UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre ANSWERS P2

Talk about the men in white, and everything Ulster!!

Moderator: Moderators

Where should results of completed Ask the Oppos be displayed?

As a front page "News" item
9
31%
Grouped in a Sticky on the forum
10
34%
Keep them in the thread with a page link
10
34%
 
Total votes: 29

User avatar
Loki
Warrior Assassin
Posts: 1380
Joined: Sat May 14, 2011 6:05 pm
Location: At the Prom(s)

UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre ANSWERS P2

Post by Loki »

afternoon all,

After two feisty debates with the Welsh, this week's Ask the Oppo is unique...it's a)the first non-Welsh ATO and b) it's the first team we've already played once this season.

Zebre were eventually put to the sword in Ulster's first home match of the season, with tries from Nick, Gilroy, Robbie Diack, Angry Andy and Big Dan securing the bonus point. Saturday's match in Parma is rumoured to feature a fairly changed Ulster side and, as always, it'd be great to get questions to take over midweek and test the water.

also a quick poll if you're interested - where's the best place to show the results outside of the original thread? Front page or forum sticky? Any other thoughts / feedback / ideas willl be much appreciated. :D

as always - cheers in advance for all the input and q's for the Italian fans. :fleg:
Last edited by Loki on Fri Sep 26, 2014 6:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Amiga500
Warrior Chief
Posts: 1691
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2012 1:42 pm

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Post by Amiga500 »

Great work Loki - gem of an idea! :thumleft:


Do you think having two teams in the Pro12 has benefited Italian rugby and what would you do next to help improve the national and professional club teams?
User avatar
mikerob
Lord Chancellor
Posts: 9128
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2005 7:50 pm
Location: Chiswick, London

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Post by mikerob »

How has the replacement of Aironi by Zebre been viewed by both sets of fans?

How much media interest has the Pro12 and HEC in Italy?
User avatar
OneMore
Warrior Chief
Posts: 1850
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2010 3:53 pm

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Post by OneMore »

Last season Zebre finished just one point off Treviso in the league. How do they feel about their chances of finishing as the top Italian side (and thus getting into the European Big Cup)?

Zebre surprised me at Ravenhill this year in that they had quite a number of big, athletic guys right across the team, and that's supported with some quality in there too. Do they think they'll be able to take any 'big' scalps in Italy this year, and who would they fancy beating most (hopefully not us!)

How do the Zebre fans feel about the need to bring in 'experienced foreigners' to be competitive whilst also trying to develop young players, have Zebre got the balance right?

How do they see the future of Rugby in Italy, are things looking bright in terms of the sport as a whole in the context of wider Italian society? And given the decline of Italian football over the last decade or more, do you think Italian rugby has benefited?
User avatar
Cornerfleg
Rí­ na Cúige Uladh
Posts: 11600
Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:56 pm
Location: In Toulon ... waiting for an offer

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Post by Cornerfleg »

If there is no real TV deal how do you think the game can get exposure at grass roots level, schools etc.
Always ask yourself, "What would Big Rodney do"... And every time the answer is... "Eat It"
User avatar
Cornerfleg
Rí­ na Cúige Uladh
Posts: 11600
Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:56 pm
Location: In Toulon ... waiting for an offer

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Post by Cornerfleg »

In answer to your question Loki - could there be a link to this feature on the Home page during the build up to that particular match. Comes down say Sunday and next one goes up????
Always ask yourself, "What would Big Rodney do"... And every time the answer is... "Eat It"
User avatar
BR
Rí­ na Cúige Uladh
Posts: 18578
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2005 11:12 am
Location: On a roll.

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Post by BR »

Do the Zebre supporters expect to qualify for the ERCC 15/16 by right?
Can I come out from behind the sofa yet?
www.stoutboys.co.uk
User avatar
Cornerfleg
Rí­ na Cúige Uladh
Posts: 11600
Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:56 pm
Location: In Toulon ... waiting for an offer

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Post by Cornerfleg »

Do any Fiat 500s over there reach 180 mph without falling off a cliff?
Always ask yourself, "What would Big Rodney do"... And every time the answer is... "Eat It"
User avatar
Neil F
Lord Chancellor
Posts: 4045
Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:34 am
Location: Berlin

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Post by Neil F »

Despite finishing bottom in the league in both years, all of Zebre's performance indicators improved significantly last season. Do you expect to see continued improvements in these indicators based on what you've seen so far this season? And will it be enough to avoid finishing last?

What do you think about the utter collapse in Treviso's form between 2012/13 and 2013/14? Does this relate, in anyway, to the fallout of the formation of Zebre and the closure of Aironi? Is there a cautionary tale for Zebre in viewing what has happened at Treviso who, until last season, had seemed to be on an upward trajectory?

As a professional team, Zebre are rather young. How does this affect supporter buy-in? Did the history of the name of the club as an invitational side influence supporter participation?
davejohnston
Initiate
Posts: 464
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:39 am

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Post by davejohnston »

As a Zebre supporter how would you classify a successful year? I.e how many wins should the team be targeting.

What is the rivalry like between Zebre and Treviso.


How to you perceive the rest of the league? Do you enjoy being part of it or do you feel like outsiders looking in (given the geographic location of the team). If you do feel like outsiders, what could change to avoid that?

Is there much pro 12 coverage in Italy - do you get a chance to watch any other matches and if so what would be your favourite two teams to watch.
User avatar
rorybestsbigbaldnoggin
Red Hand Ambassador
Posts: 2510
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 3:31 pm
Location: Bengor West

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Post by rorybestsbigbaldnoggin »

One of the more fanciful ideas floated during the recent round of European rugby crisis was the abolition of the Pro12 and the redistribution of the teams into:

a British & Irish league, and;
an expanded French Top14 which would include 2 Italian teams.


What would you think of that?


[For other posters here: can anyone else find the link to the article suggesting this? Mac (if i even made the 'What the Papers Say' thread?) The B&I league was a pigs-might-fly suggestion whereby each team played their derby rivals multiple times and other teams once, similar to the Super Rugby conference.]
It's the hope that kills you.
justinr73
Lord Chancellor
Posts: 5638
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2014 1:14 pm

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Post by justinr73 »

To many stickies spoil the broth!
User avatar
BaggyTrousers
Rí­ na Cúige Uladh
Posts: 30337
Joined: Sat Jun 18, 2011 6:29 pm
Location: España

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Post by BaggyTrousers »

With Treviso losing all their better players to other teams, Zebre look well placed to finish above them. Which other teams do they feel they can finish above?
NEVER MOVE ON. Years on, I cannot ever watch Ireland with anything but indifference, I continue to wish for the imminent death of Donal Spring, the FIRFUC's executioner of Wee Paddy & Wee Stu, and I hate the FIRFUCs with undiminished passion.
User avatar
Ithryn
Red Hand Ambassador
Posts: 2587
Joined: Fri Oct 20, 2006 11:17 pm
Location: Belfast

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Post by Ithryn »

What are Zebres youth systems like, do they tie into local schools/clubs well?
Why? Why not?
User avatar
Russ
Rí­ na Cúige Uladh
Posts: 28295
Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2012 2:27 pm
Location: Looking for George North's defence

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Post by Russ »

I like Zebre. Do they like me back?
Post Reply