Yeah all very true. You absolutely took it to SA and not many can match their power, especially with their replacement strategy but you did. We will see, looking forward to the knockouts, some excellent QFs to come, although let's be honest two of them should be the semi finals really!
As for your opening para, I'm sure we're going to see the Ford-Farrell combination again moving forwards so we'll see. Smith and Arundell offer a threat off the bench if needed but it will be substance over style. I wouldn't personally have Farrell in the team but the coaches seem to love him!
Ntamack will miss the whole thing with his ACL injury. Dupont will be back for the QFs they reckon, wearing a mask. Strange to keep him on for so long, but these things can happen in training too so just one of those things.
Arundell walking over the line from 5 yards against Chile isn't much of a guide! ITV went way over the top of course, but there won't be that space against the better sides.
I assume it will be back to hoof the ball for Steward as well.
It's not, but he's got something our usual backline doesn't and that's pace! We've struggled for tries simply because of the lack of pace in our backs, which means they can't expose the defence. Arundell is able to convert chances because he's so quick, but I'd imagine he's a weapon for late on because we will kick the majority of the time. Smith has that ability to run an alternative line, thrown a dummy and create space around him, but he too will be on the bench.
Borthwick has a style of play and he'll stick to it, and I don't blame him. He's had success with it and it's probably better to prioritise a low-risk rugby for a tournament and add the flair later.
There was a real lack of direction from Jones. He's taken that with him to Australia now thankfully.
I honestly don't see what Farrell brings to the table at this stage in the half back positions that you don't already have, plus he's a walking red card and fairly obviously being watched closely by the officials, I wouldn't bring him in tbh if I was coach. Maybe as a centre but who do you drop.Yeah all very true. You absolutely took it to SA and not many can match their power, especially with their replacement strategy but you did. We will see, looking forward to the knockouts, some excellent QFs to come, although let's be honest two of them should be the semi finals really!
As for your opening para, I'm sure we're going to see the Ford-Farrell combination again moving forwards so we'll see. Smith and Arundell offer a threat off the bench if needed but it will be substance over style. I wouldn't personally have Farrell in the team but the coaches seem to love him!
Speaking of pace, Libbok, Kolbe and Arense teaming up in the SA team is fucking frightening, think France will seriously struggle with those 3 if they face off in the quarter finals, France aren't as strong in defence as Ireland, especially out wide and they gave us kittens when South Africa were on top.It's not, but he's got something our usual backline doesn't and that's pace! We've struggled for tries simply because of the lack of pace in our backs, which means they can't expose the defence. Arundell is able to convert chances because he's so quick, but I'd imagine he's a weapon for late on because we will kick the majority of the time. Smith has that ability to run an alternative line, thrown a dummy and create space around him, but he too will be on the bench.
Borthwick has a style of play and he'll stick to it, and I don't blame him. He's had success with it and it's probably better to prioritise a low-risk rugby for a tournament and add the flair later.
There was a real lack of direction from Jones. He's taken that with him to Australia now thankfully.
I honestly don't see what Farrell brings to the table at this stage in the half back positions that you don't already have, plus he's a walking red card and fairly obviously being watched closely by the officials, I wouldn't bring him in tbh if I was coach. Maybe as a centre but who do you drop.
You have some really fine players in the backs but as you say, none have searing pace.Speaking of pace, Libbok, Kolbe and Arense teaming up in the SA team is fucking frightening, think France will seriously struggle with those 3 if they face off in the quarter finals, France aren't as strong in defence as Ireland, especially out wide and they gave us kittens when South Africa were on top.
Would love Ireland to have a couple of options like that. We don't really have anyone with that combo of pace, strength and agility along with a rugby brain to put it all together.
Springboks indeed.
Whisper it but i can see a hugely limited England side getting to the final.As most of you know I've always been on the Rugby threads and can give and take the banter over the years
Can I just say I hate that short arsed Aussie twat Eddie fucking Jones and over the moon my dragons smashed the buggers.
Hope one of the six nations teams wins it and Leightons mob are in the box seat, big Faz has them purring. Faz one of the best rugby league players I've had the pleasure to see play.
Faz is a BLUE seen him loads of times at City.