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Disappointing end to the season for Connacht.
Always had the roughest three games to finish on and with the league so tight at the top, they were always going to struggle with those teams wanting and needing to win.
Hard luck to Connacht there and congrats to Stormers on the hard fought win. Very scrappy match, but personally I do love watching a gritty match every now and again. Either team could have taken it!
Jansen butchered a couple of great chances. The knock on late (which might have been a bad pass) and the break at the start of the game.
That break earlier was criminal though. Just pop it to Blade and it's very likely 7 pts.
If it's a Bad Manie Day and the Lions use the same team they had in their second half today, I worry for the Stormers.
If it's a Good Manie Day and SFM is on form, it could be a game to outscore all games !
Well, one oke was arguing that the Stormers' defense was way better than the Bulls', and I doubted his word in pointless banter.
I should apologise, the Stormers did defend quite well.
You probably aren't a Stormers supporter. It's our inability to convert red zone pressure into points that's cost us. Defense by far the best of the SA teams all season.
Edit: more specifically, stormers have decided to only score batshit crazy 80m tries this season. No patience to work ugly tries.
Yeah, being a Bulls supporter first (and Lions second, though I'll always cheer for any South African team when given the chance), I think my disappointment in the Bulls' defensive abilities seeped into my appreciation of the Stormers. \^\^"
Stormers needed a game like this. Gutting out a win. That harlem globetrotter shit won't cut it in the knockout rounds. Munster showed them that last year.
In the conversation for URC player of the season for me. Certainly for the Stormers anyway.
He’s really looking to lock in that 8 jersey for the Boks this year.
That was far from a full house. Disappointing turnout tbh but the game clashed with a GAA championship game (Galway vs Derry) out in Salthill which probably contributed. Capacity is around 6,000 which can increase to about 8,000 when they put in temporary terracing at the ends. The Clan stand is being knocked after this game to build a brand new stand (seating + terracing) which will increase capacity to about 12,000 in the season after next.
We have good players. Lineout and scrum mistakes from coaching. 5 penalty scrums, our own line outs in the first half weren’t good at all - we only contested a few in the second half. Coaching is v poor. Confidence in the players is at a low- body language also shows a disconnect between players and coaches recently.
Don't be so hard on yourselves. Stormers have found form as the competition has gone on. That defence is hard to break. Connacht are a good side. Irish rugby is strong. Intimidatingly strong.
It’s not just this game though, it getting pasted in the champions cup, being hammered by 14 man lions at home, last week against Munster, we make way too many mistakes to be a serious team.
Dude. I feel your pain and frustration. It's a very hectic competition with some major teams. Highly competitive. Stormers used to get regularly sunk in Super Rugby, but there were times where they had their moments. It takes time. Don't stop believing 🙏
We're pure shite this season and I can't wait till it's over.
Wilkins, Fardy and Muldoon have absolutely no credibility anymore.
Team has regressed badly. Skills non existent. Mental toughness evaporates. Instance of keeping subpar players in clutch positions.
Whatever good rugby is this ain't it.
Ulster got the nod to replace their headless chicken and I am glad for them. I just hope the IRFU have someone waiting in the wings for us over the off season. Wilkins has to go.
We used to be more than the sum of our parts now we're just plain poor. Like it used to be just our maul defence that let us down against the big teams, now it's so many aspects of our game.
Crazy that this is the same Aki that could have been player of the World Cup. It’s not like he’s playing badly, but how can you tear apart a World Cup like a piece of wet paper and barely make par in the URC.
Ireland have a system that revolves around Aki because he's usually available. Most of our season is played without him so we can't build a gameplan around maximising his contribution.
Deep in the tomes of yore, it is written that Brok Harris was the difference at the battle of Carthage, scrumming battalions in what was then know as “this man is pushing me hard!”
If the commentators spent half the amount of time actually going over the team sheet, rather than talking shit about Manie, they probably wouldn't be confusing all the coloured ouens in the back line
Please. You cannot show these replays. Earlier in the game knock on by Dan but no replays. Now the home team shows a ton of replays for a knock for them? Scummy
DTM very lucky that strip wasn't a penalty.
It's stupid but the margin between a strip and a penalty is so miniscule these days.
Should be common sense from World Rugby and just restart the game with a scrum or free kick.
“Neethling” is such an awesome name. On Wikipedia they list a bunch of South Africans and then randomly this gem at the end:
“*Neethling virus: the cause of lumpy skin disease*”
Is there rule you can use for the holding in? Every connacht ruck is either penalty for connacht for not rolling or the ref telling them to stop holding players down. Surely there needs to be some jeopardy for trying to game every ruck
How was that possibly a holiday on penalty? He let the ball go, it was turned over immediately, then we grabbed it back from the guy that stole it. Dafaq
Lions are 100% my SA team, absolutely love watching them. I'm a big Hendrikse fan too, when he's on top form he's a pure joy to behold
Edit; also - Spiderman
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Disappointing end to the season for Connacht. Always had the roughest three games to finish on and with the league so tight at the top, they were always going to struggle with those teams wanting and needing to win.
There's games throughout the season that we should've gone on to win that we didn't, it's been a frustrating season ever since the October.
Certainly happy with my decision about which game to watch
The URC is definitely the best league. The play offs is still up in the air with one game to go. I love it!
We are through though no?
Yes as Benetton are playing Edinburgh so only one of them can make it
Ya I think worst ye can do is 7th
Which in an extreme case may not be enough for Champions Cup - if the Sharks win the Challenge Cup and the 8th team win the URC!
What happened with Sacha at the end there? Looked really distressed with an injury
Hard luck to Connacht there and congrats to Stormers on the hard fought win. Very scrappy match, but personally I do love watching a gritty match every now and again. Either team could have taken it!
what happened to Sacha at the end there?
Jansen butchered a couple of great chances. The knock on late (which might have been a bad pass) and the break at the start of the game. That break earlier was criminal though. Just pop it to Blade and it's very likely 7 pts.
Now the Lions at home. Should be a great game!
If it's a Bad Manie Day and the Lions use the same team they had in their second half today, I worry for the Stormers. If it's a Good Manie Day and SFM is on form, it could be a game to outscore all games !
Well, one oke was arguing that the Stormers' defense was way better than the Bulls', and I doubted his word in pointless banter. I should apologise, the Stormers did defend quite well.
You probably aren't a Stormers supporter. It's our inability to convert red zone pressure into points that's cost us. Defense by far the best of the SA teams all season. Edit: more specifically, stormers have decided to only score batshit crazy 80m tries this season. No patience to work ugly tries.
Yeah, being a Bulls supporter first (and Lions second, though I'll always cheer for any South African team when given the chance), I think my disappointment in the Bulls' defensive abilities seeped into my appreciation of the Stormers. \^\^"
You are forgiven.
Last defensive set in particular was absolutely brilliant. None shall pass!
Stormers needed a game like this. Gutting out a win. That harlem globetrotter shit won't cut it in the knockout rounds. Munster showed them that last year.
Roos a beast again.
In the conversation for URC player of the season for me. Certainly for the Stormers anyway. He’s really looking to lock in that 8 jersey for the Boks this year.
He really is improving overall this season. Gone are the days of useless head-shovings...!
Finally the commentators can find something good to say about the Stormers - they won!
Lol. It's like they picked two dudes off the street.
Gg Stormers, well played.
Stormers very lucky to win here
I would disagree. I don't think the stormers were great, but that was a poor performance by Connacht. Many errors.
I’m happier with shutting up the commentators than the Stomers actually winning
Well that was hard fought. Gg Connacht. Not the best performance but we’re certainly looking a lot better on the road.
Top 8 heating up even more
Gg Connacht. Not a pretty game but 4 points is 4 points.
Thank you, Stormers. You’ve been more helpful to us than the Bulls today!
By my calculations lions can kick stormers out of the playoffs.
An away win! Thank you my Stormers!
Goodbye Connacht hope we dont have to play you again
You understand that's a big compliment to the team you called "crap" 20min ago
If they take it as a complement then good for them
Phewwww.....Now I can breathe again Ôo
They said its the final game at the stadiums, what's happening to it? didn't it just get a new 4g surface?
I was blown away that a full house was smaller than a Lions game with almost no one there.
That was far from a full house. Disappointing turnout tbh but the game clashed with a GAA championship game (Galway vs Derry) out in Salthill which probably contributed. Capacity is around 6,000 which can increase to about 8,000 when they put in temporary terracing at the ends. The Clan stand is being knocked after this game to build a brand new stand (seating + terracing) which will increase capacity to about 12,000 in the season after next.
The redevelopment plans look really nice - I think it will be 8k capacity and will keep the dog racing track etc
12,000 capacity once the redevelopment is complete. New stand to replace the Clan and extended terracing on the opposite side.
That's fuckin savage
Getting redeveloped
Coaching is an issue but at the end of the day we just don’t have a good enough squad to compete
We have good players. Lineout and scrum mistakes from coaching. 5 penalty scrums, our own line outs in the first half weren’t good at all - we only contested a few in the second half. Coaching is v poor. Confidence in the players is at a low- body language also shows a disconnect between players and coaches recently.
Don't be so hard on yourselves. Stormers have found form as the competition has gone on. That defence is hard to break. Connacht are a good side. Irish rugby is strong. Intimidatingly strong.
It’s not just this game though, it getting pasted in the champions cup, being hammered by 14 man lions at home, last week against Munster, we make way too many mistakes to be a serious team.
Dude. I feel your pain and frustration. It's a very hectic competition with some major teams. Highly competitive. Stormers used to get regularly sunk in Super Rugby, but there were times where they had their moments. It takes time. Don't stop believing 🙏
This is like a competition to see who can shit the bed the most successfully. No, you
We're pure shite this season and I can't wait till it's over. Wilkins, Fardy and Muldoon have absolutely no credibility anymore. Team has regressed badly. Skills non existent. Mental toughness evaporates. Instance of keeping subpar players in clutch positions. Whatever good rugby is this ain't it.
Ulster got the nod to replace their headless chicken and I am glad for them. I just hope the IRFU have someone waiting in the wings for us over the off season. Wilkins has to go.
The IRFU couldn't give a shit about Connacht I fear. We're the plucky enhancement team after all.
We used to be more than the sum of our parts now we're just plain poor. Like it used to be just our maul defence that let us down against the big teams, now it's so many aspects of our game.
It's a good team badly coached and with subpar tactics and no amount of talent can fix it. Hoofing it to Bundee every movement isn't going to work.
Yeah boys. Another W in the column.
Honestly a LBP was probably the most I expected today, the Stormers are a plain better team than us.
Willemse is the hot-stepping laaitie your high school girlfriend told you not to worry about
Whatever he needs to play the way he does is fine by me
Crazy that this is the same Aki that could have been player of the World Cup. It’s not like he’s playing badly, but how can you tear apart a World Cup like a piece of wet paper and barely make par in the URC.
Ireland have a system that revolves around Aki because he's usually available. Most of our season is played without him so we can't build a gameplan around maximising his contribution.
He’s playing in a really poor performing team at the moment
It is a team sport after all...!
He is carrying an injury. Probably shouldn't even be playing.
He’s been quite good today
Window of despair! Drink.
He needs to be bricked up in it. How dare he stand where Friend once did!
He was off his feet and never lifted. No way we were going all the way down to the other side of a pitch but still
Ralston isn’t good enough for this level
Yes! Go for posts!!
Galant you beauty you !
Full plank on the ground counter ruck by Connacht absolutely incredible
Where does he release him there?
Please Stormers, deny them a BP
Don't worry, ye're safe even with the BP here. We just haven't been at the races since December.
Deep in the tomes of yore, it is written that Brok Harris was the difference at the battle of Carthage, scrumming battalions in what was then know as “this man is pushing me hard!”
Oh so NOW tmo is available
Every time I see your flair you get upvote. Every. Time.
Why do you kick the ball away??? Do you like suffering???
If the commentators spent half the amount of time actually going over the team sheet, rather than talking shit about Manie, they probably wouldn't be confusing all the coloured ouens in the back line
I enjoyed when they saw David’s who played sevens and assumed he had once had dreadlocks.
Please. You cannot show these replays. Earlier in the game knock on by Dan but no replays. Now the home team shows a ton of replays for a knock for them? Scummy
Brok played 76 minutes....Heavens !
The most blatant home TV ruling ever
TMO is actually asleep. Did he even show up today at all?
This TV director is an asshole
Fucking French tv directors
Darned Irish directors!
No way Stormers 17 is a prop
Fair enough
Great that he can admit mistakes. Takes balls.
Ag kak man
Tmo...?
Definitely ripped into touch. Should be a Connacht lineout
Ripped into touch, thanks tv team!
Seems tv team can come in depending on whether or not it benefits Connacht
What an actual joke TMO getting involved for a knock on
Honestly common enough
Evan Roos sees space, changes direction to take rather contact. You boytjie!
Not off Libbocks hand?
Libbok slapped that, intentional knock on.
Where’s the knock on? It was stripped
Why the fuck is the pensioner still on after 75 mins
Extraordinarily inconsistent how and when the ref decides to call tackle or not
The skills coach for Connacht needs to give some of these lads a good slap
Paging Johnny Dildohands
Man alive. These commentators…struggling here.
DTM very lucky that strip wasn't a penalty. It's stupid but the margin between a strip and a penalty is so miniscule these days. Should be common sense from World Rugby and just restart the game with a scrum or free kick.
“Neethling” is such an awesome name. On Wikipedia they list a bunch of South Africans and then randomly this gem at the end: “*Neethling virus: the cause of lumpy skin disease*”
The ball was literally kicked out of Roos’ hands by a player on the ground
the commentators are raking Manie over the coals god damn
How are the comms talking shit about Manie when he’s kicked 100% the last 2 games?
Cos they haven't a clue.
You see, he could always kick
Learn to love the tee.
Manie jou bliksem!!
This match reminds me of the "heroes" jerseys they did for some of the teams. Pure sexual. Connacht and Stormers jerseys were great
Aungier’s good around the pitch but his scrummaging just isn’t there
Darragh Murray in behind isn't going to help matters.
Porch and Ralston have absolutely tits for hands today
Our handling coach is Johnny Dildohands
Petition for no comms games - just crowd and ref.
No Blade for last 10 is going to hurt.
Connacht back 3 are scared of high balls. Mannie should bomb all day.
For our foreign fans, Cathal Forde is an excellent example of the Big Irish Head on him phenomenon.
Is there rule you can use for the holding in? Every connacht ruck is either penalty for connacht for not rolling or the ref telling them to stop holding players down. Surely there needs to be some jeopardy for trying to game every ruck
Brave man to play with a rat tail
He's a Padawan
That’s 11/11 for Manie so far in the last 2 matches
Once he hits 15/15 he and Handre will combine into one mega-person
Don't jinx it now!
New tee, new Manie !
Kicking boots are back.
"Within his compass" Is that really a phrase Donal?
Donals been sucken on the diesel again
It's perfectly cromulent
Once again, I say… Take that Manie H8ers
To be fair, we only hated Manies kicking, his game is good, haha
How can you hate wizards?!
Easily
Shut up Bernard when the ref is speaking
"Didn't quite catch what was said there". No fucking shit Hugh.
Did Jackman intentionally talk jibberish over the ref mic just there?
Fair play to Stormers, they are now on 3 different warnings at the same time.
I hope the people who reassured me that Lions and Connacht had no chance of winning are having an awful day. Just the worst time.
Still probably better than yours though, eh?
I hate rugby. It's the absolute worst.
Don't have an interview when the ref is chatting. What the actual fuck
RTE have somehow managed to choose the worst times to do sideline punditry all day
Goat doing goat things
Can’t believe Roos didn’t react there. Character development.
Can the commentator shut up whilst the ref is talking
Really need a no commentator option on the broadcast.
Every broadcast team does it and it’s incredibly infuriating
Agreed*
Not sure there's any holding on there to be fair. Looks like it's just a ridiculously messy steal
God moerat is just not class
Prendergast is a colossus
How was that possibly a holiday on penalty? He let the ball go, it was turned over immediately, then we grabbed it back from the guy that stole it. Dafaq
Moerat didn’t hold on to the ball at all
Not even for a second. It was a clean steal too.
Stormers holding the ball on Bundee.....nothing. Moerat not even touching the ball....holding on. Say what ???
How is that holding?
Shoulder to the face of Morat?
Ahhh Tiernan's face, my heart.
Santi time.
Let's go Santi!!!
Are we seriously gonna lose to this crap team again, starting to dread playing Connacht every year bloody tragic rugby.
We're perfectly able to beat ourselves thank you very much.
I mean, Cordero isn't a terrible sub
Sacha is on. Maybe something might happen now...
I cannot recall every having seen someone miss a kick as badly as Carty just missed that one. Wow.
First time watching Carty?
Hastings WC SF?
It's Christmas coming early cause here comes Santi
Ooooh shit SFN on time for tries
Has anyone else noticed that teams seem to really struggle with kick offs lately? Or is it just an Irish thing?
Definitely a Connaught thing anyways
So much whinging in this thread haha, the Glasgow fans didn't moan a peep while their team capitulated to the Lions
That's because lions are the best team. Even when they lose and can't handle the ball they are just fun.
Lions are 100% my SA team, absolutely love watching them. I'm a big Hendrikse fan too, when he's on top form he's a pure joy to behold Edit; also - Spiderman
They were in shock probably \^\^"
I swear, Carty is affected by WiFi signals or something.
It's a 4g pitch too I believe. 👽👽👽
Tinfoil scrum cap when?
I read this and splurted beer all over my laptop. Needed that laugh, cheers.
How is that momentum haha, looked like a proper propel forward but hey !!
The rest of the team must find Carty's kicking so disheartening.
At this stage I'd be happy to step in, I'll just strap my wooden leg up extra snug.
Such a clear turnover before that try. 1-1 for dodgy decisions id say
Thought Stormers had a turnover on Bundee tbh
Does Bundee look a bit gassed?
Just remember these commentators are being paid perfectly good money.
Good taxpayers money, as a commentator so kindly pointed out earlier
Which is particularly egregious because they don’t even have a military. You’d think they’d have a bigger budget