TRF's Team of the 6 Nations 2012 - Backs Nominations

[cyRil]

No.

Whadda you know? You think Cian Healy's GOOD!!

jokin babes xoxoxo

 

[dullonien]

Kearney's got a much better kicking game out of hand as well

I wouldn't say much better, but I'll give him that. Sorry, not sure how I missed that. Halfpenny's kicking game was good against France though.

 

[bushytop]

Halfpenny's kicking game is hardly a weakness. Both great players as are Lydiate and Ferris... I feel both Ireland players were considered slightly better pre-6N but the Welsh boys recent performances have seen them close the gap and maybe supercede the Irish pair.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Halfpenny's kicking game is hardly a weakness. Both great players as are Lydiate and Ferris... I feel both Ireland players were considered slightly better pre-6N but the Welsh boys recent performances have seen them close the gap and maybe supercede the Irish pair.

hehehehe, Someone better than Ferris, Whatta joke.

 

[dullonien]

hehehehe, Someone better than Ferris, Whatta joke.

Overrated

 

[big ginger 8]

Overrated

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[Eirian]

How could Kearney possibly have made the tackles on Fofana and Davies, Davies had about 4 meters on him when he entered the 22 and Davies isn't exactly slow, Fofana scored because Earls messed up a kick and it's very hard to tackle a faster man than you when you are trailing him and he's reached his top speed. As for the Gray try, it was against Scotland every player is going to have a lapse in concentration over the space of five matches and Kearney did it in Ireland's most convincing win. Also, try scoring isn't everything Kearney's takes set up a huge amount of ireland's tries and penalties and he was incredibly solid in defence too.

Conclusion: Halfpenny was Wales' best Kearney was the best.

(I think that last line was the cheesyest think I've ever written)

Really? Watch those tries again....

Fofana try - from around 1:20 in... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17245178
Kearney is tracking across, he ends up making a tackle but not soon enough to make a try. He could have made the tackle a few yards further away from the try line but a) is too slow to step on the gas, and b) picks the wrong angle and makes an L-shaped chase. Through doing this he gives himself more ground to cover and is ultimately a few yards too many to make the tackle in time. Now contrast this to Halfpenny's effort to get across the pitch for his try saving tackle against Strettle.

Jon Davies try - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBebwweM4t8
He doesn't have 4 metres on him. Kearney actually runs past Davies' angle of running, had he *Slowed down* he could have put in a tackle. You could argue that he was running to cover the outside backs, my response would be he needed to at least force a pass from Davies, who was through. There is no doubt Kearney was in a position to tackle Davies.

I don't think a lapse in concentration is a satisfactory excuse for leaking a try.

Kearney sets up tries and penalties... But so does Halfpenny.

 

[big ginger 8]

Really? Watch those tries again....

Fofana try - from around 1:20 in... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17245178
Kearney is tracking across, he ends up making a tackle but not soon enough to make a try. He could have made the tackle a few yards further away from the try line but a) is too slow to step on the gas, and b) picks the wrong angle and makes an L-shaped chase. Through doing this he gives himself more ground to cover and is ultimately a few yards too many to make the tackle in time. Now contrast this to Halfpenny's effort to get across the pitch for his try saving tackle against Strettle.

Jon Davies try - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBebwweM4t8
He doesn't have 4 metres on him. Kearney actually runs past Davies' angle of running, had he *Slowed down* he could have put in a tackle. You could argue that he was running to cover the outside backs, my response would be he needed to at least force a pass from Davies, who was through. There is no doubt Kearney was in a position to tackle Davies.

I don't think a lapse in concentration is a satisfactory excuse for leaking a try.

Kearney sets up tries and penalties... But so does Halfpenny.

If Kearney ran full pace for Fofana he'd have been stepped and he'd have been under posts. Remember France missed the conversion. he also nearly held it up he did as well as anyone could. You say Kearney only does the pretty stuff well. Yes the fielding looks cool but it's one of if not the most important part of being a fullback.

Also is this not good defending:

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Kearney is in general a rock in defense rarely if ever misses a tackle. Watch psychic ducks favorite video of Gorgodze running over SO'B who's the one to tackle him.

 

[Me 1]

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Oh no, not more Liam Neeson

 

[Groundhog]

Your right we need some Sean Bean to counter him

 

[big ginger 8]

Oh no, not more Liam Neeson

There'd be more but my computer has an awesomeness limit. It won't even let me post a sad face.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Really? Watch those tries again....

Fofana try - from around 1:20 in... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17245178
Kearney is tracking across, he ends up making a tackle but not soon enough to make a try. He could have made the tackle a few yards further away from the try line but a) is too slow to step on the gas, and b) picks the wrong angle and makes an L-shaped chase. Through doing this he gives himself more ground to cover and is ultimately a few yards too many to make the tackle in time. Now contrast this to Halfpenny's effort to get across the pitch for his try saving tackle against Strettle.

Jon Davies try - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBebwweM4t8
He doesn't have 4 metres on him. Kearney actually runs past Davies' angle of running, had he *Slowed down* he could have put in a tackle. You could argue that he was running to cover the outside backs, my response would be he needed to at least force a pass from Davies, who was through. There is no doubt Kearney was in a position to tackle Davies.

I don't think a lapse in concentration is a satisfactory excuse for leaking a try.

Kearney sets up tries and penalties... But so does Halfpenny.

Okay looked at the tries again, Kearney ran past Davies covering the outside man expecting Ferris to make the hit, quite reasonable. As for Fofana he attempted the tackle as soon as he could, as BG8 said if he'd run harder Fofana would have been under the posts. Very reasonable there is absolutely no way you can blame that on him.

Also I never said it as an excuse I said it as it was, please don't tell me halfpenny never made a mistake it's impossible at this level of rugby.

 

[bushytop]

Okay looked at the tries again, Kearney ran past Davies covering the outside man expecting Ferris to make the hit, quite reasonable. As for Fofana he attempted the tackle as soon as he could, as BG8 said if he'd run harder Fofana would have been under the posts. Very reasonable there is absolutely no way you can blame that on him.

Also I never said it as an excuse I said it as it was, please don't tell me halfpenny never made a mistake it's impossible at this level of rugby.

Halfpenny, like everyone else makes the occasional mistake but he is unbelievably reliable and strong in all aspects of fullback play. I can honestly say that since 1/2p moved to 15 I have never found watching international rugby so stress free. Quick feet, iron will and cool head... top man.

 

[Eirian]

If Kearney ran full pace for Fofana he'd have been stepped and he'd have been under posts. Remember France missed the conversion. he also nearly held it up he did as well as anyone could. You say Kearney only does the pretty stuff well. Yes the fielding looks cool but it's one of if not the most important part of being a fullback.

Also is this not good defending:



Kearney is in general a rock in defense rarely if ever misses a tackle. Watch psychic ducks favorite video of Gorgodze running over SO'B who's the one to tackle him.

I thought we were picking this team based on their performance in the 2012 6N.

If Kearney had ran full pace for Fofana it doesn't mean he would have definitely been stepped... See Halfpenny v Strettle. Strettle tried stepping a full-pace Halfpenny, but Halfpenny got enough on him to stop the try. Kearney mistimed his run and put on the burners too late, he underestimated Fofana's pace.

One defensive error I could perhaps overlook, not four that resulted in tries.


If you still disagree that Kearney bears responsibility for these four tries after re-watching them, then there's really nothing more I can say.

 

[Eirian]

Okay looked at the tries again, Kearney ran past Davies covering the outside man expecting Ferris to make the hit, quite reasonable. As for Fofana he attempted the tackle as soon as he could, as BG8 said if he'd run harder Fofana would have been under the posts. Very reasonable there is absolutely no way you can blame that on him.

Also I never said it as an excuse I said it as it was, please don't tell me halfpenny never made a mistake it's impossible at this level of rugby.

Never did. Yellow carded v Italy for example for a clumsy aerial challenge. But Halfpenny made less this tournament, or more importantly they were less costly, they didn't result in tries.

 

[Groundhog]

In my personnel opinion Halfpenny was the better 15 this tournament, Kearney a very close second. I just feel that Halfpenny has taken on a massive role this season and has stood out a lot more for me,probably because I already knew Kearney is very good. That said I've never seen Kearneys defending as a weakness

 

[big ginger 8]

I thought we were picking this team based on their performance in the 2012 6N.

If Kearney had ran full pace for Fofana it doesn't mean he would have definitely been stepped... See Halfpenny v Strettle. Strettle tried stepping a full-pace Halfpenny, but Halfpenny got enough on him to stop the try. Kearney mistimed his run and put on the burners too late, he underestimated Fofana's pace.

One defensive error I could perhaps overlook, not four that resulted in tries.


If you still disagree that Kearney bears responsibility for these four tries after re-watching them, then there's really nothing more I can say.

You listed 3 tries where's this magic fourth come from?

Suggesting that he can only do the stuff that looks good is slander on a brilliant player. Have you seen Fofana's feet he'd have been stepped there was also a possibility of a pass back inside it's a completely different situation to Halfpenny Strettle.

You ignore my point about fielding as well. Halfpenny's a very good player but there's no doubting he missed a few. It's important defending as if the opposition get it they have territory and possession behind the gainline with no fullback in position.

 

[dullonien]

I don't personally think that Kearney was particularly at fault for any of the tries named (although putting in no effort at a tackle v's North in the last of Wales' try's in the first game wasn't great), but I also don't agree with the excuses being made here regarding Fofana's try. You can't 'allow' a try in the corner because there's a risk of getting stepped, you take that risk and if you get stepped then you get stepped. I personally just think that Fofana was a little quicker than Kearney was expecting and he got caught out. It happens and imo isn't a big deal.

The real question is who will retain their good form? Kearney has been a very inconsistent player in the past, ranging from world class in '09, to appalling in the years that followed (injuries didn't help mind). He's back to some cracking form this season. Halfpenny's probably been one of the most consistent Welsh players over the past few years, and that's despite a series of injury setbacks. He's only really just moved to fullback, so time will tell whether he can sustain this level of form, or maybe even if he can push on and improve further. He seems to relish the kicking duties, and he's become one of Wales' most important players.

Having these two, plus Foden (who needs to improve if he's going to keep up) battling it out for the Lions is going to be hugely fun to watch. One of a few matchups that should make the upcoming tour better than ever.

 

[Wilko's left boot]

If it's not too late:

9. Phillips
10. Farrell
11. Cuthbert
12. Fofana
13. Davies
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

 

[Big Ewis]

Kearney's defence, catching excluded, has been abysmal this six nations. His (warning, imflammatory remark) fear of making the tackle is responsible for several tries Ireland leaked this six nations, some of them key. Fofana, Davies and North for example. His attack has been good, but it has not made up for these mistakes. No tries. One assist. A good run doesn't make up for a leaked try, although one looks much better on TV, a good run is more memorable than a decent tackle.

Halfpenny on the other hand has played a complete six nations. Outscored Kearney in tries. Been immense kicking for goal, safest kicker Wales has seen for a while. And also he has put in an epic defensive performance. Watch Strettle's failed attempt at a try. At time = 80:20 he's defending around the ruck at one side of the pitch, the ball is flung wide, at 80:26 he's on the other side of the pitch making what was ultimately a Grand Slam saving tackle. Simply awesome. Catching high balls does not = try saving tackles and tries.

Conclusion: Kearney has done the pretty stuff better, Halfpenny has done the important stuff better.

Haven't quite followed Rob on D...you're probably right. And of course a good run is memorable and will be talked about more than a discrete display of quality rugby...
but Kearney has been majestic, airborne, and super athletic for most of the tournament. He could create an attack on his own, it seemed like Ireland's points were exclusively on his and Bowe's shoulders at times.

Individually, it would seem like Kearney gets the spot. Halfpenny had a much better team to support his effort...
you may be right, I dunno...that's the impression I get.