Henshaw leaving Connacht

[wixfjord]

Yeah careful now, GG likes his youth embroynic, 25 is over the hill!


I actually think Aki might just be a Schmidt type of player. His energy and rucking is huge for a centre, also very good on the floor which is something we miss with BOD & Darce gone. Definitely the best NIQ signing of recent times for my money.

Wouldn't like to see him playing ahead of the likes of RH, Big Stu or Our Gary though.

[goreyguy]

He shouldn't player for Ireland. Same as the rest of the project players.

[wixfjord]

He shouldn't player for Ireland. Same as the rest of the project players.

In an ideal world no.
But it's not an ideal world and we'd be foolish not to make use of that loophole like most other sides in the world.

[artaneboy]

He shouldn't player for Ireland. Same as the rest of the project players.

Jaysus- we get it; you don't like the idea of project players. Understood. But the point is they ARE eligible- and therefore inevitably some certainly will be selected, just as they are in all rugby playing countries.

So with that knowledge we can argue on who should be picked- and Aki looks a good un! He better than Ben- useful as he is. So until the rule changes- the sooner the better.

[Peg Leg]

I'd previously been quite strongly against it, but the main reasons are now moot.

Being a Connacht player is no barrier to getting caps and they've sustainable paths to success that don't depend rigidly on him.

He's a loss to them but hardly decisive.

For Irish rugby Teo'o is a loss

Pipeline looks good at center though. Wouldn't be happy with T'eo / Aki midfield given the glut of lads coming through.

it would be an awful combination, unless you were playing League

I dont think Aki is Schmidt's type of player

Aki will be around a lot longer than Schmidt

[Peg Leg]

I'd previously been quite strongly against it, but the main reasons are now moot.

Being a Connacht player is no barrier to getting caps and they've sustainable paths to success that don't depend rigidly on him.

He's a loss to them but hardly decisive.

For Irish rugby Teo'o is a loss

Pipeline looks good at center though. Wouldn't be happy with T'eo / Aki midfield given the glut of lads coming through.

neither should ever play for Ireland.. thankfully Teo wont now.

Thems the rules. Rather him with us than against us. Foolish not to use the project rule while it's in place.

[simonokeeffe]

can someone supply a list of Irish internationals who did well after being first capped 27 or older?

I think Aki (for Joe's liking) is too indisciplined both in defensive patterns and conceding penalties

plus the Leinster blessed trinity of Sexton Henshaw Ringrose will be be hard to disrupt/shift

[leinsterforever]

can someone supply a list of Irish internationals who did well after being first capped 27 or older?

I think Aki (for Joe's liking) is too indisciplined both in defensive patterns and conceding penalties

plus the Leinster blessed trinity of Sexton Henshaw Ringrose will be be hard to disrupt/shift

Mike Ross, Mike McCarthy, Shane Byrne, Jerry Flannery, Jared Payne

[simonokeeffe]

can someone supply a list of Irish internationals who did well after being first capped 27 or older?

I think Aki (for Joe's liking) is too indisciplined both in defensive patterns and conceding penalties

plus the Leinster blessed trinity of Sexton Henshaw Ringrose will be be hard to disrupt/shift

Mike Ross, Mike McCarthy, Shane Byrne, Jerry Flannery

think we've also got Jared Payne, Nathan White, Tom Court, Strauss (2 months out) Declan Fitzpatrick, Jackman, Guy Easterby, Reggie Corrigan

[leinsterforever]

can someone supply a list of Irish internationals who did well after being first capped 27 or older?

I think Aki (for Joe's liking) is too indisciplined both in defensive patterns and conceding penalties

plus the Leinster blessed trinity of Sexton Henshaw Ringrose will be be hard to disrupt/shift

Mike Ross, Mike McCarthy, Shane Byrne, Jerry Flannery

think we've also got Jared Payne, Nathan White, Tom Court, Strauss (2 months out) Declan Fitzpatrick, Jackman, Guy Easterby, Reggie Corrigan

Brian Carney made the World Cup squad. Is that enough to be classed under "did well"?

[sunshiner1]

goreyguy wrote:
He shouldn't player for Ireland. Same as the rest of the project players.

Artane boy wrote:
Jaysus- we get it; you don't like the idea of project players. Understood. But the point is they ARE eligible- and therefore inevitably some certainly will be selected, just as they are in all rugby playing countries.

Very much a +1 on Goryguy shutting up about it.

As for Aki I rate him and I think he's an asset. He can play either 12 or 13 with ease, he's a big unit and rarely gets injured. No idea if Schmidt rates him or not.

He seems to be a better 13 than 12 though. Next season him and Peter Robb in the centre could be a frightening pairing in terms of physicality for Connacht.

[simonokeeffe]

goreyguy wrote:
He shouldn't player for Ireland. Same as the rest of the project players.

Artane boy wrote:
Jaysus- we get it; you don't like the idea of project players. Understood. But the point is they ARE eligible- and therefore inevitably some certainly will be selected, just as they are in all rugby playing countries.

Very much a +1 on Goryguy shutting up about it.

As for Aki I rate him and I think he's an asset. He can play either 12 or 13 with ease, he's a big unit and rarely gets injured. No idea if Schmidt rates him or not.

He seems to be a better 13 than 12 though. Next season him and Peter Robb in the centre could be a frightening pairing in terms of physicality for Connacht.

theyve also got the rugby leaguer who was injured all year

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Good to hear that you've high hopes for Robb, really liked the look of him at 20s level but have barely seen him since. I know he's been more involved recently but I haven't been able to see him.

[leinsterforever]

Good to hear that you've high hopes for Robb, really liked the look of him at 20s level but have barely seen him since. I know he's been more involved recently but I haven't been able to see him.

He's hardly going to partner Aki though, is he? That partnership might be a bit one-dimensional

[sunshiner1]

He's hardly going to partner Aki though, is he? That partnership might be a bit one-dimensional

Don't tell the likes of Roberts and Davies that they'll be devastated.

As for Robb, Lam & Carolan rate him a lot which is usually a good sign of a player. Think we missed a trick not bringing him into the academy although I understand why. It's only he's a different type of centre than we have at the moment. He strikes me as a bigger stronger less injury prone Eamonn Sheridan. That said Teo is doing that job quite well at the mo and of course we have Henshaw next season.

[goreyguy]

ah it was a mistake in my book.. but they had him for two years in the sub-academy.. getting turned down might have been exactly what he needed.. plus I fancy connacht to up skill him better than the rest of the provinces.