[2014 Mid-Year Tests] England vs Barbarians

[Rich Taff]

Who was the lad in the backs, who looked about 12yrs old and was continually flattened (especially when the baabaa's winger tripped into him). I thought he was fullback at first, but he kept being in the wrong place at the wrong time when people came in on the crash ball. That boy has got guts up to his ears. He looked mashed up, but never shirked a tackle, and deserves incredible plaudits for it.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

That was Henry Slade, our 10.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Ja... JWC winning 10, Henry Slade.

 

[j'nuh]

Would like to highlight the casual sexism from the Sky commentary team - "I won't say anything about women drivers" - directed towards a woman who was operating the cart, which stopped/stalled, taking Tommy Taylor (I think?) off the field when he sustained an injury.

 

[ratsapprentice]

It was Dewi Morris - to which his partner was clearly embarrassed by, hinting heavily to him that he was a ****ing idiot.

 

[Thingimubob]

It was Dewi Morris - to which his partner was clearly embarrassed by, hinting heavily to him that he was a ****ing idiot.

Yeah I picked that up too, was just thinking that he'd be following Inverdale if he kept on like that. Think his partner was thinking the same!

 

[nickdnz]

How epic is Hosea Gear...

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

An example for me being he seemed to think Wallace had a great game whereas I thought he was poor - or at least, impactless.

Saying Daly can't tackle is unnecessarily harsh. Agree he's been done twice on the outside in consecutive weeks but in truth if, as gear showed, you straighten and fix the defender and then step and take him on round the outside, you can make it incredibly hard for even the best defenders. Daly does it to other guys for fun and today he got some of his own medicine. Apart from that, he had a bit of a Goode- esque flap trying to track back and tackle but no reason to throw the baby out the bath water yet etc.

 

[The5thOfficial]

Probably off topic and more than likely opening myself up for a load of abuse, but can anyone tell me why there were no Welsh players in the Babas? Probably due to the fact they are on tour in SA but?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Probably off topic and more than likely opening myself up for a load of abuse, but can anyone tell me why there were no Welsh players in the Babas? Probably due to the fact they are on tour in SA but?

The probabales vs possibles game was on Friday so that took 46 players out of the equation.

 

[Patchey]

Sky should let Will Greenwood have a crack at commentating, he's a greta analyst and I'd rather have his input on the go that Morris or Barnes spewing down the microphone.

 

[Thingimubob]

The probabales vs possibles game was on Friday so that took 46 players out of the equation.

Plus all the injuries on top of those not released by clubs I'd imagine

 

[goodNumber10]

Sky should let Will Greenwood have a crack at commentating, he's a greta analyst and I'd rather have his input on the go that Morris or Barnes spewing down the microphone.

He's shocking at commenting, great pundit but i recall listening to him commentate once and he told some outlandish story about bob dwyer chasing ducks (I sh*t you not)

 

[Patchey]

He's shocking at commenting, great pundit but i recall listening to him commentate once and he told some outlandish story about bob dwyer chasing ducks (I sh*t you not)

Okay, maybe not then...

 

[goodNumber10]

An example for me being he seemed to think Wallace had a great game whereas I thought he was poor - or at least, impactless.

Saying Daly can't tackle is unnecessarily harsh. Agree he's been done twice on the outside in consecutive weeks but in truth if, as gear showed, you straighten and fix the defender and then step and take him on round the outside, you can make it incredibly hard for even the best defenders. Daly does it to other guys for fun and today he got some of his own medicine. Apart from that, he had a bit of a Goode- esque flap trying to track back and tackle but no reason to throw the baby out the bath water yet etc.

I've noticed that kind of defensive error from him a few times - was the same when playing for Barbarians last year, and when he's played 15 for WASPS. He's a poor defender at 15 - saying he gets stood up isn't an excuse if he wants to be international quality he needs to not get suckered in by a show and go like that.

Having said that, i still think he would be a better option for us at 13 or even 12 - he's got a great pass on him, and a huge boot, and he won't get stood up like that playing 12, he's make his hits or be flattened, and he's actually a solid old unit carrying the ball - great footwork and can get his arms free if needs be.

He's an awesome player, he's just not a 15 for me - if that makes sense.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I've noticed that kind of defensive error from him a few times - was the same when playing for Barbarians last year, and when he's played 15 for WASPS. He's a poor defender at 15 - saying he gets stood up isn't an excuse if he wants to be international quality he needs to not get suckered in by a show and go like that.

Having said that, i still think he would be a better option for us at 13 or even 12 - he's got a great pass on him, and a huge boot, and he won't get stood up like that playing 12, he's make his hits or be flattened, and he's actually a solid old unit carrying the ball - great footwork and can get his arms free if needs be.

He's an awesome player, he's just not a 15 for me - if that makes sense.

I agree plus Mike Brown offers so much at 15 already. Daly would make a good 12 IMO as he can create something from nothing, is deceptively strong and has that same trait Mike Brown has of being able to beat the first tackler. Having Tuilagi or Burrell running off his breaks would be deadly, especially with the likes of Yarde supporting them too. I'm getting all warm and fuzzy thinking about my ideal England team now.

 

[Patchey]

I'm not going to get drawn in to the 'can Daly defend' debate, other than to say that his positioning is clearly a weakness (perhaps his only major weakness).

As for his as a 12, yes in principal buy have you seen the lines he runs? Putting him at Inside Centre wouldn't allow him to make those beautiful arcing runs that see him glide outside his opposite man and allow him to make yard himself or to put a support running in acres of space. For my money he should, as Peat suggested, be coached intensively on his defensive positioning and used as a utility back from the bench. Just the idea of being able to replace Brown or Burrell with someone with Daly's attacking threat is very exciting.

 

[TheSaffycen]

I've said for a while that i see Daly as a Matt Giteau esque player. 12/13/15 are his positions and with Lancaster loving Full backs on the wing then i guess 14 as well. I mean imagine 9.Care 10.Farrell/Cips 11.Yarde 12.Burrell 13.Tuilagi 14.Daly 15.Brown then players like Eastmond on the bench to keep it up, Daly can come in at first and second reciver play off his wing and just roam looking for holes.

 

[The5thOfficial]

The probabales vs possibles game was on Friday so that took 46 players out of the equation.

Plus all the injuries on top of those not released by clubs I'd imagine

Thanks guys. I've been out of the loop so long. Now I know.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I can't see Daly working at 12 at all.

He's gonna try and set his stall out at OC next season, judging by Wasps' signings.