hugh_woatmeigh wrote:The main take out for me is with the 50/50 calls he's opted for the players least likely to play "the fastest rugby in the world"
It's strange. He seems to have done that in the backs but the forwards are generally the mobile options.
There are plenty of 50/50 calls and I don't agree but can see the logic. The lack of 13s makes no sense to me especially when the only out and out one is Harris. Swap him and Jones or Hutchison and I am reasonably happy.
Think Johnson and Taylor need to start together in the centres on Friday. I would pick a strong team. Something like:
Fagerson
Brown (if fit)
Reid/Dell
Gray
Cummings
Wilson
Ritchie
Thompson
Horne
Hastings
Seymour
Johnson
Taylor
Graham
Kinghorn (or move Kinghorn to the wing and play Hogg if he wants to play)
hugh_woatmeigh wrote:The main take out for me is with the 50/50 calls he's opted for the players least likely to play "the fastest rugby in the world"
It's strange. He seems to have done that in the backs but the forwards are generally the mobile options.
There are plenty of 50/50 calls and I don't agree but can see the logic. The lack of 13s makes no sense to me especially when the only out and out one is Harris. Swap him and Jones or Hutchison and I am reasonably happy.
Think Johnson and Taylor need to start together in the centres on Friday. I would pick a strong team. Something like:
Fagerson
Brown (if fit)
Reid/Dell
Gray
Cummings
Wilson
Ritchie
Thompson
Horne
Hastings
Seymour
Johnson
Taylor
Graham
Kinghorn (or move Kinghorn to the wing and play Hogg if he wants to play)
Under no circumstances should Hogg play on Friday.
hugh_woatmeigh wrote:The main take out for me is with the 50/50 calls he's opted for the players least likely to play "the fastest rugby in the world"
There are plenty of 50/50 calls and I don't agree but can see the logic. The lack of 13s makes no sense to me especially when the only out and out one is Harris. Swap him and Jones or Hutchison and I am reasonably happy.
A bit nit picking perhaps but would swapping Jones or Hutchinson for Harris still mean a lack of 13's?
hugh_woatmeigh wrote:The main take out for me is with the 50/50 calls he's opted for the players least likely to play "the fastest rugby in the world"
There are plenty of 50/50 calls and I don't agree but can see the logic. The lack of 13s makes no sense to me especially when the only out and out one is Harris. Swap him and Jones or Hutchison and I am reasonably happy.
A bit nit picking perhaps but would swapping Jones or Hutchinson for Harris still mean a lack of 13's?
Yes, because then we would have an out and out 13 we were happy to start a big gam along with a 12 (Taylor) who we would be happy to play there. I'm just surprised that we are one injury (to a very injury prone player) away from Harris starting a key game at 13. That's okay if we are in an injury crisis but we are not
To be fair Harris might go on and do absolutely fine. I have just been enjoying the fact over the last few years that we have had game breakers in the centres. I'm gonna create a new thread putting the squad selection behind us and focusing on the tournament
Hutchinson, though young and inexperienced, looks a bit special and seems to have the X factor. Pity he's left out. HuwJones too, who is a bit of a big match player and has shown his stuff in the past. Would like to see either ahead of Harris. Still - Johnson/Horne/Taylor are all good centres. Glad Horne made it - I think he is an underrated and clever 12.
I see. Wouldn't the Samoa, Russia & possibly Japan games be the ideal opportunity to get said experience in a relatively risk free game?
As things stand that just leaves 6 nations opponents which Hutchinson evidently can't be considered for due to the stated reasons.
Gregor should really give up on the logic and reasoning - he really isn't very good at it!
Or at least devise ones that can't be instantly contradicted. Not enough games for Jones but goes with Thomson & Taylor etc.
If they are personal preferences just say so. I doubt folk would argue with honesty & accountability.
"He’s looked in unbelievable shape in training but we haven’t seen enough in the game and a half he’s had with us to get himself into that final squad. We know he’s on his way back to his best form, but it just wasn’t enough.” If that's the logic, fine, but then Taylor?
