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5 vital players for each country ahead of the world cup?
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chippieolamus
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Hartley? Nah, I'd start Webber at the moment to be honest. I'd go:
1) Lawes
2) Robshaw
3) Brown
4) Tuilagi
5) Corbisiero
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1) Corbisiero. He turns the scrum from good to world class.
2) Wilson. Same as Corbs
3) Attwood has now given us a monster of a maul and he should be the starting lock.
4) Robshaw. Great captain for us.
5) In form Care. If not then Eastmond going forwards.
2) Wilson. Same as Corbs
3) Attwood has now given us a monster of a maul and he should be the starting lock.
4) Robshaw. Great captain for us.
5) In form Care. If not then Eastmond going forwards.
I'm going to re-evaluate now the test season is over.
1- Dan Carter basically whoever is kicking the goals but in an ideal situation that will be a fit and in form Carter. As history will tell you field position and goal kicking will be everything. WC finals rugby is an entirely different beast than normal test rugby.
2 - Brodie Retalick, he's basically our best player and the workload he gets through is like having an extra man on the field. Having him in form and healthy come finals time is critical.
3 - Richie McCaw, he has shown he is still very much a major force in test rugby this year and now he's committed to 2015 we need him back to his best and also wary of refs who may feel like they want to target him differently than they have in the past just because its WC year.
4 - Ben Smith, because his low error rate, ability under the high ball, long boot and ability to get over the gain line or find gaps is perfect for WC finals rugby. Bit down on form this year but expect him to be back to his best in 2015. He clocks up a lot of minutes for the highlanders, it really is worth giving him a couple weeks off super rugby when he needs it next year.
5 - Bauden Barrett, because if we get into a situation we need something special he has been our most reliable source of epic winning plays the last few years. Usually the fastest of the 30 players on the field when hes playing and that gas is so valuable, attack or defense.
I've pulled Savea because big name big try scoring guys have never been a factor in WC finals. The good thing is Saveas all round game is up to the task of big games so he is good enough even if he doesn't run trys in.
I think our front row, lock and loose forward depth is staggering.
10, 12 and 13 has been unsettled, lots of fantastic options but unsettled because of injury and form issues.
goal kicking ftw, we need to go into that final with guys kicking with high accuracy and range. Absolute necessity.
Most important tactic, dont give away intercept trys.
1- Dan Carter basically whoever is kicking the goals but in an ideal situation that will be a fit and in form Carter. As history will tell you field position and goal kicking will be everything. WC finals rugby is an entirely different beast than normal test rugby.
2 - Brodie Retalick, he's basically our best player and the workload he gets through is like having an extra man on the field. Having him in form and healthy come finals time is critical.
3 - Richie McCaw, he has shown he is still very much a major force in test rugby this year and now he's committed to 2015 we need him back to his best and also wary of refs who may feel like they want to target him differently than they have in the past just because its WC year.
4 - Ben Smith, because his low error rate, ability under the high ball, long boot and ability to get over the gain line or find gaps is perfect for WC finals rugby. Bit down on form this year but expect him to be back to his best in 2015. He clocks up a lot of minutes for the highlanders, it really is worth giving him a couple weeks off super rugby when he needs it next year.
5 - Bauden Barrett, because if we get into a situation we need something special he has been our most reliable source of epic winning plays the last few years. Usually the fastest of the 30 players on the field when hes playing and that gas is so valuable, attack or defense.
I've pulled Savea because big name big try scoring guys have never been a factor in WC finals. The good thing is Saveas all round game is up to the task of big games so he is good enough even if he doesn't run trys in.
I think our front row, lock and loose forward depth is staggering.
10, 12 and 13 has been unsettled, lots of fantastic options but unsettled because of injury and form issues.
goal kicking ftw, we need to go into that final with guys kicking with high accuracy and range. Absolute necessity.
Most important tactic, dont give away intercept trys.
Big Ewis
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Oh, somebody's bumped this. Mmkay, let's see..
That was like 4 months ago, right now I'd go..Fofana, Picamoles, Lopez (despite current int'l form flaws), Huget...hesitating between a few notions, perhaps Slimani at TH will prove to be essential in the next 6N as we welcome him back into the group and we see what he does in the scrum... Nico Mas is caput, dead, finished, no more.
That was like 4 months ago, right now I'd go..Fofana, Picamoles, Lopez (despite current int'l form flaws), Huget...hesitating between a few notions, perhaps Slimani at TH will prove to be essential in the next 6N as we welcome him back into the group and we see what he does in the scrum... Nico Mas is caput, dead, finished, no more.
The Jones Boy
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George North was absolutely rubbish for Wales against the All Blacks and then Wales finally break the hoodoo over South Africa and he wasn't playing.
I think he is a talented player but he sure isn't a vital cog in the Welsh team. After a rookie like Piatau made him look ordinary you have to wonder.
There are much more important players in the Welsh team, like Foletau or Lydiate
I think he is a talented player but he sure isn't a vital cog in the Welsh team. After a rookie like Piatau made him look ordinary you have to wonder.
There are much more important players in the Welsh team, like Foletau or Lydiate
awesome topic.
1. Ma'a Nonu. Nz rugby has a simple plan through the ages and we always execute it better with a dominate 2nd 5. Ma'a is the player that offers the go forward in midfield that the 2nd phase feeds off, forget his long pass, forget his effective kicking game, forget his defensive management of the area 2 passes from the ruck, Ma'a is the man the opposition have to defend against because he will run straight and hard into midfield, lay the ball back offering quick play the ball (because our forwards also know he is going to run straight and hard) so all the other backs in black now have space, simple but effective and he can do it all day, SBW does not offer this (see Wales game).
2. Conrad Smith. the only current inside back (unless Carter can get his form back) that is not a confidence player (meaning does not lose it when things are going wrong), he manages those around him when times are tough, he runs the defence, and is arguably still our only true centre.
3. Richie. Leadership, ref management, 80 min effort, turn overs, his game
4. Ben Smith. like Conrad, not a confidence player, offers cover during a game from 2nd 5 out, (could play 1st if asked), safe and always thinking, guaranteed metres in attack.
5. Read. Offers a point of difference skill wise that forces teams to target him in defence which opens up opportunities.
in my opinion all other players are replaceable, perhaps they are better than others but replaceable.
1. Ma'a Nonu. Nz rugby has a simple plan through the ages and we always execute it better with a dominate 2nd 5. Ma'a is the player that offers the go forward in midfield that the 2nd phase feeds off, forget his long pass, forget his effective kicking game, forget his defensive management of the area 2 passes from the ruck, Ma'a is the man the opposition have to defend against because he will run straight and hard into midfield, lay the ball back offering quick play the ball (because our forwards also know he is going to run straight and hard) so all the other backs in black now have space, simple but effective and he can do it all day, SBW does not offer this (see Wales game).
2. Conrad Smith. the only current inside back (unless Carter can get his form back) that is not a confidence player (meaning does not lose it when things are going wrong), he manages those around him when times are tough, he runs the defence, and is arguably still our only true centre.
3. Richie. Leadership, ref management, 80 min effort, turn overs, his game
4. Ben Smith. like Conrad, not a confidence player, offers cover during a game from 2nd 5 out, (could play 1st if asked), safe and always thinking, guaranteed metres in attack.
5. Read. Offers a point of difference skill wise that forces teams to target him in defence which opens up opportunities.
in my opinion all other players are replaceable, perhaps they are better than others but replaceable.
Big Ewis
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pfffheh, yeah, I mean, don't even get me started on Peter North. I mean, the guy didn't even play against the Boks...pfff, shhh, heh..
Australia. Lets be real here, the most important 5 players in Australia are their 5 top props. If they lost them they are gone, they are struggling now but if they lost their 5 top props they might as well not bother showing up. NZ would have players in the ITM cup that are better than the wallabies 6 and 7th best props.
So after the November tests my list as follows:
Coles - 3rd hooker option is looking light
Aaron Smith - miles ahead of the next choice
Ben Smith - great attacking force
McCaw - once again just never gives
Retallick - Best lock in the world and works like anything each game.
Honorable mentions
Someone who can kick goals - why isn't Ben Smith a kicker? he is awesome at everything else
Read - Super reliable
Savea - always draws his man and more
Conrad and SBW who I had on my list are not so super important now as our midfield depth is building, both are needed but not as much as the guys above.
Thingimubob
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One off day vs the best team in the world, in a game where the Welsh back line barely saw the ball past the no.12 channel, doesn't mean that he's not one if our key players.
I'll admit his international performances haven't been as good as previous seasons, but on form and firing he's damn vital to the team.
Not sure I'd have Lydiate as more important right now. He's in the team because of his reputation as a fierce tackling no.6, but he's been missing basic tackles all season. Tipuric can feel very hard done by to not be in the team ahead of him. Mad that a player that good gets left out entirely!
Anyway currently I'd go with the following for Wales
AWJ
Warburton
Biggar
Faletau
Roberts (vital to our game plan atm, but a more creative centre could easily steal his or JD2's spot)
j'nuh
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England:
1. Ford (wouldn't be the case if Lancaster involved Cips more, but I don't like Farrell or Myler as potential starting 10s, so Ford has to be in here)
2. Attwood (set piece not the same without him)
3. Wilson (if Cole comes back strong, then he's not needed as much, but as it stands he's clearly ahead of the competition at tighthead, mainly for his scrummaging)
4. Robshaw (important to the team, makes a lot of tackles, link play etc.)
5. Brown (because what other decent 15 options do we have?)
1. Ford (wouldn't be the case if Lancaster involved Cips more, but I don't like Farrell or Myler as potential starting 10s, so Ford has to be in here)
2. Attwood (set piece not the same without him)
3. Wilson (if Cole comes back strong, then he's not needed as much, but as it stands he's clearly ahead of the competition at tighthead, mainly for his scrummaging)
4. Robshaw (important to the team, makes a lot of tackles, link play etc.)
5. Brown (because what other decent 15 options do we have?)
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For Canada, kind of tough now as a lot of the 'vital' players are clearly past their prime.
Before Tour, I would say:
1. Cudmore
2. Pritchard
3. Sinclair
4. Ardron
5. Buydens
After:
1. Cudmore (only lock we have that actually plays tough)
2. Ardron (His runs can break through the oppositions defensive line and put us on the front foot)
3. Sinclair (Unsung hero that does a lot of the dirty work at the break down)
4. Braid (at least he has an idea on how to direct the backline)
5. Hassler (his runs can put us on the front foot, also not terrible on D)
Before Tour, I would say:
1. Cudmore
2. Pritchard
3. Sinclair
4. Ardron
5. Buydens
After:
1. Cudmore (only lock we have that actually plays tough)
2. Ardron (His runs can break through the oppositions defensive line and put us on the front foot)
3. Sinclair (Unsung hero that does a lot of the dirty work at the break down)
4. Braid (at least he has an idea on how to direct the backline)
5. Hassler (his runs can put us on the front foot, also not terrible on D)
LittleGuy
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That's a pretty good list canadafan and agreed, Pritchard has gone from vital to probably bench depth at FB and kicking. I'd maybe have him start against Italy and Romania but no way would I throw him out against Ireland and France till very late in the match.
Hopefully Ardron learns how to captain in the next ten months as well.
Hopefully Ardron learns how to captain in the next ten months as well.
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To keep Attwood in the team is it time Lancaster chose Launchbury at 6 instead of Wood? Launchbury gives good work rate, would compensate for the loss of Wood at the line out and is arguably better over the ball.
Attwood falls off way too many tackles for his size. Launchbury and lawes over him any day.
1) lawes
2) corbs
3) Morgan
4) Eastmond
5) tuilagi
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Have you not noticed the massive increase in effectiveness of our set-piece this series, since Attwood has come in?
This is the first series where our maul and scrum has been consistently dominant... in fact, has had any real dominance for a long time.
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1. Sexton
2. Murray
3. Heaslip
4. O'Connell
5. Kearney
Special mention to Robbie Henshaw, I think these are our six players who simply can't be replaced due to a mix of their outstanding level of play and in a couple cases lack of depth, not necessarily our best players but I'm comfortable enough with the likes of Cronin and Strauss, Ruddock, O'Donnell and Ryan and any of our many international standard wings standing in.
2. Murray
3. Heaslip
4. O'Connell
5. Kearney
Special mention to Robbie Henshaw, I think these are our six players who simply can't be replaced due to a mix of their outstanding level of play and in a couple cases lack of depth, not necessarily our best players but I'm comfortable enough with the likes of Cronin and Strauss, Ruddock, O'Donnell and Ryan and any of our many international standard wings standing in.
