Ulster v Ospreys; Friday, September 3rd

[TRF_Olyy]

Ospreys are fielding a gyppo side. Gareth Owen is as much a fullback as I am a Nambian Second Rower.

More than a few of the twitter* crew, wonder if anything like this will happen: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp10/news/story?id=5493157




*read: chav

 

[Draggs]

Ospreys are fielding a gyppo side. Gareth Owen is as much a fullback as I am a Nambian Second Rower.

Where does Gareth usually play?
I have seen him at centre an standoff as well as fullback.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Not a bad match so far, 18 - 16 at halftime

I'll never understand why Jonathan Thomas is rated by so many people =/

 

[durbutter]

That is terrible.



Ferris is class though

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Byrne was naff as well, suppose that proves that fake tan and hair spray doesn't improve your rugby.
Glad to see Duncan Jones back, can't wait to see him and Adam propping together again

Good game overall, close all throughout. Good start to the season
Ulster 27 - 26 Ospreys

 

[Draggs]

Ospreys looked like they had no clue.
Nutbrown was awful, the ball was way too slow.
Ospreys powered over Ulster in the scrums, but elsewhere did nothing.

Better game from Biggar, he had a few nice runs, and he followed through well to score.

Olyy, who rates JT?

 

[durbutter]

Muller and Wahnennburg were great, Court, Wallace and Diack were great when he came on. Ferris was great till he came off two. The back 2 surprised me they did ok. The starting front row were disappointing, although Best was ok till he got injured. good show by Ulster

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Olyy, who rates JT?

Gatland, mainly.
Unfortunately (for Wales) his is the only opinion that matters

 

[Duckdee]

That Ulster fly-half kicks the ball high.

 

[SelimNiai]

That was a typical start of season game. Ultimatley the side who made less errors won it and Ulster deserved to. Ospreys gave away far too many kickable penalties and were a bit reckless in attack in trying to make the impossible pass and it cost them possesion and territory.

 

[Draggs]

Gatland, mainly.
Unfortunately (for Wales) his is the only opinion that matters

True, sadly.
I thought the card on Nikki Walker was harsh; a penalty at the most.

I thought Cai had a good game, he seemed to help the Ospreys boss the scrum, and was also a decent ball carrier.
Bevington made a few good tackles but was mostly quiet.
Mefin wasn't bad, apart from the few penalties he gave up; certainly better than Huw, who (still) can't throw.

I'd like to see more out of Ian Evans in a few weeks, but it was his first game since March, so it will take some time.

Collins, Holah, and JT were all pretty weak, honestly. I was stunned to see Jonathan actually cross the gainline for one.

Nutbrown's delivery was slow and inaccurate, hitting the ground before the players, often.
Biggar wasn't bad- his place kicking was 100%, but out of hand seemed a bit shaky.
Nice try from Fussell, unfortunately, I don't see him getting much game time with the O's- with Shane, Bowe, and Nikki ahead of him, not to mention Tom Prydie and Kristian Phillips.
Walker had a few decent runs, and did well to stay on his feet while tackled.

Not too much from Andrew and Sonny, but Andrew did well in setting up Dan Biggar's try.
Gareth Owen was decent running with the ball, but seemed uncomfortable kicking.

 

[Peat]

You're one harsh judge.

I thought Biggar was excellent. Swap fly-halves and Ospreys would never have got close.

I also thought Thomas carried well and Holah did very well. Collins didn't do bad for a guy just back either.


Also reckon that the Ospreys' front row was very cute in what they did and that Walker's yellow card was as stone cold a penno as you'll see. Yellow card might have been harsh though, would like to see that again - but if you don't go jumping into players in the air, no room for misunderstanding arises.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Ryan Bevvington and Dan Biggar really impressed me, as did Cai Griffiths, but only because I expected itall to go to pot when Craig Mitchell pulled out, and yet we went kinda OK.

The ref said it was Walkers' fourth infringment (Which it was), and so for that he was being sent off, would have just been a penalty otherwise- Good reffereeing, I say. Walker looked far more aggresive last night- Something you want from your forwards, maybe scrum-half, but not really your wingers, if you ask me.

 

[Peat]

That bit did confuse me.

Talking to the touch judge, he said multiple infringements, fair enough. Talking to the Ospreys though, he said it was for leading with the forearm, which I'd have to see again...

That bit of it at least, is shoddy reffing.

 

[cyRil]

I'm not too unhappy with that seeing as it was our 3rd-string front row and we've got approximately 27 million players to come back. Ill-discipline cost us as always, but there were some encouraging performances, especially Biggar.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

I can see Bevvington taking over from Paul James/Duncan this season if he performes like he did yesterday every week. Possibly even getting into the Wales squad, even earlier than the World Cup.

 

[Draggs]

The ref said it was Walkers' fourth infringment (Which it was), and so for that he was being sent off

I tuned in a few minutes late, so I must have missed that.

Give him a few more games before November and you could see Bevington subbing for Wales this fall.

 

[Conal]

the card was harsh but didnt see to upset ospreys to me (to they played better once he was off like a wake up call or somthing)
but fantastic confidence booast result for ulster

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Seemed to spur Walker on as well, i think he played a lot better after he came back on

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Are there a lot of Ulster fans? Seeing Wannenburg and Muller play and knowing Pienaar and Botha are still coming back into the starting 15 I decided to keep a close eye on Ulster this year. Watching the first match now. Finished the first half now. Watching the rest tonight on my way home on the train.