Jonah Lomu Comeback

[BoyBrumby]

Interesting interview with JL about his comeback in today's Guardian:

http://sport.guardian.co.uk/lions2005/story/0,15994,1495495,00.html

It's scary for those of us who're old enough to remember what a force of nature he was in the 1995 WC that the Nephrotic Syndrome meant that even back then he was operating at only 80% (by his own estimation) of his potential.

 

[Blaze]

wouldn't go that far, the Aussie wingers atm are an awsome pair


great to see him back though, awsome achievement

The Aussie pairing aren't even worth comparing to Jonah at his best

 

[Smudge]

Tuqiri is a class act, but Rathbone, despite a good start to his international career, isn't up to much. He lacks top end speed and tries to just run straight at people - which may work if he was a little bigger.

Personally, I would have Rogers or Gerard on the other wing - although Rogers was awful on Saturday. But I guess Sailor has had one of his better Super 12s, so I guess it will be him.

 

[age_master]

better to have Rogers on the wing than full back

 

[Tim]

Tuqiri, Sailor & co hardly have the try scoring strike-rate that Rokocoko, Howlett, Gear & Sivivatu have.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Rathbone's a centre really. He only got pegged as a wing after he filled in there at short notice against us & ran in a hat-trick.

I dunno if anyone else saw the game, but Sailor was kwality for the Baa-Baas against England. Scored two tries & got over the gain line practically every time he got the ball.

 

[KennyD]

^Didnt see the game, but wasnt your English side like, really really bad?

And Tuquiri = best winger in the game at the moment!

 

[BoyBrumby]

^Didnt see the game, but wasnt your English side like, really really bad?

We were ar$e to the power of 10! Admittedly we're missing all The Lions & a few other senior pros who're being rested, but the way a scratch team like the Baa-Baas tore us apart was a tad embarrassing.

With my Northampton hat on it was good to see Carlos Spencer looking absolutely first rate too.

 

[nibbs]

With my Northampton hat on it was good to see Carlos Spencer looking absolutely first rate too.

i'd be concerned if i were you

 

[BoyBrumby]

i'd be concerned if i were you

Oh? You heard something I haven't then?

 

[age_master]

Tuqiri, Sailor & co hardly have the try scoring strike-rate that Rokocoko, Howlett, Gear & Sivivatu have.

different style of play though isn't it

 

[Blaze]

And Tuquiri = best winger in the game at the moment!

Turn it up.

He is class but neither the Waratahs or Aus have learnt how to use him enough yet. He only scored 5 tries in the Super12 and they were all in the first 6 weeks. In a winning team that is a terrible return. Rico Gear scored about 15.

 

[Blaze]

different style of play though isn't it

They all play in the Super 12?

 

[KennyD]

Turn it up.

He is class but neither the Waratahs or Aus have learnt how to use him enough yet. He only scored 5 tries in the Super12 and they were all in the first 6 weeks. In a winning team that is a terrible return. Rico Gear scored about 15.

You'd pick Tuquiri as a winger in a world XV right though? Ahead of Rico Gear?

 

[Smudge]

You'd pick Tuquiri as a winger in a world XV right though? Ahead of Rico Gear?

Tuqiri would be on one wing for mine.

The other one is fairly open - could be any one player out of Caucau, Lewsey, Rokocoko, Gear, Shane Williams (on a good day), Sivivatu (who is going to be VEEEERY good), Habana.

 

[age_master]

They all play in the Super 12?

i meant the Waratah's play a much mroe defensive style, thus conceeding alot less tries. also scoring less though.

he may not have scored a try but in the semi i would say tiquiri would have been in the top 3 or 4 players on the field quite comfortably.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Tuqiri would be on one wing for mine.

The other one is fairly open - could be any one player out of Caucau, Lewsey, Rokocoko, Gear, Shane Williams (on a good day), Sivivatu (who is going to be VEEEERY good), Habana.

Don't rate Howlett then Volts? Seems to have gone backwards a bit since WC, but still only 26 or 27 I think. Doubt he's peaked just yet.

I guess Robinson would always come into the mix too, but I have a slight suspicion at his age (think he's 30 now) his best days are behind him. Hope I'll be proved wrong over the next 6 weeks or so....

 

[Blaze]

You'd pick Tuquiri as a winger in a world XV right though? Ahead of Rico Gear?

Yes I would. Hopefully Laurie Mains or John Hart was coaching he side. For me, like Voltman, the other wing position would be wide open. Though I am 99% sure it would be 1 of the NZers vying for AB selection.

Habana is lightening fast but is error ridden

 

[Smudge]

Don't rate Howlett then Volts? Seems to have gone backwards a bit since WC, but still only 26 or 27 I think. Doubt he's peaked just yet.

I guess Robinson would always come into the mix too, but I have a slight suspicion at his age (think he's 30 now) his best days are behind him. Hope I'll be proved wrong over the next 6 weeks or so....

No, I don't rate Howlett as one of the top wingers in the world, even on form. He can be an excellent finisher, but he's not one to create a try like, say, Caucau, Shane Williams or Sivivatu. Still wouldn't disgrace an AB jersey mind you, and can cover fullback.

Robinson's not the player he once was. He never had top-end speed, but his acceleration was lightning-quick. But that appears to have gone.

 

[BoyBrumby]

No, I don't rate Howlett as one of the top wingers in the world, even on form. He can be an excellent finisher, but he's not one to create a try like, say, Caucau, Shane Williams or Sivivatu. Still wouldn't disgrace an AB jersey mind you, and can cover fullback.

I don't have a problem with wings who're "just" finishers; that was the justification in some quarters for leaving Cueto out of The Lions 45 (!). That he's a finisher or a specialist wing, well I'm sorry he doesn't cure cancer or find alternative fuel sources, but "just" scoring tries isn't a crime to me. Think Cueto's got 8 in 8 now, including tries against Springboks & Wallabies.

& if SCW can't find space for specialist players in a squad of 45, then what's the point of bringing so many?!