Ulster's First Big Test v Cardiff Blues on Friday

First topic message reminder :

This Friday Ulster face their first really big test this season with the visit of the Blues who have two BP wins to their credit. Ulster will be hoping for a big performance from their forwards with a lot fewer mistakes than against Aironi. Payne will make his debut and IMO should be in the starting 15. These are the games Ulster need to win to ensure they are in pole position when the WC players return.

Cave seemed fine after the game.

Humph did not.

Im feeling immensely positive after the game. Havent heard about injured etc but Payne was excellent. Tuohy was awesome again. Cave was something else. We should have had a bonus but i will settle for a complete domination which is exactly what i witnessed

He Dives, he Slides, he Scores - Classic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMQMSm9jFHs&feature=channel_video_title

Watching the game on the box, after having been at Ravers.

Some thoughts:
How good was Whitten? Ulster's "forgotten centre" excels on the wing?
Henry - dangerously close to being a "proper" seven? But then, was brilliant when he moved to eight.
Czekaij (sp?) by far the best Blues player. Very impressive.
Paddy Jackson still looks about eight. But can play.
Jared Payne - DHumph continues to weave his magic.
From being there - people filing out before end. Poor.

Don, Whitten has been a revelation on the wing. Payne just oozed class and looks a special player.

It looks like this season could be better than last and perhaps HEC QF qualification might not be mission impossible after all. It's early days though.

IHumphs form has not been great though, even ignoring his injury and Marshall has been his typical erratic self so far. Half back could be our achilles heel this year unless Humph finds his mojo.

A real worry for us is a lack of gametime for Pienaar, Muller, Trimble, Afoa though. I suspect Pienaar will see some gametime next week as will Trimble but not sure on Mullers injury status or that Afoa is near the All Blacks squad.

Humph will get better when Pienaar is giving him the service (without wishing to disrespect Paul Marshall). Payne looks like he could be the missing link in attack but i wont write D'arcy off yet. Not sure on Cave for this week? Any doubts about his hamstring then rest him. Would like to see him in the team though. Looks an old head on young shoulders.

Standulstermen wrote:A real worry for us is a lack of gametime for Pienaar, Muller, Trimble, Afoa though. I suspect Pienaar will see some gametime next week as will Trimble but not sure on Mullers injury status or that Afoa is near the All Blacks squad.

I would add Paddy Wallace to that list especially. He is getting no game time for Ireland.

Ulster really look to have strength in depth this year when the players return from the world cup though, which is fantastic. Players are having to compete in every position it seems, and players like Wallace, Court and Danielli may struggle to secure their positions.

I would have been worried about paddy but between Spence and Cave will he get his shirt back?????

I actually forgot about Paddy though

I'd like him to get his shirt back if I'm honest. I would prefer seeing Spence and Cave fight it out for the 13 shirt, as I much prefer Spence as a 13 and we have Marshall to keep Wallace worrying about the 12 shirt. I still think Marshall and Spence look to be the most exciting centre partnership in the future for Ulster/Ireland.

Standulstermen wrote:
Humph will get better when Pienaar is giving him the service (without wishing to disrespect Paul Marshall).

You should disrespect Paul Marshall! Well, not disrespect, but be a little critical. Two things aren't good enough, his passing and box kicking.

I can't fault his passion, commitment and energy- he really does give everything for the cause and his attitude is admirable- but I really do feel it's time to give Ian Porter a run in the side.

I agree with Rory, but I do see Spence and Cave keeping their place for the time being. It's up to Paddy to force his way back. He should always be in our 23- experienced head in a young team in invaluable plus he's our best backup to Humphreys. But if he wants to be more than a bench player he's going to have to work very hard and take his chances coming off the bench!

Be surprised if Wallace doesn't start against the Russians. I'd anticipate a backline of Murray Sexton Wallace McFadden Trimble Earls Murphy.

When the internations return and we're not short of wingers, do you think we'll still see Whitten turn up on the wing.

It must increase his chances of staying in Ulster next year if he can cover wing and centre, need to keep squad players like this happy with enough gametime to keep them if we are to push on over the next couple of years.

I think he will still be useful. To my mind if his form holds he offers as much as Danielli. I would start with Trimble and Gilroy currently though.

Standulstermen wrote:I think he will still be useful. To my mind if his form holds he offers as much as Danielli. I would start with Trimble and Gilroy currently though.

I agree 100%. There were some people around me on Friday night who couldn't believe how strong Gilroy is. I suspect of the young crop of players coming through he will be the one to get a cap first.
Whitten has been impressive in the games he has played and I think his experience has been invaluable as well but I don't see him as a long term wing option.

Rava wrote:

Standulstermen wrote:I think he will still be useful. To my mind if his form holds he offers as much as Danielli. I would start with Trimble and Gilroy currently though.

I agree 100%. There were some people around me on Friday night who couldn't believe how strong Gilroy is. I suspect of the young crop of players coming through he will be the one to get a cap first.
Whitten has been impressive in the games he has played and I think his experience has been invaluable as well but I don't see him as a long term wing option.

Gilroy looks like hes stepped up a level he seems faster and stronger this season which is great to see and hopefully guys like him and Spence get a chance in the Ireland team soon. Was disappointed he never got going earlier this year in the Junior World Championship thought he was a player who could have made an impact