Ospreys 2015/16 Season

True Raven wrote:I'm sure King said he's happy to play anywhere in the back row he just won't play anymore in the 2nd row so hopefully that experiment has come and gone.

It looks like Fia will be starting tomorrow if the training session was anything to go by as he was doing reps with the first team so Jarvis should be planted on the bench

So much for what King wants then TR, ridiculous selection, as for your second sentence correct hope we don't see Jarvis until at least the 70th minute.

LordDowlais wrote:Scott Otten is staying then:-

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/35602026

Good signing, expecting big things for this lad.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:King in at second row?  That just seems dull and obviously a word from higher up.  

I'm hoping your right about the higher up word SS, but Tandy has a history for these kinds of selections, Bernardo is 2" taller and 3/4 of a stone heavier than King, and since he's come back he's shown definite improvement, it also leaves out the chance for Beard to come off the bench.

wayne wrote:

True Raven wrote:I'm sure King said he's happy to play anywhere in the back row he just won't play anymore in the 2nd row so hopefully that experiment has come and gone.

It looks like Fia will be starting tomorrow if the training session was anything to go by as he was doing reps with the first team so Jarvis should be planted on the bench

So much for what King wants then TR, ridiculous selection, as for your second sentence correct hope we don't see Jarvis until at least the 70th minute.

If James K is seen as an international lock then Elvis and Adolf must be flying that Lancaster bomber around the moon.Good luck to the O's including James K but ffs what a selection.Sorry for the bad language and I will eat humble pie if he's MotM.

It's being copied on our Forum from the South Wales Evening Post (SWEP) that JJ Englebrecht is in talks with us over extending his short term contract, as he says he only signed the short term deal, because he thought we would play a forward orientated game, yet he has been pleasantly surprised how open we are, some on our Forum are taking this that there could be some movement in the NWQ players changing from whole squads to match day squads as it was before the latest PA.

A South African player complaining about playing a forward orientated game, this can't be true!

Seriously, hope you can hold on to him.

wayne wrote:It's being copied on our Forum from the South Wales Evening Post (SWEP) that JJ Englebrecht is in talks with us over extending his short term contract, as he says he only signed the short term deal, because he thought we would play a forward orientated game, yet he has been pleasantly surprised how open we are, some on our Forum are taking this that there could be some movement in the NWQ players changing from whole squads to match day squads as it was before the latest PA.

I hope that is true, as it give the regions a bit more wriggle room when signing NWQ players.

wayne wrote:It's being copied on our Forum from the South Wales Evening Post (SWEP) that JJ Englebrecht is in talks with us over extending his short term contract, as he says he only signed the short term deal, because he thought we would play a forward orientated game, yet he has been pleasantly surprised how open we are, some on our Forum are taking this that there could be some movement in the NWQ players changing from whole squads to match day squads as it was before the latest PA.

Good, pleasing to know it was JJ who wanted the short term deal then and not the club. If he is happy at the Ospreys then a longer term deal should follow

VinceWLB wrote:A South African player complaining about playing a forward orientated game, this can't be true!

Seriously, hope you can hold on to him.

Vince, there was a discussion on here about certain players learning from experienced players a few days ago and I said that Owen Watkin can only learn from the the likes of JJ, Josh and Ashley Beck, funnily enough on the preview programme on Ospreys TV yesterday, they interviewed both Owen and Sam Underhill, and both said their learning very quickly from the 3 I mentioned and Sam from the fantastic players in our back row. Josh has looked heavy legged for a few weeks now so a little break might do him good, and he's on the bench in case of emergencies.
So yes have to agree hope he does extend with us.

True Raven wrote:

wayne wrote:It's being copied on our Forum from the South Wales Evening Post (SWEP) that JJ Englebrecht is in talks with us over extending his short term contract, as he says he only signed the short term deal, because he thought we would play a forward orientated game, yet he has been pleasantly surprised how open we are, some on our Forum are taking this that there could be some movement in the NWQ players changing from whole squads to match day squads as it was before the latest PA.

Good, pleasing to know it was JJ who wanted the short term deal then and not the club.  If he is happy at the Ospreys then a longer term deal should follow

TR after the debacle with Delve and the real bad luck with Steenkamp, I think both of us had to have a good look at each other, and by the looks of it, the respect is mutual.

wayne wrote:It's being copied on our Forum from the South Wales Evening Post (SWEP) that JJ Englebrecht is in talks with us over extending his short term contract, as he says he only signed the short term deal, because he thought we would play a forward orientated game, yet he has been pleasantly surprised how open we are, some on our Forum are taking this that there could be some movement in the NWQ players changing from whole squads to match day squads as it was before the latest PA.

As noted, the Ospreys have already 'broken' the nWq limit this season already. Good on them, I say.

Rumours emanating from Oz that the Warathas want to appoint Andrew Hore as their new CEO, at least that will please some on here especially Lord Dowlais and any that don't like Andrews "ONE TRUE REGION" slogan.

Adam Beard has just signed a 3 year deal with the O's, He's a big lad and looks like a bit of quality, great signing from your Academy.

Blueschief wrote:Adam Beard has just signed a 3 year deal with the O's, He's a big lad and looks like a bit of quality, great signing from your Academy.

Blueschief, yes good news for us, with people like AWJ, Thornton and Bernardo, and Adam, Dodd and Hughes coming through, the need to play undersized locks Ashley and back row players like Ardron and King in the 2nd row should become very rare.

Another re-signing announced Ben John extends for another 2 years, a good steady squad player who has improved a lot in the last year or so.

Ospreys have the following fixtures left:-

Connacht The Sportsground, Galway
Leinster Royal Dublin Society, Dublin
Scarlets Liberty Stadium, Swansea, 
Newport Gwent Dragons Rodney Parade, Newport
Benetton Rugby Treviso Liberty Stadium, Swansea
Cardiff Blues Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
Ulster Liberty Stadium, Swansea


That is only two games away, considering the Cardiff game is judgement day, so if they can win one against either Connacht or Leinster, then you would fancy a strong finish from Ospreys to at least get a top 6 finish, although a top 4 should be the aim.

LordDowlais wrote:Ospreys have the following fixtures left:-

Connacht The Sportsground, Galway Currently 1st
Leinster Royal Dublin Society, Dublin Currently 2nd, with a game in hand
Scarlets Liberty Stadium, Swansea,  Currently 3rd
Newport Gwent Dragons Rodney Parade, Newport
Benetton Rugby Treviso Liberty Stadium, Swansea
Cardiff Blues Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
Ulster Liberty Stadium, Swansea


That is only two games away, considering the Cardiff game is judgement day, so if they can win one against either Connacht or Leinster, then you would fancy a strong finish from Ospreys to at least get a top 6 finish, although a top 4 should be the aim.

Those first three games are really make or break IMO. Connacht will be a huge game this weekend, as will Leinster the week after. Then there is a derby match. Win all three and yes the Ospreys could be top for. Lose two or three and that is the Ospreys playing in the Challenge Cup next season, IMO it is as simple as that.

LordDowlais wrote:Ospreys have the following fixtures left:-

Connacht The Sportsground, Galway
Leinster Royal Dublin Society, Dublin
Scarlets Liberty Stadium, Swansea, 
Newport Gwent Dragons Rodney Parade, Newport
Benetton Rugby Treviso Liberty Stadium, Swansea
Cardiff Blues Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
Ulster Liberty Stadium, Swansea


That is only two games away, considering the Cardiff game is judgement day, so if they can win one against either Connacht or Leinster, then you would fancy a strong finish from Ospreys to at least get a top 6 finish, although a top 4 should be the aim.

If you acknowledge the Blues game is Judgement Day, why have you put it as being played at Cardiff Arms Park?

RiscaGame wrote:If you acknowledge the Blues game is Judgement Day, why have you put it as being played at Cardiff Arms Park?

Because that is what it is saying on Ospreys website, is judgement day even official yet this year ?

Shouldn't you know this, being a supporter of a/the regions?

Risca, please leave it alone.

LordDowlais wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:If you acknowledge the Blues game is Judgement Day, why have you put it as being played at Cardiff Arms Park?

Because that is what it is saying on Ospreys website, is judgement day even official yet this year ?

Good Lord, what a question.

PhilBB wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:If you acknowledge the Blues game is Judgement Day, why have you put it as being played at Cardiff Arms Park?

Because that is what it is saying on Ospreys website, is judgement day even official yet this year ?

Good Lord, what a question.

Well is it ?

LordDowlais wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:If you acknowledge the Blues game is Judgement Day, why have you put it as being played at Cardiff Arms Park?

Because that is what it is saying on Ospreys website, is judgement day even official yet this year ?

Good Lord, what a question.

Well is it ?

And it has been heavily marketed.

You clearly do not follow the sport that closely.

http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/43849

PhilBB wrote:http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/43849

Thats brilliant news, I would love for it to be a sell out.

LordDowlais wrote:

PhilBB wrote:http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/43849

Thats brilliant news, I would love for it to be a sell out.

I should be surprised that a man with such strong opinions a) didn't know about it b) hadn't seen the marketing and reporting and c) doesn't already have his ticket.

Why am I not surprised?

PhilBB wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

PhilBB wrote:http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/43849

Thats brilliant news, I would love for it to be a sell out.

I should be surprised that a man with such strong opinions a) didn't know about it b) hadn't seen the marketing and reporting and c) doesn't already have his ticket.

Why am I not surprised?

Do you have your ticket yet ?

PhilBB wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

PhilBB wrote:http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/43849

Thats brilliant news, I would love for it to be a sell out.

I should be surprised that a man with such strong opinions a) didn't know about it b) hadn't seen the marketing and reporting and c) doesn't already have his ticket.

Why am I not surprised?

Quite.

LordDowlais wrote:


Do you have your ticket yet ?

All season ticket holders have one, so of course I bloody have one.

Some supporter you are.

RiscaGame wrote:
Quite.

The man is clearly a fraud.

Guys, can we try to keep this nonsense on one thread. It is getting pretty hard to keep track of what thread is what. There are at least three or more threads now that have devolved into this, with pretty much the same comments on all of them.

Honestly, if it were not for the tab at the top of my internet explorer I couldn't tell you if this was the Scarlets/Blues/Ospreys season thread anymore.

Don't know what to make of this, but apparently we've signed Hugh Gustaffson from the Dragons, so for next season we'll have Baldwin, Parry, Otten Gustaffson and Dwyer not necessarily in that order for the hooker position. Unless there is a proper scheduled A League, don't really see the need, unless Dwyer needs to get back  to his proper job (Army).

Just been announced on our forum by a normally reliable poster that Dwyer is out of contract at the end of this season. As long as he is around the same sort of wages makes sense I suppose.

Didn't see that coming to be honest. Was never a huge fan of Gus at hooker, but play him on a 3G pitch he'll shine on through.

Might be likely that Dwyer signs with dragons then, being a local lad and all...

Such a waste of a signing. Gus is a guy that gives his all, but he is too small for prop and not good enough for hooker with his arrows. He's fourth choice hooker at Rodney Parade. Speaks volumes to me.

Yep, unless they signed him as a water carrier, i don't see the point in the O's signing of Gustaffson either.

Following plenty of outrage on our Forum, the person that moderates it on behalf of the Ospreys, put in the following reply.

In the interest of balance, in the entire history of Ospreys Rugby there is only one season (05/06) where we have just used 3 hookers in a season. The norm is 4, we've been as high as 6.

You also have to remember that no signing is ever made in isolation. As strange as some individual signings may seem to you at any given time, there is always a thought process behind it (before you say it yes the thought process may prove to be right and it may prove to be wrong) which isn't always apparent.

On occasion, it may be that a short term contract is seen as a way of bridging a gap in the succession planning - believe me, the succession planning charts go right through to U 16 level. Some times its about balancing budgets, some times about it's about squad depth and a player coming in will never be considered first choice, sometimes it's a marquee signing. More often than not it's somewhere in the middle of all those factors and more. And it's important to keep in mind that just because there are gaps or perceived gaps, in the squad and a signing is announced in a different position, it doesn't mean someone has lost it, doesn't mean people haven't got a clue what they are doing, it doesn't mean people are ignoring holes in the squad. It doesn't mean anything other than that signing has been completed and is in a position to be announced while other signings and/or potential signings aren't.

Let me just say that is not the full Transcript of his reply, if you want to read it all, you'll have to go on to the Ospreys Forum, but overall a pretty full and informative reply IMO.

Someone on mentioned elsewhere that if Gibbs has whipped Arhip from being an average hooker into one of the most dynamic tightheads in Europe then the signings of Gus and Rhodri may well end up being very good. Both have potential, and both offer the ability to cover a few roles.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Someone on mentioned elsewhere that if Gibbs has whipped Arhip from being an average hooker into one of the most dynamic tightheads in Europe then the signings of Gus and Rhodri may well end up being very good.  Both have potential, and both offer the ability to cover a few roles.

SS,I think that evaluation of Arhip is a little over the top, for a start he came as somebody who could cover the 3 front row positions not just hooker, I don't think (could be wrong) he has ever played for us in any position other than tight head, and finally he achieved cult status and was seen as the best tight head for us, just after the engagement laws were changed and Adam lost his dominance, if Gibbes is that good why haven't we seen an improvement in other players who were there before he came in. Eg Jarvis Bevington, it was only early last year that because of injuries to those 2 and others that we had to play Nicky Smith and Dmitri that we had that great start to the season and with the return of Assey this year that it has improved.

Beat me to it Wayne. I'd use the examples of Bevington, Thomas, Suter to outweigh the Arhip example.

I do see the logic though of Gustafson coming in instead of Matthew Dwyer, if Dwyer did leave, then which welsh qualified hooker could we have recruited instead? He also brins experience alongside the two young hookers we have when Baldwin is away with Wales

True Raven wrote:Beat me to it Wayne. I'd use the examples of Bevington, Thomas, Suter to outweigh the Arhip example.

I do see the logic though of Gustafson coming in instead of Matthew Dwyer, if Dwyer did leave, then which welsh qualified hooker could we have recruited instead?  He also brins experience alongside the two young hookers we have when Baldwin is away with Wales

TR, did you see Suter on the touchline last week, he has bulked up massively, but importantly is no taller, he's not even 5'9" tall, what you say about Gustafson is entirely correct, especially as Millward had his say about coaching experience as well, he will help with the youngsters no end, that piece I put in from our moderator is also significant, by all accounts there is a boy (can't remember his name) who is on a development contract, I think he was put on this year with among others Keegan Giles, so if the staff think he's that sort of level, Hugh should be able to help no end. I don't think there is much difference in age between Baldwin, Parry and Gustafson, so if them 3 can assist in the development of Otten and this kid, things should be ok in the future.
Jordan Liney is the kids name, don't know anything about him

Time to select what I'm hoping will be our team for Saturday against Connacht, I'm hoping James will be allowed back and King isn't, according to Gibbes in the weekly PC Rhys Webb will be available, and when I was talking to Daimitri in the shop last Friday, he was saying he should be OK.
So, Evans, Hassler, Engelbrecht, Matavesi, John, Davies, Webb, James, Otten, Arhip, Bernardo, Thornton, Cracknell, Underhill and Baker with Smith, Parry, Fia, Beard, Bearman, Leonard/Habberfield, Watkin and Walker on the bench. Wouldn't be surprised or disappointed if Watkin was in the centre or if Smith or Parry were starting, whether Tandy would start with that inexperienced back row is also open to question wouldn't be surprised to see Bearman start. If King is allowed back from TW I can see him starting in the 2nd row and that is something I don't want to see. Please keep him Warren.

Wayne, Beard is starting for the under 20's so I imagine King has been released as the only other locks available are Bernardo and Thornton?

True Raven wrote:Wayne, Beard is starting for the under 20's so I imagine King has been released as the only other locks available are Bernardo and Thornton?

Yes just seen it TR, I hope he starts on the bench, if he has been released, would we try somebody like Hughes on the bench? I doubt it, knowing Tandy's preference for back row men in the boilerhouse.

Right, people on here, know I'm NOT one of these the Guinness League is run from Ireland for the Irish brigade, I'll leave that for other people, but WHY,WHY do they do stupid things like this weekends officials.
Dragons vGlasgow Ref G. Conway all other officials Welsh including L. Hodges
Edinburgh vScarlets Ref D. Phillips all other officials Scottish
Blues v Ulster Ref J. Lacey all other officials Welsh
Treviso v Munster Ref I. Davies all other officials Italian
Zebre v Leinster Ref L. Hodges all other officials Italian
Yet then Connacht vOspreys Ref G. Clancy all other officials Irish, to alleviate any chance of bias why couldn't Davies had our game and Clancy the Treviso Munster game.
I really hope I and others don't have to come on here and complain about Clancy affecting the result either through bias or over compensating because of perceived bias , let me just add Owens as far as I can see is not involved in any of the Internationals this weekend. Why not have him ?

Wayne, there has been a lot of complains on here or other forums beforehand match day about ref being from the home country and most of the time no controversial call affected the result of the game. There has been some iffy case in Ulster but that was mostly coming from the Irish TMO. Sure the ref will make mistakes and will give the odd 50/50 penalty call to the home side but i don't expect Clancy to affect the result of the game. And i will freely apologise on here if Clancy does win the game for Connacht.

We have all been crying out for neutral refs but this doesn't happen because of the need to reduce travel costs.

I think the most important variable is you DON'T play a lightweight in the 2nd row. Connacht have a very good scrum and i'm sure you watched what they did to the Scarlets and not even Arhip would be able to do anything if King is selected in the 2nd row.

Tandy,Tandy,give me your answer,do;
I'm going crazy;
I want to play lock for you;
I'm almost four feet eleven;
Weigh in at six stone seven;
But you'll agree;
When you see me;
Your best second row i'll be.

exile jack wrote:Tandy,Tandy,give me your answer,do;
I'm going crazy;
I want to play lock for you;
I'm almost four feet eleven;
Weigh in at six stone seven;
But you'll agree;
When you see me;
Your best second row i'll be.

Exile the talk on the Forum, from a normally well informed poster, is that both King and Jarvis were asked to be given game time by Gatland, obviously Jarvis was only going to be named as a tight head, so we have small blessings there in hopefully he will not have to come on till late, the inexcusable thing to me is the selection of King at 4, why not play King in his best position of 6, start Bernardo in the boiler house, and why let Beard go back to the U20s. Cracknell last week took over from Underhill as a 7 and was excellent, why have a player Collier as a replacement 7 when he hasn't played a minute in a first class game this season. We have a really good backline selected and on the bench IMO, but will they get much ball with the selected pack, this match will be lost through selection and sorry to say it Vince but by the Officials nominated.