Connacht 2014/15

[simonokeeffe]

Yes there is, we could use T14 or AP refs and let them use refs from the Pro12. If there was a will there certainly would be a way.

French especially would go mental over that

jurisdictional problems too, plus language ones

[Not_Today]

Yes there is, we could use T14 or AP refs and let them use refs from the Pro12. If there was a will there certainly would be a way.

French especially would go mental over that

jurisdictional problems too, plus language ones

We already swap refs for one or two games during the league and we seem to manage the language barrier ok for the European games.

As I said, if there's a will there can certainly be a way.

[simonokeeffe]

Yes there is, we could use T14 or AP refs and let them use refs from the Pro12. If there was a will there certainly would be a way.

French especially would go mental over that

jurisdictional problems too, plus language ones

We already swap refs for one or two games during the league and we seem to manage the language barrier ok for the European games.

As I said, if there's a will there can certainly be a way.

youd have top14 chairmen going mental over it after 1 decision they didnt like

[fourthirtythree]

But it's not the refs. It's the touch judges and TMOs. They are the issues with neutrality. The refs do okay.

[Morf]

But it's not the refs. It's the touch judges and TMOs. They are the issues with neutrality. The refs do okay.

Barnes is a Francophone I think. Any of the other Rabo/Prem referees?

That makes it a bit more palatable.

[simonokeeffe]

But it's not the refs. It's the touch judges and TMOs. They are the issues with neutrality. The refs do okay.

Barnes is a Francophone I think. Any of the other Rabo/Prem referees?

That makes it a bit more palatable.

thats the nicest way to describe him

[simonokeeffe]

Dan McFarland leaving, presumably for head coach job or huge paying job abroad

Did a fantastic job

[JB1973]

But it's not the refs. It's the touch judges and TMOs. They are the issues with neutrality. The refs do okay.

at the end of the say each weekend we have 11 pro 12 games, that's 11 refs, 22 tjs 11 tmos and 11 4th officials to be found . (clearly my maths have gone bonkers there)

We simply don't have enough officials to have guys from neutral country's reffing each game , what alternatives are there?

the expense of bringing in tri nations refs? the chances of getting English/French guys who are not involved in their own top flight rugby seems unlikely.

I'm afraid we have to bite the bullet and work with what we have,

Lam comments were out of order and helpful and he should be looking at his own team not the refs for why they lost that game.

I find it bizarre a tj out to cheat them would leave it till the 85th minute to get involved and even more bizarre than a tj out to cheat them didn't flag for a blatant offence on a Cardiff player in the first half that happened right in front of him (it was only over turned by the ref going to the tmo hodges gave the nod it was ok)

Coaches owe a duty to the game to be more circumspect when coming out with these statements to the media, lam let himself and the game down with that ouburst.

[johng]

But it's not the refs. It's the touch judges and TMOs. They are the issues with neutrality. The refs do okay.

at the end of the say each weekend we have 11 pro 12 games, that's 11 refs, 22 tjs 11 tmos and 11 4th officials to be found.

There's only 12 teams. How can they play 11 games every week.....

[JB1973]

lol you can tell maths not my strong point 6 games a weekend, 6 refs 12 tjs and 6 tmos is closer to the mark

(shame no delete button on here )

[simonokeeffe]

lol you can tell maths not my strong point 6 games a weekend, 6 refs 12 tjs and 6 tmos is closer to the mark

(shame no delete button on here )

know you hate Bevan but TMOs can be similar retirees

theres enough refs at least

Irish: Philips, Lacey, Clancy, McDowell, Fitzmonkey
Scots: Patterson, Mcmenamee
Welsh: Owens, Whitehouse, Hodges, Davies
Italy: Mitrea

[JB1973]

Bevan was at his bumbling best in the closing stages of the dragons vs ulster game, dragons player threw a blatant hay maker that narrowly missed an ulster player in the closing play of the game.

referred to the eagle eyed tmo , who saw nothing

Bless him he's a top bloke but he needs to retire now!

[simonokeeffe]

Pat Lam fined 8k (5k suspended) for comments after Cardiff game

[Oldschool]

Big game today.
A bp would be a good result and very important come the end of the season.
We'd be delighted if you won btw.

[munster#1]

Red card for scarlets with Edinburgh leading. Could be a great result for Connacht.

[simonokeeffe]

Red card for scarlets with Edinburgh leading. Could be a great result for Connacht.

partially, Scarlets still have a doss run in but now Edinburgh charging up the table

[LeinsterLeader]

Muliaina leaving Connacht at the end of the season for Zebre

All that glitters and all that....

[simonokeeffe]

Muliaina leaving Connacht at the end of the season for Zebre

All that glitters and all that....

he was on one year deal but he is a bit wrecked

maybe now with Connachts advancement and reduction to 3+1 theres an argument for applying the NIQ guidelines to all four provinces or taking that as a starting point

[ceemec]

I was very dubious when they signed him. He was coming back from another big injury, wasn't wanted in NZ any longer and was well advanced in years. I hope he delivered behind the scenes as he simply was not worth the money on the field.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Had my reservations too but whatever about Connacht going for him at the time, this is a stupid move by Zebre.