if there are not 2 international backrow forwards coming in then it's a bad signing.

[BaggyTrousers]

I'll see your two international back rows and raise you "of high quality", I refuse to settle for Kelly Brown and Bergamasco the extreme elder.

[scrum5]

I'll see your 2 high quality back rows and raise you 2 international Boks

[Snipe Watson]

Who aren't pension chasing busted old codgers.

[BuckRogers]

I'll see your two international back rows and raise you "of high quality", I refuse to settle for Kelly Brown and Bergamasco the extreme elder.

I'd take Kelly Brown to be fair.

[Nightsoil]

I'll call it now, if there are not 2 international backrow forwards coming in then it's a bad signing.

Can't see the IRFU allowing us two back row forwards...

My hopes would be pinned on 1 top class international forward and 1 highly promising uncapped lad, 1 in the back row and 1 either at lock or loosehead. Which will probably be disappointed tbh.

edit: Brown would be 34 by the time we could get our hands on him. No thanks.

[BaggyTrousers]

I'll see your 2 high quality back rows and raise you 2 international Boks

I'll just see you, that will do me especially if they are pension chasing old farts who have finished their international careers. Internationals are grand as long as they aren't playing a 52 week season like poor Ruan.

NSoil, I'd happily see a 2nd row if it means Hendo can play 6 most of the season.

Oh yeah, on Kelly Brown, it was age and not ability on which I would scorn him.

[Snipe Watson]

We have plenty of honest grafters, what we really need is a twisted, contrary dog of a backrow operator with plenty of miles left in the engine. Kelly Brown ticks a lot of those boxes, but I still wouldn't take him. We need someone bigger and more dynamic ball carrying.

[stickinout]

We have plenty of honest grafters, what we really need is a twisted, contrary dog of a backrow operator with plenty of miles left in the engine. Kelly Brown ticks a lot of those boxes, but I still wouldn't take him. We need someone bigger and more dynamic ball carrying.

i'm with you Snipe, if we could get someone who can serve up front foot ball even to the level of P3 or early FNW, we would be devastating. Anything better than that level, i'd have a smile on me for the whole season.

[Snipe Watson]

We have plenty of honest grafters, what we really need is a twisted, contrary dog of a backrow operator with plenty of miles left in the engine. Kelly Brown ticks a lot of those boxes, but I still wouldn't take him. We need someone bigger and more dynamic ball carrying.

i'm with you Snipe, if we could get someone who can serve up front foot ball even to the level of P3 or early FNW, we would be devastating. Anything better than that level, i'd have a smile on me for the whole season.

I was thinking of P3 as well.

[ruckover]

Piutau is a world class signing, I think a few people are still underestimating the talent this boy has. I still maintain, the fact that they have gone into a state of mourning over in Kiwi Land due to the fact that he is leaving speaks volumes. We do not have a specialist 15 on our books in the 2016/17 season - Piutau fills that role and then some.

I don't think we will be short of top quality back rowers in 2016 either.

[againstthehead]

Forget Jules Savea, I want his brother Arnie. He is some player, best 7 I've seen this year.

I think if they had any wit the All Blacks would just seen Hurricanes to the RWC to represent them, they are playing the most marvellous rugby, their offloading is spectacular & they just go for everything.

Sailing away at the top of the league and have 10 bonus points from 15 matches.

Bang on. He has some speed for a 7. Couple of their outside backs are fairly handy too. Be interesting to see if many of them sneak into the AB squad or will the coaches stick with the tried and tested. I imagine the later. Where NZ are going to really struggle is at fly-half.