I know how men in exile feed on dreams - Neil Best
Betrayal is the only truth that sticks
After Ulster’s stay of execution win over Ospreys, the Ravenhill mood should have been jubilant at the whistle, but it wasn’t. Rumours had already begun to circulate as to the outcome of the IRFU led review into Ulster players Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding and Craig Gilroy -and the mood music was far from celebratory.
At the heart of this whole situation has been a sense of betrayal – firstly by the players of the values of their families and the club, and now by the club of young men, products of their youth system – now sacrificed – not seen to be on the altar of morals and ethics but perceived to be on the altar of sponsorship and money.
There is no easy fix for Ulster Rugby and their fans. Routinely, Ulster supporters have learnt from Dublin based journalists the latest and breaking news about their Belfast based club – whether it be the arrival of Les Kiss, the departure of Ruan Pienaar or the current shortlist to replace Jonno Gibbes – the news emanates from Dublin – showing clearly where decision making power lies.
I’ve previously said that Ulster must learn to steer their own ship and until they do they won’t be sufficiently selfish to navigate a path to club success.
Some fans have sympathy for operations director Bryn Cunningham – an ex-player who is responsible for all off-field aspects of the club – and even some for the CEO Shane Logan who has an unerring knack of not making himself available at times of crisis. Indeed a similar number were ready to forgive the failings of Les Kiss – for no reason other than on the whole the fans are a good bunch who don’t feel comfortable with anything that could be seen as scapegoating.
That’s why the Jackson and Olding departures are so problematic for the club, the fans who have put up with Logan, Cunningham and Kiss over the past couple of seasons – even defended them – have done so because they abhor the very type scapegoating that they feel their club are now undertaking with their own players.
No education or re-training has been offered, no prospect of rehabilitation, not even a gesture rejected. This has provided the backdrop to a growing degree of sympathy for the players inside and outside the club. But Jackson and Olding have talent and remain highly employable and like many others before them they will move into exile. Success in their new environment will provide a weekly reminder of all that is wrong with Ulster Rugby – no strategy or plan, inconsistency on and off-field and growing disconnect with the fans – all the while subject to direction from Dublin who historically retained other high-profile players amongst scandals of sexual conduct not without parallels.
And a club that isn’t seen to listen to its fans nor accountable to them will fail. I honestly can’t remember a time when Ulster Rugby have been so at odds with so many of their supporters. Whatever Ulster salvage from this season – without substantial change at the top – Ulster will continue to fail.
I know how men in exile feed on dreams
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments