RugbyRebels

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Dec 06, 2024 1:33 pm On the one hand, I get why we're choosing this week to rest NSmith, Montoya, Cole, Martin, Reffell, Youngs, Pollard, and Watson from our first choice XXIII - most of those do need a rest at some point and we'd be underdogs even if we put our best side out so there is logic in doing it now.

However, I hate the idea of playing a competition half-heartedly - accepting a pre-ordained defeat in tough away fixtures and keeping your powder dry for "winnable" games. It might be sensible, but it feels utterly defeatist - we should be in a position where we're looking to climb into every game as winnable and, if we're not, that's a problem with our mindset that needs to be fixed, rather than just accepting mediocrity as our level. Harlequins don't do that and that's why they went so well in Europe last year - they never looked at a big side and said, "Well, they're just better than us; we know our place," they instead looked everyone in the eye and invited them to take a swing and see where it got them.

Puja

Timbo wrote: ↑Fri Dec 06, 2024 1:46 pm

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Dec 06, 2024 1:33 pm On the one hand, I get why we're choosing this week to rest NSmith, Montoya, Cole, Martin, Reffell, Youngs, Pollard, and Watson from our first choice XXIII - most of those do need a rest at some point and we'd be underdogs even if we put our best side out so there is logic in doing it now.

However, I hate the idea of playing a competition half-heartedly - accepting a pre-ordained defeat in tough away fixtures and keeping your powder dry for "winnable" games. It might be sensible, but it feels utterly defeatist - we should be in a position where we're looking to climb into every game as winnable and, if we're not, that's a problem with our mindset that needs to be fixed, rather than just accepting mediocrity as our level. Harlequins don't do that and that's why they went so well in Europe last year - they never looked at a big side and said, "Well, they're just better than us; we know our place," they instead looked everyone in the eye and invited them to take a swing and see where it got them.

Puja

In fairness, looking at the English teams most of them have rested a handful of key players this week. Think it just reflects the fact that the competition is not a priority for them & their prospects of winning it are very low.

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Dec 06, 2024 1:52 pm

Timbo wrote: ↑Fri Dec 06, 2024 1:46 pm

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Dec 06, 2024 1:33 pm On the one hand, I get why we're choosing this week to rest NSmith, Montoya, Cole, Martin, Reffell, Youngs, Pollard, and Watson from our first choice XXIII - most of those do need a rest at some point and we'd be underdogs even if we put our best side out so there is logic in doing it now.

However, I hate the idea of playing a competition half-heartedly - accepting a pre-ordained defeat in tough away fixtures and keeping your powder dry for "winnable" games. It might be sensible, but it feels utterly defeatist - we should be in a position where we're looking to climb into every game as winnable and, if we're not, that's a problem with our mindset that needs to be fixed, rather than just accepting mediocrity as our level. Harlequins don't do that and that's why they went so well in Europe last year - they never looked at a big side and said, "Well, they're just better than us; we know our place," they instead looked everyone in the eye and invited them to take a swing and see where it got them.

Puja

In fairness, looking at the English teams most of them have rested a handful of key players this week. Think it just reflects the fact that the competition is not a priority for them & their prospects of winning it are very low.

Quins aren't (I did check, before making that comparison, in case they were going to make a fool out of me by resting all their internationals).

Puja

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Sun Dec 08, 2024 2:13 pm Terrible start to the second half. Though it does appear officiating high tackles is completely optional!