Re: RWC Training Squad
Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2023 6:35 pm
Yeah, you're bang on with the bolded bits. Steel Broadsword could drop pretty much any 10 people he wants from that squad and I'd probably back him on the basis that we can't see who's been performing in camp and that is the most important thing out of anything.Oakboy wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 5:47 pmCamp performance must be crucial at this point. Looking at your lists, I'd doubt that Malins will be discarded based on recent selections.Puja wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 5:02 pm For my opinion, I'd say we need 3 of each front row and probably only 4 locks (if Lawes is there to cover in extremis), which makes room for 5 back row. As such, I'd drop Mako, Walker, Ribbans (if Chessum's fit, otherwise Chessum), Earl, and then a straight shootout between Ludlam/Pearson/Dombrandt/Willis/BillyV based on camp form to get the last two places on the plane.
For the backs, it seems more straightforward - drop Porter, Malins, and probably Marcus Smith (on the basis that we don't need 3 specialist 10s). There is an argument for losing another winger and keeping another back row, but I don't know who that would be - possibly May/Cokanasiga, but it will depend on what they've been doing in camp.
Puja
I'd not take Coka, Tuilagi or Billy V because I think all three represent a battering-ram fetish that none can satisfy any more, even if there was an argument for them in the past. In the current scene pace and versatility just seem more important.
The No 8 position is probably the most critical of the camp rating positions. I could understand Billy V being retained if Willis and Dombrandt have not impressed. I'd not have Earl any higher than you in the flankers' list but I suppose he could offer No 8 back-up, just like Curry.
I don't like the SH line-up.
It's going to be fascinating.
To see if we can scrape out of the group or not?Oakboy wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 5:47 pmCamp performance must be crucial at this point. Looking at your lists, I'd doubt that Malins will be discarded based on recent selections.Puja wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 5:02 pm For my opinion, I'd say we need 3 of each front row and probably only 4 locks (if Lawes is there to cover in extremis), which makes room for 5 back row. As such, I'd drop Mako, Walker, Ribbans (if Chessum's fit, otherwise Chessum), Earl, and then a straight shootout between Ludlam/Pearson/Dombrandt/Willis/BillyV based on camp form to get the last two places on the plane.
For the backs, it seems more straightforward - drop Porter, Malins, and probably Marcus Smith (on the basis that we don't need 3 specialist 10s). There is an argument for losing another winger and keeping another back row, but I don't know who that would be - possibly May/Cokanasiga, but it will depend on what they've been doing in camp.
Puja
I'd not take Coka, Tuilagi or Billy V because I think all three represent a battering-ram fetish that none can satisfy any more, even if there was an argument for them in the past. In the current scene pace and versatility just seem more important.
The No 8 position is probably the most critical of the camp rating positions. I could understand Billy V being retained if Willis and Dombrandt have not impressed. I'd not have Earl any higher than you in the flankers' list but I suppose he could offer No 8 back-up, just like Curry.
I don't like the SH line-up.
It's going to be fascinating.
I’m not trying to knock him but is that really such a foregone conclusion? Assuming it is, if Curry did start I’d prefer him at 6 with Willis at 7 . This would be imo though somewhat of an injustice to Ludlam who really has been a class, creative and athtletic 6 option doing all Lawes could in a backrow context but much, much more.,,
If we could get more direct running from our locks (doing the sort of stuff an on form Billy or Manu could ) we’d be in a good place. Can we develop this level of physicality in at least one of our second row options? Lawes if any of them seems to able to do this, …to an extent at leastFKAS wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 8:02 pm Battering fetish or not I'd take Manu as a back up to Lawrence in the midfield. We look a lot better with a direct runner in there. Unless we are going to use 2 try Guy in that role in which case Manu can stay at Sale.
Cokanasiga is supposedly in the best shape he's ever been physically. I'm interested to see if that brings more pace and agility to his game so he's more than just a crash option.
Chessum carries fairly well. Martin has his moments but I'd say it's his biggest work on. Ribbans can certainly offer a bit in that department and Hill close to the line was deadly for Chiefs.jngf wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 8:23 pmIf we could get more direct running from our locks (doing the sort of stuff an on form Billy or Manu could ) we’d be in a good place. Can we develop this level of physicality in at least one of our second row options? Lawes if any of them seems to able to do this, …to an extent at leastFKAS wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 8:02 pm Battering fetish or not I'd take Manu as a back up to Lawrence in the midfield. We look a lot better with a direct runner in there. Unless we are going to use 2 try Guy in that role in which case Manu can stay at Sale.
Cokanasiga is supposedly in the best shape he's ever been physically. I'm interested to see if that brings more pace and agility to his game so he's more than just a crash option.
I agree with the sentiment, but there’s no point wishing for wishing from something that simply doesn’t exist. I’m not just talking about England here either … no one has locks who carry like a top centre or number 8.jngf wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 8:23 pmIf we could get more direct running from our locks (doing the sort of stuff an on form Billy or Manu could ) we’d be in a good place. Can we develop this level of physicality in at least one of our second row options? Lawes if any of them seems to able to do this, …to an extent at leastFKAS wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 8:02 pm Battering fetish or not I'd take Manu as a back up to Lawrence in the midfield. We look a lot better with a direct runner in there. Unless we are going to use 2 try Guy in that role in which case Manu can stay at Sale.
Cokanasiga is supposedly in the best shape he's ever been physically. I'm interested to see if that brings more pace and agility to his game so he's more than just a crash option.
I just wish we could get away from this mindset; with Coka especially.
As i see it, the snag is that he does not compare favourably with other wing options apart from having a size advantage. Given similar on-field scenarios he might run through tackles rather than around them. In high-ball chases his height might help. In actual all-round effectiveness though, where does he stand in the wing heirarchy? Is he a better try-scoring threat than Daly, Watson or May? Is he a better defender? Does he offer FB cover? I'm not sure what the case is for his inclusion if you remove the physical impact attribute.Which Tyler wrote: ↑Wed Jul 26, 2023 8:48 amI just wish we could get away from this mindset; with Coka especially.
He's plenty quick enough - though no Johnny May, and plenty agile enough - though no Shane Williams.
But he is not and never has been a bosher. Using Coka as a crash ball is something that everyone seems to get worked up about, but it's really not what his game is based upon, and frankly, he's not very good at it. But people can't get past asking him to run into contact, when all his best work is about not doing that.
I think it very much depends how you define "crash ball" and goes back very much to our use of Manu at a lot of times over the last 12 years. If you want to wind him up and send him into a prepared wall of tacklers, then it is a terrible use of him - yes, there will be occasions where he barges through and that will excite pundits, fans, and some coaches, because they remember that one time he ran over that dude and it was great, and forget the ten times that he hit the wall of tacklers and made maybe a metre before presenting slow ball. It is a terrible plan to send him on a hard line cutting back against the grain to where the forwards are waiting.Which Tyler wrote: ↑Wed Jul 26, 2023 11:28 am All of which is fair.
I'd say that his physical impact is reasonable, and probably higher than most of the backs there, but not by as much as it "should be" based on being a big guy.
His stand out as a winger, is his hands, doing enough in the tackle to get an offload away, keeping the ball alive for someone else.
His physicality is most useful for attracting defenders onto himself, buying a little more time on the ball for his OC, which someone like JJ (of old) could make hay with, but a Slade probably can't - it's also a trick that's unlikely to work against better quality, international defences.
TBH, if that's not enough of a point of difference, then drop him.
Alternatively, if the coaching crew want him to a big impact player, then retrain him to be a big impact player; don't select him for one thing, and then ask him to do a different job that he's not particularly good at.
As for try scoring - he's got a knack, and however much criticism he gets for some of them walk-ins, all wingers get walk-ins occasionally, and there comes a point where you pick the "lucky" general over the "good" general
That would be very fun to watch
Wiggy's brief tenure as head coach saw Tigers beat Chiefs 62-19, Bristol 46-24, Glaws 26-5, Bath 48-27 and LI 25-22. Wasn't like his team shut up shop and just kicked for 3.Oakboy wrote: ↑Wed Jul 26, 2023 12:47 pm I think we are in for some grim watching. Wigglesworth as coach, together with the mentality of the three SHs in the squad means non-stop box-kicking. Any ball reaching the FH will be launched skywards with the occasional pop-up to the batterers.
I suspect it will be reasonably effective in terms of avoiding defeat till the later stages.
Ludlam v Lawes v Curry is chalk v cheese v ....er hummous.jngf wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 7:45 pmI’m not trying to knock him but is that really such a foregone conclusion? Assuming it is, if Curry did start I’d prefer him at 6 with Willis at 7 . This would be imo though somewhat of an injustice to Ludlam who really has been a class, creative and athtletic 6 option doing all Lawes could in a backrow context but much, much more.,,
shock horror in handy having a runner at 12 probe...FKAS wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 8:02 pm Battering fetish or not I'd take Manu as a back up to Lawrence in the midfield. We look a lot better with a direct runner in there. Unless we are going to use 2 try Guy in that role in which case Manu can stay at Sale.
Cokanasiga is supposedly in the best shape he's ever been physically. I'm interested to see if that brings more pace and agility to his game so he's more than just a crash option.
no....surely not.FKAS wrote: ↑Wed Jul 26, 2023 8:06 amjngf wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 8:23 pmIf we could get more direct running from our locks (doing the sort of stuff an on form Billy or Manu could ) we’d be in a good place. Can we develop this level of physicality in at least one of our second row options? Lawes if any of them seems to able to do this, …to an extent at leastFKAS wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 8:02 pm Battering fetish or not I'd take Manu as a back up to Lawrence in the midfield. We look a lot better with a direct runner in there. Unless we are going to use 2 try Guy in that role in which case Manu can stay at Sale.
Cokanasiga is supposedly in the best shape he's ever been physically. I'm interested to see if that brings more pace and agility to his game so he's more than just a crash option.
It's a bit basic but being able to run a powerful ball carrier first phase isn't half helpful in creating space for the rest of the backline. Particularly if they run over the flyhalf on the first carry the 12 will always be edging closer to his 10 than supporting his 13.
agreed- his best skill combo is being a bit quick, being a physical threat, but having good hands.Which Tyler wrote: ↑Wed Jul 26, 2023 8:48 amI just wish we could get away from this mindset; with Coka especially.
He's plenty quick enough - though no Johnny May, and plenty agile enough - though no Shane Williams.
But he is not and never has been a bosher. Using Coka as a crash ball is something that everyone seems to get worked up about, but it's really not what his game is based upon, and frankly, he's not very good at it. But people can't get past asking him to run into contact, when all his best work is about not doing that.
But its really not a terrible use if he or anyone ties in 3 tacklers and you get quick ball. The issue is when that's the exclusive use.Puja wrote: ↑Wed Jul 26, 2023 12:25 pmI think it very much depends how you define "crash ball" and goes back very much to our use of Manu at a lot of times over the last 12 years. If you want to wind him up and send him into a prepared wall of tacklers, then it is a terrible use of himWhich Tyler wrote: ↑Wed Jul 26, 2023 11:28 am All of which is fair.
I'd say that his physical impact is reasonable, and probably higher than most of the backs there, but not by as much as it "should be" based on being a big guy.
His stand out as a winger, is his hands, doing enough in the tackle to get an offload away, keeping the ball alive for someone else.
His physicality is most useful for attracting defenders onto himself, buying a little more time on the ball for his OC, which someone like JJ (of old) could make hay with, but a Slade probably can't - it's also a trick that's unlikely to work against better quality, international defences.
TBH, if that's not enough of a point of difference, then drop him.
Alternatively, if the coaching crew want him to a big impact player, then retrain him to be a big impact player; don't select him for one thing, and then ask him to do a different job that he's not particularly good at.
As for try scoring - he's got a knack, and however much criticism he gets for some of them walk-ins, all wingers get walk-ins occasionally, and there comes a point where you pick the "lucky" general over the "good" general
Puja
and not terribly hard to set up. The difficult bit is starting Ford and leaving Faz totally out of the equation apparently.