[2014 EOYT] Week 1 Worst XV

[ianw16]

Certainly wouldn't put Cruden in there. Goal kicking aside, he did everything else pretty much right, and scored a try. Everything that Farrell isn't in that position, to be honest. Goal kicking can be fixed, but I doubt Farrell will ever be considered an international class 10, outside of the England coaching set up. Tough on Faumuina too; also scored a try and contributed well around the park. It's not all about the few scrums that may or may not happen. Having players who can catch and carry for 24 phases in the p*ssing rain, without knocking on and giving away scrums is also important!
I'd give a special nomination to the two clowns who let Kaino waltz between them to set up the first try.

 

[nickdnz]

Not sure I agree with all that. Coles was pretty good in what he did, other than that brain explosions after being pulled down. I think people are extremely harsh on Vunipola, the guy was very heavily targeted and still made metres. I actually thought he was the most effective Losse-Forward for England. In 52 minutes he made a clean break, beat 2 defenders, 7 carries (for 24 metres), made four tackles and missed one. Not horrific by any means. Cruden was fine other than goal kicking which he was terrible. Not bad with ball in hand though. Conrad Smith has missed two tackles and got 20 in this EOYT- so still tackling at 90%. I thought he didn't get many opportunities but he certainly wasn't bad - it looked like the D line was always a bit short with Cruden hanging back, and May just had great pace to get between the two Smiths. My shout would have been Brad Barrett - made plenty of tackles but missed plenty, only ran for 2m!!! and had 3 carries in 80 minutes. He is credit with a try assist, but really just shuffled the ball onto May who had individual brilliance. All the back three is pretty fair.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Good thread.

I defy anyone to make a case for any ten except Farrell...Care might have been saved by Houggard, but tempting to go for the all-England pairing because they're used to each other and more likely to bring their poor form to the top level together, bringing out the worst in each other. I'd also put forward Marcelo Bosch for outside cetnre, I've never seen a good, experienced international centre look so clueless with the ball in hand, honestly it was unfathomable. Possibly Imhoff on the wing? I feel Argentina deserve more than two (and actually I didn't think Hernandez was the worst) for that performance.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Good thread.

I defy anyone to make a case for any ten except Farrell...Care might have been saved by Houggard, but tempting to go for the all-England pairing because they're used to each other and more likely to bring their poor form to the top level together, bringing out the worst in each other. I'd also put forward Marcelo Bosch for outside cetnre, I've never seen a good, experienced international centre look so clueless with the ball in hand, honestly it was unfathomable. Possibly Imhoff on the wing? I feel Argentina deserve more than two (and actually I didn't think Hernandez was the worst) for that performance.

Always good to stick to proven combinations! I had a good LOL, thanks. +1

 

[lynam1104]

@Peat Who would you bring in for one of Wood/Robshaw? Haskell? Kevisic?

 

[Rich Taff]

I'd have to stick Hook in there somewhere.

(Yes, I think he stinks that much for Wales)

 

[Mikel92]

Agreed. Did everything he could to keep England in that game.

Agreed. You guys were offside in a scoring position quite blatantly, that's one yellow card he missed. Should have penalized Hartley if anything. Whitelock's attempt was a try.

 

[nickdnz]

Agreed. You guys were offside in a scoring position quite blatantly, that's one yellow card he missed. Should have penalized Hartley if anything. Whitelock's attempt was a try.

Drop it.

 

[Mikel92]

Nope.

 

[j-dawg]

Agreed. You guys were offside in a scoring position quite blatantly, that's one yellow card he missed. Should have penalized Hartley if anything. Whitelock's attempt was a try.

Penalized for shirt holding...oh dear

 

[Big Ewis]

I think people are extremely harsh on Vunipola, the guy was very heavily targeted and still made metres. I actually thought he was the most effective Losse-Forward for England.

ooh. Big Fruitian slip there...I mean *Freudian.

 

[Peat]

@Peat Who would you bring in for one of Wood/Robshaw? Haskell? Kevisic?

Haskell is the obvious one if fully fit at the moment. He's explosive, he's strong, he jackals well.

Kvesic needs more international gametime to see where he's at, he's a good possible solution.

Other possibilities
- Joe Launchbury - England are rapidly reaching the point where we have more quality locks than we know what to do with, Launchbury in the back row could allow us to get more of our better players onto the pitch.

- Dave Ewers - Big, big man in some very solid form.

- Tom Croft - If ever fit again.

Also - Will Fraser, Maro Itoje (little down the line), Sam Burgess (little down the line) and picking both Morgan and Vunipola (probably requires best breakdown tight five)

 

[goodNumber10]

I'd have to stick Hook in there somewhere.

(Yes, I think he stinks that much for Wales)

He didn't play.

Agreed. You guys were offside in a scoring position quite blatantly, that's one yellow card he missed. Should have penalized Hartley if anything. Whitelock's attempt was a try.

Keep the thread on topic please...


****sorry double post****

 

[Rich Taff]

He didn't play.

I know. He's just that bad!