RugbyRebels

Stom wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:17 pm

Plus, he made a stonking tackle early.

stepsider wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:15 pm Apart from poor kicking, Smith got lots of flak for 'that' try where the French hand magically touched down. But assuming the ref's decision was correct, surely this was a collective failure to protect the ball?

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:20 pm

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:12 pm Yeah, I’d run it back with the same team and see what the response is. They’ll also hopefully be better coached this week.

Now that would be a bold move from S*** B***** but I could respect it. If I want Dombrandt to get a chance at redemption before a permanent and dishonourable discharge then I guess I have to accept Malins getting one too.

It's hard to picture Farrell not coming back in, but it's a shame that experiment almost wasn't tested? As weird as that may sound, given the result. Everything was so catastrophic it's hard to really judge what difference that selection made. Many seem to think Smith was at the heart of it going so wrong, but I couldn't see that personally.

There was however a significant part of me that thought Faz's arrival had sparked a genuine turn of momentum that we might be able to sustain. I'd be fascinated to see a repeat experiment but there's no way he isn't starting this one. I think I'd favour Faz/Manu than Smith/Faz if that's the case.

stepsider wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:33 pm Several commentators included that try as one symptom of Smith's disastrous day.

Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:28 pm

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:20 pm

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:12 pm Yeah, I’d run it back with the same team and see what the response is. They’ll also hopefully be better coached this week.

Now that would be a bold move from S*** B***** but I could respect it. If I want Dombrandt to get a chance at redemption before a permanent and dishonourable discharge then I guess I have to accept Malins getting one too.

It's hard to picture Farrell not coming back in, but it's a shame that experiment almost wasn't tested? As weird as that may sound, given the result. Everything was so catastrophic it's hard to really judge what difference that selection made. Many seem to think Smith was at the heart of it going so wrong, but I couldn't see that personally.

There was however a significant part of me that thought Faz's arrival had sparked a genuine turn of momentum that we might be able to sustain. I'd be fascinated to see a repeat experiment but there's no way he isn't starting this one. I think I'd favour Faz/Manu than Smith/Faz if that's the case.

Yep. People 'blaming' Smith are not really worth a listen frankly. Even JVP has quite a lot of excuses on the clearance front, though he could have done better- but a wet ball, legs everywhere, poor presentation, behind the tackle line etc...ah, Dupont people say, but a - he is brilliant, b- armchair ride with a host of runners around him, c- front foot. But JVP needs to up his game considerably if he gets another start.

Oakboy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:34 pm I'd be surprised if SB made changes to the front five forwards because there are no better alternatives. I doubt if he'll change the wings or FB, though there are alternatives.

That leaves the back row and midfield.

I can't guess on the backrow. I'd play both Willises and Curry but I doubt SB will drop Ludlam.

I'd not be surprised to see Mitchell, Farrell, Tuilagi and Marchant starting. I would not pick Tuilagi but I'd guess that SB will.

Oakboy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:37 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:28 pm

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:20 pm

Now that would be a bold move from S*** B***** but I could respect it. If I want Dombrandt to get a chance at redemption before a permanent and dishonourable discharge then I guess I have to accept Malins getting one too.

It's hard to picture Farrell not coming back in, but it's a shame that experiment almost wasn't tested? As weird as that may sound, given the result. Everything was so catastrophic it's hard to really judge what difference that selection made. Many seem to think Smith was at the heart of it going so wrong, but I couldn't see that personally.

There was however a significant part of me that thought Faz's arrival had sparked a genuine turn of momentum that we might be able to sustain. I'd be fascinated to see a repeat experiment but there's no way he isn't starting this one. I think I'd favour Faz/Manu than Smith/Faz if that's the case.

Yep. People 'blaming' Smith are not really worth a listen frankly. Even JVP has quite a lot of excuses on the clearance front, though he could have done better- but a wet ball, legs everywhere, poor presentation, behind the tackle line etc...ah, Dupont people say, but a - he is brilliant, b- armchair ride with a host of runners around him, c- front foot. But JVP needs to up his game considerably if he gets another start.

I think Smith did his best.

Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:38 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:34 pm I'd be surprised if SB made changes to the front five forwards because there are no better alternatives. I doubt if he'll change the wings or FB, though there are alternatives.

That leaves the back row and midfield.

I can't guess on the backrow. I'd play both Willises and Curry but I doubt SB will drop Ludlam.

I'd not be surprised to see Mitchell, Farrell, Tuilagi and Marchant starting. I would not pick Tuilagi but I'd guess that SB will.

Its fairly typical then when things go wrong up front its....let's change the backs

Oakboy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:46 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:38 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:34 pm I'd be surprised if SB made changes to the front five forwards because there are no better alternatives. I doubt if he'll change the wings or FB, though there are alternatives.

That leaves the back row and midfield.

I can't guess on the backrow. I'd play both Willises and Curry but I doubt SB will drop Ludlam.

I'd not be surprised to see Mitchell, Farrell, Tuilagi and Marchant starting. I would not pick Tuilagi but I'd guess that SB will.

Its fairly typical then when things go wrong up front its....let's change the backs

I'd always start Marler. He's not in the squad. I think George is just going through the motions but who else? I'd rather have Williams than Sinckler but would expect that suggestion to attract derision. I'd have two different back row starters. I like the 2nd row.

Yes, I've bitten. The snag is that we won't win in Dublin. It makes me sick that defeat by 'only' 15 points would be seen as improvement.

As an aside, if you were offered Farrell Senior and his coaching crew from Sunday week, would you take them?

Oakboy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:46 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:38 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:34 pm I'd be surprised if SB made changes to the front five forwards because there are no better alternatives. I doubt if he'll change the wings or FB, though there are alternatives.

That leaves the back row and midfield.

I can't guess on the backrow. I'd play both Willises and Curry but I doubt SB will drop Ludlam.

I'd not be surprised to see Mitchell, Farrell, Tuilagi and Marchant starting. I would not pick Tuilagi but I'd guess that SB will.

Its fairly typical then when things go wrong up front its....let's change the backs

I'd always start Marler. He's not in the squad. I think George is just going through the motions but who else? I'd rather have Williams than Sinckler but would expect that suggestion to attract derision. I'd have two different back row starters. I like the 2nd row.

Yes, I've bitten. The snag is that we won't win in Dublin. It makes me sick that defeat by 'only' 15 points would be seen as improvement.

As an aside, if you were offered Farrell Senior and his coaching crew from Sunday week, would you take them?

Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 4:27 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:46 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:38 pm

Its fairly typical then when things go wrong up front its....let's change the backs

I'd always start Marler. He's not in the squad. I think George is just going through the motions but who else? I'd rather have Williams than Sinckler but would expect that suggestion to attract derision. I'd have two different back row starters. I like the 2nd row.

Yes, I've bitten. The snag is that we won't win in Dublin. It makes me sick that defeat by 'only' 15 points would be seen as improvement.

As an aside, if you were offered Farrell Senior and his coaching crew from Sunday week, would you take them?

Think the last two coaches have concluded that Marler is probably too much of an overhead, and likely offers too little in the loose (hard to explain Mako these days tho). But you are right, there aren't many changes one can obviously make; I think Ribbans would help the pack overall, but wouldn't want to drop Chessum. Replacing Dombrandt sounds easy, but isn't really. Sinckler needs a boot up the Jacksy for sure.

I would take Farrell senior and his pals. Not a slight on Sofa Sobad but he's a bit out of his experience zone here, as are his crew. Faz wasn't great with England, but it was a ludicrous appointment given his experience at the time.

morepork wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:59 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:46 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:38 pm

Its fairly typical then when things go wrong up front its....let's change the backs

I'd always start Marler. He's not in the squad. I think George is just going through the motions but who else? I'd rather have Williams than Sinckler but would expect that suggestion to attract derision. I'd have two different back row starters. I like the 2nd row.

Yes, I've bitten. The snag is that we won't win in Dublin. It makes me sick that defeat by 'only' 15 points would be seen as improvement.

As an aside, if you were offered Farrell Senior and his coaching crew from Sunday week, would you take them?

Not if they had the negative anti-rugby mantra imposed on them from above. Ireland have the more constructive infrastructure more than they do the best coaches.

p/d wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 4:29 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 4:27 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:46 pm

I'd always start Marler. He's not in the squad. I think George is just going through the motions but who else? I'd rather have Williams than Sinckler but would expect that suggestion to attract derision. I'd have two different back row starters. I like the 2nd row.

Yes, I've bitten. The snag is that we won't win in Dublin. It makes me sick that defeat by 'only' 15 points would be seen as improvement.

As an aside, if you were offered Farrell Senior and his coaching crew from Sunday week, would you take them?

Think the last two coaches have concluded that Marler is probably too much of an overhead, and likely offers too little in the loose (hard to explain Mako these days tho). But you are right, there aren't many changes one can obviously make; I think Ribbans would help the pack overall, but wouldn't want to drop Chessum. Replacing Dombrandt sounds easy, but isn't really. Sinckler needs a boot up the Jacksy for sure.

I would take Farrell senior and his pals. Not a slight on Sofa Sobad but he's a bit out of his experience zone here, as are his crew. Faz wasn't great with England, but it was a ludicrous appointment given his experience at the time.

Why not?

Oakboy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 4:43 pm The current squad has no Simmonds or T Willis. Is Ludlam to 8 the only way to replace Dombrandt? That's a bit of a corner for SB to put himself in. Presumably, he'd then have to have Earl on the bench.

Oakboy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 4:43 pm The current squad has no Simmonds or T Willis. Is Ludlam to 8 the only way to replace Dombrandt? That's a bit of a corner for SB to put himself in. Presumably, he'd then have to have Earl on the bench.

Oakboy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:34 pm I'd be surprised if SB made changes to the front five forwards because there are no better alternatives. I doubt if he'll change the wings or FB, though there are alternatives.

That leaves the back row and midfield.

I can't guess on the backrow. I'd play both Willises and Curry but I doubt SB will drop Ludlam.

I'd not be surprised to see Mitchell, Farrell, Tuilagi and Marchant starting. I would not pick Tuilagi but I'd guess that SB will.

jngf wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 5:16 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:34 pm I'd be surprised if SB made changes to the front five forwards because there are no better alternatives. I doubt if he'll change the wings or FB, though there are alternatives.

That leaves the back row and midfield.

I can't guess on the backrow. I'd play both Willises and Curry but I doubt SB will drop Ludlam.

I'd not be surprised to see Mitchell, Farrell, Tuilagi and Marchant starting. I would not pick Tuilagi but I'd guess that SB will.

Oakboy would you play Curry at 7 and move J Willis to 6 and what do you think the former might bring to the party?

jngf wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 5:16 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:34 pm I'd be surprised if SB made changes to the front five forwards because there are no better alternatives. I doubt if he'll change the wings or FB, though there are alternatives.

That leaves the back row and midfield.

I can't guess on the backrow. I'd play both Willises and Curry but I doubt SB will drop Ludlam.

I'd not be surprised to see Mitchell, Farrell, Tuilagi and Marchant starting. I would not pick Tuilagi but I'd guess that SB will.

Oakboy would you play Curry at 7 and move J Willis to 6 and what do you think the former might bring to the party?

Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:38 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:34 pm I'd be surprised if SB made changes to the front five forwards because there are no better alternatives. I doubt if he'll change the wings or FB, though there are alternatives.

That leaves the back row and midfield.

I can't guess on the backrow. I'd play both Willises and Curry but I doubt SB will drop Ludlam.

I'd not be surprised to see Mitchell, Farrell, Tuilagi and Marchant starting. I would not pick Tuilagi but I'd guess that SB will.

Its fairly typical then when things go wrong up front its....let's change the backs