Roar Guru
Joined August 2012
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2014 is a pivotal year for Stuart Lancaster and England. Lancaster has now had two years in the job, and a surprisingly large amount…
English involvement in the Autumn internationals has concluded and, as follows in sport, now is the time for appraisal and evaluation. So how did…
The New Zealand rout aside, England were worryingly ordinary during the 2012 November internationals. It was a very young and inexperienced side, and the…
The back row is always perceived as the most competitive area of selection for the Lions, but aside from Sam Warburton and Dan Lydiate…
The 2009 Lions pack saw a number of Gatland’s favourites selected, and the repercussions were immediate and devastating. The composition of the pack for…
Loosehead prop is possibly an area of concern for the English rugby side in the absence of Alex Corbsiero. Joe Marler is yet to…
Those statistics are rather shalllow. They conveniently ignore the amount of caps that he inherited.
Hansen: All Blacks are just too powerful
I think it’s hard to see McCaw going through another year of rugby, and as things stand I’d have him as the 3rd most important member of the AB back row right now.
McCaw no spent force, Hansen
Done well like last week? “Beeeeeasssstttttt!”
Underboks: Projected to lose in Salta, South Africa to win at a canter
Dude, you can’t write an article about being underdogs when the bookies have you as huge favourites…
Underboks: Projected to lose in Salta, South Africa to win at a canter
Underdogs? South Africa are 1/6 favourites – 12 point favourties… Argentina have only beaten Italy (by 4 points) out of all their recent games against top tier opposition. Given the weather last week’s result really wasn’t a surprise, but I still don’t see how this Springbok side is different to the 2012 Springbok side that struggled in Argentina? Capable of thrashing Argentina, but also one-dimensional if contained up front.
Underboks: Projected to lose in Salta, South Africa to win at a canter
Such a nauseating bloke. Up there with Woodward and Gatland.
Hansen doubts Wallabies can lift further
It’s hard to quantify world class. I’d tend to go with one of the top players in the world, and IMO Vermeulen isn’t.
Duane Vermeulen can hold his own with the best
Very good player; excellent over the ball, reliable performer, tough – fits in well to the Springbok pattern, but dubious if he’s close to world class.
Duane Vermeulen can hold his own with the best
Even Anthony Foley was pretty indispensable to Ireland for a while.
Time to stop fawning and be honest about Keiran Read
I’m not a fan of these comparisons, because different players mean different things to their team, but number 8s of recent vintage: Dallaglio, Quinnell, Parrisse, Fernandez-Lobbe, Kefu. Let’s not forget Taine Randell either…
Time to stop fawning and be honest about Keiran Read
I believe Grey played 10 against England in 2002…
McKenzie backs unchanged Wallabies team for Bledisloe 2
They won by 4 points in Rome, Harry, and winning in Rome isn’t massively impressive, but hey…
Young Boks praised in wet win over Pumas
Aren’t indicative of what? The fact they’re a poor side? I don’t think you’d be saying that if any other side had lost to Scotland, Ireland (twice), Wales, England, Australia, NZ, Australia, NZ, SA, SA, England (twice) since last year , only managing to beat Italy and Georgia…
NZ and Australia will obliterate Argentina when they play them at home.
Young Boks praised in wet win over Pumas
I’m no fan of Coetzee, but thought he played OK. Smith is a much better technical flanker than Alberts, so I’d have started him ahead of Alberts, with Alberts an impact sub on the bench.
Young Boks praised in wet win over Pumas
It can be coached. Courtney Lawes was a pretty bog standard lineout player, but ended up running England’s lineout in the 6N. I’d be more concerned with the scrum than the lineout.
Young Boks praised in wet win over Pumas
Dude, look at Argentina’s recent results. They’re on a par with Italy.
Young Boks praised in wet win over Pumas
It’s pretty self-explanatory. The vast majority of tighthead locks jump at the front because they tend to be bigger than 5s. Most middle jumpers tend to also cover the front and back, and there’s far more movement in middle of the lineout than the front. So your 5 jumper tends to need to be more agile, lighter, and be a recognised lineout jumper who can also challenge defensively. Front jumping tends to be up and don, whereas middle jumping is up and down and side to side etc.
Young Boks praised in wet win over Pumas
Forgot about Smith. Why would he replace Coetzee? Was he not available for this game?
Matfield is going to be available?
Young Boks praised in wet win over Pumas
An experienced team? Matfield is injured and Pollard may be dropped for Steyn, but they’re the only likely changes. That was basically the most experienced side available to Meyer.
Young Boks praised in wet win over Pumas
Argentina always flood the breakdown, and SA should know how to play wet weather rugby – the pack have been on a number of European tours, and Botha, Louw, Pienarr, Morne Steyn, Habana & JDV have all played/play in Europe.
Springboks vs Pumas: The Rugby Championship live scores, blog
Kaino and Read.
McCaw no spent force, Hansen