Murray Kinsella reports from Sydney
THE IRFU SAY they are working on helping Ulster to sign an Irish-qualified out-half, while the union remains hopeful that the province won’t have to wait until January to welcome new head coach Dan McFarland to Belfast.
IRFU performance director David Nucifora confirmed that the union had rejected Ulster’s attempt to sign South African international out-half Elton Jantjies ahead of next season.
Ulster have been on the lookout for a new 10 since Paddy Jackson had his contract revoked in April, along with midfield back Stuart Olding, but the IRFU are keen that it will be an Irish-qualified player.
In explaining the decision not to allow Jantjies to be signed, Nucifora indicated that Ulster and the IRFU have instead identified an Irish-qualified out-half.
“Our first option is always to find an Irish solution whatever possible because we need to make sure the system is strong with Irish options,” said Nucifora.
“The Elton Jantjies thing that was brought up, it didn’t make any sense because we want to try and find an Irish solution. Yes, we hoped that Joey [Carbery] might take up that opportunity.
“It didn’t pan out that way because that was the player [Carbery]‘s choice but was Jantjies the right option? For example, he’s going to be playing in the World Cup no doubt, he’s going to be away for large chunks of time.
“South Africa, we knew, were recalling their players. At least we’ve got a better line of communication now with the South African coach [Rassie Erasmus]. We are aware of a few things, so that didn’t really make any sense.
“Going forward for them, we still hope that there is an Irish option for them that we are working on but would we consider a foreigner to help them if we had to?
“Yeah, we would, if it made sense, absolutely. But our preference would be to find a good Irish alternative if we can do that.”
When asked if the Irish option that they are “working on” was presently at Munster, Nucifora said, “not necessarily, no” before confirming that the player in mind was not at any of the three other provinces.
Asked if the IRFU had considered making a move to bring Irish out-half Ian Madigan -who is currently contracted to Bristol – home, Nucifora said he is “too expensive.”
“We are always trying to find solutions and we’ve got to think laterally at times,” said Nucifora.
“We want our teams to be successful. We don’t go out there trying to make things hard for them. We actually go out there to try and make it easier for them and we just ask hard questions at times to try and make sure that the solutions are genuine solutions.”
Meanwhile, Nucifora indicated that he doesn’t believe the IRFU will have to pay compensation to ensure new Ulster head coach Dan McFarland is in place before January.
McFarland is the current Scotland forwards coach and the Scottish Rugby Union was disappointed to lose his services in the lead-up to next year’s World Cup, indicating that McFarland would have to stay in his contract until it expired in January.
While the SRU confirmed Danny Wilson as McFarland’s successor on Tuesday, they stressed again that McFarland is “set to join Pro14 side Ulster in January.”
“We knew that when we signed Dan we had a clause in his contract and we accepted that, and if it turns out that that’s the way that it ends up being, then that’s fine,” said Nucifora. “We’ll just deal with that.
“We do have a bit of a plan B in place if that’s the case, and we’ll just wait and see what the Scottish Rugby Union decide to do with Dan probably after their tour [of the Americas].”
“Obviously we would like, and Ulster would like, for him to be there at the start of the season but if he can’t be, well then we’ll accept that and as I say we’ve got something that we’ll do to support Ulster.
“I think that’s the worst-case scenario. Do I think it will be January? No, I don’t. I think there will be a resolution before then so I am not concerned that it’s going to be January.”
Asked if the IRFU will need to pay compensation for the early release of McFarland, Nucifora said, “there’s no reason to do that.”
“They’re not asking for money. No one has asked for money. At the moment, they just wanted to utilise his services.”
Asked if the “Plan B” is to appoint an interim head coach at Ulster again should McFarland not arrive in time for the new season, Nucifora hinted at sending coaching support to Ulster.
Ireland assistant coach Andy Farrell would certainly be a contender to fill any such role.
“Probably just some help for the coaches up there,” said Nucifora. “We’ll wait and see. I don’t think we’ll have clarity on that until the tours are finished, so we’ll just see when we all get back home after our June tours and just see what the lay of the land is, I suppose, and see if the scenario has changed somewhat.”
Ulster had a disappointing 2017/18 season on the pitch, requiring a play-off win over the Ospreys to qualify into the Champions Cup, but Nucifora is confident that they can turn things around.
Shane Logan recently confirmed that he will step down as CEO and Nucifora expecting progress can be made.
“There are lots of things going on in Ulster,” said Nucifora. “There is a major rebuild underway. The remaining coaching team has only been there for a year, so really they are still new.
“Obviously, Dan is coming in as a new coach. There’s going to be a new CEO, there’s a new head of strength and conditioning, a new head of physiotherapy that we are in the middle of appointing. So it is a total rebuild and I think that’s exciting, it’s positive.
“We’ve got to get the most out of everyone. We can’t just rely on a couple [of the provinces], everyone has got to pull their weight.
“I think that this will turn itself around pretty quickly and I would be confident that we are not just putting sticking plaster over a few things. You can see that we are serious this time about rebuilding with a number of changes that are taking place.
“If we are going to do it, we’re going to do it properly and we need everyone to be a contributor.”
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Irish qualified out half who doesn’t play for any of the three other provinces,…..has to be Garth Steenson!?
@Bo Jangles Gavigan: or AJ McGinty?
@Fergus Robson: Not sure AJ is still IQ as he has declared for the US and is their starting out half. It’s either Steenson or he’s bluffing and it’s Keatley or JJ.
@Fergus Robson: bo jangles who???
@Bo Jangles Gavigan: “…think laterally at times” – has to be Keatley. Steenson of 2-3 years ago would have been a great option alright. Bit auld now?
@Alexi: I’d agree about his age but saying that he’d be a great short term option for a few years while they develop some talent and he’d provide some quality leadership to an Ulster team who’ve admitted themselves are in transition.
I reckon it’s all a big bluff though and we could very well end up seeing Keats at Ulster yet.
@Bo Jangles Gavigan: agree about steenson as a stop gap/ mentor outhalf. He has huge influence at exeter and look how well they’ve consistently performed
@Bo Jangles Gavigan: @fithypete makes sense but on a separate note, I would guess he is very settled at Exeter.. must be there a good few years now
David Nicofora doesn’t get the credit he deserves
I dont mind having an Irish option but the reality is we have NIQ spaces, plenty of spare wages given who we have lost and a paper thin squad (especially in the backs). We need to bring in 2/3 more players
Outside bet could be Tyler Bleyendaal. He is or is about to be Irish qualified and would expect now to be behind Carberry
@Patrick Barton: Wouldn’t be surprised given Ulster’s history of signing injury prone players
@Patrick Barton: keep him in Munster. Pay your own wage bill..
I would rather see Ulster stick with McPhilips, Lowry and Curtis. It’s not as if we are going to win anything. None of the other names mentioned are realistic.
We keep hearing how Joe and DN are committed to making Ulster strong again but little sign of it. No coach until 2019, no physio or s and c coach, no CEO.
Player pool is threadbare with 12 players leaving, Marshall out with Acl and Ludik out
with a career threatening injury
DN claims someone will fill in for McFarland if he does not come till 2019. We were told that Farrell was going to help out after the 6 Nations. He never arrived.
@Patrick Barton: if he can stay injury free he’d be the best choice from an Ulster point of view. Good player, did very well for Munster in the 2016/17 season but kind of imploded towards the end. Having said that, he had Williams at 9 when his form dipped and I wouldn’t say that was a coincidence!
@Daniel Casey: He’s one injury away from retirement. Keep him on your wage bill.
@Trevor Johnston: thank you Trevor, perfectly put.
Jack carthy to Ulster is the word on the street…
@Anto Whelan: Moving 2 or 3rd choice is fine. But it’d be a poor form to move Connacht’s in contract first choice. It would be a real sign of what the IRFU think of Connacht.
Mark my words Madigan will be back at Leinster if sexton gets injured.
@Chris Mc: There is literally no hope of that happening. Madigan is in contract and earning far more than Leinster or IRFU would want to or should pay him. A short term injury deal wouldn’t be an option, and considering Madigan won’t be avail until he’s 30 and we have Ross Byrne (plus the fact Madigan isn’t great) it’s just not realistic, no matter how much you keep pushing it!
@Chris Mc: u don’t rate Ross Byrne or Frawley?
@Chris Mc:
All the talk about Madigan, his not even that good.
He had glimpses with Leinster and Ireland, that’s all tho. Plus his age profile. And obviously his wage bill.
@Jim Demps: the only other Irish our half is like to see at Ravenhill next season apart from Ross Byrne is Jonny Sexton , and that won’t happen . So Ross Byrne is the best Irish option available and that was the case before Carbery went to Munster .
@Peter Dickson: and I have fat fingers.
@Jim Demps: Chris doesn’t rate them. The rest of us do.
@Peter Dickson: Ross Byrne isn’t going to Ulster
@Conor Paddington: I haven’t seen anything of frawley but Byrne is a fine player. Not perfect like Chris wants but he’s only 23.
I’d imagine the Irfu IQ team are negotiating with someone from abroad who’s got Irish ties that no one has suggested yet. ( I was thinking Simon Hickey but he’s signed for Edinburgh) Mike Haley was a bolt from the blue but a fine signing for us.
@Jim Demps: frawley yes I rate him very highly but he’s very inexperienced , Byrne is a very good player but plays too deep and I’m not sure of his defence. Just not my cup of tea.
My point is if sexton gets injured Leinster will buy and the carrot of playing for them and a shot at another World Cup would be hard to resist.
Mad Dog?
@Philip Farrell: They can’t buy him as the petition to rename the RDS has enough signatures I hear….
@grandslamkbo: What’s it to be El Madrigal or Madigan Square Gardens?
Magidan has really improved in both and defence under pat lamb. Started most games and great breaks and tackles this season. He is great option but is already on lucrative contact.
@slyi: Madigan has been playing 2nd tier rugby . If he didn’t look good/better something would be very wrong .
I dont know why people mention Madigan for Ulster? he’s reported to be on a €500,000 salary double what Jackson was being paid and he isaqq half the player at outhalf.
Has only made first choice 10 in the second tier, couldnt push past Gopperth, Jackson, Keatley or Hinkley.
He’s not worth what Ulster were paying Jackson, so would he really move to Ulster for less than half of what he is being paid now? Its a non starter.
DN said it wouldnt be someone already at a province and I cant see Steenson moving at this stage of his career. All the NH would be signed up for the season and if Ulster have troubke getting McFarland early i cant see them biying someone out of contract. It all points to a non capped super rugby player with a Irish parent/grandparent we didnt know about.
Has to be either Steenson, Madigan, Bleyendaal or JJ.
@Peter Nagle: why not keatley?
Burns brothers IQ?