Aviva Premiership 15/16 - Round 4

[Mattybuck]

Problem with Mako is that he just doesn't scrum well enough. Around the pitch he is sensational, but he struggles against AP props. Just watching the Saints/Sarries game and Brookes has the upper hand!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Usually I'd agree with you but Mako's scrummaging has come along MASSIVELY in the last year. I'd be happy to see him start for England, especially considering Marler's MASSIVE dive in form.
Didn't see the Tigers Chiefs game yesterday, how was Cole?
I understand that the Tigers scrum got munched, but was that mainly due to the LH or a combo of the two?

I like Sale's pack as they are the only team I've seen that hook the ball...

Only team with 100% success on their own put in this season

Also, while I'm waggling my willy, on the commentary on Friday they said that #1 and #2 for turnovers (inc. ruck penalties won, I imagine) in the Premiership last season were #1 Seymour #2 Braid.

 

[McTallshort]

Seymour never seems to get mentioned in terms of England selection, there must be a reason for that? isnt there? surely?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

England have never particularly been interested in opensides when he's been at the top of his game.
Johnno didn't really look past Moody, Lancs past Robshaw/Wood.
He's a bit shorter than the guys he was up against (5'11 vs Moody's 6'3 and Robshaw's 6'2) so while he does jump in the lineout he's not really a standout. He's a good carrier, but at just over 15st he's not running over opposition backrowers.

It's similar to the reasons Kvesic hasn't been selected, but Kvesic is a bit bigger and young enough to (hopefully) get a shot with a new coach.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Tigers problems lie solely at the LH in the scrum ATM.

Ayerza, Mulipola and Rizzo are out

Balmain who is our 2nd or 3rd choice TH is covering there.

 

[McTallshort]

England have never particularly been interested in opensides when he's been at the top of his game.
Johnno didn't really look past Moody, Lancs past Robshaw/Wood.
He's a bit shorter than the guys he was up against (5'11 vs Moody's 6'3 and Robshaw's 6'2) so while he does jump in the lineout he's not really a standout. He's a good carrier, but at just over 15st he's not running over opposition backrowers.

It's similar to the reasons Kvesic hasn't been selected, but Kvesic is a bit bigger and young enough to (hopefully) get a shot with a new coach.

If we get a new coach.

 

[ratsapprentice]

If we get a new coach.

We will be according to Fissler.

 

[McTallshort]

We will be according to Fissler.

I will only believe it when it happens and if it does what will happen to the rest of the crew I wonder?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Full clear out, he said.
Lancs to shift to another role in the RFU (presumably some sort of "head of coaching development" role), the others just...away from the England set up.

 

[Patchey]

It's similar to the reasons Kvesic hasn't been selected, but Kvesic is a bit bigger and young enough to (hopefully) get a shot with a new coach.

Being a sale fan really has given you eternal optimism hasn't it?!

Would love Ceviche to get a run but I just can't see it, new coach or not

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Debate going on with Tigers fans about Harrison V Youngs

Pretty much ATM Harrison suits Mauger's NZ game plan more in the fact he just whizzes the ball out ASAP, Youngs still craps, but as shown with Thompstone near try can also create something from nothing still. But If Youngs fails to get a grasp on this style change we could well see Harrison become number 1 scrum half @ Leicester.

Also still talk that Youngs might be off to Bath which would be a shame for Cook.

Will be an interesting battle with Kitto also looking promising.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Disgusting steal there from Kev.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

lovely try

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Daly's accuracy for a distance kicker is crazy!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hibbard rushing out for the big hit again.....and missing....again.

Edit:
Did Gloucester buy another 10 over the summer? Burns looks WAY off senior rugby - forget missing tackles, I'd be surprised if he's completed one today.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

The premiership is frequently just disappointing. Look at some of the players out on the pitch today.
Piutau
Halai
Wade
Daly
Simpson
May
Sharples
Hook

But how much top quality rugby do we really see. Countless handling errors, reset scrums, poor decision making and pedantic/bad refereeing.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Scrums have been terrible,
Weather is bad but the game has been poor in general.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Think we need to take s good hard look at the premiership. All those top players on the field but the rugby and entertainment pretty poor.

Also smith had been good but Kvesic better in my view. Haskell excellent too

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

But how do you go about that?

Expand the league and make it no relegation for 4 seasons? many lower the penalties amount?

I hate the idea of ringfencing but it might encourage a more attack minded approach from teams lower and therefore might encourage it from the top half.

 

[McTallshort]

Put roofs on all the grounds?