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Rob Penney may beg to differ, but Keith Wood reckons that Connacht's signing of All Blacks legend Mils Muliaina is "fantastic".
Keith and Gerry Thornley joined us always for Wednesday Night Rugby and the former Ireland captain reckons the recruitment coup is "fantastic for Irish rugby" and Gerry believes the presence of Connacht head coach Pat Lam helped to persuade Muliaina to arrive on western shores next season.
Gerry feels the opposition to the signing from other quarters is unfair.
"It's a real marquee signing for Connacht and they don't get too many of them. Would there be an outcry against Munster for signing an ex-All Black. They've signed plenty and there's never been a problem there. This is the first one Connacht have ever signed and they're getting attacked from all quarters," he said, who also talked about accusations of an "institutional racism" against Connacht in Irish rugby.
Keith believes Muliaina will benefit Connacht's young Irish players and feels that the next big step is to see more Ireland players coming from the province's ranks.
Robbie Henshaw ©INPHO/James Crombie
Gerry also pointed out that Connacht are also producing their fair share of players including Robbie Henshaw and Kieran Marmion.
But the lads did ponder whether the latest developments in Connacht would lead to the other provinces to strengthen their efforts to acquire Henshaw.
"It becomes very difficult for Robbie Henshaw. It's not unwanted attention, it is attention from two of the biggest teams in Europe in Munster and Leinster and what player wouldn't want to have that opportunity. But he's a homebird and he has stuck to his guns to stick with Connacht for the time being. I'd say it's very tough for him because this is a guy who wants to play for Ireland and for him to do that, [Connacht] need to be playing at the top table as often as they possibly can," said Keith, who feels that Henshaw is "under fairly significant pressure".
But Gerry explained why he cannot see any move for Henshaw in the short-term. However the lads did discuss the future of the Rabo Pro 12 as it adjusts to the new reality. Will it be doomed?
Gerry explained what is likely to happen to the league and he and Keith also talked about the possible ways that the European leagues could morph into different forms.
Keith and Gerry also touched on the future of Jonathan Sexton as he comes towards the end of his first season at Racing Metro.
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