RugbyRebels

From a neutral perspective I reckon Goneva has been incredible and easily deserves it.

http://www.englandrugby.com/news/five-s ... ear-award/

Head says Simmonds. Heart says Goneva.

If Dean Richards isn’t Coach of the Year I’ll be very suprised.

Big breakthrough season for Simmonds but Goneva has been a key player for Falcons.
Deano simply has to be the coach of the year.

Give every single award to Marcus Smith.

Goneva for definite - he's scored so many important tries for Falcons. Agreed also that Richards is coach of the year, without competition.

Puja

Was Goneva considered a big loss when he left Leicester? I was under the impression he had faded a fair bit but has looked great the last few seasons.

Mikey Brown wrote:Was Goneva considered a big loss when he left Leicester? I was under the impression he had faded a fair bit but has looked great the last few seasons.

I distinctly remember saying something along the lines of, "Great servant, but we've had the best of him and he's on the downward slope. Best for all that he steps down a level."

Richards has done very well to get an Indian summer out of him. Whereas in contrast we got the square root of fuck all out of JPP Pietersen who was his replacement.

Puja

That is a tough one. Ruan Ackermann's definitely last, but I'd struggle to rank the other 4.

Puja

Puja wrote:That is a tough one. Ruan Ackermann's definitely last, but I'd struggle to rank the other 4.

Puja

Well, I'd have Simmonds winning the main award, so I'd have Willis for the breakthrough.

Interesting that they're all backrowers, except Adams...

Puja wrote:That is a tough one. Ruan Ackermann's definitely last, but I'd struggle to rank the other 4.

Puja

He trailed off a bit towards the end of the season as did glos but he was top quality earlier on. I agree though it's very tough to call between all of them.

Mikey Brown wrote:Was Goneva considered a big loss when he left Leicester? I was under the impression he had faded a fair bit but has looked great the last few seasons.

he was a loss but JPP at nearly 200,000 less was viewed a better deal at the time.

Stom wrote:

Puja wrote:That is a tough one. Ruan Ackermann's definitely last, but I'd struggle to rank the other 4.

Puja

Well, I'd have Simmonds winning the main award, so I'd have Willis for the breakthrough.

This

Puja wrote:

Mikey Brown wrote:Was Goneva considered a big loss when he left Leicester? I was under the impression he had faded a fair bit but has looked great the last few seasons.

I distinctly remember saying something along the lines of, "Great servant, but we've had the best of him and he's on the downward slope. Best for all that he steps down a level."

Richards has done very well to get an Indian summer out of him. Whereas in contrast we got the square root of fuck all out of JPP Pietersen who was his replacement.

Puja

yep- that seemed the consensus. He's been a revelation at Falcons, where he didn't look a dream fit. Just shows shouldn't judge a Deano book by the cover.

Veainu wins. I don’t see anybody tipping him for England, though. #poormansLeBougeois

18 matches
1,410 minutes
7 tries
239 carries
1,520 metres
89 defenders beaten
21 offloads

Averaged nearly 4 defenders beaten a game
and 84 meters a game.

Insane stats when you look at it.

Puja wrote:

Mikey Brown wrote:Was Goneva considered a big loss when he left Leicester? I was under the impression he had faded a fair bit but has looked great the last few seasons.

I distinctly remember saying something along the lines of, "Great servant, but we've had the best of him and he's on the downward slope. Best for all that he steps down a level."

Richards has done very well to get an Indian summer out of him. Whereas in contrast we got the square root of fuck all out of JPP Pietersen who was his replacement.

Puja

I really hope that the identical rationale for offloading Banahan and bringing in Cokanasiga has the opposite result of offloading Goneva in favour of JPP

I think Banahan ha been massively underrated for quite a long time. If that means anything. I think if he were a mere 6’3” he would, oddly enough, be deemed a far better player given what he offers.

Mikey Brown wrote:I think Banahan ha been massively underrated for quite a long time. If that means anything. I think if he were a mere 6’3” he would, oddly enough, be deemed a far better player given what he offers.

I'll never forget him being tackled 5 meters from the line by Shane Williams

Yeah I really never got why that was such a massive deal. I’ve never seen Williams get his tackle technique so right before.

Mikey Brown wrote:I think Banahan ha been massively underrated for quite a long time. If that means anything. I think if he were a mere 6’3” he would, oddly enough, be deemed a far better player given what he offers.

Agreed. He's become a very astute player over the last few years as well - reading the game very well and being in the right place consistently in attack and defence.

I suspect he'll go on to be an exceptional coach.

Puja

He's a very good player - and has changed the way he does things season by season, and seems to have become an intelligent leader. A club legend, who probablyli could have had more caps had he stayed out wide, rather than trying to learn to be a centre.
Predicting coaching success from playing style though... has never really worked.

I think a 3 year contract for a 30+ year old winger is a hell of a gamble though.

Which Tyler wrote:He's a very good player - and has changed the way he does things season by season, and seems to have become an intelligent leader. A club legend, who probablyli could have had more caps had he stayed out wide, rather than trying to learn to be a centre.
Predicting coaching success from playing style though... has never really worked.

I think a 3 year contract for a 30+ year old winger is a hell of a gamble though.

Don't think it is that much of a gamble.
He doesn't have a injury problem as far as i'm aware, his game isn't based of pace.

Personally I think he will do for Glaws what Niki did for Falcons.
He also adds a shit ton of experience in a pretty young Gloucester team i think he will do the job.

Goneva and Richards win.