Official Rugby Thread

[KennyD]

Get rid of South Africa, bring in Pacific Islands, Japan, and Argentina (maybe).

Besides, South Africa are looking at aligning themselves more with the European competition which is at least in their timezone.

Probably backline for first match against Wales. Scrumhalf: Matt Giteau, Flyhalf: Matt Rogers L Wing: Gerrard, Inside centre: Steve Larkham, Out centre: Lote Tuquiri, R Wing: Clyde Rathbone, Fullback: Chris Latham

I guess the big one is Rogers and LArkham swapping positions, an innovation of Larkham and Backs coack Scott Johnstone, whilst Giteau goes back to his old position of halfback due to the absence of Gregan, Cordingley.

Thoughts?

 

[Perm]

Giteau will almost definately be playing halfback, and if he plays well enough he could oust George Gregan from the Wallabies starting XV which will be a real shame because I'm quite a fan of Gregan. I doubt the selectors will start Larkham at 2nd Five until the match against Italty, although he'll probably get a run there during the tour games and possibly near the end of this game against Wales. Also not sure whether they would start Tuqiri at centre, but I imagine that Tuqiri, Rathbone and Gerrard will all be given a run at 13 over the course of this tour.

What does everybody think about Stephen Jones being made captain of Wales? He's a very good player but it's a bit harsh on Gareth Thomas, I thought he was quite a good captain and led from the front.

 

[chaminda_00]

Get rid of South Africa, bring in Pacific Islands, Japan, and Argentina (maybe).

Besides, South Africa are looking at aligning themselves more with the European competition which is at least in their timezone.

Probably backline for first match against Wales. Scrumhalf: Matt Giteau, Flyhalf: Matt Rogers L Wing: Gerrard, Inside centre: Steve Larkham, Out centre: Lote Tuquiri, R Wing: Clyde Rathbone, Fullback: Chris Latham

I guess the big one is Rogers and LArkham swapping positions, an innovation of Larkham and Backs coack Scott Johnstone, whilst Giteau goes back to his old position of halfback due to the absence of Gregan, Cordingley.

Thoughts?

I really can't see that backline working TBH, just too many players playing out of position. These winter tours are starting to become a joke, we always seem to get injuries and we just show our complete lack of depth.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Giteau will almost definately be playing halfback, and if he plays well enough he could oust George Gregan from the Wallabies starting XV which will be a real shame because I'm quite a fan of Gregan. I doubt the selectors will start Larkham at 2nd Five until the match against Italty, although he'll probably get a run there during the tour games and possibly near the end of this game against Wales. Also not sure whether they would start Tuqiri at centre, but I imagine that Tuqiri, Rathbone and Gerrard will all be given a run at 13 over the course of this tour.

What does everybody think about Stephen Jones being made captain of Wales? He's a very good player but it's a bit harsh on Gareth Thomas, I thought he was quite a good captain and led from the front.

I think the WRU is officially giving the reason as Alfie (Thomas) not being contracted to one of their provinces. Personally I think it's more to do with the very public nervous breakdown he had on live telly in the aftermath of Wales ditching Mike Ruddock less than a year after he'd delivered the first Welsh Grand Slam since the 70s. There were whisperings of a player revolt & Thomas made himself look a total tool by refusing to answer any questions with anything except "Mike Ruddock knows what I said about him".

 

[KennyD]

Giteau will almost definately be playing halfback, and if he plays well enough he could oust George Gregan from the Wallabies starting XV which will be a real shame because I'm quite a fan of Gregan. I doubt the selectors will start Larkham at 2nd Five until the match against Italty, although he'll probably get a run there during the tour games and possibly near the end of this game against Wales. Also not sure whether they would start Tuqiri at centre, but I imagine that Tuqiri, Rathbone and Gerrard will all be given a run at 13 over the course of this tour.

What does everybody think about Stephen Jones being made captain of Wales? He's a very good player but it's a bit harsh on Gareth Thomas, I thought he was quite a good captain and led from the front.

We used Tuquiri as a starting no.13 last year pretty sure, when Sterlo was out. Gerrard is supposed to get some game time at flyhalf and inside centre this tour. I doubt they will give Rathbone game time at 13, which is a shame because I really think he has the skills to play there, as he played inside centre I believe when he captained SA U21.

Going from todays papers, it really looks like Larkham is going to play 12, and in the photos he was lining up ouside Rogers, inside Tuquiri. Connolly says the trend for world rugby is to have more of a tactician inside centre, similar to Aaron Mauger, who the paper claims runs the backline more than Carter does.

Loving the Rugby talk.

 

[KennyD]

Dont like Gareth Thomas who looks like an old man, and I dont like Stephen jones either. I want to sleep with Gavin Henson, whilst Hal Luscomb is allowed to watch.

 

[Perm]

The paper claims that Aaron Mauger runs the backline more than Dan Carter does? The paper have got it spot on then, Mauger is the key man in our backline even though we have classy players like Carter and Muliaina. He calls alot of the shots in both defence and attack and he really takes the pressure of Dan Carter who is then free to play his own natural game style.

In my opinion, Mauger is as important to our backline as Soialo is to our forward pack. Both do a ton of work, but Mauger's is harder to see.

 

[KennyD]

I like Mauger.

 

[KennyD]

"Larkham has been moved from five-eighth because Connolly believes "he can probably boss the game a little bit more from No.12 - in very much the New Zealand style, like Aaron Mauger""

http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2006/10/27/1161749318129.html

 

[Perm]

As do I, I think he'll be pivotal in our bid to win the RWC 2007. As for Larkham playing at 2nd Five, I think the move could possibly work but I don't see why they want to move Matt Giteau out of that position and put Mat Rogers into such a vital one for the team, considering he will be leaving rugby in 2007 it doesn't seem very smart. Larkham has the potential to be a good general at #12 and can pass both ways, has a good turn of pace and is fairly solid on defence. I still feel Giteau has the goods to operate at Second Five, more so than Rogers did when he was tested there. Tuqiri should go alright at Centre and Gerrard plays first receiver on a number of occasions when the Wallabies and Brumbies ae looking to clear.

 

[Sw1fty]

Teams for the match between England and the All Blacks at Twickenham

NEW ZEALAND: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Byron Kelleher, 8 Chris Masoe, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Reuben Thorne, 5 Chris Jack, 4 Keith Robinson, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 John Afoa, 18 Clark Dermody, 19 Rodney So'oialo, 20 Andrew Ellis, 21 Daniel Carter, 22 Sitiveni Sivivatu.

ENGLAND: 15 Iain Balshaw, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Ben Cohen, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Shaun Perry; 8 Pat Sanderson, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Martin Corry (c), 5 Ben Kay, 4 Danny Grewcock, 3 Julian White, 2 George Chuter, 1 Andy Sheridan. Reserves: 16 Lee Mears, 17 Stuart Turner, 18 Chris Jones, 19 Magnus Lund, 20 Peter Richards, 21 Andy Goode, 22 Mark Van Gisbergen.

 

[steds]

14 Paul Sackey, 12 Anthony Allen, 9 Shaun Perry; 2 George Chuter, 17 Stuart Turner, 20 Peter Richards

Who?

EDIT: Is that Chris Jones the one that St Helens signed from Sale? Didn't play for us. Went on loan to Leigh, then disappeared off the face of the earth (back to union I'm presuming).

EDIT II: We flogged him to Leeds Tykes. Is it that guy who plays for them?

 

[Perm]

Why on earth would England name 3 vice captains, one of whom has not played test rugby as far as I know? They are going to go down big time, hopefully Evans can pull through from his dodgy hamstring. Gutted that Nonu is playing, I really can't stand him but he'll give your centre pairing a good test on defence. Jimmy Cowan should be in the AB's tour squad, absolute farce in my opinion.

 

[steds]

Who?

EDIT: Is that Chris Jones the one that St Helens signed from Sale? Didn't play for us. Went on loan to Leigh, then disappeared off the face of the earth (back to union I'm presuming).

EDIT II: We flogged him to Leeds Tykes. Is it that guy who plays for them?

Brumby?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Who?

EDIT: Is that Chris Jones the one that St Helens signed from Sale? Didn't play for us. Went on loan to Leigh, then disappeared off the face of the earth (back to union I'm presuming).

EDIT II: We flogged him to Leeds Tykes. Is it that guy who plays for them?

Paul Sackey is Wasps wing; has one redeeming feature: he's quick.

Anthony Allen has real potential; Gloucester inside-centre. Great step & cuts the line well. He is only 20 tho so ideally I wouldn't want him thrown in the deep end like this. Him & Tait could be our centre partnership for the next decade.

Shaun Perry is about the best English qualified scrum-half about now. A late comer to the game (he was full-time welder until 2 years ago & is 28 now). Has decent pass (which immediately raises him above Peter Richards & Harry Ellis) & a good, solid kicking game.

George Chuter is the Leicester hooker; solid & combative, but maybe could be a little bigger. In his 30s too, IIRC, so not a long-term option.

Stuart Turner is a 34 year old prop from Sale who probably can't believe his luck. Very much a last man standing pick. Matt Stevens, Duncan Bell, Perry Freshwater & that geezer who played for us in the World Cup whose name I can't recall (not Woodman, the other prop) would all be ahead of him were they fit.

Peter Richards is the Gloucester scrum-half; played for us in Oz. Don't rate him at all.

& Chris Jones is a lock/flanker/no 8 who plays for Sale. Has played a few times for us before. I couldn't swear to it, be I'm 90% sure he's never played League at the top level. Tall, good ball carrier & decent line-out option, but maybe a tad lightweight. Needs to eat more pies.

 

[steds]

England (nearly put "we". Can't have that when I support Scotland!) are going to get smashed, no?

that geezer who played for us in the World Cup whose name I can't recall (not Woodman, the other prop)

Props Jason Leonard (NEC Harlequins), Phil Vickery (Gloucester), Julian White (Leicester Tigers), Trevor Woodman (Gloucester)

Chris Jones is a lock/flanker/no 8 who plays for Sale. Has played a few times for us before. I couldn't swear to it, be I'm 90% sure he's never played League at the top level. Tall, good ball carrier & decent line-out option, but maybe a tad lightweight. Needs to eat more pies.

Oh right. The one we had was a centre, apparently, and is still at Leeds. Found him.

 

[BoyBrumby]

England (nearly put "we". Can't have that when I support Scotland!) are going to get smashed, no?


Props Jason Leonard (NEC Harlequins), Phil Vickery (Gloucester), Julian White (Leicester Tigers), Trevor Woodman (Gloucester)

Vickery! Thank you. Couldn't be arsed to Google it.

& yes, we'll do well to hold NZ to 20 points.

 

[KennyD]

Will be supporting Australia and Gavin Henson at the same time.

 

[Smudge]

& yes, we'll do well to hold NZ to 20 points.

Bollocks. We've never given you a thrashing at Twickenham, and we won't be starting this weekend either. Your forward pack is strong enough - it's just a matter of stifling our backs.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Bollocks. We've never given you a thrashing at Twickenham, and we won't be starting this weekend either. Your forward pack is strong enough - it's just a matter of stifling our backs.

Dunno. Depends how you define "thrashing"; you beat us by 30-16 in the 99 WC & by 25-8 in 97 too. Think the latter may've been at the Citadel of Evil rather than headquarters tho.

Our tight five is ok bur we really lack a 7 to win us the ball; Moody's ok, but he's more of a 6.