Connacht boosted by new signings

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Connacht Rugby have completed a number of signings this week. Contract negotiations have been ongoing for a number of weeks but today CEO Gerry Kelly announced the signings of Ulster duo Niall O’Connor and Mark McCrea along with the re-signing of former Connacht favourite George Naoupu from Japan.

Niall O’Connor will join Connacht on a 2 year contract at the end of this season. The 6’0, 90kg outhalf, who attended Limavady Grammar School, entered the Ulster Academy in 2006 and signed a professional contract with them in 2007. 23 year old O’Connor has 51 caps and scored 212 points (including 10 Heineken Cup appearances) for Ulster and represented Ireland at U19, U20 and A level, he was also a member of the 6 Nations Grand Slam winning U20 squad (coached by Connacht’s Eric Elwood and Dan McFarland) in 2007.

O’Connor’s colleague Mark McCrea, who plays on the wing, joined the Ulster Academy in 2006 and turned professional in 2008. He has 25 caps for Ulster and has represented Ireland at Schools and A level. The 23 year old, Belfast High School graduate, was a member of the 2008 Churchill Cup winning team, scoring a try against the USA and has 3 Ireland A caps. The 6’1, 92kg winger will join Connacht on a 2 year contract deal from next season.

George Naoupu will return to Connacht for the 2011/2012 season. The 6’5, 115kg 27 year old backrower joined Connacht in 2009 before being lured away by the Kobe Steelers in Japan last season. He appeared 14 times in his 6 month spell at Connacht, including scoring a try in Connacht's famous victory over Bourgoin in the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter final last season. Naoupu has represented New Zealand Schools, U19, Colts and 7’s and will rejoin Connacht on a 2 year contract.

CEO of Connacht Rugby Gerry Kelly said:
“We are delighted with the news that these players are joining Connacht, McCrea and O’Connor are both outstanding players and they will no doubt add an extra dimension to our backline. Recalling George Naoupu from Japan is a big move for us, he was exceptional for Connacht in 2009 and a big loss to the squad when he moved last year. George is a dynamic ballcarrier and inspirational player to those around him so we are looking forward to his returnâ€


http://www.connachtrugby.ie/2011010682399/connacht-boosted-by-new-signings

 

[munstermuffin]

Great news for westerners and 3 moves that I think will work out excellently.

 

[lucky number 7]

That Back row fella seems like a big signing ...big strong runner by the looks of things

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Naoupu is a brilliant signing. He was terrific for Connacht last season and they've missed his ball carrying and offloading game hugely. Re-signing him will minimise the impact of losing their best ball carrier, Sean Cronin, to Leinster.

O'Connor isn't a good player. If he's a direct replacement for Ian Keatley, Connacht will be worse off than last season. For Connacht's sake, I hope they recruit a young flyhalf from one of the other provinces to compete with O'Connor.

McCrea certainly has the speed to make an impact but he needs gametime. If Connacht can get him the ball in space he'll do damage but he's quite raw and needs time to develop. He could be an uncut diamond.

 

[lucky number 7]

Does madigan seem likely to be staying at leinster ? he is a decent 10

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I presume Leinster want to keep hold of Madigan. He's played 9 or 10 times this season so he's clearly in Joe Schmidt's plans. That said, he's not as good as Sexton or Berne (yet) so the chance to play regularly for Connacht for a season or two to polish his game could be too good to turn down. He's surely a better option than O'Connor in my opinion.

 

[lucky number 7]

Yep..Madigan could have done with a crack out west for a year or two as opposed to spending a year as 3rd choice at Leinster :/

 

[munstermuffin]

Let's remember it a World Cup year but I think Elwood can make O'Connor a good player too

 

[Conal]

O'CONNORS LEAVING!!!! PRAISE SWEET BABY JESUS!!!

i liked mc crea i remember watching him play for the 1st 15 at school he was awesome shame he cant break into the ulster squad but ulster seem to make lots of wingers for some reason just too much compitiion

with o'connor leaving will ulster be looking to buy a ten mabey steenson??? or just do the same as they did with o'connor and grab the next in line (paddy jackson) and throw him into it

 

[munstermuffin]

I seen in paper during week Steenson has been contacted to play with England.
And on previous post I said remember it World Cup year - that was in reference to Madigan and gametime with Leinster.

I think O'Connor will do fine under Elwood at Connacht. I know he won't reach same level or even near it but a certain Tommy Bowe wasn't in any great shape leaving Ulster and maybe O'Connor will be able to react better when out of Ulster and surroundings he has got comfortable in

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

with o'connor leaving will ulster be looking to buy a ten mabey steenson???

He's just extended his contract with Exeter for 2 more years.

 

[Conal]

aww darn it i like steenson
guess paddy jackson is now the sub 10
so ian humphreys starting with jackson sub cover from wallace and pienarr
looks alright to me

poor connacht though
o'connor could be the death of next years season for them

 

[Conal]

I seen in paper during week Steenson has been contacted to play with England.
And on previous post I said remember it World Cup year - that was in reference to Madigan and gametime with Leinster.

I think O'Connor will do fine under Elwood at Connacht. I know he won't reach same level or even near it but a certain Tommy Bowe wasn't in any great shape leaving Ulster and maybe O'Connor will be able to react better when out of Ulster and surroundings he has got comfortable in

bowe leaving may have made him but at least he was good for ulster!
well hope elwood knows how to improve o'connor

 

[munstermuffin]

Conal I agree Bowe was good for Ulster but it's only when he got out of their and out of his comfort zone and made a fresh start that his career took off and he became 1 of best wingers in the world.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Niall O'Connor is nowhere near Ian Keatley's standard, that is true. He's probably no better than Miah Nikora either. Perhaps Eric Elwood can bring the best out of him since he was an average 10 who made the most of his ability.

I'd like to see who Connacht pick up from Munster and Leinster before writing them off completely. I think they still need a pair of starting second rows, a hooker to compete with Adrian Flavin, a starting scrum half, a solid flyhalf, a creative inside centre and some back three depth. Not much required then! If they can add some of Ian Nagle, Dave Foley, Eoin Sheriff, Ed O'Donoghue, Dennis Fogarty, Mike Sherry, Tom Sexton, Jason Harris Wright, Paul O'Donohoe, Conor Murray, Duncan Williams, Ian McKinley, Ian Madigan, Noel Reid, Simon Zebo, Michael Keating or Dave Kearney, they'll be in good shape come this time next year. Lots of hangers on need to be cut from their squad too.

 

[lynam1104]

If those moves were to happen we might as well rename them leinster and munster youth.

 

[munstermuffin]

Snoop you are right but well it hard for us for instance we won't let Sherry or Fogarty (although I think it'd be best for him) go because Varley and Fla (if fit) will go to World Cup. Stringer and TOL will both go so we need Williams and Murray.
And on top of that you have to prepare for an injury or two.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I know. What I posted is an ideal list of targets for Connacht, not a list of who Leinster and Munster want to get rid of. I'd much rather see Leinster try to "turf out" Trevor Hogan, Mariano Galarza, Stephen Keogh, Paul Ryan, Clint Newland, Simon Shawe, Niall Morris and Eamonn Sheridan.

 

[Peat]

McCrea needs to stop being so injury prone. Be interesting to see where they pick him, looks like a Carr replacement but a Malone man I know reckons McCrea's better in the centres.

O'Connor... munstermuffin, you're one optimistic sod. There's something there but its buried under a lot of problems. I hope you're right but at the same time am very pleased to see him go because seemingly he has play at his very best not to actually be a drain on the team.

Anyway... wonder if Ulster will even sign another fly-half. Mincer can play there, Pienaar can play there and we've got two Ireland U-20 fly-halfs to give a sniff of the future. Would allow us to shuffle resources around. Big name back three player perhaps.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I suspect that should Ulster make it to the Heineken Cup quater final, the Magners League won't be of any importance to them- they'll concentrate all their resources on being right for Europe. In that case Paddy Jackson may get a few run outs to show what he can do. I hope the decision is taken that it's better for his career to play in the Magners League than play a few ultimately meaningless Ireland u20 6 Nations games. In my opinion Ulster won't add a new flyhalf and will go into next season with iHumph, Wallace, Pienaar and Jackson as their options.

Ulster won't lose any sleep over these players moving. Craig Gilroy's rapid ascent has pushed Mark McCrea further down the depth chart and Niall O'Connor doesn't presently possess the kicking game nor the running game to bring the province forward. After 50ish games for Ulster, I can understand why they're cutting him adrift rather than investing more time into developing him.