Lions Goal Kicker

[Rhondda Rudie]

Assuming Halfpenny will be the test full back or wing and Sexton or Farrell plays at 10,who do members think should take the place kicks?

 

[big ginger 8]

If Sexton starts I think he should kick. Now before I am mobbed by the Welsh I'm not saying your Halfpenny isn't the best kicker in the world (though it is more debatable than some think). Anyway Sexton is in his own right an excellent kicker. He also is to me not someone who would respond very well to, "we don't think your kicking is as good as Leigh's". I think he loves the pressure kicking brings and thrives under it . He wants to be the main man and is better for it.

Of course Halfpenny for the 50-55m+ ones.

 

[SelimNiai]

Its a tough call to make but one that whichever way you go, Halfpenny, Sexton or Farrell you get a guy who can kick at a very high standard and be confident of a 90-100% success rate.

It will all come down to the day and could quite conceivably be settled with a coin toss

 

[Aedaphon]

If Sexton starts I think he should kick. Now before I am mobbed by the Welsh I'm not saying your Halfpenny isn't the best kicker in the world (though it is more debatable than some think). Anyway Sexton is in his own right an excellent kicker. He also is to me not someone who would respond very well to, "we don't think your kicking is as good as Leigh's". I think he loves the pressure kicking brings and thrives under it . He wants to be the main man and is better for it.

Of course Halfpenny for the 50-55m+ ones.

I'd say Halfpenny is the only player almost certain to start and thus should be the kicker on that merit alone. Also, the coaches should expect the best game out of their 10, regardless of whether or not he is the goalkicker. I'm not saying that the pressure of goalkicking couldn't improve Sexton's game, just that it shouldn't, If he isn't the best kicker on the pitch (which is definitely debatable), he shouldn't be kicking at goal.

That said, Laidlaw with an outside shot at goalkicker. He was fantastic over the course of the 6N and it's worth seeing if he can recreate that form (if he's included on the touring side).

 

[psychic duck]

If Sexton starts I think he should kick. Now before I am mobbed by the Welsh I'm not saying your Halfpenny isn't the best kicker in the world (though it is more debatable than some think). Anyway Sexton is in his own right an excellent kicker. He also is to me not someone who would respond very well to, "we don't think your kicking is as good as Leigh's". I think he loves the pressure kicking brings and thrives under it . He wants to be the main man and is better for it.

Of course Halfpenny for the 50-55m+ ones.

He didn't respond that well to the "we don't think your kicking is as good as ROG's" though.

In fact, Sexton's goal kicking IIRC was the main reason as to why he was hauled off for an aged past his best ROG who was not nearly as good a player as him to come off the bench between 2010-2011. His goal kicking was a disaster a couple of years back in a defeat vs Scotland and very poor at the RWC and missed some against Wales in the 2012 match.

Having said that though, his kicking has always been sublime with Leinster where he didn't have competition from ROG and his supporters so not sure where you got your theory from. Going by his goal kicking percentages in green, Halfpenny is the better goal kicker and has more distance as well. When in blue though, Sexton matches up to Halfpenny.

 

[Groundhog]

I think Halfpenny should kick.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

He didn't respond that well to the "we don't think your kicking is as good as ROG's" though.

In fact, Sexton's goal kicking IIRC was the main reason as to why he was hauled off for an aged past his best ROG who was not nearly as good a player as him to come off the bench between 2010-2011. His goal kicking was a disaster a couple of years back in a defeat vs Scotland and very poor at the RWC and missed some against Wales in the 2012 match.

Having said that though, his kicking has always been sublime with Leinster where he didn't have competition from ROG and his supporters so not sure where you got your theory from. Going by his goal kicking percentages in green, Halfpenny is the better goal kicker and has more distance as well. When in blue though, Sexton matches up to Halfpenny.

Right hold up - what possible relevance does his goal kicking a few years back have? Unless you're suggesting he's still a disastrous kicker. Players obviously improve, but of course, Halfpenny has always been an unbelievable kicker, right?

 

[Thingimubob]

Right hold up - what possible relevance does his goal kicking a few years back have? Unless you're suggesting he's still a disastrous kicker. Players obviously improve, but of course, Halfpenny has always been an unbelievable kicker, right?

Gotta agree with this, it's all about the here and now and who's the best when it comes to tour time. Personally I'd give it to Halfpenny, he's proven that he can handle the pressure kicks, including a last min winner vs Ireland 2012 and huge match sealing kicks against France 2012 and 2013. If not I'm happy with the idea of Sexton getting the majority and Halfpenny getting the big long range ones. Means that the Aussies know that they cannot infringe anywhere up to even 55m - 60m.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Whoever does better in warmups/practises.

That's how lots of teams do it when they have more than one kicker (e.g. Rebels last season when they had Beale, JOC and Cipriani all in the same XV - they'd use who was the more consistent in the run up to the game).

 

[big ginger 8]

He didn't respond that well to the "we don't think your kicking is as good as ROG's" though.

In fact, Sexton's goal kicking IIRC was the main reason as to why he was hauled off for an aged past his best ROG who was not nearly as good a player as him to come off the bench between 2010-2011. His goal kicking was a disaster a couple of years back in a defeat vs Scotland and very poor at the RWC and missed some against Wales in the 2012 match.

Having said that though, his kicking has always been sublime with Leinster where he didn't have competition from ROG and his supporters so not sure where you got your theory from. Going by his goal kicking percentages in green, Halfpenny is the better goal kicker and has more distance as well. When in blue though, Sexton matches up to Halfpenny.

Great idea tell me what has happened to a player I watch every week. Of course I'm fully aware he had problems with his goalkicking for Ireland. Since the World Cup that is gone and he is incredibly consistent. And in case you didn't get it him not responding well to being told his kicking isn't as good is exactly what I was saying.

 

[lynam1104]

Sexton (assuming he starts) inside about 45 meters Halfpenny any further.

 

[Peat]

Its a tough call to make but one that whichever way you go, Halfpenny, Sexton or Farrell you get a guy who can kick at a very high standard and be confident of a 90-100% success rate.

It will all come down to the day and could quite conceivably be settled with a coin toss

Oh no you don't.

 

[psychic duck]

Oh no you don't.

Farrell is a great goal kicker and has good nerve as well.

His performance vs Racing-Metro with the boot was one of the best kicking displays there's been.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Farrell is a great goal kicker and has good nerve as well.

His performance vs Racing-Metro with the boot was one of the best kicking displays there's been.

He is also very prone to cracking under pressure, shown in the games against Munster in Thomond and Wales and a few more games he's played.

I think Halfpenny should kick if he stays as consistent as he currently is but I'd agree with Olyy and let the player who is kicking better at the time kick.

Halfpenny and Sexton are as close as the Lions have to certain starters both are extremely competent kickers and both more consistent than their Aussie counterparts so I don't think it's a very big deal to be honest.

 

[dullonien]

I'd have Halfpenny kicking. He's the most consistent kicker available, so have him kicking.

 

[Peat]

Farrell is a great goal kicker and has good nerve as well.

His performance vs Racing-Metro with the boot was one of the best kicking displays there's been.

He is also very prone to cracking under pressure, shown in the games against Munster in Thomond and Wales and a few more games he's played.

Somewhere twixt one and other.

But what I can safely say is Farrell has not hit a 90pc or so average strike rate in a competition in a while. I believe I've already posted up the stats. This season, his kicking as a sum does not deserve the superlatives people lay on it.

 

[j'nuh]

Laidlaw being very underrated. Scotland had 31 penalties, missed 4 for a 87% success rate. Wales had 37 penalties, missed 6 for an 83% rate.

Not sure on the breakdown of who took and missed kicks for Scotland though. Laidlaw took the majority.

Halfpenny, Laidlaw or Sexton. No one mention Farrell.

 

[TommyV]

Changed my mind on this, I think Halfpenny should kick. As mentioned, you should expect a 10 to play well with or without kicking duties. If Halfpenny is taking one's from range anyway, I'd want him to line up a 55m kick having slotted 30-40m penalties from all over before, not having to have watched Sexton do it instead.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Agree with Oly - it will be however performs best in training. Sexton might get first test, Halfpenny 2nd, etc. Both players cope extremely well under pressure (HP vs Ireland, Sexton vs Montpellier for example).

 

[Aedaphon]

Agree with Oly - it will be however performs best in training. Sexton might get first test, Halfpenny 2nd, etc. Both players cope extremely well under pressure (HP vs Ireland, Sexton vs Montpellier for example).

I don't know if it's fair to say any one kicker is the best based off of single performances. All the kickers put forward here have had fantastic and off days with the boot. While personally I think the 11/11 Farrell slotted recently shows a serious level of class with the boot, others will rightly put forward great kicking performances from Halfpenny, Sexton and Laidlaw.

Personally, I think Halfpenny should get the nod just because he has the greatest range (although Laidlaw's been looking good from far out...) and so should get settled into the role of kicking if he's going to be taking any kicks at all.