2013 British and Irish Lions

[Draggs]

Bowe gave us the winning try last year with a lineout. There are numerous for each player.
Cuthbert is still developing in rugby, but as he is in Wales, he isn't afforded the chance to improve.
Romano is what, 6'6"? No big deal if a 6'0" player pushes anoter 6'0" player over. Bear in mind he was just going the other way to cover Savea and had to switch, so probably off-balance. I remember North couldn't defend for beans when he first started. Still has some issues as well. I feel as if Alex cops a lot of flack purely because of his size. He is far beyond the likes of James, Czekaj, Stoddart, Brew, et al.

@Olyy. I don't know. I was just saying that Mather and Hanley were big player who were fairly hyped and did little internationally. I know you luvs your Cuets so I wasn't sure if it applied to all Sale boys.
As an aside, what did happen to Mather? Hanley had relatively successful club career after his cap.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hanley's big?! He was a lanky streak o' ****!

Fantastic finisher, mind. Couldn't defend for sh*t though. Had this exact convo with Cymro yesterday :lol:

 

[Draggs]

Hanley's big?! He was a lanky streak o' ****!

Fantastic finisher, mind. Couldn't defend for sh*t though. Had this exact convo with Cymro yesterday :lol:

Well, big for the era. We had Nick Walne around the same period, so you weren't the only ones.

 

[psychic duck]

Anymore incompatible clips? Here's Cuthbert missing a tackle and North making an offload, therefore North is better. What an apt and applicable comparison. Also, I take issue with Halfpenny being the form back in Wales. Personally I think his kicking game is factored into his general play far too much, which, when evaluating back three players, probably isn't a worthwhile issue when comparing.

If you want to move North's form forward a game be my guest. He's been dire for a long while now. Overhyped, as Draggs said.

Your taking the clips out of context.

Cuthbert wasn't much better than North in November, is the context of the first Gif. The second Gif was saying a different point about North since the RWC.

Read the full points in their context instead of just watching the Gifs. Your like a guy reading a nude-magazine, just looking at the pictures and ignoring the text and context of them.

North hasn't been at his best since the Ireland game, but he certainly hasn't been "dire" and doesn't make too many mistakes just hasn't been as noticeable with ball in hand as previous. He had a fairly good game against England, I remember him notably having a good game against the Cardiff Blues late last season as well. Plus he has scored 7 tries this season (third highest in the league), as many as Cuthbert and not bad for a player who is apparently playing "dire". He hasn't however scored since October, which after that month was when his form dipped in my opinion.

Bowe gave us the winning try last year with a lineout. There are numerous for each player.

Cuthbert did several in a few weeks though. That was probably one of the only howlers Bowe made all season.

@Olyy. I don't know. I was just saying that Mather and Hanley were big player who were fairly hyped and did little internationally.

Hanley had one cap when he was 19 and Craig Quinnell ended his career by steamrollering him to the delight of Welsh fans. Kind of like how Henson embarrassed Tait on his debut when he was very young. He hardly had much opportunity to be fair.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bt6cm48nPF0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

 

[TRF_Cymro]

This thread's last few pages has been a hoot.

North steam rolled Cuthbert when they have played against each other. Cuthbert defence is weak and he makes basic errors, despite his flashy runs. North is a good winger, Wales are currently not using him well.

Basically North is not 'rubbish' or 'overhyped' as some are making out. If anything Cuthbert is the hyped one and needs to improve.

 

[Draggs]

Nobody hypes Cuthbert though
The general consensus is that he is decent.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Nobody hypes Cuthbert though
The general consensus is that he is decent.

Media and has been on this forum too.

Could be worse could have more wingers from the Turks and Dragons playing!

 

[dullonien]

This thread's last few pages has been a hoot.

North steam rolled Cuthbert when they have played against each other. Cuthbert defence is weak and he makes basic errors, despite his flashy runs. North is a good winger, Wales are currently not using him well.

Basically North is not 'rubbish' or 'overhyped' as some are making out. If anything Cuthbert is the hyped one and needs to improve.

This, although I don't think Cuthbert is overhyped more than any other player who's consistently playing well.

North has been struggling to get himself into games recently, for region and country, but this has more to do with how both teams have been playing recently. It's been back-foot ball for both backlines, and this is limiting the opportunities for North to get going. He's a marked man every time he plays, and couple that with being on the back-foot
and often up against more than one defender and it's going to be difficult for him to make an impression. The play in which he got injured against Ulster is a good example of this. He beats the first man, and generally does well, but because he's having to do it all himself there are defenders covering and he get's tackled before creating anything further.

Some defensive frailties have come to light in North's game, there's no denying that, but that is often the case with players his age. I think people often forget that he's still young and still learning.

Cuthbert also struggled for Wales in the AI's, and it's not surprising when the forward platform isn't there to provide front-foot ball.

 

[Draggs]

Media and has been on this forum too.

Could be worse could have more wingers from the Turks and Dragons playing!

Little Will is claaaaaaaaaass mate.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

I agree with Cymro and Dullonien about how North is being used. There' also perhaps the difficulty for a young player of trying to live up to expectations based on his strong early form. Perhaps expectations have got a little too high for the time-being.

I don't think it would hurt Wales to have two wingers of contrasting styles. I may be shot down here but I'd be a fan of having 1/2p back on a wing where he can be a genuine game-changer. I'd then think about using Hook at full-back, with North on the other wing. Alternatively, Prydie impressed me for Wasps at the end of last season.

 

[Draggs]

Tom has been pretty good for us this season. His boot has been pretty accurate, but he receives almost no ball when playing on the wing.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Tom has been pretty good for us this season. His boot has been pretty accurate, but he receives almost no ball when playing on the wing.

Is that something to lay at the door of the midfield perhaps? Quite often phases seem to begin and end with Tuilagi...

 

[Draggs]

Is that something to lay at the door of the midfield perhaps? Quite often phases seem to begin and end with Tuilagi...

It is exactly that.
I hope Dixon knows how to pass, otherwise we have no chance for the next few seasons.

I wonder if Prydie could play in midfield? He is quick, decently-sized and can kick. We will have to see about his distribution.

 

[dullonien]

I don't think it would hurt Wales to have two wingers of contrasting styles. I may be shot down here but I'd be a fan of having 1/2p back on a wing where he can be a genuine game-changer. I'd then think about using Hook at full-back, with North on the other wing. Alternatively, Prydie impressed me for Wasps at the end of last season.

Having two wingers with contrasting styles would be nice, but ultimately if North and Cuthbert are the best option then so be it. If we want a winger with a contrasting style, then I don't think there's a need to look past Eli Walker. I personally want to see Halfpenny stay at fullback, he's getting better and better there imo. He's already extremely good at all the basics of fullback play, positioning, defence, kicking game and under the high ball, and he's quickly developing his offensive game, hitting the line with a bit more purpose etc. Give him another year there and he'll not only be one of the best in the NH, but one of the best in the world imo.

If we were looking for someone else, then why not return to Byrne? He's recaptured his form at Clermont, and we all know that there aren't many better than an on-form Byrne. He hits the line better than most, and his kicking game can bring so much to a game. Liam Williams is another option, but he needs to learn how to field high balls first. I would have Fussell next in line. He's starting to show some consistent form at fullback for the Ospreys and is so often their catalyst in games. Next in line should then be Dan Fish imo. He's behind Halfpenny at the Blues, but he impresses me almost every time he plays. I'd then have Prydie and Ross Jones on relatively equal footing. Neither are getting gametime at fullback, but both doing some good stuff on the wing.

Hook is not a fullback, and I don't want to see him played there again unless he's got to be shifted there during a game because of injury. It's his worst position by a long stretch. This doesn't mean he's a terrible fullback, but he really doesn't offer much attacking threat from deep.

 

[psychic duck]

I saw both Shane Horgan and Will Greenwood put lock Nathan Hines in their Lions squads as a wildcard selection. What are people's thoughts on this?

I know he's getting on now, but he's been on great form for Clermont (and won a contract extension) and was an important part of the Leinster team a couple of years ago. He is retired from international but is still playing with one of the best teams in Europe in big games, so I think he could have a role in the squad similar to how Simon Shaw did in 2009.

 

[Jockstap]

I saw both Shane Horgan and Will Greenwood put lock Nathan Hines in their Lions squads as a wildcard selection. What are people's thoughts on this?

I know he's getting on now, but he's been on great form for Clermont (and won a contract extension) and was an important part of the Leinster team a couple of years ago. He is retired from international but is still playing with one of the best teams in Europe in big games, so I think he could have a role in the squad similar to how Simon Shaw did in 2009.

If he's still performing like he was for Leinster I'd have him in a heartbeat. He's a massively underrated player.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I'd have him in the squad if he is playing well for Clermont. Would add some grunt to the second row.

 

[Draggs]

Ahead of:
Gray
Lawes
AW Jones
Launchbury
Ryan
Parling
Evans

No, probably not.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hard to say - definitely a good player, and better than some options as the "grunt" lock (Lawes and Gray, on current form, for example).
How many locks usually tour? I don't think he will, to be honest - the combination of playing in France and not playing international anymore will count against him (I know Gatland is considering France based players, but considering they miss the first part of the training/first game (I think?) I think only established Gatland players will be chosen).

 

[psychic duck]

Hard to say - definitely a good player, and better than some options as the "grunt" lock (Lawes and Gray, on current form, for example).
How many locks usually tour? I don't think he will, to be honest - the combination of playing in France and not playing international anymore will count against him (I know Gatland is considering France based players, but considering they miss the first part of the training/first game (I think?) I think only established Gatland players will be chosen).

4 or 5 normally, can also depend on whether any of back row selected cover lock.