I knew it. This is the best we’ll see of Wales and the All Blacks before they fade, only for the new England team to rise and win back the Web Ellis Trophy at Twickers of all places. 😛
True, it’s not the strongest Argie side but England have played some surprisingly good stuff. Besides, Argentina are always pretty tough at home, no matter who’s playing for them.
Wade has looked terrific in creating opportunities for others as well as electric with ball in hand.
Joseph and Strettle just botched a great chance though…..
Not overly impressed by ksevic, Joseph or brown. Eastman deserves an opportunity and foden is still England’s best FB. Care would have had a field day today. Webber will be very unlucky to lost the shirt to youngs. 36 was very good.
Sean Maitland, Alex Cuthbert, Brian O’Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, George North; Stuart Hogg, Conor Murray; Alex Corbisiero, Richard Hibbard, Dan Cole, Richie Gray, Ian Evans, Sean O’Brien, Justin Tipuric, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Rory Best, Ryan Grant, Matt Stevens, Alun Wyn Jones, Toby Faletau, Mike Phillips, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny.
**** Zebo the Lions need someone like Hook. Hogg at ten with 1/2p as cover on the bench. Its a nightmare. Apparently sexton has a hamstring twinge. We’re DOOMED…
Please let Wade replace Ashton! Strettle was pretty good too. Burns had a pretty good game, not as good in the tackle as Farrel though. 36 looked reasonable, Launchberry was very good as was Morgan.
Brown was abysmal, Marler average, Kvesic pretty crap. Argentina were dire though so hard to read too much into it.
Wow tough crowd…..more carries and tackles in the first half than just about anyone else and some great offloads too…….and a try. Other than that, yep useless 😯
Grey is a better lineout option imo and I would fear Tuilagi being exposed in defence. Hooker is my biggest worry none of the options are that great and Sexton gets broken we are screwed.
I still think that Rory is the best option-throwing is pretty wayward though. Agreed that Grey is better in the lineouts, but is very fragile and nowhere near as reliable in defence as AWJ. Agreed re Tuilagi too (Christ that’s 3 times that I’ve agreed with you today!) but he offers so much more as a ball carrier. The doctor hasn’t carried well all season from what I’ve seen-certainly not as well as in the past.
Edit: Given that Bowe looks properly broken and Zebo is so inexperienced at this level, what odds 1/2p at wing and Hogg at full back?
1/2p on wing and Hogg/Kearney at full back looks like a good plan. I can see North being used as inside centre alongside BOD with Cuthbert on the other wing.
What concerns me is just who are they going to call up as back up at fly half? Sexton sounds iffy and Farrell just doesn’t run Gatland game plan.
Roberts carrying and defence were brilliant v england. Ran over Robshaw several times, Tuilagi on the otherhand seem easier to keep quiet. Roberts is the more conservative pick and bringing Tuilagi on later could work well. Hogg might be a wing option? For all his faults we might well still see Cuhbert.
Well if Hogg goes well at 10 and Gatland solves one of Scotland’s problem positions I will thank him. However I don’t see how he could really be expected to cover there at test level this tour.
Problem is who do you call up. Biggar, Madigan, Laidlaw, Burns or Hook. Bit of a dearth of experienced and quality fly Half wise right now.
Think hogg was expected to cover 10 without actually having to play there on tour except perhaps once, like tuesday, to see if he can. From a scotland point of view I just hope he does not get messed about like paterson did. I personally think he is a FB.
Agree pretty much with a_a’s team except maybe manu for roberts unless roberts has a big game on tuesday. Would stick with grey think awj and poc are pretty similar grey offers something a bit different.
When does gatland start looking to the first test and resting players, 1 or 2 games before?
I think Manu as a sub isn’t a bad idea. Can you imagine Roberts running at you for 50-60 minutes then Manu coming on? 😯
Weird observations by a_a though, burns and Morgan were very good yesterday. As for Hogg at 10 😯 That’s not going to end well.
Posted 11 years ago
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