England v Wales

[Col]

Strettle the Bulldozer.... Hmmmm. Nice one.

The fact remains that Wales forwards will need to provide ball for Wales backs, is that going to happen? Against the English front row, even taking into account that Stevens & Mears will only be on the pitch for 30 minutes at most the hairy Jones's dont have a chance in the scrum. Borthwick is a specialist lineout forward, as good as they come in that department, so I doubt you will get much from Englands line-out either. At thre break down Wales have a chance considering that two of Englands backrow are barely capped at international level, I have my reservations about Narroway. But Haskell has been superb in the HEC.

 

[Prestwick]

Ponting? Harminson? What on earth are you on about. You better not be talking about Cricket!

No, what Gatland said was "Vainakolo can't kick. So we're gonna drop the ball in behind him."
When you drop vainikolo a loose bumbling ball in the 22m with a good chase, the man may/may not end up being isolated and may/may not concede a penalty in a crucial area.[/b]

Again, to which the England team would look bemused and say, "so what?" Other teams tried that with Jonah Lomu and most times they got steamrollered. Also, I'm sure this has been tried many a time in League and there hasn't been a sensational case which has come up. Yet. I'm still not seeing any evidence to show that this is the cunning and devastating psychological hammer blow that you're trying to make it out to be.

The Ponting/Harminson reference is so stunningly simple that only Lora would fail to fathom its meaning, so I'm shocked that it has flown over your head!

Ponting, the Captain of the Australian Cricket team, would suggest that Stephen Harminson who is a bowler (i.e. the guy who throws the ball at the batsman a dozen times or so a time) would "not be very good at batting" (i.e. hitting the ball) and so he would suggest that "we try and bowl at him to make life difficult for him."

The retort would be "well no f***ing **** sherlock, of course he can't bat! Thats why he is a superb bowler!"

 

[DonBilly]

<div class='quotemain'>

Ponting? Harminson? What on earth are you on about. You better not be talking about Cricket!

No, what Gatland said was "Vainakolo can't kick. So we're gonna drop the ball in behind him."
When you drop vainikolo a loose bumbling ball in the 22m with a good chase, the man may/may not end up being isolated and may/may not concede a penalty in a crucial area.[/b]

Again, to which the England team would look bemused and say, "so what?" Other teams tried that with Jonah Lomu and most times they got steamrollered. Also, I'm sure this has been tried many a time in League and there hasn't been a sensational case which has come up. Yet. I'm still not seeing any evidence to show that this is the cunning and devastating psychological hammer blow that you're trying to make it out to be.

The Ponting/Harminson reference is so stunningly simple that only Lora would fail to fathom its meaning, so I'm shocked that it has flown over your head!

Ponting, the Captain of the Australian Cricket team, would suggest that Stephen Harminson who is a bowler (i.e. the guy who throws the ball at the batsman a dozen times or so a time) would "not be very good at batting" (i.e. hitting the ball) and so he would suggest that "we try and bowl at him to make life difficult for him."

The retort would be "well no f***ing **** sherlock, of course he can't bat! Thats why he is a superb bowler!" [/b][/quote]

Well I am not sure that I fully agree with your comment on how to play Jonah. It was actually the good tactic to play him by kicking the ball behind him but it was risky. The kicker had to be very precise for long kicks. If he missed and Jonah was then able to catch the ball with free space in front of him...

On the other point, in Rugby League there are not as many kicks as in Rugby Union. The kicks are either passes (Union copied this from League), penalties and far deep kicks after the fifth tackle. So it is dubious that in League they tried to kick behind Vainakolo.

 

[dullonien]

The Ponting/Harminson reference is so stunningly simple that only Lora would fail to fathom its meaning, so I'm shocked that it has flown over your head!

Ponting, the Captain of the Australian Cricket team, would suggest that Stephen Harminson who is a bowler (i.e. the guy who throws the ball at the batsman a dozen times or so a time) would "not be very good at batting" (i.e. hitting the ball) and so he would suggest that "we try and bowl at him to make life difficult for him."

The retort would be "well no f***ing **** sherlock, of course he can't bat! Thats why he is a superb bowler!" [/b]

Considering you are talking about one of the most boring sports in existance (to watch, quite enjoy playing, I was an ok bowler back in school) then I'm not surprised Matt didn't get it, neither did I.

I understand what you are saying though. But it's still a weakness (in cricket it aint, cause he's a bowler and a last ditch batter (can't remember if everyone bats in cricket)). It's there to be taken advantage of, if the kick and chase is good, he aint going anywhere. He isn't that good!

 

[Prestwick]

Wait...how can you get it and not get it at the same time? :huh:

 

[nick_w]

<div class='quotemain'> <div class='quotemain'>

Ponting? Harminson? What on earth are you on about. You better not be talking about Cricket!

No, what Gatland said was "Vainakolo can't kick. So we're gonna drop the ball in behind him."
When you drop vainikolo a loose bumbling ball in the 22m with a good chase, the man may/may not end up being isolated and may/may not concede a penalty in a crucial area.[/b]

Again, to which the England team would look bemused and say, "so what?" Other teams tried that with Jonah Lomu and most times they got steamrollered. Also, I'm sure this has been tried many a time in League and there hasn't been a sensational case which has come up. Yet. I'm still not seeing any evidence to show that this is the cunning and devastating psychological hammer blow that you're trying to make it out to be.

The Ponting/Harminson reference is so stunningly simple that only Lora would fail to fathom its meaning, so I'm shocked that it has flown over your head!

Ponting, the Captain of the Australian Cricket team, would suggest that Stephen Harminson who is a bowler (i.e. the guy who throws the ball at the batsman a dozen times or so a time) would "not be very good at batting" (i.e. hitting the ball) and so he would suggest that "we try and bowl at him to make life difficult for him."

The retort would be "well no f***ing **** sherlock, of course he can't bat! Thats why he is a superb bowler!" [/b][/quote]

Well I am not sure that I fully agree with your comment on how to play Jonah. It was actually the good tactic to play him by kicking the ball behind him but it was risky. The kicker had to be very precise for long kicks. If he missed and Jonah was then able to catch the ball with free space in front of him...

On the other point, in Rugby League there are not as many kicks as in Rugby Union. The kicks are either passes (Union copied this from League), penalties and far deep kicks after the fifth tackle. So it is dubious that in League they tried to kick behind Vainakolo.
[/b][/quote]

Taking this into account then, won't it be a danger if Williams puts a little chip over Vainakolo. Williams will sprint ahead, Big Les might not be able to retreat fast enough, and then you've got the ever reliable Balshaw to cover.

Similar thing happened in an England Baa Baas match a few years ago. James Simpson Daniel knocked a cheeky garry owen over Lomu and scored in the corner if I remember rightly.

What score do you reckon it will be. Personally, I reckon England 32- 15 Ospreys, sorry, Wales

 

[dullonien]

Wait...how can you get it and not get it at the same time? :huh: [/b]

Cause you had already explained what in means. I didn't get it without the explanation.

Edit/ ah you weren't talking about that. Umm, I understood what you were trying to say, but I didn't agree. that's better.

 

[Bullitt]

Taking this into account then, won't it be a danger if Williams puts a little chip over Vainakolo. Williams will sprint ahead, Big Les might not be able to retreat fast enough, and then you've got the ever reliable Balshaw to cover.

Similar thing happened in an England Baa Baas match a few years ago. James Simpson Daniel knocked a cheeky garry owen over Lomu and scored in the corner if I remember rightly.

What score do you reckon it will be. Personally, I reckon England 32- 15 Ospreys, sorry, Wales [/b]

:lol:

 

[Prestwick]

<div class='quotemain'> Wait...how can you get it and not get it at the same time? :huh: [/b]

Cause you had already explained what in means. I didn't get it without the explanation.

Edit/ ah you weren't talking about that. Umm, I understood what you were trying to say, but I didn't agree. that's better. [/b][/quote]

Dig deeper baby! :bana:

Meanwhile, in another universe, Shtove cries:

 

[Gnu]

I think that England will certainly have more possession, but that Wales have a better chance of converting what they do get, into points (same as 2005).

Hoofing ball away, regardless of who it drops behind is not the way forward and I can't see that Gatland, Howley or Edwards are that daft. They are pragmatic and the pragmatic thing is to make the most of limited ball by keeping it in hand and looking for penatlies and the chance to break.

Kicking to touch is 50/50 at best with the current forwards vs Borthwick.

In short, I hope to see a minimum of kicking and a narrow Wales win.

I thnk that is probably the hope of the Wales coaches too

 

[Vambo]

Also, I'm sure this has been tried many a time in League and there hasn't been a sensational case which has come up.
[/b]

Leeds absolutely destroyed Lesley in a grand final once by constantly kicking at Lesley and turning him around.
In fairness Leeds kicked well that day but it only takes one poor kick and he'll punish you. It's a good tactic but a risky one.

 

[An Tarbh]

I'm sorry but why worry about a tactic for someone who might not even come on if the 2 wingers are playing well enough???

 

[Vambo]

I'm sorry but why worry about a tactic for someone who might not even come on if the 2 wingers are playing well enough???
[/b]

Indeed... we've enough to worry about with Balsahw

 

[Prestwick]

 

[Vambo]

[/b]

:lol2tn:

 

[nam97]

Man I'm amped for this game for some reason, it's ONLY England vs Wales but I can't wait to see all you bleating Englishmen get left in a trail of Balshaws dust. Is this how treat all your sportsmen?

I reckon he should play fly half, he has such a clean set of heels, why not give him instant ball from the set piece? Then you wouldn't have to whine about how poor Tindall is, and how poor Flood is. Instead, you could just pass to the Balshman and see-ya!

I'm sticking to my guns. England will win 34-6, with Balshaw dotting down twice and maybe a drop goal.

 

[Vambo]

Man I'm amped for this game for some reason, it's ONLY England vs Wales but I can't wait to see all you bleating Englishmen get left in a trail of Balshaws dust. Is this how treat all your sportsmen?

I reckon he should play fly half, he has such a clean set of heels, why not give him instant ball from the set piece? Then you wouldn't have to whine about how poor Tindall is, and how poor Flood is. Instead, you could just pass to the Balshman and see-ya!

I'm sticking to my guns. England will win 34-6, with Balshaw dotting down twice and maybe a drop goal.
[/b]

Don't get me wrong mate... I hope he has a blinder but he is a worry because he can be so inconsistent.

 

[TVH11]

well well a day to go till the big match. duw duw, should be a absolute great game, so much expectation on both sides. Gatland's words this week suggest that he and his team are quietly confident about the match. 13 ospreys, i'm not complaining cause i support them, but still a tad harsh on shanklin and co who have played well.well we shall only see...... well i won't till about 2 hours after final whistle i'm working absolutely gutted!!! :%#%#:

C'mon Cymru , take it to em!

 

[13 0 0 T]

Should be a good match, although I think England will take it this time.

 

[stormmaster1]

Gatlands comments: pointing out the obvious and trying to influence the ref. No shock really.



Kicking tactics: not too worrying. Do Wales really want to take on England's pack and Wilko in a territory kicking game?? High balls occaisionally yes, but hardly a reliable tactic.



the only worrying thing is how the Welsh pack occaisionally ups itself 300% vs England, e.g last year where their pack was rubbish (bar Williams) for 4 matches and then dominated England.