STW 2014/15 Rugby Thread

Jonathon Sexton
Wouldn’t even make the AB bench. May make the bok bench.
wesley fofana
He really wouldn’t
George north
Perhaps the only exception (for the boks)
1/2p
No chance whatsoever.
Neither welsh centres would make the bench of either team.

I fundamentally think all would have played against Scotland for the AB on Saturday.
Sexton really was outstanding against the Boks and is in the shortlist for world player of the year on form Carter is nowhere near form amd cruden missed some chances.

De Villiars has done nothing for a few years now, Roberts and/or Davies would do better jobs and would both suit the “style”. I’d have North over either Pieterson or the current Habana

Fofana looked great against the ABs last year and I was expecting him to shine in the 6 nations yet he did very little

did any french player?

De Villiars has done nothing for a few years now, Roberts and/or Davies would do better jobs and would both suit the “style”.

To be honest, Roberts hasn’t done anything for just as long and Davies sparkled for the Lions but has never looked that good before or since. I can see a valid argument for North.
It’s not a swipe; the ABs and the boks are the two best teams on the planet.

I fundamentally think all would have played against Scotland for the AB on Saturday.

Well they might well get into the 2nd XV…..

Roberts hasn’t done anything for just as long and Davies sparkled for the Lions but has never looked that good before or since.

You must only watch England games then or only want a centre who scores tries.

1/2p is a fantastic player and just what Wales & Lions need but if you’ve got a reliable 10 to kick goals as ABs and Boks have then you don’t need his kicking and of recent his carrying hasn’t been great. Not only would he not get in their squads Williams would be pushing him for his spot in the Welsh squad if Biggar or Priestland were any use.

and of recent his carrying hasn’t been great.

Hasnt played much more than 4 games since the last six nations.
All blacks goal kicking wasnt very reliable against England though. Carter is very good but Barett and Cruden are not that great.

Not only would he not get in their squads Williams would be pushing him for his spot in the Welsh squad if Biggar or Priestland were any use.

Biggar is a decent 10 and a very very good goal kicker, Williams is not anywhere near 1/2p’s standard.
The reason 1/2p doesnt counter attack much for Wales is that the lack of kicking options from the wings means he has to stay back much more than a lot of fullbacks to cover kicks. He’s not as good as any number of all black options or SA and Aus for that matter though.

Williams carries the ball better and just seems to ride challenges, his tackling is improved and he’s got decent distance on his kick, he’s not as reliable as 1/2p under a kick and he’s not a place kicker. They’re different players for the same position but if you’ve got a good 10 some of 1/2p’s benefit is lost.

Williams carries the ball better and just seems to ride challenges, his tackling is improved and he’s got decent distance on his kick, he’s not as reliable as 1/2p under a kick and he’s not a place kicker.

Williams is excellent under the high ball really brave, its what comes of being utterly mental but he is a brainless numpty, he looks good for Scarlets and he looked good against Fiji but he does nothing against better opposition. Halfpenny is a class fullback who has done it at the top level. Much as Williams is an abrasive nasty horrible lovable bandy legged rogue his top two inches are lacking.

Nowt wrong with that 😳

Steve Walsh is still an asshat 😀

You must only watch England games then or only want a centre who scores tries.

Forgive me for having an opinion. If Manu and Burrell were fit, I wouldn’t take either of the welsh centres for England. I’d have north though. Please.

Personally I’d have North and Savea as the two best wingers in the world. On last years form, I’d have had Brown as the best 15 in the world….this year, I’d say he’s not even been the best in England. On current form, I’d guess that Sexton is probably the best 10 in the world? 1/2p is probably the best place kicker. Dan Carter in any kind of form is quite simply the best 10 ever for me. Centre’s, leaving aside Brad Barritt as being in a league of his own 🙂 I’d struggle to see any NH centre getting into either the Boks or AB sides….Fofana can make the bench possibly.

World xv anyone?

World 15

Folou
Savea
Not sure Conrad Smith has dipped
Gavin Henson
North
Cooper/an on form Carter
Dont know
Some big angry Saffa
Kaino
Warburton
Whitelock
Elsbeth
Fat lad 1
Fat lad 2
Fat lad 3

pretty good I’m sure you’ll agree!

North is the only one that would add something to any other side, whether he is better than what that team has might be in question, but he is a very very good player and destined to be one of the all time greats.

Manu and Burrell were fit, I wouldn’t take either of the welsh centres for England.

Good we werent offering them anyway!! England should stick to poaching saffas, kiwi’s and those lovely Vunipola lads they’re welsh.

AA, your list sucks, it needs Kieran Read and Richie McCaw for a start. You can keep Kaino and Whitelock in.

That picture always makes me smile….the fact that he’s a year older than the others as well as looking monumentally pissed off is a beautiful combination 🙂

Can’t see much wrong with your world xv, Hovis is a world ahead of Maccaw at 7…..I’ve no idea why people call you one eyed at all 😆

Didnt pick Read as he’s injured isnt he?
Would have Kuridrani at 13.

Warbutton? 😆

Folau
Talebula
C Smith
SBW
Savea
Sexton
A Smith
Read
McCaw
Kaino
Lawes
Attwood
Wilson
Hartley
Marler

Hartley 😯

Hartley

Well you gotta give the opposition a chance by going down to 14 men now and again.

TBH there are better individuals in the tight five from other sides but England’s unit seems second to none. That and I couldn’t be bothered picking any more….

Folou
Savea
Smith
SBW
North
Sexton/an on form Carter
Dunno, Care? That New Zealand bloke
Read
McCaw
Kaino/Wood
Whitelock
Etzbeth
Dunno
Mealamu
Woodcock/Corbs when fit

Folou
Savea
Smith
SBW
North
Sexton/an on form Carter
Dunno, Care? That New Zealand bloke
Read
McCaw
Kaino/Wood
Whitelock
Etzbeth
Dunno
Mealamu
Woodcock/Corbs when fit

Not bad, I could go with that, although I dont think Mealamu is that great anymore, Kaino is way better than Wood (who is a damn good player) but Kaino does defence like Lydiate and carries in open play like Tipuric whilst still able to make hard yards up the guts. oh and Care wouldnt be my choice at 9.

Obviously SBW stands for Sexy Boyo from Wales ie Gav!

Lawes
Attwood
Wilson
Hartley
Marler

a good number of those arent even the best in England let alone the world. Does anyone else think Lawes goes AWOL against good teams?

Lambs to the slaughter:

WALES TEAM

Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), George North (Northampton Saints), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys); Paul James (Bath), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (unattached), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), James Hook (Gloucester), Liam Williams (Scarlets).

Hope Davies is fit, about as good as we can do, I would have started Phillips. Seems Priestland may have played himself out of contention, although Hook is covering 10,12,13 I suppose. No Gethin but then James will not be available for the SA game so Gethin likely to start that I suppose.

Well. Haskell for Vunipola, wiggles worth for Care, and Twelvetrees for the small bloke. ForReal? still 10.

Hardley lights my fire…. Haskell might go well but the fact he replaces 8 shows Lancaster is scared to move Robshaw IMO.

Does anyone else think Lawes goes AWOL against good teams?

I think Lawes was targetted by the ABs hence going off with concussion. I do take your point though, he’s OK worth his place but doesn’t stand out at the top level.

BTW love the world side featuring Cooper and Henson, made me smile 🙂

Haskell might go well but the fact he replaces 8 shows Lancaster is scared to move Robshaw IMO.

Disagree, I think wood is very lucky to retain his place on recent performances. Very surprised that Morgan isn’t starting, bit unfair on him IMHO.

Cooper can be beyond brilliant, I love watching him play.

I’m very happy for him to be playing against England, he’s too erratic.

To be fair I haven’t been watching Wood. What’s been wrong?

These guys are in the 23 that starting line up isn’t announced yet. But I’m hoping Morgan will start with Haskell as replacement for Morgan I guess, with Burrel back to the club and Eastmond injured twelvetrees will be in. I reckon Yarde will be in for May as well.

I think that announces England attention to attack Samoa technically and clear the ball (hopefull) from defense.

He’s been giving away a lot of penalties in areas he really shouldn’t. The hask(tm) is a 6 in my eyes.
Bloody hell the cupboards really are bare at 12 aren’t they? It’s an embarrassment to english rugby that 36 is even considered.

Burrel is now fit and plays 12 in a very good attacking team. Anthony Allen at Leicester, Jonathan Joseph at Bath etc, all good players.

I’m fairly certain that Farrell will play at inside centre (as predicted a few pages ago). Lancaster (I think) had them there at age group rugby however it really says all that needs to be said that due to poor form, Farrell is looking likely to be moved out of position instead of being dropped…. unbloodybelievable!

Farrell is looking likely to be moved out of position instead of being dropped…. unbloodybelievable!

Indeed 😯

Dont worry you will put a hatfull on Samoa and the press will be happy again, it will all be sweetness and light and england will be world beaters again 😆

You’re probably right pigface, however I despair. How can the largest pool of players produce this carp?

@tiny – because we have the wrong player in one very important position

How can the largest pool of players produce this carp?

Well I think its due to the relentless drudge of the Premiership, look at France the Top 14 compares to the prem and they are under performing too.
What we need is a world based season with time for domestic competitions and time for international competitions and have them separated in the way they do in NZ and SA etc.

@tiny – because we have the wrong player in one very important position

but the only other option is Ford and he aint proven