RugbyRebels

Scrumhead wrote: ↑Wed Nov 16, 2022 8:27 am

Puja wrote: ↑Tue Nov 15, 2022 11:46 pm

FKAS wrote: ↑Tue Nov 15, 2022 9:46 pm I'm hoping for something like this from Eddie;

Genge, George, Sinckler
Hill, Itoje
Willis, Vunipola, Curry
JVP, Smith
Farrell, Manu
May, Steward, Freeman

LCD, Mako, Stuart, Coles, Simmonds, Youngs, Slade, Porter

That would of course require Eddie to acknowledge we don't need a lock sized blindside for every game. Coles offers good lines in attack, ditto Simmonds. I don't think this will be a game decided before the final quarter and having that impact will help and obviously Two Try Guy is there as well. Some pace on both wings with both good under the high ball is going to be key for this one as well.

Guardian reckons Itoje will go back to lock, but only to make room for Simmonds and BillyV to play in the same back row. Not entirely sure how Eddie looks at JWillis and doesn't see him as one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Puja

Me neither. If Lawes was fit, I could understand him being in at 6 and captain. Since he’s not, the obvious option was to play Curry and Willis in tandem (doesn’t matter who wears 6 or 7).

With NZ struggling at the breakdown vs. Scotland, I’d like to think Willis is at least in contention to start. I doubt he will though.

It would be harsh to drop Simmonds after last weekend, but if we’re looking at ‘horses for courses’, I’m really not sure playing him as a flanker is the way to go.

FKAS wrote: ↑Tue Nov 15, 2022 9:46 pm I'm hoping for something like this from Eddie;

Genge, George, Sinckler
Hill, Itoje
Willis, Vunipola, Curry
JVP, Smith
Farrell, Manu
May, Steward, Freeman

LCD, Mako, Stuart, Coles, Simmonds, Youngs, Slade, Porter

That would of course require Eddie to acknowledge we don't need a lock sized blindside for every game. Coles offers good lines in attack, ditto Simmonds. I don't think this will be a game decided before the final quarter and having that impact will help and obviously Two Try Guy is there as well. Some pace on both wings with both good under the high ball is going to be key for this one as well.

Scrumhead wrote: ↑Wed Nov 16, 2022 10:41 am Not sure saying that Freeman is a better all round player is really ‘flak’ against Cokanasiga?

I think Cokanasiga is a good player. I just happen to think Freeman (and a few others) offer more.

Scrumhead wrote: ↑Wed Nov 16, 2022 10:41 am Not sure saying that Freeman is a better all round player is really ‘flak’ against Cokanasiga?

I think Cokanasiga is a good player. I just happen to think Freeman (and a few others) offer more.

Oakboy wrote: ↑Wed Nov 16, 2022 11:03 am

Scrumhead wrote: ↑Wed Nov 16, 2022 10:41 am Not sure saying that Freeman is a better all round player is really ‘flak’ against Cokanasiga?

I think Cokanasiga is a good player. I just happen to think Freeman (and a few others) offer more.

Agreed. I don't think Coka has quite lived up to expectation but that does not mean that he can't improve. He looks functional and effective rather than a major threat - based on his two games in the AIs. Maybe it was wrong to expect him to trample over opposing defenders but if he was stopped comfortably by his first tackler from Argentina and Japan, how much of a threat would he be against NZ in current form?

I'd pick May, Watson, Daly and Freeman ahead of him without a second thought. Also, I maintain that Nowell and Coka is not a balanced pairing. Selecting Nowell at all is another debate (I would have him ahead of Coka but not the other four).

morepork wrote: ↑Wed Nov 16, 2022 4:03 pm Centres are one of our major weaknesses, and the coach, and I hope to fork you keep Farrell at 12 to counter our comedy handling there with some angry bad decision making and pissing off the ref.

Scrumhead wrote: ↑Wed Nov 16, 2022 10:41 am Not sure saying that Freeman is a better all round player is really ‘flak’ against Cokanasiga?

I think Cokanasiga is a good player. I just happen to think Freeman (and a few others) offer more.

p/d wrote: ↑Wed Nov 16, 2022 5:17 pm

Scrumhead wrote: ↑Wed Nov 16, 2022 10:41 am Not sure saying that Freeman is a better all round player is really ‘flak’ against Cokanasiga?

I think Cokanasiga is a good player. I just happen to think Freeman (and a few others) offer more.

That’s probably the more balanced view.

I just don’t think as highly of Coka as others seem to. Certainly don’t peg him as first choice

Peej wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:26 am I don't get picking Simmonds as a flanker, particularly over Willis. And Itoje reverting to lock for our most important game shows what a balls that whole idea was, it's not like the same players weren't available.

Not sure what more Coles could have done. Hill has been decidedly average.

francoisfou wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:31 am

Peej wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:26 am I don't get picking Simmonds as a flanker, particularly over Willis. And Itoje reverting to lock for our most important game shows what a balls that whole idea was, it's not like the same players weren't available.

Not sure what more Coles could have done. Hill has been decidedly average.

+1 Is there a serious line-out option in this back row?

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:44 am Seems wild to have two 13s on the bench. Would surely have made more sense to have Freeman to inject a bit of pace if needed.

Nice to see JVP trusted though. Might be the beginning of the end for BYoungs with England if he plays well.

Puja

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:44 am
Nice to see JVP trusted though. Might be the beginning of the end for BYoungs with England if he plays well.

Puja

Peej wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:26 am I don't get picking Simmonds as a flanker, particularly over Willis. And Itoje reverting to lock for our most important game shows what a balls that whole idea was, it's not like the same players weren't available.

Not sure what more Coles could have done. Hill has been decidedly average.

Peej wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:26 am And Itoje reverting to lock for our most important game shows what a balls that whole idea was, it's not like the same players weren't available.

twitchy wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 12:41 pm

Peej wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:26 am I don't get picking Simmonds as a flanker, particularly over Willis. And Itoje reverting to lock for our most important game shows what a balls that whole idea was, it's not like the same players weren't available.

Not sure what more Coles could have done. Hill has been decidedly average.

CM speculating that he will rotate with billy at the base of the scrum.

francoisfou wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 12:34 pm I’m surprised that Mako V’s name is still there.