RugbyRebels

AL. wrote:Seeing a lot of people ariound the interweb calling for Graeham (G not D) as he adds "niggle" or "attitude", if coming on and sticking an elbow out late on a kicker, missing (and that player diving) and then shoving when clearly in the wrong is niggle then they can keep it.....

Is that a random example or he did he do that against France?

AL. wrote:Seeing a lot of people ariound the interweb calling for Graeham (G not D) as he adds "niggle" or "attitude", if coming on and sticking an elbow out late on a kicker, missing (and that player diving) and then shoving when clearly in the wrong is niggle then they can keep it.....

People seem to accept Wilson's and Fagerson Snrs piss poor attempts at niggle too.

To be fair he carried and tackled well when he came on. The elbow thing was overplayed by the French TV.

Mikey Brown wrote:

AL. wrote:Seeing a lot of people ariound the interweb calling for Graeham (G not D) as he adds "niggle" or "attitude", if coming on and sticking an elbow out late on a kicker, missing (and that player diving) and then shoving when clearly in the wrong is niggle then they can keep it.....

Is that a random example or he did he do that against France?

In the French dead ball area on Ntamac...it was quite pitiful if I remember correctly from my Stella haze.

He made minimal contact and Ntamac went down like he'd been shot. I don't think people want him included just because he's niggly. He carried well when he came on and showed some aggression. I'm sure he'll be told to reign in the silly stuff.

Speaking of Gary Graham, has he ever played 8? Not saying we play him there, just interested.

Our penalty count this 6N is piss-poor. Would welcome the abrasiveness but not at the expense of silly penalties. Suppose it’s a fine line.

Anyway, I’d like to see Bradbury start at 8, then Ritchie and Watson fill the other two slots.

I’m a big fan of Skinner, but would maybe have him on the bench for his comeback as he covers a number of positions. Gray and Gilchrist to start.

Captain Mcinally, with WP McNel and probably Dell (who I think has been decent this championship).

General Zod wrote:Our penalty count this 6N is piss-poor. Would welcome the abrasiveness but not at the expense of silly penalties. Suppose it’s a fine line.

Anyway, I’d like to see Bradbury start at 8, then Ritchie and Watson fill the other two slots.

I’m a big fan of Skinner, but would maybe have him on the bench for his comeback as he covers a number of positions. Gray and Gilchrist to start.

Captain Mcinally, with WP McNel and probably Dell (who I think has been decent this championship).

I like that.

Hmm. Don't really see Bradbury as an 8 but Watson is class and Ritchie has been our best player this tournament. I've given up on Ashe getting a shot.

This thing about Strauss not being able to put in a full, effective 80 (or even 60) is still concerning. He started off so well against Ireland too, but it's almost like it's hard to keep him revved up once he's won the shirt back. He's looked good off the bench a few times, maybe that's a good spot for him.

Bradbury literally is a No 8 in every way. He just doesn't play there because Mata is fantastic.

Fair enough. I’ll happily accept that if he’s good there. We’re certainly more blessed at flanker than 8.

Had him down more as a Moriarty sort, very good in the contact area but maybe not smart enough with the ball to offer that extra bit of linking. I’ll accept that’s both asking a lot (given we’ve been playing Wilson there for years) and dependant on what you really want from an 8.

General Zod wrote:Our penalty count this 6N is piss-poor. Would welcome the abrasiveness but not at the expense of silly penalties. Suppose it’s a fine line.

This, definitely.

Call it victim mentality/referee whining (and many will) but we also have to factor in double-standards from the officials. As a team down on their luck and expected to lose, we will not get a fair shake in the 50-50's against a team the media wan't to see in a grand slam finale on the final day.

Given we are ineffectual at the "streetwise" stuff anyway, were we to try the same as Ireland et al regularly get away with we will have 2 in the sin bin minimum.

Rock and a hard place. Try the "purist" approach by playing better rugby & we get done over by current resource constraints & streetwise opposition. Try it the other way and we get pinged, mercilessly.

Ye'll have to start the forward graham from his cameo, was just hungry for work and no harm if he has an edge yer so passive currently

Tough call between Watson and Richie, Watson is yer best 7 but Richie has been best player in tournie so far, Watson off the bench would be a nighmare for any team - guarantees 2 turnovers

Drop 9 and play with pace

Seen a few places now saying Laidlaw dropped.

When do we find out?

General Zod wrote:Seen a few places now saying Laidlaw dropped.

When do we find out?

I've seen a few hints on twitter saying the same. Team announcement is 13:00.

No Johnson?

Would have stuck with johnson at 12 but not overly fussed by horne being there. Good to see sense has prevailed with Laidlaw. Chuffed for Graham but it's poor that it's had to come about by injury. Would have started Watson over Strauss. Everyone else probably the right call for various reasons.

That is a very small backline and the injury option would appear to be putting Russell in the centres. Playing a Gatland team I can see this going poorly.

However pleased to see Graham start and Price back in to speed things up.

Yeah, if Grigg gets injured is it Hastings/Russell/Horne? I’d rather chance it on Russell, Horne , McGuigan/Kinghorn.

Actually I’d probably start with that given the option.

The more I look at that, the more I think our centres are going to have to have the game of their lives.

Stop looking!

OptimisticJock wrote:Stop looking!

General Zod wrote:The more I look at that, the more I think our centres are going to have to have the game of their lives.

Horne - 93kg
Grigg - 89kg
Total - 182kg

Parkes - 101kg
Davies - 104kg
Total - 205kg

Ritchie and Bradbury are going to have to be very busy.

switchskier wrote:

General Zod wrote:The more I look at that, the more I think our centres are going to have to have the game of their lives.

Horne - 93kg
Grigg - 89kg
Total - 182kg

Parkes - 101kg
Davies - 104kg
Total - 205kg

Ritchie and Bradbury are going to have to be very busy.

If those figures are right, I find them strangely reassuring, as I would have guessed at both Horne and Grigg being around the 80Kg mark.

Stones of granite wrote:

switchskier wrote:

General Zod wrote:The more I look at that, the more I think our centres are going to have to have the game of their lives.

Horne - 93kg
Grigg - 89kg
Total - 182kg

Parkes - 101kg
Davies - 104kg
Total - 205kg

Ritchie and Bradbury are going to have to be very busy.

If those figures are right, I find them strangely reassuring, as I would have guessed at both Horne and Grigg being around the 80Kg mark.

Taken from Wikipedia so not reliable. Still giving away 20kg which will take it's toll throughout the match and Wales tend to finish strong.