Comments on: Rugby World Cup Stock Check: 339 days to go

By: stroudos

stroudos — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 14:13:20 +0000

Haskell – Armitage – Vunipola is a back row that I would absolutely love to see in action.

By: brighty

brighty — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 08:58:03 +0000

And, like any leader, he didn’t need to be named captain to do that. Leader/Captain – two different things.

A lot of unnecessary fuss is made about the captain. Nowadays it is largely an administrative rather than leadership role – lots of off field stuff and then the responsibility of being the on field contact with the ref. At the time, and since for Wales, Gats has been clear that Warburton has the respect of referees – a massively important factor in games. There are leaders all over the pitch.

By: Geat

Geat — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 08:53:22 +0000

AWJ was the real leader on that tour, you only need to watch Lions Raw to realise that.

By: DanD

DanD — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 07:19:05 +0000

Wood should be more nervous than Robshaw. Haskell plays the same role at 6 or 7, it’s perhaps a factor in his resurgence, that he now has the same role, week in, week out, and isn’t playing some at 6/7/8 across a season.

What nearly could have been… Haskell, Armitage, Vunipola. Hugely confrontational and physical pack there.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 15:08:12 +0000

Only said it’s how we felt when he was made Captain, no complaints on the outcome.

I’m sure if he stays fit and gets a consistent run of games under his belt he’ll get back in top form just in time for 06.02.15 …. bugger!

By: Dewi Williams

Dewi Williams — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 14:37:41 +0000

Mullan was excellent all round. Surprised not to see Haskell mentioned. Robshaw must be getting nervous!

By: Blub

Blub — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 14:11:25 +0000

Toulouse and Toulon are not “local” rivals.

By: Ilsa

Ilsa — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 12:59:44 +0000

Definitely a blip. Browny never has two bad games!

By: brighty

brighty — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 12:51:40 +0000

Yeah, winning the series was a real let down Matt :-)

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 12:43:59 +0000

Now you know how the rest of us felt when he was made Lions captain ;)

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 12:40:16 +0000

” Farrell will start and I’d rather see a player with more attacking ability come on in the last 20″

Completely agree with that, at some stage in the pool (and hopefully knockout stages!) we are going to have to win a game in the last 20 and I don’t see Myler offers any real option to change gear and inject anything. Solid, reliable, will kick the points, but not game breaking.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 12:35:59 +0000

Not JJs best performance of the season, but not bad either. But on form he’s got to be top of the list of 13s at the moment. Agree on Eastmond, his understanding of the game, quality of distribution and support play to go with the incredible agility and balance put him miles ahead of the other options at 12 at the moment. I know he’s not the biggest but I think he needs to be judged by what he does on the pitch, not on the scales (after all he’s not Welsh!).

Completely agree on Cips, I can’t see the argument for picking Myler ahead of him (if this is the case).

With Wilson, then Brookes and Thomas we aren’t too bad at tighthead. Brookes did really well in NZ. I’m not too worried over Wilson either, bad day at the office but the Wasps scrum were quicker on the ‘hit’ and got lower so don’t see it’s all down to Wilson. We’ve seen enough to know he can scrum!

I can’t get too excited over Nowell scoring his second prem try, decent prospect and did a solid job in the 6N but must be behind Roko and Wade (who looked pretty good defensively at the weekend in my view)