I think Curry has shown a slightly more rounded game than Underhill, and has nearly matched his physicality. I'm happy with either, and very happy with both.
Banquo wrote:Wilson is imo the class act of our flankers, and first choice at 6 for me.
I agree that he's a class act but wouldn't say he's THE class act on his own... Curry has been a revelation too imo.
He's just the best and classiest of them. Curry is still learning and a bit inconsistent, but Wilson has taken naturally to international rugby; hos breakdown work is superb in terms of decision making.
Really awkward that we might have injured players for game 1, because if we had all 31 available, I'd use Tonga as a second string starters game - but I'm not sure can do that at all
I'd personally look to have no-one starting who we expect to start the rest of the tournament…
(Itoje, Kruis, Billy, Farrell, May, Daly - from your list @Stom)
The issue is that we don't really have other options for Billy, Farrell, May, and Daly without introducing one of the other starters!)
By my reckoning, we have 6 injuries: Mako, Nowell, Wilson, Cokanasiga are definitely out as well as Slade and Singleton likely to be unavailable.
That means we need to pick our 23 from 25 players which is definitely less than ideal. It’ll have to be mix and match but with a few more first choice players in there than I’d like to risk.
As much as I’d like a few more players rested, that’s about the best we can do. Although, let’s not forget that this Tonga side is not as strong as some of their previous RWC sides.
By my reckoning, we have 6 injuries: Mako, Nowell, Wilson, Cokanasiga are definitely out as well as Slade and Singleton likely to be unavailable.
That means we need to pick our 23 from 25 players which is definitely less than ideal. It’ll have to be mix and match but with a few more first choice players in there than I’d like to risk.
Its a little worse than careless. Three longish term injured going into the tourney strikes me as too many given the mysterious balance of the squad. Not sure how much of a role Slade and Nowell can realistically play.
I thought Slade was supposed to have been touch and go for the Italy game, but as we haven’t heard anything since, I’m assuming he’s not fit. He could be ready to go for all we know.
The knocks to Wilson, Cokanasiga and Singleton are a pain, but in fairness to Eddie, I don’t see what we could have done differently to account for minor training injuries?
Scrumhead wrote:I thought Slade was supposed to have been touch and go for the Italy game, but as we haven’t heard anything since, I’m assuming he’s not fit. He could be ready to go for all we know.
The knocks to Wilson, Cokanasiga and Singleton are a pain, but in fairness to Eddie, I don’t see what we could have done differently to account for minor training injuries?
That wasn't the point I made. We've gone into the tournament with three players who have been out for ages, albeit they tried with Mako.
I did comment on another thread that we were taking a chance in bringing along 3 players who were unlikely to feature in the opening pool games. You only needed a couple of other injuries and you'd be down to the bare bones.
Well, guess what?
Bear in mind that the USA is 4 days after Tonga. If we pick up a few knocks in our first game you can forget any kind of planning. It'll be if you're fit, you're playing.
fivepointer wrote:I did comment on another thread that we were taking a chance in bringing along 3 players who were unlikely to feature in the opening pool games. You only needed a couple of other injuries and you'd be down to the bare bones.
Well, guess what?
Bear in mind that the USA is 4 days after Tonga. If we pick up a few knocks in our first game you can forget any kind of planning. It'll be if you're fit, you're playing.
The no.8 situation is a predictable selectorial cock up imo.
Still not sure what Eddie’s first choice XV is in its entirety. Who are our first (and numbered) choice back three, centers, stand off, flankers?
TheDasher wrote:Has Ludlam played 8 before? Anyone know?
We all know what the answer is:
Puja
Can only hope
I believe Ludlum has capacity to play 8 but Saints fans may know more - wouldn’t say hard yards carrying in tight traffic is particularly his style though. Would prefer to see a converted Itoje given a go if required.
jngf wrote:The no.8 situation is a predictable selectorial cock up imo.
Still not sure what Eddie’s first choice XV is in its entirety. Who are our first (and numbered) choice back three, centers, stand off, flankers?
You'd say that we're stuck with Daly at 15. I'll be surprised if the midfield isn't Ford/Farrell/Manu, although there is a slight chance that he's an idiot and thinks Farrell/Manu/Slade is still his best option.
