[Closed] Rugby thread 2016/2017

CaptainFlashheart - Member

What a bloody great test match!
Defensive power from both teams was huge.
Bloody hell, that was brutal. Brilliant.

The work rate of Rhys Webb was superb such passion and determination. So many tackles by both sides & played in spirit that makes it edge of the seat stuff 😀

Wales very much deserved the win, Ireland weren't accurate enough, and Wales discovered an alacrity that has been missing in their back play.

Great word mefty 😆

Happy with that result, makes the second half against Scotland even mor bewildering.

The Welsh back play was still awful. Davies is incapable of drawing a man and passing.
Owens is decent but a bit lightweight he'd be passable for the Lions surrounded by more power.
Hartly has good darts and scrums well does **** all else.
Best is a great player but can be flakey with his darts.
Brown looks promising but Lions might be too soon.

Owens and George have been the 2 best hookers this tournament. Best has been gash, Hartley can barely last a half and the Scottish front row as a whole has been fairly non descript.

I doubt you'll be missed if you want to switch!

Owens and George have been the 2 best hookers this tournament.

Looks a potential problem area for the Lions if this is the case. I'd be tempted to take Hartleys basics and make up for it with others. Having said that Owens could be good if the front line carrying duties he has for Wales are taken away and he can focus on other things.....

Backrow looks good. Warburton was great last night despite the ref not allowing any pens for holding on. The Irish backrow was played off the park by the smaller welsh unit. Couldnt understand why they took Stander off and not SOB.

Stander
Tipuric
Warburton

or if he returns well

Billy V
Warburton
Stander

I wonder if quality players like Faletau will even make the tour now.

The Irish need to look at their backrow imo

Stander
OMahoney
SOB

Might be worth a try.

Warburton will be Lions captain if he plays like that V France.

I'm not convinced that warbuton would benefit from being lions captain.

Totally agree with what that a_a. Warburton really is the only candidate IMO. The other possibilities in terms of leadership....AWJ, Best, Hartley aren't really guaranteed a start.

Nailed on starters for me are probably Hogg and both of the Irish halfbacks, none of whom I can see as captain.

TomB - Irish half backs didn't really advance their cause too much yesterday

I thought that they were both very good when on the pitch! I think Sexton was unlucky with his yellow....totally agree it was a yellow, just think he was unlucky to end up where he did! Other 10's are Ford, Biggar and Russell. Biggar didn't exactly put his name forward last night! As for Russell and Ford, I think that one of the two of them will go, be doubt either will see much if any test action.

TomB - Irish half backs didn't really advance their cause too much yesterday

I thought they were both very good. Sexton outstanding.
Once again half backs are blamed when their pack gets rinsed!!!

Sexton no1 with Biggar no 2 for me. Both can kick, Sexton has the attacking talent and Biggar has more of the "edge" than Ford but does have Farrells defense. Ford to weak for Lions vs AB's, Farrell at 12 or Biggar is the midweek / backup 10

Biggar is a good player massive competitor and cool under pressure (despite being a hot headed nutter at times). That slide over his own line as he waited to touch the ball down was magnificent. Also twice in the last 10 mins Wales were under the pump in their own 22 and got pens. Both times G Davies scampered about like a hyper active puppy to get the ball quickly and passed it to Biggar, both times Biggar dropped the pass and went down injured with his hand.. bloody funny and ran the clock down nicely!!!

Lions 10's will be Sexton, Russell and Faz. I dont think Faz is any better than Biggar but being able to play 12 will see him taken..He could well be the test 12.
13 looks an issue, would like to see Joseph regain some form.
I hope last night puts to bed any Zebo and Karney Lions thoughts. Neither could tackle a kebab. When the shit Keet Earls looks your best back 3 player you know you have issues!!

I'm feeling nervous now. Scotland could just do it. In many of the last 20 years we just knew we couldn't really compete but this year we have a chance even if not a very big one. Its the hope that kills you!

Scotland will attack and and will create chances - but how many will they convert? I still think it will be an even match up to 60 mins but England to win comfortably.

Keet has been one of the players of the tournament for me!

The closer the tour draws, the more I think that this is actually going to be pretty weak Lions side 🙁

Hard to see too many on display last night on the plane to NZ. It was a great match but between two sides/groups of players very far below their normal high standards. Sexton included btw, he is not a patch on the player of 4 years ago.

Looking forward to this evenings game. Scotland to be fired up but a routine England win in the end, just too strong over 80 mins with the potential to surpirse and blow Scotland away in the first half.

Hard to see too many on display last night on the plane to NZ.

More stout Yeomen needed..can we get Dilly Dally, Back and Wilkinson in....worked well last time!!!

All going to look a bit one sided if the plane is full of Scots. 😕

Was last night's game that first one where you could see the clear impact of bonus points - Ireland chasing the try to get within 7 and then Wales going for their fourth rather than booting it off.

At least 1 of the irish looseheads, Furlong, Stander, Murray, Sexton, Warburton, Tipuric, Webb, North and at least 1 of 1/2p or Williams will be on the plane unless they are crocked as well as one of the two hookers from last night.

I reckon you could add AWJ and Heaslip to that. He will go as midweek leader. Henshaw possibly as well

Not sure those 3 are nailed on but they woulsnt be out of place. I think Gatland might pick Faletau over Heaslip for example.

@aa thats my point, you have picked 3 players out of the 30+ on display, I'd be aboit the same 2-4. At this point in time the squad should be dominated by English and Scots.

Well od those playing yesterday, I'd be starting Furlong, Tips, Stander, Biggar, Murray and Loopy Liam. North is in the balance, another big game or two from him and he's in.
That's pretty good representation.

@aa thats my point, you have picked 3 players out of the 30+ on display,

Counting not a strength then ffs

Here it is try and empty your mind of Wilkinson for a moment and go again.

At least 1 of the irish looseheads, Furlong, Stander, Murray, Sexton, Warburton, Tipuric, Webb, North and at least 1 of 1/2p or Williams will be on the plane unless they are crocked as well as one of the two hookers from last night.

@aa thats my point, you have picked 3 players out of the 30+ on display, I'd be aboit the same 2-4. At this point in time the squad should be dominated by English and Scots.

a_a's picks:

At least 1 of the irish looseheads, Furlong, Stander, Murray, Sexton, Warburton, Tipuric, Webb, North and at least 1 of 1/2p or Williams will be on the plane unless they are crocked as well as one of the two hookers from last night.

I make that 10! ....and I'd tend to agree, although I think that Tips may be unlucky/Lucky (whichever way you look at it) to miss out.

Just noticed that the Italy France game is on now....what the **** am I supposed to do tomorrow FFS!!!

Now?!

Well I think the tv prog has started as my box booted up to record it..I'm going for a bike ride...

Jambas was that an Eddie Jones' wind up?

North, Williams, Tipuric, Warbs, Henshaw, Sexton, Murray, Stander - without blinking

RW would be but against the AB you can't afford ****s in your team. At best it will be close and he is sure to screw up 1-2 a match. At least -6 pts before you start.

great game last night the Welsh scrum suprised me in competing with a very good Irish scrum and front row.

"Just a tackle" with a kiwi accent. I'm not sure my sides can stand this.

Anyone following the womans 6N?
England have scored over a point a minute for whole first half 😆

64-0 to the Red Roses.
Whilst it's an amusing score line I can't see how that will do anything to help grow the women's game in Scotland.

Wales have been terrible throughout the team. Biggar really ? North and h/p yes. Sexton is not the player he was, I'm struggling to think of anyone else from Ireland. NZ would have put 60+ points vs either of those sides or a "best of" yesterday.

An average England side are closing in on a second Grand Slam. That says as much about the opposition as Eddie Jones's coaching.

jambalaya. Furlong for Ireland has been excellent.

Ouch.

Double ouch.

Much as I want to see england snotted, it's never good to see landings like that.

Not nice to see, they just paid for it too

Wales have been terrible throughout the team.

Another Jamba fact 🙄

Joseph's had his best 15 mins of the tournament so far and Farrell appears to have remembered his kicking boots.

Good to see appluading when winning referee decisions, it adds another dimension.

Cracking try by jj