George North

[dullonien]

With doubts surrounding Shane Williams, North is needed on the wing imo. So I personally can't see Gatland experimenting by putting North into midfield, especially not at this stage of the World Cup. I feel North's true future could very well be at centre, but that's for either the Scarlets to experiment with, or Gatland during a meaningless game in the future. He was a centre to begin with anyway, it was the Scarlets who moved him to wing, although I'm not quite sure his distribution is up to the required level of international rugby. There's nothing stopping North from roaming the field from the wing spot, as he does already, popping up in midfield on attack. So in the end, considering his finishing ability wing could be his best spot, especially when the Scarlets already have two young, talented centres in Davies and Williams. Going round in circles here a little bit.......

I think Gatlands comment has been taken slightly out of context. He was probably just suggesting that North could make a good centre one day, and that a combination of him and Roberts could be quite devastating. I highly doubt he was actually seriously considering moving North against either Fiji or Ireland, that would simply be to risky, especially if it required either starting Brew (who wasn't great against Namibia), or shifting Scott Williams to the wing if Shane is indeed unavailable. That's before considering who will play fullback.

 

[Bluemoon]

I have always thought George North is a fantastic prospect ever since he emerged at the Scarlets (who now have one hell of a backline for the season 2012/13). George has scored 8 tries in 11 matches for Wales, or excluding friendlies he has 5 tries in 8 matches. He runs great lines and almost always breaks a tackle and makes ground, is good under the high ball and has decent support play. He probably needs to improve his kicking and general positioning, but that will come with experience.

Interesting that they want to move him to 13. Jamie Roberts started on the wing in a similar vein. I think Norths support play would really compliment a physical Jamie Roberts. Its an interesting move, but is it time to test it at the world cup? Maybe if we are winning comfortably against Fiji and we have an opportunity I don't see why not. Penny can move to 14 then where he is most dangerous.

I'd love to see North on one wing and Harries on the other.

With upmost respect, Harries is a great regional player but is nowhere near at international level. He is quick and does run a good line but I feel there are a number of wingers in Wales that qualify for a red jersey before he does. How old is he?

 

[Logorrhea]

In the same way I'm still waiting on Henson to fulfill his potential, I'll reserve judgement on this one.

From what I can see hes another overhyped undertalented (though suitable oversized) Welsh player. Ive met the guy and he was actually really chatty, decent, and down to earth, but on the rugby field he looks more like a Matt Banahan then a Jonah Lomu at the moment.

Lets hold off on the hype and wait and see.

 

[david0404]

In the same way I'm still waiting on Henson to fulfill his potential, I'll reserve judgement on this one.

From what I can see hes another overhyped undertalented (though suitable oversized) Welsh player. Ive met the guy and he was actually really chatty, decent, and down to earth, but on the rugby field he looks more like a Matt Banahan then a Jonah Lomu at the moment.

Lets hold off on the hype and wait and see.

Yes i would like to see Henson achieve his potential too as long as he commits to the sport and gets a contract with one of the welsh regions too. I think it o would be far better to have a henson-roberts midfield combination with halfpenny and north on the wing after the world cup of course. I could see why Gatland thinks putting North at 13 might work, it would be one mightily big midfield, but there is the lack of playing time in the position and defensive issues as well. I wouldn't mind seeing him at 13 towards the latter stages of Sunday's game barring the game is going our way, but the article worried me because i felt Gatland was suggesting he adopt this as his new primary position. He already looks like one of the best wingers in the world for the future. Can someone reassure me that he will remain as an out and out winger? Please?!

 

[Draggs]

Bluemoon, I agree.
I just love watching Will when he plays for us, but I agree that there will be better options.
A little and large wing combination could be interesting.

George North is way overrated, only 8 tries in 11 tests at age 19.
What I would give for Luke Fitzgerald...

Henson, North combination could be very good, comparing North's pace with Roberts for the OC position.
If only we developed Roberts as a fullback 3/4 years ago when he was coming into Cardiff RFC and the Blues. He seemed pretty effective there but didn't fit into either Cardiff or Wales' plans there.

 

[Logorrhea]

George North is way overrated, only 8 tries in 11 tests at age 19.
What I would give for Luke Fitzgerald..

The two time HEC winner, ML winner, grand slam winning Lion Luke Fitzgerald you mean? Hmmm hes an option alright, but then again I dont hear many people calling him Jonah Lomu either. Strange given how hes won so much already if he was Welsh youd all be calling him Gavin.

North is nothing but hype at the moment. Slow down on the praise before you lot turn another decent lad into a Henson, Byrne or Phillips. The same applies to Warbuton, Lydiate, Toby and anyone else in or around 20 that plays for Wales.

Give the kid a chance.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

The two time HEC winner, ML winner, grand slam winning Lion Luke Fitzgerald you mean? Hmmm hes an option alright, but then again I dont hear many people calling him Jonah Lomu either. Strange given how hes won so much already if he was Welsh youd all be calling him Gavin.

North is nothing but hype at the moment. Slow down on the praise before you lot turn another decent lad into a Henson, Byrne or Phillips. The same applies to Warbuton, Lydiate, Toby and anyone else in or around 20 that plays for Wales.

Give the kid a chance.

Not surprised that you are one to slag the lad off (any chance of some of the Welsh lads recently) with any chance to dub any Welsh player with the 'Gav' tag. Look closer to home before taking cheap little WUM shots. You are the one making a mountain out of nothing about the Lomu thing.

North is not the finished article but is pretty good. Warburton is pretty good. Also you will find that a lot of people do not like Mike Phillips. So I don't quite understand where you are coming from.

 

[Draggs]

Nothing but hype? I'd understand if he had maybe scored two international tries in 20 or so matches, but 8 in 11 is pretty outstanding.
Before you call them run ins, please watch a few (and his try assists, those aren't bad)
Please don't get all Welsh fans confused with Western Fail readers.

I guess it must be tough to contain one's jealousy when you look at the youth coming through an international side when another is relying on the same players for the past decade.
Then again, you might just be trolling and have got a good reaction. Well done.

 

[lucky number 7]

Haha, just remember a few SA posters giving him grief. Made me think he was big and useless.

Probably about the Northern Hemisphere ?

 

[JW.]

Not surprised that you are one to slag the lad off (any chance of some of the Welsh lads recently) with any chance to dub any Welsh player with the 'Gav' tag. Look closer to home before taking cheap little WUM shots. You are the one making a mountain out of nothing about the Lomu thing.

North is not the finished article but is pretty good. Warburton is pretty good. Also you will find that a lot of people do not like Mike Phillips. So I don't quite understand where you are coming from.

He IMO is not 'slagging the lad off' but just warning Wales not to do an England and ruin a player with great potential.

And why move North to the centre's when he is making such an impact on the wing? Who would you play in his place on the wing, you have Jamie Roberts and a decent enough 13 either Henson or Davies as centre.

 

[Logorrhea]

Look closer to home before taking cheap little WUM shots. You are the one making a mountain out of nothing about the Lomu thing

Steady on there now. No need to go all leave Britany alone on me. Read what I say before;

Seriously ladies, you need to be able to discuss rugby, including Welsh players, like adults. If your going to cry everytime someone says your toys are ****, well your going to be miserable.

I still dont believe Warburton is the best 7 in the world. I'm coming around to it, but I need to convincing. The same applies to Lydiate, Bradley Davies, Halfpenny and yes George North. All burst onto the scene but not all develop past their initial promise. Wait and see.

 

[Draggs]

I have no problem discussing Welsh players. I am more than willing to discuss it with someone who makes a sensible point. Calling someone overrated and over hyped. What most have said is that he is a good wing right now with potential for being better. seems childish to me. How about the precious Irish players? BOD, the greatest ever. Heaslip, the best eight. Paul O'Connell, the best lock.

Where did someone say Warburton was the best openside? I haven't, and I don't think he is. Now if you want to start a discussion, go ahead, I'll join in. If you want to make infantile statements and then call names when you are called out, not going to waste my time.

 

[Dizzy]

Don't even get me started on Cryan O Driscoll Draggs, [just kidding guys, don't really get me started]

On George North, from what I've seen of him, he is an oustanding player and for his age, it's inevitable that he is going to do wonders for his country and our sport. I can definitely see the Lomu likeness[in playing style not looks] in the form of his strength and I can't wait to see what his future holds.

 

[Logorrhea]

How about the precious Irish players? BOD, the greatest ever. Heaslip, the best eight. Paul O'Connell, the best lock.

I agree pretty much with what your saying, your probably going a little (just a little) over the top, but again I'm not sure why you are bringing up Irish players when we are meant to be talking about the newest new white welsh legend.

If you want to make infantile statements and then call names when you are called out, not going to waste my time.

Which infantile statements? I'm just commenting on your behaviour, on your responses, and the rather childish way you put them together. Instead of actually addressing what I say you go off on an irrelevant tangent. You keep replying AT me, but you never actually reply TO me. Quit your whinging, stop trying to work out why I say what I say and respond to what I say. You can of course just stop crying, accept that its okay to reserve judgement on him, and shut up.

Your arguement seems to be that he has scored tries so he must be a legend. I'm suggesting you slow down on the hero worship, see how he gets on in a few years when defenses understand what he brings to the pitch and offenses learn how to attack him. Then you will get a better picture of exactly how good this guy is.

Oh and for god sake can people lay off the comparisons with a player like Jonah Lomu. Its insulting to anyone with half a brain.

i will say that i can see certain Lomu-isums in him............................ 'The White Lomu' is the best analogy i've heard on here about him.

it's inevitable that he is going to do wonders for his country and our sport. I can definitely see the Lomu likeness[in playing style not looks] in the form of his strength and I can't wait to see what his future holds.

 

[scarlets-fan]

Oh and for god sake can people lay off the comparisons with a player like Jonah Lomu. Its insulting to anyone with half a brain.

I was actually quoting someone else because I thought it was funny, not true. But i do have high hopes for him, every nation that had a prospect like him would create the same hype and excitement. We can get excited if we like!

If North was a New Zealander would they bring up the 'L' word? (Not Lesbian)

 

[ranger]

I was actually quoting someone else because I thought it was funny, not true. But i do have high hopes for him, every nation that had a prospect like him would create the same hype and excitement. We can get excited if we like!

If North was a New Zealander would they bring up the 'L' word? (Not Lesbian)

Maybe if the prefixed it with "White"

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Steady on there now. No need to go all leave Britany alone on me. Read what I say before;

Seriously ladies, you need to be able to discuss rugby, including Welsh players, like adults. If your going to cry everytime someone says your toys are ****, well your going to be miserable.

I still dont believe Warburton is the best 7 in the world. I'm coming around to it, but I need to convincing. The same applies to Lydiate, Bradley Davies, Halfpenny and yes George North. All burst onto the scene but not all develop past their initial promise. Wait and see.

Selective cutting and pasting will not do. Posting images that has no relevant to the argument is exactly what I am on about.

No one has called him the best in the World. Just yourself misreading ... again. He should be classed as a World Class player as he is one of the best 7s in the world.

The whole Irish thing was brought in because when someone dares mentions an Irish players, some of the Irish board members jump up and down whining about the comments made e.g. when someone said that Heaslip was not the best 8 in the world or O'Connell the best lock. Will be in interesting to see if you understand that.

 

[dullonien]

In the same way I'm still waiting on Henson to fulfill his potential, I'll reserve judgement on this one.

From what I can see hes another overhyped undertalented (though suitable oversized) Welsh player. Ive met the guy and he was actually really chatty, decent, and down to earth, but on the rugby field he looks more like a Matt Banahan then a Jonah Lomu at the moment.

Lets hold off on the hype and wait and see.

Is there really a need to turn a decent thread, where people have been keeping rather level headed about the young lad, into another one of your wumming play things. I know you get a kick out of it, but I for one get rather fed-up with you intentionally trolling some threads just to fulfil your own needs. Somewhere in there, there's a half decent point about people not getting carried away, but you've said it in such a stupid bloody way, that Cymro and others are completely justified in calling you a bit of an idiot.

I think you're a decent poster when you try, but for some reason you're intentionally annoying for allot of the time.

Edit. Back to what the thread is actually on about. North is much, much more than just a big man (unlike Banahan). He uses his size to his advantage, but more often than not he beats the defender with his feet and speed, and doesn't just try and smash his way through them. I think the Namibia game is a good indication of how North attempts to play. He didn't just run straight, and try and bulldoze his way through (apart from his second try, which is what was needed), he did the complete opposite, and that's what makes him such an exciting prospect.

 

[Draggs]

I agree pretty much with what your saying, your probably going a little (just a little) over the top, but again I'm not sure why you are bringing up Irish players when we are meant to be talking about the newest new white welsh legend.


Which infantile statements? I'm just commenting on your behaviour, on your responses, and the rather childish way you put them together. Instead of actually addressing what I say you go off on an irrelevant tangent. You keep replying AT me, but you never actually reply TO me. Quit your whinging, stop trying to work out why I say what I say and respond to what I say. You can of course just stop crying, accept that its okay to reserve judgement on him, and shut up.

Your arguement seems to be that he has scored tries so he must be a legend. I'm suggesting you slow down on the hero worship, see how he gets on in a few years when defenses understand what he brings to the pitch and offenses learn how to attack him. Then you will get a better picture of exactly how good this guy is.

Oh and for god sake can people lay off the comparisons with a player like Jonah Lomu. Its insulting to anyone with half a brain.

Infantile statements such as calling him overhyped without any actual reason.
I can go ahead and give every player some label and not back it up as well, but I prefer to give actual reasons for my thinking and not just put what I feel. If you perhaps justified what you said, people would be more willing to actually discuss things with you.

As far as responding at you, I don't know what I have said that has been interpreted as such, but I think I have responded fairly well to what you have given us.

Could you please show my where I have called George North a legend? I might have called him a good young player with plenty of room for improvement, but certainly not a legend. Beyond the Welsh 'media', I have not spoken to one person who calls North a Welsh Lomu.

Now, you can continue to say whatever you want and then act innocent when you are called out, or we can we go back to a proper discussion and not get carried away?

I mean really, was Lomu anywhere near our George's level? Also, Huw Bennett seems to be a modern-day Fitzpatrick.

 

[Saintjay]

19 year old lad playing for Wales good luck to him. Both him and Warbuton have away to go but they are good players.

Seems to me that we should all agree they are both decent and only time will tell exactly how good these lads are.

I for one wish them both well, and that they achieve the things they want out of rugby because many don't. I hope they make barbarians teams, lions squads, win things, because let's be honest most of us on here wish we could have done it we played for the four home unions.

In fours years we might be saying "Remember that George North what happend to him" or "North what a legend" You just dont know.