2014 QBE Internationals [EOYT] England

[goodNumber10]

He has all the pace and power to work of counter attack ball, if he is in space he is just incredible. He is also the best winger we have working in tight conditions, I think he is our best winger for the style we play. Added to that a scary powerful defensive game and I think he will be playing opposite Savea in the Autumn.

well fingers crossed, i'd like to see him playing.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I've always thought Roko was a great counter attacker - with his pace and agility he thrives in broken field running.

 

[Crapspray]

He certainly looked that way on Friday night. Made a mess of Jamie George with a hand-off. Half of Sarries' problem was that they kept booting the ball down his throat when trying to exit their 22.

 

[goodNumber10]

I've always thought Roko was a great counter attacker - with his pace and agility he thrives in broken field running.

He is.

Ok, just before you lot all round the wagons I'd like to point out I haven't said he's a bad counter attacker, but he does a lot of damage off the back of Eastmond and Fords passing game - and he's stronger there than counter attack imho.

Additionally it's all very well saying he can counter attack off the back of a couple of good showings for bath in the prem, but counter attack systems are different in every team and if he doesn't settle into the England system they don't offer him anywhere else to go in a game - this is one of the reason Ashton struggles so badly in the current England set up as he just can't fit their counter attack system and he needs to be part of a bigger team attack pattern.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I wouldn't personally, he was incredible against Sarries, but (and i hate to keep saying this) will he fit into the England style of play?

England look for their wingers to work off counter attack ball, not 1st line attack, where Roko really is excellent..

Watching the Bath games, the wingers seem to do just fine off counter attack ball. Bath seem to excel in attacking from their own 22. If you can find footage of the Sarries game, there was a moment in the Bath 22 where Henson popped up a pass to Roko who then stormed all the way up the pitch. Christ the guy has put front row forwards on their arses as well has having a very good step.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps9D48V9gow

He also managed to stop Vunipola in his tracks.

 

[Crapspray]

I think he'd do well (though he's not my first choice for the All Blacks game) because he's good at finishing in traffic. Looking back recently where Ashton (Argentina) and May (Ireland) failed to score was when they were given terrible, slow passes which ate up the space on the outside. Both got caught and either got held up or spilled it. That was one of the reasons I though Tuilagi might do alright on the wing; if there's anyone who can bash through a couple of defenders five yards out it's him.

So that's where I'd see him doing well: close situations, where England have butchered an overlap, and he's heading for the corner flag. (Which we all know we'll see countless times this autumn.) Counter-attack shouldn't be a big problem because England mainly use Brown and Vunipola. It's rare to see the winger run it back.

 

[goodNumber10]

Watching the Bath games, the wingers seem to do just fine off counter attack ball. Bath seem to excel in attacking from their own 22. If you can find footage of the Sarries game, there was a moment in the Bath 22 where Henson popped up a pass to Roko who then stormed all the way up the pitch. Christ the guy has put front row forwards on their arses as well has having a very good step.

he then butchers the counter attack with an awful kick through...

Like i said, he can counter attack - look at Stringers try against Leicester - my point is he is better of the flowing attacks that bath produce and he wont' get that in an england shirt.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

he then butchers the counter attack with an awful kick through...

Like i said, he can counter attack - look at Stringers try against Leicester - my point is he is better of the flowing attacks that bath produce and he wont' get that in an england shirt.

The guy on the opposite wing was open and calling for a kick, he didn't make it work but if he'd got more power on it then it could have been a try. However even after the butchered kick Bath still got a penalty that they would not have got otherwise so from being pinned in their 22 to a penalty near the opposition 22, I call that successfull. He made something from absolutely nothing there. Defensively he's a rock and he has enough power to work in tight situations. If the likes of Ashton could still be getting a look in to the England team and people like May are still in it, I see no argument at all for keeping roko out.

 

[goodNumber10]

I see no argument at all for keeping roko out.

I'm not making one.

I'm asking does he fit the England winger Profile? I don't believe he does.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I'm not making one.

I'm asking does he fit the England winger Profile? I don't believe he does.

And just what winger does? May certainly doesn't, Ashton doesn't. Roko works well in the open but also in tight spaces. The guy stopped Vunipola in his tracks and has sat down forwards, he seems ideal for making something from the crappy ball England tend to give to their wingers. Who do you think could do a better job and what do you consider to be an England winger profile?

 

[ratsapprentice]

http://www.therugbysite.com/blog/defence/dave-attwood-s-disrupting-masterclass

 

[Peat]

Lancaster's ideal winger is a full-back, let's be honest here

Foden and Nowell for EOYT wingers - you heard it here first!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Tom Arscott started out as a fullback.


#Arscott14England
#Justice14Arscott

 

[goodNumber10]

And just what winger does? May certainly doesn't, Ashton doesn't. Roko works well in the open but also in tight spaces. The guy stopped Vunipola in his tracks and has sat down forwards, he seems ideal for making something from the crappy ball England tend to give to their wingers. Who do you think could do a better job and what do you consider to be an England winger profile?

Calm down.

I said earlier in the thread that I'd actually select him, but that i don't' think he will get selected because he doesn't fit what THEY want. Which is basically an extra 15 to play that pendulum system that allows Brown to float, or a converted 13 (like May).

http://www.therugbysite.com/blog/defence/dave-attwood-s-disrupting-masterclass

I really like Charlie Morgans analysis, he's been doing some really good stuff over the last few months.

Also Attwood is a monster.

 

[Patchey]

Tom Arscott started out as a fullback.


#Arscott14England
#Justice14Arscott

There's going to be a real Sale spine running through our 2015 World Cup winning team.

Tommy Tayloy, Henry Thomad (ex-Sale), Seymour (c), Lund, Cipriani, Cueto and Arscott. That a hell of a group to base a team around.

Lancaster's ideal winger is a full-back, let's be honest here

Foden and Nowell for EOYT wingers - you heard it here first!

I'd probably out money on that happening if someone have me half decent odds.

 

[Peat]

Tom Arscott started out as a fullback.


#Arscott14England
#Justice14Arscott

Lancaster despises Sale players.

 

[goodNumber10]

Lancaster despises Sale players.

Let's be honest it's not just Lancaster.

 

[Patchey]

Remember guys, Olly is a tyrant who can ban us all if he choses. Let's not bait his precious Sale too much...

*cough* Leeds are better *cough*

 

[Peat]

Remember guys, Olly is a tyrant who can ban us all if he choses. Let's not bait his precious Sale too much...

*cough* Leeds are better *cough*

Reported for racism.

 

[Patchey]

Reported for racism.

You're all political correct clowns who will be first against the wall when my revolution comes...

Etc etc etc