i didn't see Cooper 'getting his man down' on more than a couple of occations against NZ.
I went on to say that Cooper was a defensive liability if you read the next sentence...
he cant just improve his tackling massively in a couple of weeks when he hasn't managed to do so in the last few years. anyway i was only talking about the wallabies faults in that particular game not them as a whole.
There is a difference between having dodgy defense and lacking physicality in defense.Physicality isn't really essential.
as for lawes vs thorn i'm sorry but lawes has, to quote austin healy 'the best work rate of any tight 5 player in the aviava premiership'. Lawes is a fantastic allround package he is a dynamic strong runner, amazing work rate and puts in some massive tackles
Well we will just have to wait and see. Thorns game isn't pretty but he would have one of the best workrates in world rugby. His tight play in clearing and protecting rucks has been second to none in a team that includes Mealamu, Kaino and Richie McCaw. Lawes has a better highlight reel but Thorn is a better player. Although Lawes will probably kick on to be world class in the coming years.
as for croft he is playing brilliantly this season he is rated to have joint third most defenders beaten the aviva premiership. Croft is probably the 2nd best 6 in The NH. having said this i agree Kaino was pretty awsome last game.
Similarly, Croft is an athlete who is great at doing the pretty things on a rugby field. Beating players, showing how fast he is, making big tackles. Kaino plays more bluecollar game like Moody or Jerry Collins at a stage of his career. Croft will look good, but Kaino will help his team more.
Thompson and mealamu have diffrent playing styles for example mealamu's much better in the loose however come scrum time or pick and drive time i reckon Thompson comes top.
Are you serious? Kevin Mealamu made the All Blacks on the back of his pick and drive game... hes so strong with such a low centre of gravity that he always makes ground, hes like a short yardage NFL running back. He is the best exponent of the pick and drive in New Zealand. On top of that he is better in the loose. I would pick Mealamu over Thompson any day of the week.
Youngs vs Cowan well i stand by what i said, Youngs scores loads of great individual trys he has serious gass over 25m and has lightening quick feet. and is an amazing distributor though i agree cowan's defence is slightly better.
Cowans defense is more than slightly better haha, i would honestly use Cowan at 7 at a pinch he is that good of a defender. Youngs is the better runner though, he reminds me a bit of Alby Matthewson, i hope he gets off the bench so they can go head to head.
i think i agree with you about ashton since he is playing so well this season
I still think that getting the ball to Foden and Ashton is Englands best chance to win anything. You guys have a good scrum and a good lineout, but its not good enough to win you the game.
England lack a genuine fetcher, they have one of the least creative centre pairings going, they havent had a flyhalf stand up and own his jersey since Wilkinson, and when compared to the All Blacks, i don't think their pack has the workrate to compete. Their best hope is that Donald comes on and kicks the ball down Ashton and Fodens throat aimlessly
