Poor Ulster Rugby, just when it seemed that the Ruan Pienaar announcement would neatly eclipse the expected U-turn from a love torn Rush it now appears that in their haste to put out the news of the imminent arrival of the South African Maestro they have also put a few noses out of joint with the Sharks management.
It may cost Ulster a Rand or two more (well the Rush love fund will probably cover it) but I’m sure we’ll still see Pienaar running out in the Red Hand in late September.
However, no matter what eventually happens with Rush and Pienaar, I think that we should generally applaud the new management team for the absolutely tip top playing calibre of the candidates that they have tried to bring to Ulster this season.
Along with Pienaar, Rush and Muller, all who will/would have be/been* valuable assets to any squad, it has to be remembered that Ulster also pursued the signatures of Tommy Bowe and Roger Wilson throughout the first half of the season.
(* Delete as appropriate in the coming weeks.)
Both were made substantial offers to return to their native Province but chose, for their own reasons, to remain in exile. In neither case do I believe that money, or lack of it, was the stumbling block.
So, irrespective of how you feel over the handling of Boss and O’Donoghue, it has to be said, in Muller and Pienaar, Ulster look to have managed to land two world class replacements and can’t really be blamed for the others that wriggled off the hook. (Ok, I’d have rather have seen Hugo and Ed pushing them for starting spots but in the financial realities of the world today few teams could afford such luxuries.) In my book it’s much better to aim high, with the resultant problems, than to make do with simpler signings!
Myself, I’d be happy with the two players that we look to have signed as I think we have some great youngsters in the back row who will only get better but according to some message boards the likes of Henry, Faloon and Diack, who destroyed Collins, Holah and Jones way back in September, won’t be up to the task even when supported by, Anderson, Pollock and the intermittent Ferris. Add Touhy into the mix, I feel Ireland see his pace being exploited in the back row, and I don’t think we’ll be too shabby with what we have.
However, a wise old head with bags of experience would do no harm for a season or two and rumours are slipping out that Ulster are still actively pursuing the same. With some of the names being bounced round it is possible that we’ll come out on the plus side there as well, so Ravenhill may very well be the place to be next season.
With the season now finally over after last nights Grand Final and with the Heineken Cup Pool Draw just round the corner now is the time to put last season behind us and look forward to Year One on our path to World Domination.
Jeez, I wish it was September already!
Bring dit op … as they say in Durban.
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