Which Tyler wrote:2015-16 Stat.s
Which Tyler wrote:More 2015-16 Stats.
Right, time to take a look
LHP: Work rate is damned good for Mako, and immense for Hepburn; both with ball in hand, and tackling – both give away a few more penalties; but that’s bound to happen if they’re getting involved that much.
HK: George is just better than Hartley in every stat on there except turnovers conceded; they also show Hartley up as a carrier – so ineffective compared to the other, and really no better in measurable defence (though there’s no measure for rucks, mauls or set pieces). It also really shows LCD in a good light as an impact sub – though I’d worry about starting him, and still worry over his line-out work.
THP: Sinckler’s work ball-in-hand is worth noting again; and he’s immensely strong, just not experienced enough yet to be effective in the tight (opinion, no stat.s available). Sinckler rightly ahead of Thomas for impact; though HT seems better in the defensive line.
LK: Ewels not really doing enough in his breakthrough season; there for the experience and potential. Nothing much in it between the rest of them – though it clearly shows Symons as a defensive specialist, rather than a carrier.
FL: Harrison has some really good stat.s there ball-in-hand; though Robshaw and Haskell show why they’re preferred for security. Haskell really has upped his effectiveness in the Worsley role though. Those flankers on the fringe all show why we’re considering them the next bests.
N8: Probably the role with the greatest variation in the stat analysis; which will be more down to how their teams play them, rather than necessarily the individual’s ability – Hughes and Billy obviously dropping back to field kicks more than Clifford and Beamount; surprisingly little to chose elsewhere.
SH: Robson confirmed as being the stand-out candidate of the 4; Care looking the worst
FH: Faz does score more points per match than Ford, which will help his media “ice-man” “kicking virtuoso” reputation; but I’d still say that’s down to Sarries being dominant and Bath being shite last season than anything else. Interesting that despite that Ford seems to be trusted more to actually do something with the ball than Faz (on average, touching the ball 39 times, to 23 times per match) – though Faz does make more clean breaks – is this Wriggles trusting him at the right time? Defenders not expecting him to try? Or him just being a better runner with the ball than Ford? No surprises that Faz (or the Sarries backrow) is more secure in contact; or that Faz both makes and misses more tackles. Cip’s stats really don’t stand out the way his fans would expect them to, once averaged over a season.
CE: TBH, the only real difference the stat.s show is between the battering rams and the rapiers; with JJ, Devo and Smith being the better defenders; and Te’o still being a little inexperienced in union defensive lines.
WG: Stand-out stat.s for Roko; and Jonny May being surprisingly (to me) good at keeping the ball alive. Roko scores the most, makes the 2nd most metres-per-run (behind Wade), and comfortably the best tackle completion rate (and amongst the most work in defence – yet Eddie has allegedly told him to work harder on his defence!). Wade’s defensive stats really do let him down – starkly; fewest tackles made, (almost) most missed.
FB: Haley and Pennell probably the most rounded; Watson comfortably the least involved (opponents afraid to kick to him? Or Bath the least willing/able to get the ball to him?) Least involved, but he scores as many tries as anyone; and seems the best defender. Goode’s turnstile reputation not done any favours by a tackle completion rate of 62% (90% for Watson)