RugbyRebels

FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:16 am

Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 8:55 am

FKAS wrote: ↑Fri Dec 01, 2023 9:18 pm

Yeah, Ford hasn't had a lot of ball and Smith's benefitted from a Carpenter horror show at the back that's made his kicking lot fantastic. Smith's had a couple of off weeks but the more this game goes on the more he looks like his confidence is flooding back. The more the game goes on the better he's playing.

Evans has had another stand out game in the battle of the 7s.

I agree that Ford did not get as much good ball as Smith. However, on two occasions when he did, up went the spiral bomb to zero effect. In similar circumstances, Smith looked to run or move the ball through the hands. What he also did was move in support at a rate which I would suggest is the fastest of any FH in rugby. Quite simply, everything about Smith, physically and mentally, shouts positivity.

Interestingly, he actually kicked more and far better than Ford did.

I'd agree with much of that bar the far better kicking bit. Smith's kicking was not any better the difference was the two back threes. Quins were composed and experienced enough to deal with the pressure. Sale's young back three completely fell apart and gifted Quins territory and the first try in particular. Smith kicked a lot in the first half and didn't offer a great deal, his confidence grew over the course of the game no doubt helped by the incompetence of the Sale back three to deal with a fairly simple kicking game. Once Smith's tail was up and he started attacking a tiring Sale forwards pack (who'd done plenty of defending due to the aforementioned back threes inability to effectively deal with kicks) he was in his element and was carving up Sale.

Whilst I'd definitely be looking at Smith to be a big part of the England team moving forward this game shouldn't be used as a big case for him. No international side will field kicks as badly as Sale did last night and give him so much territory and possession to work with and tire their pack.

Quins defence was also fantastic. The one real period of pressure Sale exerted in the Quins 22 their forwards were repelled from the line close in and pressured to the point Ford couldn't get any usable ball and his back were closed down. Sale desperately missed Manu with Bedlow generally offering nothing and falling off tackles which should be worrying for them given Manu's injury history.

Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:52 am

p/d wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:24 am

Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 10:58 am

England have always opted for 'plain-Jane' style FHs - JW, Andrew, Grayson, Farrell etc. How much of it was because we rarely, if ever, had a top quality SH?

We are pragmatic by nature and this generally reflects in style and performance.
Just look at the ‘abuse’ CH got and yet at club level he was a much admired magician.

This is why players like Randall will be judged on their known weaknesses rather than risking playing to their strengths.

P/D, I can't believe you like 'pragmatic'. You are right that we have been that way. It's why we rarely win anything. It also means we constantly underachieve even if we are not good enough to win anything. I just hope it's not why SB got the job!!!!

p/d wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:24 am

Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 10:58 am

p/d wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 9:41 am I don’t doubt Ford’s footballing skills and game awareness but he is still a conservative player who offers up play that can frustrate.

To be fair JW was no different, but he was a warrior!!!

New England needs to focus on Smith at 10 and not lose him to the wilderness of a utility back.

England have always opted for 'plain-Jane' style FHs - JW, Andrew, Grayson, Farrell etc. How much of it was because we rarely, if ever, had a top quality SH?

We are pragmatic by nature and this generally reflects in style and performance.
Just look at the ‘abuse’ CH got and yet at club level he was a much admired magician.

This is why players like Randall will be judged on their known weaknesses rather than risking playing to their strengths.

Banquo wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 2:56 pm

p/d wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:24 am

Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 10:58 am

England have always opted for 'plain-Jane' style FHs - JW, Andrew, Grayson, Farrell etc. How much of it was because we rarely, if ever, had a top quality SH?

We are pragmatic by nature and this generally reflects in style and performance.
Just look at the ‘abuse’ CH got and yet at club level he was a much admired magician.

This is why players like Randall will be judged on their known weaknesses rather than risking playing to their strengths.

charlie was three fold unfortunate....same time as one of the greats, plain Jane-lol-Wilkinson, he could be a bit of a turnstile, and his place kicking could be shaky for England. Great player tho

Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 3:03 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 2:56 pm

p/d wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:24 am

We are pragmatic by nature and this generally reflects in style and performance.
Just look at the ‘abuse’ CH got and yet at club level he was a much admired magician.

This is why players like Randall will be judged on their known weaknesses rather than risking playing to their strengths.

charlie was three fold unfortunate....same time as one of the greats, plain Jane-lol-Wilkinson, he could be a bit of a turnstile, and his place kicking could be shaky for England. Great player tho

Odd, really, that the fans were so scathing about CH. I suppose at international level he did not deliver a lot of the time. It's all a bit of a contrast now with the fans cheering Ford and booing Farrell.

Banquo wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 2:56 pm

p/d wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:24 am

Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 10:58 am

England have always opted for 'plain-Jane' style FHs - JW, Andrew, Grayson, Farrell etc. How much of it was because we rarely, if ever, had a top quality SH?

We are pragmatic by nature and this generally reflects in style and performance.
Just look at the ‘abuse’ CH got and yet at club level he was a much admired magician.

This is why players like Randall will be judged on their known weaknesses rather than risking playing to their strengths.

charlie was three fold unfortunate....same time as one of the greats, plain Jane-lol-Wilkinson, he could be a bit of a turnstile, and his place kicking could be shaky for England. Great player tho