Ruan becomes an Ulsterman

[tomodaman_2]

Excellent signing for Ulster! He's a class player who'll get the backline moving. I didn't think he would move out of SA in the season before the world cup but maybe he was assured of his place in the SA squad. His kicking isn't much better than iHumphs though.

That's bollards.

Even Springbok fly-half Steyn is struggling a little. His average is 82.1%, which is less than the Sharks’ Ruan Pienaar (83.3%). Steyn succeeded with only 55% of his kicks against the Force and 60% against the Blues.

http://www.rugby-talk.com/?p=9558

Perhaps Cables has Humphreys' percentage for this year. Would be fairly certain that it ain't anywhere near that.

[backawaygoonahead]

cracking signing, taking pressure off 3 key areas at one fell swoop (9, 15, goal-kicking), after being played by Peel and Blair, 3rd time lucky for Humph!

Thank God the first two were game playing because neither are in the same class as Pienaar - Peel is a spent force, ask Warren Gatland and Blair, a force that never was, is or will be - still locked into a fight to the death struggle with Ross Ford for "worst Lion ever" title.

A resolution to the "Rush Affair" one way or the other and we can look forward to next season with a lot more optimism.

[ColinM]

Thank God the first two were game playing because neither are in the same class as Pienaar

Come on now, maybe the Humph was the one game playing to get Pienaar at a lower rate

[mikerob]

Perhaps Cables has Humphreys' percentage for this year. Would be fairly certain that it ain't anywhere near that.

I haven't yet seen ML kicking stats for this season but for 08/09 iHump was on 65.2%.

[brianc]

Now all we have to do is : (i) learn how to stop losing several important players each season; (ii) get a decent stadium; (iii) start running the place like a proper business, rather than a hobby for a self-absorbed clique of amateur insiders - and we'll be on our way to being a decent professional club with a shot at sustainable success!

DL, we will never agree on this, but you are obviously one of our more intelligent posters, so I hope you will consider the following:
(i) did you see how many players other clubs are losing? Quins about 9 good ones as an example, dont think we are any worse in this regard
(ii) I have a spare seat in new stand & you are welcome to come with me if you are ever over for a match, (serious offer), facilities are equal to anything I have ever seen. (My seats are underneath Northern Bank box, but I guess that is the only drawback ). Plans for next phase are well underway & appear to be very well thought out & managed
(iii) I have never believed UR is run anything like as badly as people make out, the vast majority of what is posted here is rumour & I whilst I obviously dont know all the facts, there are many things I do know are completely untrue

I think we should all just congratulate UR right now

[Rob6]

(i) learn how to stop losing several important players each season;

Can see where your coming from with this point but if you look at the replacments, i think we're better off....

Boss gone Pienaar (finally) comes

EOD gone Mullar comes in

Yes maybe in a perfect world we would have been able to keep EOD and have Muller but I still think we're better off.

[Rooster]

9 or 10 players changing per year seems pretty normal across the sheugh.

[DHK]

what a fantastic signing! Brightened up my day no end!

[Rooster]

what a fantastic signing! Brightened up my day no end!

There is still the provision in the statement

Negotiations for his release are still ongoing with his Province, The Sharks.

What happens if no agreement reached ?

[Rob6]

what a fantastic signing! Brightened up my day no end!

There is still the provision in the statement

Negotiations for his release are still ongoing with his Province, The Sharks.

What happens if no agreement reached ?

Rush Mk II ????

Or more likely he won't come North till the end of the SH season

[browner]

Good signing....competition for Marshall!

[Rooster]

what a fantastic signing! Brightened up my day no end!

There is still the provision in the statement

Negotiations for his release are still ongoing with his Province, The Sharks.

What happens if no agreement reached ?

All a little rushed to try and smoke-over the Rush debacle perhaps...

Worries me though and I just hope it does not fall flat on it's face.

[Cap'n Grumpy]

It wouldn't be Ulster if we couldn't find a cloud in every silver lining

[cables]

Hey Cap'n

As Clinton became known as Hilary, is it at all possible that someone will refer to Ruan as Caitriona?

[backawaygoonahead]

All a little rushed to try and smoke-over the Rush debacle perhaps...

Don't think so, announced now because as usual PDV can't keep it closed and said at the weekend that Pienaar is going to NI apparently, so no need from Ulster to stay quiet on it. I assume it has been a done deal as reported by the great Gusher but they had to wait until Pienaar was ready for an announcement since he is mid season.

Of course it does take the pressure off a bit in respect of X but if that is a side issue to this signing so be it.