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mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
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Huge win, but only one team were up for it.

Couple of setbacks though, Mako looks broken again and I think Kruis will get a ban.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,100
47,055
They looked pretty good didn't they, and with Youngs not exactly firing on all cylinders, so room for improvement.

Always hard to tell in these matches but went about as well as it could really apart from Mako.

Tuilagi really changes our attack and Curry and Underhill looks a very good combo.

It seems to certainly be coming together fitness wise for England. Personally don't think we're anywhere near winning the World Cup but that looked impressive today.
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
21,886
32,513
Can they increase the penalty? Owens yellow carded him ...

Fairly certain whoever is in charge of citing can upgrade it to a red (which I think it was, late forearm to the head) and in that case he'd be getting a few weeks off. Maybe, like Nige, they'll be lenient as it was a warm up game.
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,388
Huge win, but only one team were up for it.

Couple of setbacks though, Mako looks broken again and I think Kruis will get a ban.

I don't think he'll get a ban for that. The player changed direction quickly on him and he stuck his arm out. No malice in it at all.
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
21,886
32,513
I don't think he'll get a ban for that. The player changed direction quickly on him and he stuck his arm out. No malice in it at all.

It wasn't the worst challenge by any stretch but still a lazy late forearm, no real attempt at a tackle, that connected with the head. By the letter of the law these days that's in red card territory.

Even if he does I guess it isn't the end of the world with the schedule, Italy in the last warm up and we've got the minnows early on at the RWC and probably rotating and building up to the key games.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,984
30,494
Maro is what AWJ could be if he was a bit lot younger.

Discuss.

:D

Short discussion, he’s what I would call a very good player but one who’s not consistent enough to be put in that “world class” bracket. Got overhyped way to much during the last lions tour, imo, and since then I’ve seen some very average performances from him (something I’ve never seen from AWJ)

AWJ is pretty much MOTM every game he plays, and, more importantly, he’s such a freak that he’s actually better now than he was 5-6 years ago.

Itoje isn’t as good as AWJ when Alun was in his mid 20s and he won’t be in the same league as him when he’s 33.
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,336
54,970
Short discussion, he’s what I would call a very good player but one who’s not consistent enough to be put in that “world class” bracket. Got overhyped way to much during the last lions tour, imo, and since then I’ve seen some very average performances from him (something I’ve never seen from AWJ)

AWJ is pretty much MOTM every game he plays, and, more importantly, he’s such a freak that he’s actually better now than he was 5-6 years ago.

Itoje isn’t as good as AWJ when Alun was in his mid 20s and he won’t be in the same league as him when he’s 33.

I think they're both very good indeed, and AWJ currently has the experience to add to the ability.

Discussion over!

But Maro was immense today, and I'm nearly as biased as you.

Okay, maybe not 'nearly' but I'm pretty biased.

:D:D
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,984
30,494
I think they're both very good indeed, and AWJ currently has the experience to add to the ability.

Discussion over!

But Maro was immense today, and I'm nearly as biased as you.

Okay, maybe not 'nearly' but I'm pretty biased.

:D:D

To quote the very unbiased Will Greenwood

“The greatest player the NH has produced in the 21st century”

Talk about stating the obvious.
 

Thenewcat

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2019
2,970
10,275
Crazy result.

I honestly think Ireland are past it - they were driven by the quality of Murray and Sexton and they look past their peak. England’s top level is above anything the rest of the NH can produce I think
 

SugarRay

Well-Known Member
Jul 6, 2011
7,984
11,110
Short discussion, he’s what I would call a very good player but one who’s not consistent enough to be put in that “world class” bracket. Got overhyped way to much during the last lions tour, imo, and since then I’ve seen some very average performances from him (something I’ve never seen from AWJ)

AWJ is pretty much MOTM every game he plays, and, more importantly, he’s such a freak that he’s actually better now than he was 5-6 years ago.

Itoje isn’t as good as AWJ when Alun was in his mid 20s and he won’t be in the same league as him when he’s 33.

I’ve got a lot of time for AWJ. A lot of time.

I’ve seen him have very average games though, I’ve seen him have poor games too. Granted, not too often but it has happened. He’s had runs of poor form but that’s to be expected from every player, especially one who’s played as long as he has at the top level. It’s relative to his quality too, his poor games are a lesser players average game for example.
His vast experience helps him thesedays and seems to have actually increased his consistency in recent years, which is freaky!

I believe you’re right about Itoje though. I question his focus a little and think he might actually overthink the game at times. He’s a penalty machine. He looked like the heir apparent to AWJ when he came through, and arguably had more in his locker. He hasn’t kicked on though and for me, I don’t think he’ll scale the heights AWJ has ( in terms of personal performance/achievement )

It would be interesting to have seen how Launchbury would have fared had he been Welsh. Hear me out...

Wales have a smaller pool to pick from. This means players get time to bed in and get used to international rugby, and more importantly, the opportunity to make mistakes and play their way out of poor form etc
With England and their bigger pool of players, it often means that if you make mistakes, bang, someone else comes in. I have always thought Launchbury had everything in his locker to become a truly world class player.
I’m not blaming the system for this not happening but I think it hasn’t helped.

The smaller pool and giving players plenty of experience, plus not being afraid to blood players who would seemingly be shunned by England for not having the right, erm, personality shall we say, is one of the reasons why Wales will do better at the World Cup than England imo.

Going off slightly here but I’ve always wondered how many caps Danny Cipriani would have under his belt if he were Welsh? Close to 100 by now and probably would have a couple of Lions tours in thebag too
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,100
47,055
Short discussion, he’s what I would call a very good player but one who’s not consistent enough to be put in that “world class” bracket. Got overhyped way to much during the last lions tour, imo, and since then I’ve seen some very average performances from him (something I’ve never seen from AWJ)

AWJ is pretty much MOTM every game he plays, and, more importantly, he’s such a freak that he’s actually better now than he was 5-6 years ago.

Itoje isn’t as good as AWJ when Alun was in his mid 20s and he won’t be in the same league as him when he’s 33.

Massively disagree about Itoje not being as good as AWJ in his 20s, and personally I think Itoje's explosiveness in the carry means he can do things that AWJ can't do.

But in terms of what AWJ has achieved and the period over which he's achieved it, Itoje is nowhere near AWJ at this stage. Itoje could do well to look at AWJ in terms of his focus, consistency and leadership, let alone his pure skill as a player.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,984
30,494
No Franks. Surprised by that. Shame Liam Squire didn’t recover in time to make it as he’s one of my favourite blindsides but good to see Retallik recover from his injury.

Forwards: Dane Coles, Liam Coltman, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Atu Moli, Angus Ta'avao, Ofa Tuungafasi, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Kieran Read (capt), Ardie Savea, Matt Todd.

Backs: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Ben Smith.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,984
30,494
I’m going to put some money on Japan to top their group.

I’m convinced they’ll beat Scotland. Beating Ireland is a tad more optimistic but stranger things have happened.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,984
30,494
Really excited to see how Rhys Carre performs. You get the feeling he could be a bit of a wild card pick for Gats even though he’s barely played much senior rugby let alone international level but Sarecens obviously rate him. I’ve only seen him 2-3 times but the guy is impressive in the loose and is a ridiculous carrier (at 6ft3 and over 20 stone you’d expect that) and apparently he’s meant to be a beast in the gym and lifts more than anyone else in the squad if rumours are to be believed. The big question mark about him is will he be able to scrummage well at this level and Ireland is a great opponent to test him.

I’m a massive fan of Hallam Amos too and if it wasn’t for the fact he’s been so unlucky with injuries he’d be a regular starter for us IMO.

Owen Lane is another debutant and while I think the final back 3 spot (assuming Gats picks 5 back 3 players) will be taken up by Amos Lane has a great chance as well.

First test start for Jarrod Evans. It obviously seems that Gatland is favouring him over Patchell at the moment which makes sense not only coz Patchells form has been poor but he’s the most similar player to Anscombe. Should be a great game. I think should Ireland win, they’re going to be smarting after last week but it should be pretty close as there’s a lot of players for Wales who are going to be playing out of their skin.

Wales
Hallam Amos (Cardiff Blues); Owen Lane (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Ospreys), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Steff Evans (Scarlets); Jarrod Evans (Cardiff Blues), Aled Davies (Ospreys); Rhys Carre (Saracens), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Ospreys), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), James Davies (Scarlets), Josh Navidi (capt, Cardiff Blues).

Replacements: Elliot Dee (Dragons), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Leon Brown (Dragons), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Ross Moriarty (Dragons), Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), Jonah Holmes (Leicester Tigers).
 
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