Actually it can make sense if your 10+ points behind to give your side attacking impetuous. It just doesn't make sense when your trying to close out a game....like Saturday.
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[2015 RWC] Pool A: England vs. Australia (03/10/2015)
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Wood was part of the 2011 team... :huh:
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Barring Austin Healey when have we ever developed a player who can comfortably play a number of positions in the back line? Maybe Slade might fit into that category, but the Aussies seem to do it at will.
Do we teach a position first rather than teaching rugby skills and worrying about the number on the shirt second?
Do we teach a position first rather than teaching rugby skills and worrying about the number on the shirt second?
When I played in the UK I found the skill level to be pretty poor even at a fairly decent level. Even at international level it's not that good. I remember watching Tindall and it slowly dawned on me during the game after he threw another ***** pass that he couldn't spin pass off his left. Pretty poor for an international centre. One of the reasons why the skill level is higher in the southern hemisphere is touch football is pretty popular. Most rugby players play it in the off season 2 or 3 times a week and so you get props that can spin pass of both sides and understand basic moves, running lines etc Zinzan Brooke had the ball skills of a 10 and don't forget that 50m drop goal in the 95 World Cup
Can't imagine Nick Easter doing that 
Jakedood
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When I played in the UK I found the skill level to be pretty poor even at a fairly decent level. Even at international level it's not that good. I remember watching Tindall and it slowly dawned on me during the game after he threw another ***** pass that he couldn't spin pass off his left. Pretty poor for an international centre. One of the reasons why the skill level is higher in the southern hemisphere is touch football is pretty popular. Most rugby players play it in the off season 2 or 3 times a week and so you get props that can spin pass of both sides and understand basic moves, running lines etc Zinzan Brooke had the ball skills of a 10 and don't forget that 50m drop goal in the 95 World Cup
Thats an interestiong point, I'm not sure I'd necessarily want drop goals from my pack, but good hands are a must these days, in essence total rugby, like the Brodie Retallicks and Sam whitelock, Eben Etzebeth and De Jager, etc. I actually was looking at Pierre-Steph du toit, he has 3 drop goals to his name as a second row, as well as some penalties and conversions? made me laugh!
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My prediction is Ford for Joseph at 60 mins, Burgess for Barritt at 70ish.
Equally i wouldn't be stupidly surprised to see Burgess on for a wing and Joseph moving to wing.
Lancaster loves completely rearranging everything mid game.
Equally i wouldn't be stupidly surprised to see Burgess on for a wing and Joseph moving to wing.
Lancaster loves completely rearranging everything mid game.
I don't think he's quite insane enough to do that to the wings....actually scrap that he totally would at the moment. My biggest worry for Lancaster is rather than keep things simple in terms of changing players he tries to looks clever and do something radical. Issue being he does this by taking conservative options or just plain crazy ones...
Willodell100
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Can't imagine Nick Easter doing that
Nick Easter is actually a bad example as he has very good handling skills but I understand your point!
This is finally starting to change with much more emphasis on skill levels at youth level but it isn't helped when our international 'creative midfield' on Saturday is made up of a 10 who can't control a spin pass of more than a few meters off his left hand and an inside centre that doesn't know the meaning of spin pass!
I was watching a review of Burgess's performance against Wales. Have to say I didn't spot it live - but at one point he blew a 5-1 overlap to take it into contact. There were a number of other poor decisions shown, including a poor defensive read which resulted in one of Wales tries. I only bring it up as it seems everyone is super pleased with his performance - when I think it highlighted some of his inability to read the game well enough at this stage.
As uncreative as Barritt is - you'd probably still trust him to read the D well, and shuffle on the ball in the same situations from 12.
As uncreative as Barritt is - you'd probably still trust him to read the D well, and shuffle on the ball in the same situations from 12.
Burgess was substituted off shortly before the only Wales try....in fact that substitution indirectly led to defensive shape change that resulted in the Wales try.
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Not that I think Burgess is an international quality center or anything.
Yeah Burgess at 12 really limits the English backline. You need a 12 that can slot in at 10. No way he can do that. Can you imagine Farrell/Ford getting tackled on the opposing teams 22, SB comes in at first receiver with a 2 man overlap, he'd probably just hit it up or throw a slow pass. I like him, but he's not a 12. At least not a complete 12. Perhaps if he was able to make a few more breaks/half breaks & off-loads his other inadequacies would be negated.
When I played in the UK I found the skill level to be pretty poor even at a fairly decent level. Even at international level it's not that good. I remember watching Tindall and it slowly dawned on me during the game after he threw another ***** pass that he couldn't spin pass off his left. Pretty poor for an international centre. One of the reasons why the skill level is higher in the southern hemisphere is touch football is pretty popular. Most rugby players play it in the off season 2 or 3 times a week and so you get props that can spin pass of both sides and understand basic moves, running lines etc Zinzan Brooke had the ball skills of a 10 and don't forget that 50m drop goal in the 95 World Cup
Think it's fair to say that the skills of the NH players are improving, and that the gap between SH and NH teams is not as wide as it was. The standout team at the AB without a doubt, but Aussie and the Saffers are pretty much in the mix with England, Wales and Ireland etc.
There are certainly forwards who can spin it of both hands who play in the prem is.e Matt Garvey.
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You analysis is right Burgess is not a centre... He is doing a job for England but he is a 6 no doubt.
Watch the way Bath interchange Ford and Eastmond and that what I want from England, we have two players who can do that the aforementioned Eastmond and Slade.
One didn't make the 31, the other might has well not have.
PacDuran
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It's almost as though he doesn't have a god damn clue what he's doing.
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http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rug...-is-blunder-that-could-bury-england-1.2371821
Gordon D'Arcy's take on Burgess trying to play 12, saying he(Burgess) hasn't got a clue.
Gordon D'Arcy's take on Burgess trying to play 12, saying he(Burgess) hasn't got a clue.
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It's pretty hilarious when you think about it that we spent 3 or 4 years trying out different centres and centre combinations...and eded up playing a new guy with no experience there or of union generally when it came to the real deal, the biggest match of the pool stage. The mind boggles.
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Bit harsh from D'Arcy seeing as Burgess got chosen to play. Not like he chose himself.
TobesHodges
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fml
Edit: Slade, Care and George should all be in the 23. Haskell should start (didn't think I'd ever say that).
Lancaster obviously wants to be sacked before the Uruguay game.
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