Puja wrote:I have to say, I'm not exactly seeing evidence from this game for the much touted "now there's no relegation, people will express themselves and play much more rugby" that was being bandied about in the buildup. Irish still look like they're either doing one-out runners or kicking the leather off it. Maybe no-one's told Myler that he's allowed to throw the ball around like a Barbarian now that relegation's gone?
Plus, this Irish side isn't exactly showing the plethora of EQP that was promised either. It's possible that teams still don't want to lose, even without the threat of relegation, and teams down the bottom of the table are there because they're crap, not crap because they're near relegation and scared?
Puja
By much touted, you mean a couple of comments on this board ??
Chris Boyd talked about it, as did Kay, Healey, and a few of the BT Sport team.
Puja wrote:I have to say, I'm not exactly seeing evidence from this game for the much touted "now there's no relegation, people will express themselves and play much more rugby" that was being bandied about in the buildup. Irish still look like they're either doing one-out runners or kicking the leather off it. Maybe no-one's told Myler that he's allowed to throw the ball around like a Barbarian now that relegation's gone?
Plus, this Irish side isn't exactly showing the plethora of EQP that was promised either. It's possible that teams still don't want to lose, even without the threat of relegation, and teams down the bottom of the table are there because they're crap, not crap because they're near relegation and scared?
Puja
By much touted, you mean a couple of comments on this board ??
Chris Boyd talked about it, as did Kay, Healey, and a few of the BT Sport team.
Puja
Fair enough-,though one swallow doesn’t make a summer or summat
Puja wrote:I have to say, I'm not exactly seeing evidence from this game for the much touted "now there's no relegation, people will express themselves and play much more rugby" that was being bandied about in the buildup.
That's because it was always a rubbish argument that was never going to happen - just look at other ringfenced leagues; or what's happened with virtual ringfencing in the Prem before (LW)
Puja wrote:I have to say, I'm not exactly seeing evidence from this game for the much touted "now there's no relegation, people will express themselves and play much more rugby" that was being bandied about in the buildup.
That's because it was always a rubbish argument that was never going to happen - just look at other ringfenced leagues; or what's happened with virtual ringfencing in the Prem before (LW)
A better argument is using younger players rather journeymen imports. If you have them. But the playoffs and top 6 also demand being results driven
Puja wrote:I have to say, I'm not exactly seeing evidence from this game for the much touted "now there's no relegation, people will express themselves and play much more rugby" that was being bandied about in the buildup.
That's because it was always a rubbish argument that was never going to happen - just look at other ringfenced leagues; or what's happened with virtual ringfencing in the Prem before (LW)
{gif of Deadpool giving an overexaggerated expression of shock}
Can anyone tell me how Hutchinson played? We have Ireland away, got utterly dismantled by them in the World Cup and have lost both Finn Russell and Darcy Graham. It would be great to hear something positive. A bit worried he’s played an awful lot in the last 18 months.
Mikey Brown wrote:Can anyone tell me how Hutchinson played? We have Ireland away, got utterly dismantled by them in the World Cup and have lost both Finn Russell and Darcy Graham. It would be great to hear something positive. A bit worried he’s played an awful lot in the last 18 months.
Played well, I thought. His tactical kicking was excellent.
Mikey Brown wrote:Can anyone tell me how Hutchinson played? We have Ireland away, got utterly dismantled by them in the World Cup and have lost both Finn Russell and Darcy Graham. It would be great to hear something positive. A bit worried he’s played an awful lot in the last 18 months.
Played well, I thought. His tactical kicking was excellent.
Scotland coaches probably don’t even know what that means, but good to hear. Thanks.
Mikey Brown wrote:Can anyone tell me how Hutchinson played? We have Ireland away, got utterly dismantled by them in the World Cup and have lost both Finn Russell and Darcy Graham. It would be great to hear something positive. A bit worried he’s played an awful lot in the last 18 months.
Played well, I thought. His tactical kicking was excellent.
Scotland coaches probably don’t even know what that means, but good to hear. Thanks.
Puja wrote:I have to say, I'm not exactly seeing evidence from this game for the much touted "now there's no relegation, people will express themselves and play much more rugby" that was being bandied about in the buildup.
That's because it was always a rubbish argument that was never going to happen - just look at other ringfenced leagues; or what's happened with virtual ringfencing in the Prem before (LW)
Maybe, but this season doesn’t work as a trial run anyway. The (possible) benefits of a closed league would be that teams would revamp recruitment, bring in more young players, adjust their tactical approach, training methods etc. Have more of a long term view to squad building.
None of that will happen because squads are fixed for this season, and then we’re back to the grind in 6 months. Nobody is going to leave out expensive imports for a bunch of kids, especially when you’ll need those imports next season. And teams won’t change style, as they’re more likely to want to refine an attritional approach that might keep them in the league next season.
Puja wrote:I have to say, I'm not exactly seeing evidence from this game for the much touted "now there's no relegation, people will express themselves and play much more rugby" that was being bandied about in the buildup.
That's because it was always a rubbish argument that was never going to happen - just look at other ringfenced leagues; or what's happened with virtual ringfencing in the Prem before (LW)
Maybe, but this season doesn’t work as a trial run anyway. The (possible) benefits of a closed league would be that teams would revamp recruitment, bring in more young players, adjust their tactical approach, training methods etc. Have more of a long term view to squad building.
None of that will happen because squads are fixed for this season, and then we’re back to the grind in 6 months. Nobody is going to leave out expensive imports for a bunch of kids, especially when you’ll need those imports next season. And teams won’t change style, as they’re more likely to want to refine an attritional approach that might keep them in the league next season.
Fair point on recruitment.
I don't really get the argument that it'll make teams more expansive though - teams still don't like losing and if they think attritional play will get them a W, they'll play that way. No-one will ever think, "I don't mind losing," even if there's fewer consequences.
Mikey Brown wrote:Can anyone tell me how Hutchinson played? We have Ireland away, got utterly dismantled by them in the World Cup and have lost both Finn Russell and Darcy Graham. It would be great to hear something positive. A bit worried he’s played an awful lot in the last 18 months.
Mediocre by his standards, imo. He did kick quite nicely, and Saints are using him increasingly as a distributor. But he’s lost his running game for now, which is what really set him apart last season. And he was pretty flimsy in defence- distinct lack of physicality (but that was the same with Saints all over the pitch).
Which Tyler wrote:
That's because it was always a rubbish argument that was never going to happen - just look at other ringfenced leagues; or what's happened with virtual ringfencing in the Prem before (LW)
Maybe, but this season doesn’t work as a trial run anyway. The (possible) benefits of a closed league would be that teams would revamp recruitment, bring in more young players, adjust their tactical approach, training methods etc. Have more of a long term view to squad building.
None of that will happen because squads are fixed for this season, and then we’re back to the grind in 6 months. Nobody is going to leave out expensive imports for a bunch of kids, especially when you’ll need those imports next season. And teams won’t change style, as they’re more likely to want to refine an attritional approach that might keep them in the league next season.
Fair point on recruitment.
I don't really get the argument that it'll make teams more expansive though - teams still don't like losing and if they think attritional play will get them a W, they'll play that way. No-one will ever think, "I don't mind losing," even if there's fewer consequences.
Puja
Personally I understand it.
I do think teams would look at games more like playing to win rather than not to lose.
Although I guess the main key is more the weather.
We do tend to see more expansive rugby in the later months of the season for a reason.
Mikey Brown wrote:Can anyone tell me how Hutchinson played? We have Ireland away, got utterly dismantled by them in the World Cup and have lost both Finn Russell and Darcy Graham. It would be great to hear something positive. A bit worried he’s played an awful lot in the last 18 months.
Mediocre by his standards, imo. He did kick quite nicely, and Saints are using him increasingly as a distributor. But he’s lost his running game for now, which is what really set him apart last season. And he was pretty flimsy in defence- distinct lack of physicality (but that was the same with Saints all over the pitch).
Hmm. I’ve wondered how much his focus has changed, with moving back and forth between 12 and 13, to act as more of a permanent playmaker and not be making the runs out in the wide channels.
As you say that’s where he was really excelling, particularly last season, and haven’t seen so much of recently.
Puja wrote:I have to say, I'm not exactly seeing evidence from this game for the much touted "now there's no relegation, people will express themselves and play much more rugby" that was being bandied about in the buildup.
That's because it was always a rubbish argument that was never going to happen - just look at other ringfenced leagues; or what's happened with virtual ringfencing in the Prem before (LW)
Maybe, but this season doesn’t work as a trial run anyway. The (possible) benefits of a closed league would be that teams would revamp recruitment, bring in more young players, adjust their tactical approach, training methods etc. Have more of a long term view to squad building.
None of that will happen because squads are fixed for this season, and then we’re back to the grind in 6 months. Nobody is going to leave out expensive imports for a bunch of kids, especially when you’ll need those imports next season. And teams won’t change style, as they’re more likely to want to refine an attritional approach that might keep them in the league next season.
Some of that may happen, though i accept clubs will have to keep in mind we will be back to relegation next season. We may see a shift in emphasis over the coming rounds of matches. The Premiership still has over half its course to run so there is the scope for teams to look at doing things a bit differently.
We'll just have to wait and see if they grasp the opportunity.
Mikey Brown wrote:Can anyone tell me how Hutchinson played? We have Ireland away, got utterly dismantled by them in the World Cup and have lost both Finn Russell and Darcy Graham. It would be great to hear something positive. A bit worried he’s played an awful lot in the last 18 months.
Mediocre by his standards, imo. He did kick quite nicely, and Saints are using him increasingly as a distributor. But he’s lost his running game for now, which is what really set him apart last season. And he was pretty flimsy in defence- distinct lack of physicality (but that was the same with Saints all over the pitch).
Hmm. I’ve wondered how much his focus has changed, with moving back and forth between 12 and 13, to act as more of a permanent playmaker and not be making the runs out in the wide channels.
As you say that’s where he was really excelling, particularly last season, and haven’t seen so much of recently.
Yeah, I feel the same re. Hutchinson. The ability is obviously there, he’s just not been able to show the same x-factor that was so obvious last season.
Timbo wrote:
Mediocre by his standards, imo. He did kick quite nicely, and Saints are using him increasingly as a distributor. But he’s lost his running game for now, which is what really set him apart last season. And he was pretty flimsy in defence- distinct lack of physicality (but that was the same with Saints all over the pitch).
Hmm. I’ve wondered how much his focus has changed, with moving back and forth between 12 and 13, to act as more of a permanent playmaker and not be making the runs out in the wide channels.
As you say that’s where he was really excelling, particularly last season, and haven’t seen so much of recently.
Yeah, I feel the same re. Hutchinson. The ability is obviously there, he’s just not been able to show the same x-factor that was so obvious last season.
