Aviva Premiership - Round 18

[LittleGuy]

I wouldn't be surprised if Manoa dosen't ever rejoin the Eagles set up, he still only has the one cap from 2010 against Georgia.

 

[jordiev]

luke hume who you mentioned looks a really good player would like to see a club take a risk on him

 

[TRF_Olyy]

No way is LaValla better than Manoa.

 

[psychic duck]

No way is LaValla better than Manoa.

LaValla is a decent player, now getting good time at Stade Français. Manoa has the advantage in terms of his dynamism, LaValla in athleticism but Manoa is pretty decent for his size and weight there too. But LaValla is probably as useful as Manoa is thanks to the fact that unlike Manoa he isn't a twat. It's like comparing Tom Shanklin to Gavin Henson, one player is better, but the usefulness of the player is cancelled out by one being a twat.

 

[LittleGuy]

At the risk of getting pedantic Rat's apprentice also said "by far and away the highest quality player to come from the USA". An argument that Manoa is the best American player could be made(and RA makes some good points), but I don't think he wins the debate without any questions being asked.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

LaValla is a decent player, now getting good time at Stade Français. Manoa has the advantage in terms of his dynamism, LaValla in athleticism but Manoa is pretty decent for his size and weight there too. But LaValla is probably as useful as Manoa is thanks to the fact that unlike Manoa he isn't a twat. It's like comparing Tom Shanklin to Gavin Henson, one player is better, but the usefulness of the player is cancelled out by one being a twat.

Your personal opinion on a player doesn't make them better or worse on the pitch.

 

[psychic duck]

At the risk of getting pedantic Rat's apprentice also said "by far and away the highest quality player to come from the USA". An argument that Manoa is the best American player could be made(and RA makes some good points), but I don't think he wins the debate without any questions being asked.

Agree with you Little Guy. Manoa is a good player, and has good physicality skills. He could be an even better player and has more potential would be USA's best if he realised that. However right now though, I would say he is up there with USA's current best players not far and away the best. And he loses points due to the off field farce he has had at times in his career of course. Talking of the best American of all time though, Dan Lyle is still considered to be the best in American rugby circles and I believe he was voted that on one of those American rugby blogs a few years back.

Your personal opinion on a player doesn't make them better or worse on the pitch.

I said "usefulness". A player isn't very useful when he is constantly lying to the management.

 

[j_remos]

Well Samu has been Awesome for Saints. Player of the year so far in many peoples eyes and a huge fans favourite.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I have no idea what he's like off the pitch.

I have to admit that I didn't realise Hume had even played 15's, although I guess their 7's and 15's sides are pretty interchangeable.
He looks like he has a good natural rugby brain. I agree I'd like to see a premiership team take a punt on him.

I was probably exaggerating a bit, but then again maybe not, he has always impressed me hugely from what I've seen of him at Saints.
What exactly has he done off the pitch?

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

For a big fat man with low visibility due to a massive afro, Johnson was really good. He was impossible to move in those rucks. Didn't know his name at the time, but the sub hooker was carrying really strongly. Elliot's try was class. Wasps were unlucky, but The Saints' drives were huge.

He's literally just a massive duck. He's got the biggest waddle you'll ever see on a rugby player. But I think he's the best 6 in the prem at the moment. I undestand there's mega competiton for the South African national side, but he's got to be capped again soon. Huge gain-line defence, so strong in the tackle and creates an insane number of mauls just by holding up the opposition ball-carrier. He's got incredible hands and offloading ability. The only thing I'd say is I'd like to see him running wth ball more in the way he did for the cheetahs.

 

[Jaguares]

Someone can confirm if the Tigers used their light blue Away Shirt this round?

Regards

 

[Twebby]

I said "usefulness". A player isn't very useful when he is constantly lying to the management.

Any chance of you elaborating on this? I assume I can't be the only person who hasn't got a clue what you're talking about.