well the whole one-dimensionality thing about Picamoles is just the obvious criticism. Being an NBA fan first, and every single position in the game requiring such tremendous skill there, it's almost funny when I get back to rugby and I hear about "good no.8's, and one-dimensional this and that" because, well, a Picamoles-type no.8 is an efficient no.8. Basically, spend a lot of time in the gym, eat a lot, get some basic off-loading before you fall skills, become a solid defender after a few games and you're good, and you're only as good as you are strong in Picamoles's case (with just the basic fundamentals I've just evoked...), it helps he was born to become 1m90 plus...
Imanol, Parisse have obviously a more well-rounded game, but Parisse can't score a try and force a tie against Ireland to avoid a 4th straight loss on his own like Picamoles. Not because he's "talented" or wtvr the hell :lol:, just that he's a rhinoceros who can assert his will on the game with pure brute force.
Yes, the game of rugby has some extremely basic corners and aspects. A battering ram no.8 is good to have.
Manu Tuilagi: constantly criticized for being so 1-dimensional himself at the center position, being a bad passer and all....he's strong enough to break through any one-man tackle, some times two or three, or at least prolongs the play and still gets by a bit to gain a few meters. That's pure strength, that's working on those monster thighs he has in the weight room, that ain't "talent" or "skill", you kidding me ?! Skill is Dan Carter writhing, dancing through tackles coz he sure doesn't weigh 500kgs. Of course Tuilagi has some skill elsewhere, but sometimes he can't even do the most basic **** like a standard off-load. My point being one-dimensional isn't a real criticism at this point in rugby, because the requirements for certain position ARE themselves completely basic. Sure we'd like a BOD at center working his crazy magic and putting on a show of pure, actual skill. But a Tuilagi is ANY TEAM's desire to have.
Fk, even the invincible AB have one (Nonu) and before he started to expand his game and mature, he certainly was plenty efficient as a battering ram 12 alone.
If a team had 2 Nonu's at center, 3 Picamoles at backrow they'd constantly break through tackles the whole game against everyone. Of course there would be skills and certain aspects missing in the mix, but breaking through tackles constantly sounds good to me in this sport. It sounds reductive of course, but it's the simple nature of the game. You may need to sacrifice skill for pure brute force in certain sectors of this sport.
As for player of the tournament ?..nah not Robshaw...the guy's great, but not this particular tournament. Halfpenny hasn't been incredible either, but super solid at fullback, and boy he's made a ton of kicks...started the game really bad against Scotland the other day but...
I dunno, I honestly don't feel there's one guy in particular like most years. Picamoles's been awesome, but again there must be better somewhere...then again, he did score a try 100% by himself over like 47 Irish defenders to force the tie...scored one against Italy...and he's gained quite some meters, as usual.
