Wingers

[Oakboy]

Just what is our pecking order:

Daly
May
Nowell
Ashton
Coka
Roko
Solomona

I think Coka is over-rated because some fool has told him to run straight at defenders. It used to work when the likes of Lomu only had Catt in front of him but there are no defenders left that weak at international level. He could still be useful if he developed a rugby brain.

Ashton? How did he sneak back in? Will he really get on the RWC plane?

[Scrumhead]

Hard to call. Watson will also be in the mix once he is fit.

Assuming that he can find form quickly enough, he’s almost a certainty for being first choice one the wing or at 15.

May deserves his place after a sustained run of very good form and Daly will be in the back three somewhere.

Cokanasiga offers something different to any of the other wingers we have and if he gets the chance to back his performances against Japan and Australia in th 6N, he’s in.

Then it’s one of Ashton or Nowell and anyone else is only going to be involved in an injury crisis.

[Mikey Brown]

Daly, May, Watson (if 15 is occupied), Cokanisiga, Ashton, Nowell for me. I don’t really get the case for Nowell.

[WaspInWales]

Doesn't Eddie rate Nowell highly?

[Timbo]

Don’t get the comments about Cokanasiga not having a rugby brain.

It’ll be interesting to see how many back 3 players Eddie takes to the WC. If Joseph is one of 4 centres they may go with just 5 back 3. If so, mine would be Brown, Watson, Daly and May...then a 3 way battle between Cokanasiga, Ashton and Nowell (would have had Yarde in the mix before his injury). Thorley would be my bolter if there are injuries.

[padprop]

Watson
May
Daly
Coka
Ashton
Nowell

Watson was our best winger when fit and scored a silly amount of tries. Was the best winger in the british Isles in 2017.

May and Daly is a toss up, Daly always makes the squad, just depends if its on the wing or the number 23 jersey.

Of course Watson will most likely go full back and I support that, but he has looked far more dangerous on the wing for me.

[Scrumhead]

IMO, Watson, May and Daly are our best back three players, but unless Watson can really nail the 15 spot in the limited time he’ll have to do it, I’d be more inclined to go with just two of the three.

I was all for the experiment of Daly at 15, but it hasn’t worked and I’m of the opinion that picking our best three players isn’t the same as our best back three unit and maybe Brown is needed.

Brown was excellent on Friday (perhaps his decision to regrow his hair is a sign of a mini-Renaissance) and he offers a defensive solidity at 15 that none of the others can match as well as a better attacking game than he gets credit for.

[Gloskarlos]

Watson and May for now.

I’m going to throw Thorley into the mix post World Cup, he’s been phenomenal the past few weeks, if he can keep it going I think he’s in the next closest group

[Stom]

For me, it's simple. There are 5 spots up for grabs, maybe 6.

These are:

May, Daly, Watson, Big Joe.

Then one/two from Brown, Nowell, Ashton

And backup from Solomona, Earle and Roko.

And that is pretty damn good by my books.

[Lizard]

I don’t really watch NH domestic rugby but from what I saw of Cokonasiga in November, he does look a little bit one-dimensional. Of course he probably hasn’t hit his test straps yet but unless he’s got something more than being a big, fast lad who runs straight, he will be figured out within a season or two.

[Stom]

I don’t really watch NH domestic rugby but from what I saw of Cokonasiga in November, he does look a little bit one-dimensional. Of course he probably hasn’t hit his test straps yet but unless he’s got something more than being a big, fast lad who runs straight, he will be figured out within a season or two.

Well, it's lucky the WC is within that time frame, then!

[Puja]

I don’t really watch NH domestic rugby but from what I saw of Cokonasiga in November, he does look a little bit one-dimensional. Of course he probably hasn’t hit his test straps yet but unless he’s got something more than being a big, fast lad who runs straight, he will be figured out within a season or two.

He's got a very nice step on him (as shown in the Australia game where he beat three men and nearly scored), but he's also a bit callow and needs to develop his decision making (as shown in the Australia game where he beat three men and nearly scored, but didn't because he decided to run over Haylett-Petty rather than around him and thus got caught by Pocock). Lots to learn, but he's got time and youth on his side to learn it. I agree with Which's point on another thread that, while he probably isn't first choice on merit yet, he should be given the whole 6N as a crash course to get some experience into him, because he's got such a high ceiling for development.

Puja

[WaspInWales]

I don’t really watch NH domestic rugby but from what I saw of Cokonasiga in November, he does look a little bit one-dimensional. Of course he probably hasn’t hit his test straps yet but unless he’s got something more than being a big, fast lad who runs straight, he will be figured out within a season or two.

He's got a very nice step on him (as shown in the Australia game where he beat three men and nearly scored), but he's also a bit callow and needs to develop his decision making (as shown in the Australia game where he beat three men and nearly scored, but didn't because he decided to run over Haylett-Petty rather than around him and thus got caught by Pocock). Lots to learn, but he's got time and youth on his side to learn it. I agree with Which's point on another thread that, while he probably isn't first choice on merit yet, he should be given the whole 6N as a crash course to get some experience into him, because he's got such a high ceiling for development.

Puja

Definitely.

I'll be very disappointed if he doesn't start the majority of matches in the 6N. Eddie knows what the other wingers bring to the table, but I think there's enough raw talent on show to warrant a chance at a RWC plane reservation. Even if Cokanasiga doesn't start in Dublin or even Cardiff, it would be nice to see what he can offer from the bench in those matches, and start all our home matches.

[Oakboy]

Ah well, I suppose we have to allow for Jonesism. He made a song and dance about recalling Ashton. He has always rated Nowell, who at 15 stones plus has sometimes been our heaviest back. Now, he's got Coka as a bigger lump.

I'm not happy about any experimentation going forward from now. I'd go back to May and Daly as 1st choice wingers and stick with them. There's going to be enough disruption in other parts of the backline as it is, especially if Watson and Tuilagi get fit enough to be seriously considered for starting shirts.

[Lizard]

I don’t really watch NH domestic rugby but from what I saw of Cokonasiga in November, he does look a little bit one-dimensional. Of course he probably hasn’t hit his test straps yet but unless he’s got something more than being a big, fast lad who runs straight, he will be figured out within a season or two.

Well, it's lucky the WC is within that time frame, then!

A good point, well made. Although there aren't many wingers who make a big splash at a RWC and don't go on with it. Nehe Milner-Skudder, maybe, but that's due to a horrible tendency for his arms to come off at the shoulder under the slightest pressure.

I would think that 5 6N matches, a couple of warm-ups and a few pool games will be enough for the video analysts to do their stuff and figure out any unremediated problems.

(Of course you should bear in mind that about 15 years ago, I confidently explained how converted winger Ma'a Nonu was a one-dimensional bash-artist who would be pushed out of the Black jersey in a season or to by a player with some actual skill and temperament.)

[Galfon]

If EJ goes for a 2/3 split Fb/W like Burt did,
then Brown would probs. sneak in as specialist Fb with Watson, and May/Daly/Coka as wings.
With Watson much to prove fitness wise, I can see Daly going as Fb with Nowell as the 3rd wing ( with his added extra dimension..)
I'd only take Ashton if May was not available, as the joker in pack.

[Danno]

If EJ goes for a 2/3 split Fb/W like Burt did,
then Brown would probs. sneak in as specialist Fb with Watson, and May/Daly/Coka as wings.
With Watson much to prove fitness wise, I can see Daly going as Fb with Nowell as the 3rd wing ( with his added extra dimension..)
I'd only take Ashton if May was not available, as the joker in pack.

Bold of you to assume Brown is not considered a winger by EJ

[Mikey Brown]

Doesn't Eddie rate Nowell highly?

Yeah I suppose this is asking what EJ’s order is, not what mine would be. He does seem to rate Nowell a lot. I’m sure his GPS data is great or something.

When is Watson expected to be back? I wouldn’t like to pin too many hopes on him given the injury and 100% of his worth as a player being his acceleration. He’s an incredible finisher but he’s as bad as Nowell defending 1-on-1.

[fivepointer]

Watson and May for now.

I’m going to throw Thorley into the mix post World Cup, he’s been phenomenal the past few weeks, if he can keep it going I think he’s in the next closest group

Thorley has been terrific. 2 more cracking tries at the weekend. One to watch.

For now, its Watson, Daly, Coka, May and Nowell but it is dependent on whether Daly stays at FB, or if Watson is played there.

[Oakboy]

If EJ goes for a 2/3 split Fb/W like Burt did,
then Brown would probs. sneak in as specialist Fb with Watson, and May/Daly/Coka as wings.
With Watson much to prove fitness wise, I can see Daly going as Fb with Nowell as the 3rd wing ( with his added extra dimension..)
I'd only take Ashton if May was not available, as the joker in pack.

Bold of you to assume Brown is not considered a winger by EJ

There is no doubt in MY mind that our best back three for a match tomorrow is Brown at FB with May and Daly on the wings. Daly is right up there as one of the best wings in world rugby. He is an ordinary FB or centre. If Watson can get fit in time and convince he might get the 15 shirt.

I simply cannot guess what Jones will do. Would any of us have recalled Ashton? Would any of us (selecting our best back three) have played Brown on the wing?

[Puja]

If EJ goes for a 2/3 split Fb/W like Burt did,
then Brown would probs. sneak in as specialist Fb with Watson, and May/Daly/Coka as wings.
With Watson much to prove fitness wise, I can see Daly going as Fb with Nowell as the 3rd wing ( with his added extra dimension..)
I'd only take Ashton if May was not available, as the joker in pack.

Bold of you to assume Brown is not considered a winger by EJ

There is no doubt in MY mind that our best back three for a match tomorrow is Brown at FB with May and Daly on the wings. Daly is right up there as one of the best wings in world rugby. He is an ordinary FB or centre. If Watson can get fit in time and convince he might get the 15 shirt.

I simply cannot guess what Jones will do. Would any of us have recalled Ashton? Would any of us (selecting our best back three) have played Brown on the wing?

In retrospect, that was actually a good decision, it gave Daly an extra 4 games to play full-back and we have now learned something from the experience. Sadly, it's that Daly is not an international 15, but 8 games means we now know that for definite.

I will of course recant this if it turns out we haven't learned anything and he starts at 15 vs Ireland.

Puja

[Digby]

I've no idea how we've learnt Daly can't play 15, we can see he's struggled but whether he comes good is a guess. I am however confident Brown isn't the answer to us being any good, whether Daly is the answer is at least a maybe

[Puja]

I've no idea how we've learnt Daly can't play 15, we can see he's struggled but whether he comes good is a guess. I am however confident Brown isn't the answer to us being any good, whether Daly is the answer is at least a maybe

...really?

He's had 8 matches and 7 consecutive tests and has been consistently out of position, making basic errors in skills he's normally good at, and has been an active liability under the high ball to the extent that oppositions have been targetting him. How many more games do we need to give him to come good?

Puja

[Digby]

I've no idea how we've learnt Daly can't play 15, we can see he's struggled but whether he comes good is a guess. I am however confident Brown isn't the answer to us being any good, whether Daly is the answer is at least a maybe

...really?

He's had 8 matches and 7 consecutive tests and has been consistently out of position, making basic errors in skills he's normally good at, and has been an active liability under the high ball to the extent that oppositions have been targetting him. How many more games do we need to give him to come good?

Puja

No idea. But when I can ask the same question of Brown we either take a punt of a talent who might come good or we take a punt on a steady but limited player. Myself I'd rather take the punt with the potential upside but I get others may pick more conservatively

[Scrumhead]

But this goes back to my earlier point ... simply picking our best three back three players and hoping it works is not the right solution. It might work with Watson at 15, but as others have said, it would be foolish to hang our hat on him finding fitness and form.

Part of being a coach is finding the right combinations. As a case in point, Jordan Larmour is an infinitely more talented player, but Joe Schmidt is far happier picking Rob Kearney for the games that matter.

I feel the same about Brown.