British & Irish Lions Back Row

[Peat]

Well that's a grand old load of balls.

First gif, Robshaw is keeping his place in the defensive line in case the ball cuts back - sensible defensive discipline, nothing more nothing less. The whole line is drifting at a fairly slow speed, as that's all they need to do.

Second gif, Robshaw has clearly assumed Danny Care has that area covered and is getting ready to take up a guard position when Warburton goes. His first priority on reaching Farrell's tackle on Warburton is to take up a new guard position to stop any such repeat and he's the first English forward back along with Lawes - both leave Farrell to hold Warburton up and take up guard positions left and right, leaving the third man back (Croft) to finish the tackle with Farrell.

**** all wrong with his fitness or work rate in either of those. You're reaching.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Duck, one game does not make Robshaw terrible or not good enough.

Robshaw would be in my touring party as would Roberts. Roberts showed yesterday how effective he can be, not just in the bosh but also when given a little freedom.

 

[psychic duck]

Well that's a grand old load of balls.

First gif, Robshaw is keeping his place in the defensive line in case the ball cuts back - sensible defensive discipline, nothing more nothing less. The whole line is drifting at a fairly slow speed, as that's all they need to do.

Second gif, Robshaw has clearly assumed Danny Care has that area covered and is getting ready to take up a guard position when Warburton goes. His first priority on reaching Farrell's tackle on Warburton is to take up a new guard position to stop any such repeat and he's the first English forward back along with Lawes - both leave Farrell to hold Warburton up and take up guard positions left and right, leaving the third man back (Croft) to finish the tackle with Farrell.

**** all wrong with his fitness or work rate in either of those. You're reaching.

You don't think there was a distinct slowness and lack of dynamism to his movements compared to every other player? That he looked to be sprinting hard yet going backwards?

And he's not the first English forward back. Lawes got there first despite looking like he was jogging in comparison to Robshaw's sprint, Croft was there before as well and so was nearly Hartley.

What it looked like to me, was that he plodded round that try scoring play at a pedestrian pace, not knowing exactly what he was doing and was just a spectator to it.

Duck, one game does not make Robshaw terrible or not good enough.

Robshaw would be in my touring party as would Roberts. Roberts showed yesterday how effective he can be, not just in the bosh but also when given a little freedom.

Robshaw is a good player (I never called him terrible), but he is in my opinion on a level with Kelly Brown level player and has been a bit overtalked based on him being captain. I would take all of Warburton, Tipuric, O'Brien, Wood ahead of him, and Ferris and Lydiate if fit. But I just don't see him as a guaranteed tourist as others (like yourself do).

There are plenty of good options at flanker, competition is hard. Robshaw still has a good chance of making the squad with good performances for Harlequins, but in my opinion as a midweek player not as a captain.

 

[dullonien]

You don't think there was a distinct slowness and lack of dynamism to his movements compared to every other player? That he looked to be sprinting hard yet going backwards?

And he's not the first English forward back. Lawes got there first despite looking like he was jogging in comparison to Robshaw's sprint, Croft was there before as well and so was nearly Hartley.

What it looked like to me, was that he plodded round that try scoring play at a pedestrian pace, not knowing exactly what he was doing and was just a spectator to it.

I agree that he was slow there, but I think that had a lot to do with tiredness. England were on the backfoot all game and that usually leads to players giving their all and running out of steam towards the end.

Robshaw struggled for pace against the rapid Welsh backrow, but he's quicker than he looks in those clips.

 

[Rhyer]

Seriously? That was the first time Roberts was actually running properly hard at a retreating defence this tournament.

He was by no means great but suggesting because a battering ram like Roberts ran through him means he shouldn't go? Aus have no one close to Roberts strength in the backs.

Digby Ioane would **** up Roberts. He's insanely strong. It's not all about how much you weigh.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Digby Ioane would **** up Roberts. He's insanely strong. It's not all about how much you weigh.

Oh you ...

 

[Jbobo]

Digby Ioane would **** up Roberts. He's insanely strong. It's not all about how much you weigh.

I'd have to assume he'd run through Fofana and Tuilagi too in that case then.

 

[Rhyer]

It's interesting because the four nations lack a good balanced 6/7/8 combo. The best players are all ''7's'' (or 6 in SA/France) that are capable of playing 6/8 at a push. If only you guys could take Picamoles or Parisse, you'd be sorted in terms of balance, a hard running skillful number 8 which the home nations really seem to lack. Faletau hasn't been anywhere near his 2012 6N form and Jamie Heaslip is so off the mark it's laughable. What do you guys think? Balance is everything really, a breakdown specialist who can slow ball down, a hard hitting defensive player who can smash rucks and an all round skillful running number 8 is pretty much the best combo you can get. If you look at all the successful world cup campaigns, the winners had this dominant combo.

2011; Read, McCaw, Kaino
2007; Danie Rossuow, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith
2003; Dallaglio, Neil Back, Richard Hill

All perfectly balanced with designated jobs. This is the reason why I believe the 2013 tour will be failed and Australia will win, Australia have better backrow players and more genuine 6/7/8.

I'd have to assume he'd run through Fofana and Tuilagi too in that case then.

Fofana - maybe

Tuilagi - of course, the dude can't defend for ****, one of the worst 13's I've seen in a while.

 

[Jbobo]

Fofana - maybe

Tuilagi - of course, the dude can't defend for ****, one of the worst 13's I've seen in a while.

Although conversely Roberts is an outstanding defensive center. This is well established i think

 

[Rhyer]

Although conversely Roberts is an outstanding defensive center. This is well established i think

Yeah, Roberts is great on defence but over rated on attack, 2009 was his best year and played very well against England but that's a rare attacking show. Ioane is a far better attacker and far more destructive in attack.

 

[big ginger 8]

Digby Ioane would **** up Roberts. He's insanely strong. It's not all about how much you weigh.

What has Ioane ****ing Roberts up got to do with someone running at Robshaw. See you're the same as ever.

 

[Rhyer]

What has Ioane ****ing Roberts up got to do with someone running at Robshaw. See you're the same as ever.

Absolutely nothing, and you're a blind presumptuous asshole, learn to read.

''Aus have no one close to Roberts strength in the backs.''


That's what I was commenting on.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Absolutely nothing, and you're a blind presumptuous asshole, learn to read.

''Aus have no one close to Roberts strength in the backs.''


That's what I was commenting on.

Behave will you.

 

[big ginger 8]

Absolutely nothing, and you're a blind presumptuous asshole, learn to read.

''Aus have no one close to Roberts strength in the backs.''


That's what I was commenting on.

Yay you did it thanks. And what you said doesn't work either thanks again.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Ioane will **** up the entire team by himself!

 

[Aedaphon]

It's interesting because the four nations lack a good balanced 6/7/8 combo. The best players are all ''7's'' (or 6 in SA/France) that are capable of playing 6/8 at a push. If only you guys could take Picamoles or Parisse, you'd be sorted in terms of balance, a hard running skillful number 8 which the home nations really seem to lack. Faletau hasn't been anywhere near his 2012 6N form and Jamie Heaslip is so off the mark it's laughable. What do you guys think? Balance is everything really, a breakdown specialist who can slow ball down, a hard hitting defensive player who can smash rucks and an all round skillful running number 8 is pretty much the best combo you can get. If you look at all the successful world cup campaigns, the winners had this dominant combo.

2011; Read, McCaw, Kaino
2007; Danie Rossuow, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith
2003; Dallaglio, Neil Back, Richard Hill

All perfectly balanced with designated jobs. This is the reason why I believe the 2013 tour will be failed and Australia will win, Australia have better backrow players and more genuine 6/7/8.

... Had never compared those three backrows before, the Frenchman makes a fair point. I am completely agreed, I really don't think we have a complete no.8 in the home nations (I'm horrifically biased towards Steffon Armitage as a player with that potential, but I don't know if anyone else is in that boat with me).

If Ferris or Croft were fully fit and had all 5 Six Nations games under their built I'd say we could compensate for the lack of a balanced 8 with a well balanced 6. However, with Ferris, Croft and also Lydiate all looking at outside chances to make the tour we'll have to make do with what we have.

Add to that George Smith

And possibly take away Gill... http://www.espnscrum.com/super-rugby-2013/rugby/story/178955.html

 

[jordiev]

I accept they have good depth, but no team in the world can shrug off losing Pocock <_<

no but it helps they have 3 world class 7's waiting in the wings counting on gill being okay ofcourse

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

... Had never compared those three backrows before, the Frenchman makes a fair point. I am completely agreed, I really don't think we have a complete no.8 in the home nations (I'm horrifically biased towards Steffon Armitage as a player with that potential, but I don't know if anyone else is in that boat with me).

If Ferris or Croft were fully fit and had all 5 Six Nations games under their built I'd say we could compensate for the lack of a balanced 8 with a well balanced 6. However, with Ferris, Croft and also Lydiate all looking at outside chances to make the tour we'll have to make do with what we have.

8 is our biggest problem in the backrow, we have a very good proper 6 in O'Brien if he is told to play that role and in either of the two Welsh boys we're spoilt for 7.

In 8 we have a consistent but not world beating Faletau, Jamie Heaslip who was in good form in the HEC and lost it with the pressure's of becoming captain in the 6nations but looked to be regaining it in the last two games but he isn't a big ball carrying 8 like he used to be, Morgan who will have to shrug an eight week or so injury and Beattie who had very good 6nations form but is by no means a world beater. My guess is that Faletau and Heaslip will tour, Heaslip has the experience of starting three Lions tests which is quite important on a tour where the rest of the backrow will be Lions for the first time. It'll come down to tour form between the two of them to win a starting spot and considering they're both solely no.8's the other will lose out on the bench to Robshaw.

6. O'Brien
7. Warburton/Tipuric
8. Faletau/Heaslip

20. Robshaw

That looks quite strong to me and Quade Cooper would probably be beside himself with fear looking at that.

 

[lucky number 7]

Absolutely nothing, and you're a blind presumptuous asshole, learn to read.

''Aus have no one close to Roberts strength in the backs.''

That's what I was commenting on.

Get ****ed.

 

[coonor]

If SOB is going to make the starting IV then he's either going to have to prove he is the best "7" in the squad, which in my opinion with the likes of Tipuric, Warburton and Robshaw is going to difficult, or he needs to get some game time at 6/8. The warm up games are what will determine the Backrow combination in my opinion as consistency has been an issue for all potential starters. At the moment SOB looks like a good bench option and what a bench option that would be!

Alot of pundits have started both Warburton and Tipuric in there team but I still think that combination is relatively untested. In my opinion if your going to start both of them, you need a ball carrier like SOB at 8.