RugbyRebels

In superb form at the moment. Not just the showey stuff, but I saw lots of hard graft from him last weekend as well and up to last night I don't think he has missed a tackle all season.

And then you get touches of magic like this....

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... ext_Story1

Not too shabby!

WaspInWales wrote:Not too shabby!

He's an incredible player. I wonder how successful he'd have been if he had developed as a centre instead?

If he was a little bigger, although I appreciate he might not quite have the same skill set, he could have been one of the best of his generation.

I've always appreciated his creativity but up to this season, I was concerned at his presence in the tight exchanges. I have seen him shunted aside on a few occasions against heavyweight packs. This season he has done the hard graft as well as the fancy stuff.

Id pick him at openside on current form, and I'm not that convinced that Warburton would fill the blindside slot.

cadofyddol wrote:

WaspInWales wrote:Not too shabby!

He's an incredible player. I wonder how successful he'd have been if he had developed as a centre instead?

If he was a little bigger, although I appreciate he might not quite have the same skill set, he could have been one of the best of his generation.

He comfortably skinned the Falcons 12 and a few other of their players. In response to 'it was only the Falcons' comments but it's not as it it's the first time that Tips has had the better of opposition backs.

Trouble is Wales are doing ok for centres with the likes of Roberts, Williams, Foxy and this is before we get to the fringe players. Plus, with Warbs at 7, there seems to be competition for the 7 shirt too.

That said, I'd put Tips in at 7 with Warbs (is he injured?) at 6 and Faletau (is he injured?) 8.

For me Tips has to start, the form seven without a doubt and I think against Australia we are going to need his creativity and mobility

Brilliant try, any back would be proud of that. Warbs at 6, Tips at 7, I've been saying this for a while. Let's see what Howley thinks....

Son of Mathonwy wrote:Brilliant try, any back would be proud of that. Warbs at 6, Tips at 7, I've been saying this for a while. Let's see what Howley thinks....

I think the back row needs to be picked with opposition in mind, if we need hard tackling forwards then he would be benched.

The Aus game should be a good one to start Tipuric with Warburton at 8 I suspect, this would (hopefully) negate the breakdown advantage for Aus with them having two 7s in the pack.

With Englandbased back row players out of the picture, it could be Warburton and Tipuric with perhaps Baker (not hugely convinced) or King.

Sandydragon wrote:With Englandbased back row players out of the picture, it could be Warburton and Tipuric with perhaps Baker (not hugely convinced) or King.

Unfortunately Baker doesn't seem to have come on at all over the last couple of seasons, King would be the best option of the two currently, it's a shame Harrison Keddie hasn't had a bit more game time as he looks very promising.

Numbers wrote:

Sandydragon wrote:With Englandbased back row players out of the picture, it could be Warburton and Tipuric with perhaps Baker (not hugely convinced) or King.

Unfortunately Baker doesn't seem to have come on at all over the last couple of seasons, King would be the best option of the two currently, it's a shame Harrison Keddie hasn't had a bit more game time as he looks very promising.

I think Keddie has real potential, I'm hoping we see more of him as the season progresses, I'd rather take a punt on him than continue with some other options.