Bloody well said Etna!

Impressive open letter to the supporters from Ethienne, it fair got my blood pumping.

officialconnachtrugby.blogspot.com/2011/...rden-of-passion.html

Very good, fair play to the man. Looking forward to the game to break the spell, can't wait to be back for the games against munster and leinster over the break

Yea Well said Etna I admire his honesty.....I think he is a good player and always gives his all...this article just puts him right up there now!!

Have to agree with Sea_point.
For a short-arse Ethienne seems to have no problem climbing onto his high horse...

I agree with Sea_Point and Overstrander. Ethienne says some good things, but the overriding theme seems to be that fans / supporters do not have the right to be critical, even in a constructive way. Reynecke has become one of my favourite new players because of his intensity and passion, but part of the deal professional athletes sign-up for is being scrutinized and critiqued at every turn. Yes, the comments spewed in sheer rage in the moments following a loss (e.g. "WE -_-!" or "Pure rubbish...this is an awful team", etc.) are out of bounds. But for people who love Connacht Rugby and offer level-headed criticism, for a player to even hint that such is inappropriate is complete nonsense.

It's pro sport, nine on the bounce ain't gonna get you warm fuzzies.

Keep at it, hard work always reaps rewards sooner or later.

Breifne wrote: I agree with Sea_Point and Overstrander. Ethienne says some good things, but the overriding theme seems to be that fans / supporters do not have the right to be critical, even in a constructive way. Reynecke has become one of my favourite new players because of his intensity and passion, but part of the deal professional athletes sign-up for is being scrutinized and critiqued at every turn. Yes, the comments spewed in sheer rage in the moments following a loss (e.g. "WE -_-!" or "Pure rubbish...this is an awful team", etc.) are out of bounds. But for people who love Connacht Rugby and offer level-headed criticism, for a player to even hint that such is inappropriate is complete nonsense.

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I didn't read it like that, really.

I read that as saying the players care just as much, which is something we can all be guilty of forgetting, and that we're all in this together. That's not him on his high horse, just a call to all of us. He didn't have to write anything, I think he deserves credit for opening up.

I think the players shouldn't be commenting at all these days bar the necessary media obligations. They should be answering their critics on the field. Supporters are entitled to complain if they are unhappy with certain aspects once it doesn't go too far but really the support for the team has been amazing this season given how poor we are/have been.

I don't doubt the effort is going in and imo we just don't have the players, management, gameplan experience, leadership etc. to do much and with confidence at a low ebb it makes it even harder but like all the other supporters I'll be there for every Connacht game I can roaring on encouragement.

Like above I'd be more dissapointed if supporters weren't upset with some of the games we've let slip this season. Encouragement must and will continue but the last thing we need is a happy-clappy set up which was let happen for a number of years where if we won the odd home game the attitude seemed to be:

Ah sure aren't we doing grand, we can beat anyone at the Sportsground, we don't have the squad/budget, 2nd last would be a good season and that sort of nonsense.

Standards must be high at Connacht from all parties, ceo, coaches, players and supporters.

agree with seapoint and others while having some sympathy for eithnes point of view.

there is a posting on munsterfans.com forum from m.r.s.c to members about sundays game. it call a call to arms i think. everymember got it via email as well as posting and shows some of what eitne is talking about from a link between fans and players point of view.
i would have put it here if i could so if anyone can put it up it would make interesting reading for members of a new club like this one.
they are at it a long time so the trust has built up but equally players in munster are their own critics and supporters respond to that. maybe if we heard some coming from within we wouldnt be so hard on them.

rossie wrote:
there is a posting on munsterfans.com forum from m.r.s.c to members about sundays game. it call a call to arms i think. everymember got it via email as well as posting and shows some of what eitne is talking about from a link between fans and players point of view.
i would have put it here if i could so if anyone can put it up it would make interesting reading for members of a new club like this one.

Call to Arms by MRSC
"At different times in our lives we all meet individuals, persons who inspire us to achieve more, a family member, teacher or maybe a friend. A French lady was heard to say after the Castres game in Toulouse how envious she was of the tangible link between our team and us; the supporters. Let us use that Ladies envy to inspire us.

Countless articles have been written in the press, countless interviews in the media by our Players always telling us that we are special; that they feed from our passion, and our belief in them. Our support is unequivocal, not based on a sporting statistic of win versus loss ratio, but, rather on the fact that we know that we can make a difference to our Team and inspire them.

On Sunday again we follow them to our home in Thomond Park, so as we do we must not take the tag of "Inspirational" unless we are willing to earn it.

So as we all enter through the turnstiles on Sunday, ask yourself and those around you this,
Will you inspire our team to push themselves further, to fight for us, and for the Jersey and Province?

We showed against the Saints that we the Supporters, can and do "Stand up and Fight", Our team answered us, 41 times they answered us, to carry us to victory against all odds.

On Sunday, we must again help inspire the team and play our part as the 16th Man
The team have asked that as many supporters as possible are in there for when they start to warm up. The team have said that this is the time when they soak up the atmosphere the most.

They will take to the pitch at 12:20. Will you be in there at that time, answering our teams call?

I know I will...

WILL YOU.........."


The sap is rising!!
C'MON MUNSTER!!!

As much as it pains me to say it but thats a Good rousing call from Munster! That would have you rushing through the stiles roaring your head off before you even get into the Stand!

Ethienne is barely in the door in Connacht, he's not an established first team player (yet) and here he is giving out to fans who will still be here long after he is gone.
You can disguise it in "burden of passion" or whatever you want, what would he have said last year when we had half the supporters?
Ethienne, you do your job, play rugby and we'll follow you but if you have a bad game and/or lose nine in a row, don't expect folk who are paying to stand out in the cold to watch it, to be doing cartwheels about it...
A few arseholes aside, (on Facebook, and probably not true supporters) Connacht fans are excellent and have had to endure the Connacht Board censuring an official supporters' club and now one of players says we're not good enough. High horseology of the highest order...

I don't read it that way at all. The last paragraph apart he says we're all in it together and about how badly he feels about letting supporters down when we lose.

How is this him being on his high horse or giving out?

But I’m not writing this blog to moan or complain. This is a call to arms to stay positive and keep supporting us!

If Muldoon or Duffy said that I think we'd all agree with it. So what if he's just in the door? Doesn't he deserve just as much of our support?

I think you've picked up his sentiments the wrong way, TBH.

That's why opinions are such great things, we all can have one!

Yes, but mines better, obviously