Ulster Vs Clermont teams

First topic message reminder :


1)T Court,
2)R Best
3)J Afoa
4)J Muller (capt)
5)D Tuohy
6)S Ferris
7)C Henry
8)P Wannenburg:

15)S Terblanche
14)A Trimble
13)I Whitten
12)P Wallace
11)C Gilroy
10)I Humphreys
9)R Pienaar;

Replacements (16-23): A Kyriacou, C Black, A Macklin, L Stevenson, W Faloon, P Marshall, N Spence, A D'Arcy

Unavailable due to injury: Jared Payne (achilles), Declan Fitzpatrick (neck), Peter Nelson (knee), Darren Cave (foot

glad to see whitten in the centres as i fell he has really earned his spot, not so sure about the humphreys call as he has been so up and down recently, but i suppose why mess about with a formula that has got us this far, just hope marshy gets a good run out off the bench, i dont know why paddy Mac isnt on the bench as he seem to have recovered from injury and would have been a safer option than Macklin, probably due to lack of game time.

i really think we can win this one, its going to take everything we have but these boys are on fire at the moment and are on the verge of doing something really special for ulster rugby!

not sure of the Clermont line up yet but i will update this topic when it is released!

Geoff ! SUFTUM!!

geoff999rugby wrote:Go out a give it a lash lads - literally nothing to lose.

We were in the proverbial group of death and have qualified.

Only Leinster, Ulster and Toulouse have qualified for both of the last two years of QF's - that is the company we are keeping

Profound statement Geoff. Do you drink? Have a on me

Am I the only Ulster fan watchin from home today? Very quiet! Done well to keep it all tied, but the Ulster side are lacking in the intensity they had last week. Caught snoozing too much. Some brilliance from Terblanche! I wish that drop-goal had reached!
Very cynical late tackle/block on humphries. He could have reached his chip and potentially scored.
Also if Whittens fingers hadnt touched the ball, would trimble have gotten in in the corner? Who knows!

Looking forward to seeing Ulster up the tempo this half. Humph looks to be in one of his risk taking moods with the pressure off. Some decent kicks from him and Wallace.

Not watching but listening to Jim Mc on Radio Ulster. Sounds a good game and seems that ASM are throwing everything inc kitchen sink at us but they are getting no where at the min. I think we can win this.

you want a link to watch online?

Yes please

Clive, in here for some chat.

https://www.606v2.com/t22243p550-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub#877321

Ulster are doing really well and can definitely win this. I think at times that Ulster need to slow it down. Clermont are starting to get frustrated and I think that if Ulster can hold on to the ball then Clermont will start to get plenty of pens. Pearson is definitely not a home town ref and Ulster need to make use of that.

thats a disgrace, totally illegal try

1 point in it! Last grasp Piennar penalty anyone?

we need to be patient

Couple of crucial mistakes at the end there really hurt ulster. But they played well and are through to the quarters so well done.

Ulster threw that one away. Back chat and crucial lineout throws going squint.

That was a fantastic performance but those two mistakes at the end just show we still have to grow up a wee bit.

Yep, threw it away unfortunately. We should have taken it, simple as that.

I'm gutted!

Use that as a positive for the QF then.

Fear no one.

Disappointing that the mistakes at end were from muller and best. Do think a few decisions went against us although that's got to be expected! Hope we get to go back to clemont in quarters and correct our mistakes.

It was a good performance but with a couple of mistakes, particularly towards the end, that we couldn't afford. Blind Dave didn't help of course when he missed the block on Henry, the intentional knock down and the knock on that never was against Muller.

Good strong performance from both sides but Clermont pressure causes those mistakes.
No excuse for stupid back chat though.

Both deserved QFs.

Only saw 2nd half but looked a good performance, from both teams. God knows how the ref missed the block on Henry for the try, add to that Hines should have been binned before for holding Ferris and Wannenburg.

How ever the form over the last few games we have shown needs to continue for the rest of the season, back in the hunt for the Rabo and into the QFs of HEC for the 2nd year in a row, things are looking up. Back to Clermont for another go or down to the Aviva a massive ask for either game however its what has to be done now, personally id prefer Leinster in the Aviva but lets see what happens in the rest of the games

Backrower678 wrote: God knows how the ref missed the block on Henry for the try, add to that Hines should have been binned before for holding Ferris and Wannenburg.

well I guess for the same reason he missed Henry block at the 53rd minute and just one minute later 3 obstructions on Sivivatu. part of the game as well right.

it was a pretty even game but the only reason Ulster didnt win is because they didnt score this try during the 1st half when they dominated. As soon as Brock James came in it was bit of a different game. I actually thought it was going to end up as a draw.
Hopefully we still see a lot from Ulster in the next round.

Sure is whocares. Thats how it goes eh?

We played well today and I actually thought we were the better team for long periods. And it's clear from this group our pack is a match for anyone. But it was just a failure to be totally clinical that cost us. Tough away assignments like that, you've got to make those chances count!

indeed hope you guys are not too disapointed as you have a great team.
keep the faith

Thats exactly how it goes in a game of rugby the ref misses some incidents, how ever the ref was standing about 5m or less from an incident which resulted in a try. Just a bit annoyed as the try shouldnt have been awarded, by the sounds of it we missed 2 try scoring chances in the 1st half so no one to blame. The players gave it their all cant ask for more than that, and when the group was drawn at the start of the competition id off bitten anyones arm of to get a QF again home or away.

whocares wrote:indeed hope you guys are not too disapointed as you have a great team.
keep the faith

Thank you sir!

Notch wrote:Sure is whocares. Thats how it goes eh?

We played well today and I actually thought we were the better team for long periods. And it's clear from this group our pack is a match for anyone. But it was just a failure to be totally clinical that cost us. Tough away assignments like that, you've got to make those chances count!

I thought we played well but I wouldn't say we were the better team for much of the game, we coped very well and for most of the game it was very even. The atmosphere was absolutely cracking, one of my favourites stadiums for watching rugby, especially when Clermont are giving there team something to shout/jump for as the stadium itself seems to join in with the crowd and jump up and down.

I was disappointed with Tuohy, Muller and Best today. Trimble made a few mistakes but overall was very solid, and Gilroy seemed to be blown away a bit at times due to the sheer size difference between him and the Clermont backs but for the most part was good. Paddy was our best player and I hope he is at 12 for the Six Nations; his kicking, passing, tackling and carrying was very good. It was funny after the match seeing him and Rougerie standing beside each other the difference in size is scary when you realise they play the same position. Henry and Ferris were good as well and if I was deciding the Irish backrow, I'd probably still go for POM just ahead of Henry but it would be very tight.

Also Parra is an absolute appalling example of a human being, the rest of the Clermont team and fans are great.

Rava wrote:That was a fantastic performance but those two mistakes at the end just show we still have to grow up a wee bit.

Summed it up Rava...fantastic effort but still learning at this level...another opportunity missed but thanks to Connacht we have another bite at the cherry...we've moved forward from last year no doubt but have to climb higher to cut the mustard with the big boys. Munster or Leinster away will be a huge challenge and bitter sweet...but it will be awesome! SUFTUM!

whocares wrote:indeed hope you guys are not too disapointed as you have a great team.
keep the faith

Gentleman

Well played Ulster today. I feared for you but the team really stood up and was counted. Paddy Wallace was your best player.

Could be meeting you in Thomond Park for the QF....will be cracking if thats the case (otherwise you get Leinster I believe)....

Thanks DOD...Munster were awesome! Yeah maybe it will be Munster v Ulster...which will be awesome..pity one of us will have to go out!

Of course the Clermont try was illegal but Pearson misses plenty and to be honest its swings and roundabouts. Clermont would no doubt have argued about decisions in the first round.

Overall in head to heads against the teams ranked above us we came out on top in both. That is a massive improvement and if continue that next year we will have a home QF. Congrats to Clermont as well. Cant wait till the quarters and the pub was great today. I had a great time.

Cheers

Cheers DOD. At first I wanted Leinster, but I've always wanted to go to a Heineken Cup game in Thomond Park so I'm beginning to sway towards wanting to get Munster.

Another interprovincial tie in the Heineken Cup knock-outs, Ulsters first ever. What an occassion it will be. I'm there for sure!

Standulstermen wrote:Of course the Clermont try was illegal but Pearson misses plenty and to be honest its swings and roundabouts. Clermont would no doubt have argued about decisions in the first round.

Overall in head to heads against the teams ranked above us we came out on top in both. That is a massive improvement and if continue that next year we will have a home QF. Congrats to Clermont as well. Cant wait till the quarters and the pub was great today. I had a great time.

Cheers

If we keep qualifying our coefficient will improve and we should get a better seeding and then an easier group and better chance of qualifying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5php1n111sY&feature=g-u-u&context=G2b11538FUAAAAAAAAAA

Here's Hines holding on to Ferris and Wannenburg for a full 25 seconds right in front of Pearson. They don't call him Blind Dave for nothing.

That was funny because it was so incredibly blatant! The lack of subtlety was astonishing

The funniest bit was that he was managing to hold onto Wannenburg AND Ferris at the same time!!

No mean feat!

I laugh now like but at the time I was yelling at the telly!

Actually, make that 3!

He was lying on Tuohy too!

Notch wrote:That was funny because it was so incredibly blatant! The lack of subtlety was astonishing

It was ridiculous, you could hear Ferris screaming at the linesman from where I was sitting, the only bad thing about
it was that Hines seemed to learn his lesson and wasn't as blatant for the try, even though I've no idea how Pearson
missed it.

Were there many Ulster fans there valj?

MrsP wrote:Were there many Ulster fans there valj?

There seemed to be a fair few, I wasn't really able to mix as I was working but there seemed to be a few hundred,
which is good considering how difficult it is to get to Clermont.

valjester wrote:

Notch wrote:That was funny because it was so incredibly blatant! The lack of subtlety was astonishing

It was ridiculous, you could hear Ferris screaming at the linesman from where I was sitting, the only bad thing about
it was that Hines seemed to learn his lesson and wasn't as blatant for the try, even though I've no idea how Pearson
missed it.

For the try it was massively blatant but i dont think Pearson had the balls to give it. No matter what Barnes says, Pearson is imo a homer. It has benfitted Ulster in the past and it went against us today. C'est la vie

Jammy!

Getting paid to go!

Here's a Rory Best interview;

http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/matchdaytv/play/media/id/10592

MrsP wrote:Jammy!

Getting paid to go!

I would have went anyway as its only a five hour drive away, but it is nice to get paid.
Only downside was having to talk to Parra, the pr**k.

valjester wrote:

MrsP wrote:Jammy!

Getting paid to go!

I would have went anyway as its only a five hour drive away, but it is nice to get paid.
Only downside was having to talk to Parra, the pr**k.

I would dearly love to see him completely emptied on the pitch but he is a talented bugger.

Standulstermen wrote:

valjester wrote:

MrsP wrote:Jammy!

Getting paid to go!

I would have went anyway as its only a five hour drive away, but it is nice to get paid.
Only downside was having to talk to Parra, the pr**k.

I would dearly love to see him completely emptied on the pitch but he is a talented bugger.

He's just a complete and utter pain to deal with it, off all the players I've had to deal with in the past few years he
along with Kelleher have given me the most grief. He's a good player but the fact that Irish scrumhalfs aren't great
means that we rate him a lot higher that he is rated by the French. I though Pienarr outplayed him today and he
will likely be overtaken in the French jersey by Doussain within the next three years.

I was just about to ask if you were talking about him as a player or as a human being but I think you just answered my question.

MrsP wrote:I was just about to ask if you were talking about him as a player or as a human being but I think you just answered my question.

He annoys me as both to be honest. Even though you can catch him on a good day sometimes and he seems alright, unfortunately they are few and far between.

The only thing i can contrast him with is the Portuguese footballer Pepe who plays for Real Madrid.

I used to play and i have never rated the guy (much to others shock) but i thought he was far too soft to play central defence. I watch a Real/Barca game on wednesday and i have to say he epitomises everything that is wrong with the game of football to the point where i actually wish the ability to play where taken away from him (injury etc).

That is a wildly harsh way to think but this guy brings it out in me and i think that in general most footballers need something like this to happen to them at some point so they can understand that once upon a time they actually played sport because they loved it and not because they were paid to do it.

Parra is the closest thing i come to thinking that about rugby (although it is close at all). I fear that rugby will go the same way (but to a lesser extent). sorry for the rant by the way but wanted to mention it at some point and that was as good a window as any (and it had nothing to do with todays game).

He does look like an annoying wee twerp right enough. But he wouldn't be the first scrum half to be described that way!

Ulster's gents being the exceptions of course!

So, who's the nicest to deal with then?