Reds @ Fiji - 12:05 Saturday 03/05

[stillmissit]

I’m of the opinion you’re old enough if you’re good enough. But I think 20s by a large aren’t developed enough to play super rugby. There will be the occasional few Pakeho the most recent one. Let the kids play shute or hospital cup, show they can handle and dominate that level then move up. Obviously, money is an issue.

Your view is what the majority thinks and reflects what I was referring to MT. Too young for pro-sport.
I, very reluctantly, refer you to Derpus' post re games played in Europe.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Some people were calling for HMP to be blooded by the Wallabies last year.

To be fair I thought he looked much better last year playing more direct and running a bit more.

If only he and Lynagh were a bit taller and maybe 10kg heavier, I think they would make a good 10/12 combo.

somewhat amazingly, HMP has never started a game at home in his career. This year his starts have been away to Chiefs, Crusaders and Drua with some junk time minutes in between.

He is certainly starting his pro career off on hard mode

 

[LeCheese]

somewhat amazingly, HMP has never started a game at home in his career. This year his starts have been away to Chiefs, Crusaders and Drua with some junk time minutes in between.

He is certainly starting his pro career off on hard mode

Is he? It’s not uncommon - in fact, I’d say it’s overwhelmingly common - for young players to get most of their caps off the bench. He’s only 15 caps into his pro career…

 

[Strewthcobber]

Is he? It’s not uncommon - in fact, I’d say it’s overwhelmingly common - for young players to get most of their caps off the bench. He’s only 15 caps into his pro career…

Sure, but 85% of his minutes so far have been away from home.

100% of his starts have been away from home, at some of the best teams in the comp.

 

[Beattie]

Sure, but 85% of his minutes so far have been away from home.

100% of his starts have been away from home, at some of the best teams in the comp.

Lynagh is the priority and coming into BL and RWC he is in the mix as there is no No 10 who has secured the jersey. Kiss and Schmidt would be managing minutes and injury risk. HMP can’t close out a game whereas Lynagh can.

 

[Uncle Lucius]

Did Lynagh close out the weekends game?

 

[Beattie]

Did Lynagh close out the weekends game?

Lynagh did turn the game around with the backline playing controlled attack. Poor decision with the line out call with 2 mins to go lost the game.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Clearly he's second choice, but the Reds have won 8 and lost 2 with HMP coming on as a reserve, closing out games, and the Reds have won 1 and lost 4 when he starts and someone else has closed out the game.


(I know, I know, the stat has all sorts of caveats)

(I also don't even really know what I'm arguing about here other than HMP has had a lot of tough games early in his career)

 

[Major Tom]

Lynagh did turn the game around with the backline playing controlled attack. Poor decision with the line out call with 2 mins to go lost the game.

Yeah not much more he could have done.
IMO they’re both good options just seems like lynagh has that massive boot. HMP more of an attacking threat at the line (not that lynagh isn’t). HMP just needs to bide his time while Lynaghs the incumbent.