Team of Week 1

[TRF_Olyy]

Somehow we managed to dominate a pack much heavier than ours in the scrum

Ay?
We held our own but there was no domination. If anything I'd say Scotland had the slight upperhand at scrum time.

 

[j'nuh]

Really? Apart from the one technical offense when England went too early, the Scottish scrum either stayed static or went backwards...

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

1. Lo Cicero
2. Ghiraldini (for his work in the loose)
3. Jones
4. Botha
5. O'Connell
6. Denton (Gotta get him in somwhere)
7. Tipuric
8. Picamoles
9. Phillips
10. Priestland (Just don't give him the kicking duties!)
11. Malzieu
12. Fofana
13. Davies
14. North
15. Halfpenny

16. Best
17. Healy (Although if we get an injury at tightead we are f*cked)
18. Gray
19. Jones (How the Hell has Parisse not made the team:huh: Edit: Or Dusautoir:huh
20. Yachvili
21. Botes (Really impressed me when he came on)
22. Kearney

you know what, one thing that really irritates me is when our judgements of italys players are overly kind just because theyre a less good team, whereas we penalise england because theyre england and they should always, consistently, be amazing, given the ridiculous resources they have etc etc. I agree that wales should have the most players in that team but you've gone to all lengths to exclude england players besides botha. we were one of the 3 winning teams.... were all our players really that bad? Was fofana really that great against Italy that he's there over Barritt, who I thought had a great game? Not even a bench spot? I don't agree with any of your front row selections if i'm honest. No place for corbisiero? i just think your being too kind to the italians i have to confess. Actually, I agree with Healy, he maybe should be in your starting 22. I know its each to his own, but I have to confess, I find it exasperating.

I disagree Olyy, we definitely had the upper hand over the scottish scrum. domination no, but we had them on the ropes.

 

[Me 1]

you know what, one thing that really irritates me is when our judgements of italys players are overly kind just because theyre a less good team, whereas we penalise england because theyre england and they should always, consistently, be amazing, given the ridiculous resources they have etc etc. I agree that wales should have the most players in that team but you've gone to all lengths to exclude england players besides botha. we were one of the 3 winning teams.... were all our players really that bad? Was fofana really that great against Italy that he's there over Barritt, who I thought had a great game? Not even a bench spot? I don't agree with any of your front row selections if i'm honest. No place for corbisiero? i just think your being too kind to the italians i have to confess. Actually, I agree with Healy, he maybe should be in your starting 22. I know its each to his own, but I have to confess, I find it exasperating.

I disagree Olyy, we definitely had the upper hand over the scottish scrum. domination no, but we had them on the ropes.

Maybe your right, I'm no expert lol

Edit: Probably also due to almost falling to sleep during most of the Scotland-England game too:lol:

Edit Edit: Why single me out? Just realised loads of people have been 'ignoring' England as much if not worse than me, with many having 0 English selections. Many people have also selected at least 1 Italian (I have only selected 2 anyway), and the only reason I selected Lo Cicero is because no one stood out for me and so I decided to be lazy and copy everyone else. And seeing as I'm in an argumentative mood now let's compare England to my team.

1. Lo Cicero Corbisiero Could be better, as I said lazy on that one and I found the Scotland-England match really boring, almost no one stood out there
2. Ghiraldini Hartley Was impressed highly with Ghiraldini in the loose.
3. Jones Cole Did what was expected of him.
4. Botha I picked him
5. Palmer O'Connell Was impressed with Palmer but not as good as O'Connell
6. Denton Croft Denton was one of the few people who shone in that game.
7. Tipuric Robshaw Robshaw is not a seven
8. Picamoles Dowson Dowson was useless
9. Phillips Youngs Youngs was awfull.
10. Priestland Hodgson meh.... Need I say any more?
11. Malzieu Strettle Malzieu scored an epic try, Strettle was good in defence but overall, very meh...
12. Fofana Farrell May I ask what Fofana is supposed to have done wrong? Besides everyone else is picking him. Why single me out?
13. Davies Barritt Davies was great today, Barritt did nothing in attack. You need to be able to attack reasonably well to make my team.
14. North Ashton Look at my avatar. But seriously he was much better than Ashton and was simply epic.
15. Halfpenny Foden Could make a case for Foden, but I went for Halfpenny because he was good too, Priestland's kicking was shite so we need someone else to do it.

So in my opinion you can only make a case for Foden and Corbsiero (perhaps Palmer on the bench) so I don't know what your complaining about.

As for Italy bias- as for the starters I've explained them and I picked Botes because I couldn't seperate Trinh-Duc and Sexton, who were good but not perfect. So I decided to go for someone who we didn't see all of who looked good when he came on, plus always been a fan of.

Also, I don't rate Castro, think that's biased? Happy now?

Edit Edit Edit: Rant over!

 

[Seaton]

Really? Apart from the one technical offense when England went too early, the Scottish scrum either stayed static or went backwards...

Hold your breath!...




I agree with you

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Missed Italy vs France match and I'm going on highlights of that match:

1. Healy (Lo Cicero didn't come up too much in the highlights)
2. Best
3. Jones
4. Gray (Thought he did great work in loose and tight)
5. O'Connell
6. Jones
7. Tipuric (Massive impact)
8. Denton (Top forward of the weekend)
9. Nobody really stood out TBH, don't know how Phillips got motm.... Yachvili?
10. Similar to 9 neither out halves were good in the Ireland Wales or England Scotland match. Sexton was better than Priestland IMO but still not good. Maybe Trinh-Duc.
11. North (How is that guy only 19. Wales are on the brink of having one of the best wingers ever.)
12. Fofana (Great debut)
13. Davies (Class player)
14. Malzieu (Have I got the sides mixed up?)
15. Kearney (Back to '09 form... I like this)

Worst players:

1. Gill
2. Hartley (no impact)
3. -
4. Davies (Deserves a lot of hate for that)
5. -
6. -
7. Robshaw and O'Brien were both poor
8. Dowson not international standard
9. Murray (Very predictable, not very dangerous and very overrated)
10. Parks
11.
12. D'Arcy (Past it)
13. Barrit (didn't notice him.)
14. Bowe (Lost the match with that drop)
15. -

 

[Peat]

cmac, if you didn't notice Barritt, you honestly need to get to specsavers mate as he did a colossal amount of defensive work. Huge. Stood up and was counted.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Fair enough. Also my eyesight is fine thank you very much it's my brain function that would need checked out if anything.

I'd also just got in from a G.Football match so might not have paid as much attention to detail as I usually would.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

Best team:

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Jones
4. O'Connell
5. Gray
6. Jones
7. Tipuric
8. Denton
9. Phillips
10. Sexton
11. North
12. Fofana
13. Davies
14. Malzieu
15. Kearney

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Maybe your right, I'm no expert lol

Edit: Probably also due to almost falling to sleep during most of the Scotland-England game too:lol:

Edit Edit: Why single me out? Just realised loads of people have been 'ignoring' England as much if not worse than me, with many having 0 English selections. Many people have also selected at least 1 Italian (I have only selected 2 anyway), and the only reason I selected Lo Cicero is because no one stood out for me and so I decided to be lazy and copy everyone else. And seeing as I'm in an argumentative mood now let's compare England to my team.

1. Lo Cicero Corbisiero Could be better, as I said lazy on that one and I found the Scotland-England match really boring, almost no one stood out there
2. Ghiraldini Hartley Was impressed highly with Ghiraldini in the loose.
3. Jones Cole Did what was expected of him.
4. Botha I picked him
5. Palmer O'Connell Was impressed with Palmer but not as good as O'Connell
6. Denton Croft Denton was one of the few people who shone in that game.
7. Tipuric Robshaw Robshaw is not a seven
8. Picamoles Dowson Dowson was useless
9. Phillips Youngs Youngs was awfull.
10. Priestland Hodgson meh.... Need I say any more?
11. Malzieu Strettle Malzieu scored an epic try, Strettle was good in defence but overall, very meh...
12. Fofana Farrell May I ask what Fofana is supposed to have done wrong? Besides everyone else is picking him. Why single me out?
13. Davies Barritt Davies was great today, Barritt did nothing in attack. You need to be able to attack reasonably well to make my team.
14. North Ashton Look at my avatar. But seriously he was much better than Ashton and was simply epic.
15. Halfpenny Foden Could make a case for Foden, but I went for Halfpenny because he was good too, Priestland's kicking was shite so we need someone else to do it.

So in my opinion you can only make a case for Foden and Corbsiero (perhaps Palmer on the bench) so I don't know what your complaining about.

As for Italy bias- as for the starters I've explained them and I picked Botes because I couldn't seperate Trinh-Duc and Sexton, who were good but not perfect. So I decided to go for someone who we didn't see all of who looked good when he came on, plus always been a fan of.

Also, I don't rate Castro, think that's biased? Happy now?

Edit Edit Edit: Rant over!

yeah, to be fair, everyone does it, thats why I introduced it as a 'do you know what gets my goat'. Your post just happened to be there man haha, easy target I guess, sorry about that. I don't even think your post was far wrong, just that on a few occasions our players werent given the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Me 1]

yeah, to be fair, everyone does it, thats why I introduced it as a 'do you know what gets my goat'. Your post just happened to be there man haha, easy target I guess, sorry about that. I don't even think your post was far wrong, just that on a few occasions our players werent given the benefit of the doubt.

Haha, better luck next time

 

[Me 1]

Time for the scrutinising analysis of planet rugby's usually odd team:

Team of Round One:
15 Rob Kearney (Ireland) - Impeccable under the high ball, the Leinsterman converted his excellent Heineken Cup form onto the Test stage. Andrea Masi did well for Italy and Leigh Halfpenny deserves some kudos for holding his nerve to slot the winning three-pointer at Lansdowne Road.
14 George North (Wales) - Arguably the player of the weekend, the 19-years-old Scarlets monster once again showed his potential to become a star of the world game, scoring a try and creating another. A mention too for Tommy Bowe.
13 Jonathan Davies (Wales) - Another strong performance from Davies, who ran great angles all day and finished off two tries superbly. A mention must go to Aurélien Rougerie, who scored France's first try with a fine solo effort and was solid on defence.
12 Wesley Fofana (France) - A promising start to the Test career of one of France's brightest rising stars. The Clermont youngster was a real handful on attack. Likewise, Owen Farrell did well under difficult circumstances on his international debut.
11 Julien Malzieu (France) - The Man of the Match at the Stade de France, Malzieu's touch down goes straight to the top of the list of contenders for try of tournament. He beat five defenders to score probably the best try of 2012 so far. Brilliant!
10 Greig Laidlaw (Scotland) - If you think we're intentionally throwing a cat amongst the pigeons here, you're right. Laidlaw only played 20 minutes but the difference he made to the Scottish attack cannot go unnoticed by Andy Robinson. Did he score a try? The debate will go for while yet...
9 Mike Phillips (Wales) - The Official Man of the Match in Dublin, the Bayonne 9 was full of positive intentions and regularly attacked the gain line with success.
8 Louis Picamoles (France) - Scotland's stand-out performer David Denton is unlucky not to get the nod after a eye-catching display but Picamoles's ball carrying was second to none. The Toulouse charger's break to set up Malzieu's try was out of the top drawer.
7 Chris Robshaw (England) - Murrayfield witnessed a real war at the breakdown and England's captain was in the front lines. The image of Robshaw in a ripped shirt squaring off with Chris Cusiter spoke a thousand words. A mention too for Treviso loose forward Robert Barbieri, who continues to catch the eye.
6 Ryan Jones (Wales) - The former Wales skipper put on his best performance in a red jersey for many moons, running hard and providing leadership when Sam Warburton was forced off. Thierry Dusautoir was his usual devastating self on defence.
5 Jim Hamilton (Scotland) - One of Scotland's best ball carriers, Hamilton was also solid at line-out time. Paul O'Connell ruled in the air at the line-outs and restarts in the Irish capital.
4 Cornelius van Zyl (Italy) - The French line-out jumpers were given a tough time by their opposite numbers and Van Zyl was very active all around the park. Mentions too for Richie Gray and Donncha O'Callaghan.
3 Nicolas Mas (France) - Italy's much-vaunted scrum was never able to truly get on top as Mas and William Servat proved immovable in supporting Vincent Debaty.
2 Rory Best (Ireland) - Ireland's line-out functioned well and Best was rewarded for a solid display with his team's first try. Leonardo Ghiraldini was consistent for Italy.
1 Cian Healy (Ireland) - A hard-working performance from Ireland's loosehead, making nine tackles and carrying 10 times. Alex Corbisiero did well for England, securing a crucial turnover on his own tryline and impressing at scrum time.

Laidlaw to start?
van Zyl?
Hamilton?
Robshaw?

Discuss

 

[Seaton]

Time for the scrutinising analysis of planet rugby's usually odd team:


Laidlaw to start?
van Zyl?
Hamilton?
Robshaw?

Discuss

One point:

Stay away from planet troll.

 

[Me 1]

One point:

Stay away from planet troll.

That's why I said scrutinising analysis, posh word for trolling

 

[Seaton]

That's why I said scrutinising analysis, posh word for trolling

Some of the stuff posted on there would have Julian Assange on his knees begging for restrictions on freedom of speech.

 

[SelimNiai]

I think they have it dead on with Hamilton, was a good ball carrier, in that first half the Scottish forwards did more with the ball in hand than everyone else.

After that though;
It was Cusiter who ripped the shirt not what they claim.
Van Zyl over Gray or Davies (pre-sinbin)? What the actual feckerbombs?

 

[Olliekooga]

These two stick out the most to me!

Rennie had a bloody good game - yes he fluffed one oppurtunity but the rest of his game was cracking. He was easily the 2nd best back row on the pitch (behind Denton).

Halfpenny had a good game. You're basically saying he was the worst 15 of the weekend because Kearney is taller than him.

In the spirirt of right to reply and all that.

Rennie - That chance missed was massive. It may be going to far to say it lost Scotland the game but if it didnt it was certainly a massive contributory factor. Second best back row? I suppose everyone is entitled to their opinion

Halfpenny - Look again. Do you really think working in the air is to do with height. In my (a props) opinion it has far more to do with bottle, technique and of course positioning.

 

[Seaton]

To be fair to Rennie, a supprting player should let the attacking player know where he is.

Blair had his gob shut until the last moment, which meant Rennie had to look for the support several times instead of concentrating on when to offload.

An All Black would have had the confidence to offload knowing there was a player there, if a little unsure he would have a look.

 

[Toby Faletau-Jones]

Not getting all the love for Phillips. He's as slow at distributing from rucks as he's ever been. Sure he can sometimes use his weight to gain a couple of meters over the gainline, but there are 8 other forwards already on the pitch to do this - there's no need for a back row 9. Gori was the best out of a bad bunch of 9s.

Corbisiero is the only Englishman to get into the XV imo. Somehow we managed to dominate a pack much heavier than ours in the scrum, and a lot of this pressure came from Corbs. Foden was pretty good too, showed flashes but didn't really have the support/good players around him. Now we just need to sort out 2-14...

Mike Phillips is the best scrum-half in the world, irrespective of his Welsh nationality. The supposed slow service was a result of the slowing of the ball from Ireland. Also, just to enlighten you, Mike Phillips were previously a flanker before becoming professional, so that explains his extra-forward mentality. It is a great thing, because it enables him to compete with opposition forwards, whereas other scrum halves would just be brushed aside, thus loosing the ball. He was the main benefactor behind Wales' forward momentum on Sunday, especially with the Irish being so physical at the breakdowns.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

Yeah to be fair Kearney's ability in the air isn't just down to his height. It's a total disregard for his own safety and the safety of the person he's competing with. Unlike most when Kearney does an up and under and runs to compete with the opposition fullback he has an immediate advantage because he jumps extremely high at speed and knees the other fullback in the face. Can't be easy catching a ball with Kearney's knee coming at your face at full pace