Comments on: Beale not the problem at the heart of Wallaby mess

By: Pablito

Pablito — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 10:24:20 +0000

Don, much as you like to believe you are the be all and end all of rugby commentary, you really are not. Neither for that matter are Enoch or the writers at the ST

In answer to the above:

1. Don – in this thread and others you continually mention these ‘stats’ that show how much better Armitage is than Robshaw. I just want to know your source. Surely its better than “I think I read it the ST but I can’t really remember”?

2. Enoch – I state that Robshaw has outplayed each of his oppo number at one time or another, not every time. The match you refer to is one of those times he didn’t. That said, Robshaw was still one of England’s best players that day and England’s back row problems were mainly due to having Wood at 8 and Croft at 6. Of course in the 6 Nations just gone, he did outplay Warburton. As for any supposed lack of skill, given the way he is used so often at first received by both Quins and England demonstrates that it just isn’t true

3. Don you can call it the ‘norovirus’ test all you like, but the only fact is that Robshaw outplayed McCaw on that day. He might not have done so since, but then McCaw is the best player in the world and very few people have ever got the better of him.

Neither of you have come up with any answer to my point, which was that you don’t throw away someone of either Robshaw’s (or Wood for that matter) proven international ability for a player who would not only need special treatment but has no international track record and who whilst he has been playing very well indeed, has been doing so behind a hugely dominant pack.

The answer is that you don’t of course – unless you are entirely insane

By: Don P

Don P — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 16:41:41 +0000

Pablito, Prophet Enoch

There you have it Pab, the Prophet overrides you. Or perhaps the ST pundidts, Enoch & me are all silly?

Hard to argue with you Enoch (mind you, you’re about the only 1 here who hasn’t – argued with me – so far! Ha , ha.). Nuthin’ agin Robbo because, as you say, ‘He’s got plenty of guts and grafts really well’, but, I venture, a genuine no 7 needs a bit more than that.

By: Prophet Enoch

Prophet Enoch — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 19:59:11 +0000

Justin Tipuiric 2013 or have you forgotten the 2013 final game of the 6N?

Robshaw was outplayed all game by JT and SW. For example

Robshaw was burned up by SW in that game when SW broke from a ruck late on and this led to 2nd Cuthbert try. As the seconds passed Robshaw fell further and further behind despite trying to run at full pelt.

Robshaw is as Don P says not an open side, he is a classic case of a 6.5 back row player. Not fast enough/creative/skilful to be a real international 7 and not big enough for a 6.

He’s got plenty of guts and grafts really well but is not a creative/skilful enough player to be a genuine 7.

By: Don P

Don P — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 15:08:07 +0000

Pablito. Well there are a few pundits, incl former int’al rugger player/s, who disagree with you from The Sunday Times. Robshaw is a manufactured No 7 as you well know so presuamably when he ‘out played’ RM, it was in the ‘Norovirus’ test. Otherwise he must have done so when England lost the last 4 to NZ perhaps? And was he playing v Wales when they hammered England by 30 a couple back? I can’t recall. You make him sound like the best in the world! Topping tackle counts is good, but it sounds ‘D’ to me. Does he also top the turnover lists as per an authentic 7? In reality he’s a better No 6, so simple solution is to drop Wood for the Euro player of the yr. Won’t happen of course, even if it were poss, as Lancs is a ltd as you in his thinking. It’s skin off my nose who England pick in their b/row, but you seem to have a view of R & produce only stats to suit yr predudice.
In an article a few mths back the ST also quoted ‘these stats’, but can’t now recall exactly when. Maybe you could contact them. Happy hunting.

By: Pablito

Pablito — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:46:58 +0000

Don’t be so silly Don. At one point or another Robshaw has outplayed every openside he has come up against, from McCaw to Hooper to Warburton. There’s no question over his ability. He also acts as link man and regularly tops the tackle charts. And then added to that, he appears to be a good and respected captain.

You don’t throw all that away for one (internationally untested) player who has been thriving behind a massive, dominant pack.

BTW – where are you looking for these stats please? I cannot find any

By: Don P

Don P — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:23:22 +0000

Regds McKenzie’s tenure, surely the simple solution would be to bring back Robbie Deans. Ha, ha. Mac couldn’t wait to get his mits on the job & stuck the knife into Deans whenever he could, but as Mick said, ‘…tables turned & now it’s his turn to cry’.

Regds Steffon Armitage, look @ his stats compared to Robshaw’s last yr. With the AI’s & WC looming large, do England NEED a Roller or Reliant Robin @ open?

By: Geat

Geat — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 11:00:48 +0000

I have one question about Steffon, did HE ever actually say that he wanted to play for France? There was plenty in the media about France exploring the option, and Delon was quite outspoken on his brother’s desire to play test rugby, but did we ever hear it straight from the horse’s mouth?