England 6N 2016 - General Chit Chat

[j'nuh]

I fully believe that amateur players of yesteryear would get completely steamrolled nowadays, but imo they were better at identifying overlaps, and using rugby 101, i.e. simple fixing and passing, to put the winger over in the corner.

Not necessarily saying you're wrong, but I think it's worth pointing out that players from years gone by have had their careers shortened into highlights packages, both figuratively (people selectively remember their good bits) and literally (broadcasters showing the best of years gone by).

There will be a time when the careers of Carter, Nonu, Shane, O'Driscoll, Mccaw, Pocock etc. will be reduced into 5-min videos and seen to be representative of this generation!

 

[nickdnz]

I fully believe that amateur players of yesteryear would get completely steamrolled nowadays, but imo they were better at identifying overlaps, and using rugby 101, i.e. simple fixing and passing, to put the winger over in the corner.

That may be the case, but I think defensive patterns and importantly line speed have improved dramatically to the point players are being asked to make decisions at a much fast rate. I love Christian Cullen, and I fully believe he would be lethal today. But when you see him tearing through defenses - they're no where near as well drilled as today. And that was only in the mid-late 90s. 40 years ago some of the defensive lines look static compared to today, and the jeopardy of getting hit by a 83kg prop just isn't the same as getting hit by a 105kg centre.

 

[dullonien]

Very good points the both of you. Defences were certainly shocking in comparison to todays standards.

This is always an impossible topic to really discuss. Arguably some players from past eras could probably have still been class acts today, given modern day conditioning and coaching standards, but who the hell knows?

 

[Peat]

That may be the case, but I think defensive patterns and importantly line speed have improved dramatically to the point players are being asked to make decisions at a much fast rate. I love Christian Cullen, and I fully believe he would be lethal today. But when you see him tearing through defenses - they're no where near as well drilled as today. And that was only in the mid-late 90s. 40 years ago some of the defensive lines look static compared to today, and the jeopardy of getting hit by a 83kg prop just isn't the same as getting hit by a 105kg centre.

The amount of pressure coming through in defence today is huge and simultaneously one of the best and worst things to happen in the game. It also explains why club rugby tends to look so much better than international rugby (at least, partially).

 

[ratsapprentice]

The amount of pressure coming through in defence today is huge and simultaneously one of the best and worst things to happen in the game.

Game should be balanced accordingly - bigger pitches or less players is something I'd be very, very interested seeing trialled at some level (Varsity cup, NRC etc.)

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Blitz defences and less players on the pitch.....are you Northern?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Nah... bigger pitches would be my preference - not something a peasant could afford to do.

 

[Yoshimitsu]

Nice idea

Nah... bigger pitches would be my preference - not something a peasant could afford to do.

I'm also a fan of less subs and less loitering. Yes it's all very nice to see a well worked intricate lineout but it shouldn't need a five minute chat to set it up. If lineout not formed in reasonable time. The ref decides to award free kick against offending party. 70's scrums. Sequential binding no pushing before balls in (and forget the whole straight feed thing it never happens anyway). If the ball is playable it needs to be played. Scrum pans cannot be kicked at goal.

Make it a game of conditioning rather than of mass. I'd love to see it tried. I reckon you can reatin enough of the good stuff to keep it Union whilst significantly changing the way it looks. Yes me might lose 20 stone props but hey, life changes.

 

[Every Time Ref]

I'm also a fan of less subs and less loitering. Yes it's all very nice to see a well worked intricate lineout but it shouldn't need a five minute chat to set it up. If lineout not formed in reasonable time. The ref decides to award free kick against offending party. 70's scrums. Sequential binding no pushing before balls in (and forget the whole straight feed thing it never happens anyway). If the ball is playable it needs to be played. Scrum pans cannot be kicked at goal.

Make it a game of conditioning rather than of mass. I'd love to see it tried. I reckon you can reatin enough of the good stuff to keep it Union whilst significantly changing the way it looks. Yes me might lose 20 stone props but hey, life changes.

I mean, a world where Thomas Francis is not an international athlete is hardly a travesty!

I agree about subs. The number of non-injury subs allowed has a detrimental effect on the balance between aerobic fitness and power.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

A fair point, but at 6 foot and 21st you'd be creating an obese man overnight. Taxes are not paid for mobility scooters!

 

[johnmac99]

Henry Slade on his way to fitness

http://www.skysports.com/rugby-unio...y-slade-in-contention-to-make-injury-comeback

 

[TommiG88]

Woooooooooo

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Set phasers to max arrogance

Chaaaampiooooonnssss

 

[Tony Manx]

Congratulations England!

The best of a pretty pathetic bunch it has to be said but well done!

 

[ratsapprentice]

Will be interesting to see what happens to them pressure-wise... will it add pressure to get the slam, or take it off knowing they've won already?

 

[itsonlyrugby]

Not necessarily saying you're wrong, but I think it's worth pointing out that players from years gone by have had their careers shortened into highlights packages, both figuratively (people selectively remember their good bits) and literally (broadcasters showing the best of years gone by).

There will be a time when the careers of Carter, Nonu, Shane, O'Driscoll, Mccaw, Pocock etc. will be reduced into 5-min videos and seen to be representative of this generation!

Not sure what your point is here, they are representative of our generation.

 

[back2back]

For the first time in awhile I have enjoyed watching England play, they played some good rugby this 6 nations, I also enjoyed Wales and a special mention to the Scots. It turned out a fairly decent 6 Nations in the final few rounds.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Tommy Taylor called up to England as Replacement for George

Only becuase he is moving to Wasps though.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

So will Jones go with a similar lineup to try to secure the slam or will he do away with any caution and use this as a free game to mix things up a little?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Same 23 i reckon,
Probably start Care, possibly start Clifford.