England v Australia - Twickenham, 14 Nov, 4:30am AEDT

[PhilClinton]

I think thats harsh on Ikitau - he's has some pretty great moments in attack that didn't involve Kerevi. Running over Pollard to storm over was as attacking as it gets.

I think Ikitau just needs to find a lane, and stay in that lane. He looks great when not trying too much. I think he could be a very handy Conrad Smith type 13, makes all his tackles, arranges the defensive line and has a good boot. Smith was an underrated attacking player because he played simple heads up footy, made the right decision regarding running lines and passing.

Ikitau has shown he can play like that, but needs to be more consistent.

 

[RugbyReg]

Ikitau is class. I think we've only seen some decision making errors in the last couple of weeks. Personally, I put that down to head space. He's a young lad playing his first season of test rugby, it's been a long and challenging one. He should have the week off with Perese at 13, but Wright shouldn't play next week and Izzy is probably needed there, given Beale should go too

 

[Derpus]

Stick JOC (James O'Connor) at 15 and give Noah a run at 10. Perese to 13, Kellaway 14 and Daugunu 11.

 

[Joe Blow]

I think Ikitau just needs to find a lane, and stay in that lane. He looks great when not trying too much. I think he could be a very handy Conrad Smith type 13, makes all his tackles, arranges the defensive line and has a good boot. Smith was an underrated attacking player because he played simple heads up footy, made the right decision regarding running lines and passing.

Ikitau has shown he can play like that, but needs to be more consistent.

Time will tell. We have seen little from him in attack. Conrad Smith was an incredible attacking player. Their second playmaker at 13 at the time. I don’t think Ikitau is a similar sort of player. He needs the playmakers elsewhere.

 

[Joe Blow]

TBF Ikitau is a very good talent and he combined very well with Kerevi. Your centers are a unit and when one changes often both need to change to make them a strong pairing.

 

[TSR]

Ikitau has mostly been excellent. The last two weeks he has had a couple of issues - but he hasn’t been terrible.

To me, this is all part of his development and yes, sometimes development IS done at test level if you are the best choice for the position.

I wouldn’t be disappointed to see Perese given a crack in the centre’s, but I’d prefer to see him in the back 3 with Daugunu and Kellaway. He has the right attributes to be good there.

 

[dillyboy]

I’ll text him now and see what he is chasing.

happy to chip in if we're passing the hat around......

(I'd say it's the RA contract that is missing to get him to commit to the WC)

 

[Viking]

Wright and Ikitau are too loose in the carry and with throwing the hail Mary pass at the end. Between them they gave England half of their possession. JOC (James O'Connor) is also guilty of the last second offload that is not worth the risk.

This isn't only isolated to Wright and Ikitau, although they had shockers on the weekend, I feel most players in the team are suspect of doing this. Paisami, Folau Fainaga, Beale, Petaia, even Koro and Tupou all culprits.

 

[Derpus]

This isn't only isolated to Wright and Ikitau, although they had shockers on the weekend, I feel most players in the team are suspect of doing this. Paisami, Folau Fainaga, Beale, Petaia, even Koro and Tupou all culprits.

Very rarely from Koro these days. Did it a fair bit at the start.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Valetini too. Marvelous what a difference it makes to the perception of performance when a player routinely holds on to the ball. Ikitau will learn that and he'll look like the 13 we've all been wanting since Mortlock retired.

 

[Viking]

Valetini too. Marvelous what a difference it makes to the perception of performance when a player routinely holds on to the ball. Ikitau will learn that and he'll look like the 13 we've all been wanting since Mortlock retired.

Paisami a great example of this. Last week was terrible but this week he held onto the ball and had a blinder.

 

[wamberal]

The SMH is spruiking Tom Lynagh.

 

[Derpus]

The SMH is spruiking Tom Lynagh.

The weedy 18 year old who hasn't played a minute of professional rugby yet? clickbait.

 

[KOB1987]

The SMH is spruiking Tom Lynagh.

In what respect?

 

[wamberal]

In what respect?

Derpus says "clickbait".

Sigh. I remember the days when you could trust the newspapers. GRobb says there is "serious excitement" about the boy.

Has he started to shave yet?

 

[KOB1987]

Derpus says "clickbait".

Sigh. I remember the days when you could trust the newspapers. GRobb says there is "serious excitement" about the boy.

Has he started to shave yet?

There might be serious excitement about him but they haven't flown anyone over as cover yet so I doubt he'll be getting a call up. Let's see how he goes for the Reds next season.

 

[Wilson]

The weedy 18 year old who hasn't played a minute of professional rugby yet? clickbait.

In what respect?

It's an article about the potential fly half options going forward to kick start the attack:

James O’Connor will be fighting hard to press his claims from Queensland and his goal kicking under the pressure of a packed Twickenham will not be forgotten. There is also serious excitement around teenager Tom Lynagh, who will make his debut with Queensland next season.

...

In all these scenarios, what is apparent is there is vast experience down one path and precious little down the other. Does he bank on the Coopers, Toomuas and O’Connors holding up physically over the next two seasons and being in a position to produce their best in a World Cup? Or does he back Lolesio to come good, hope that Harrison plays the house down under new NSW coach Darren Coleman and that Lynagh will sorely tempt him with just one season of Super Rugby under his belt.

He's definitely not the focus of the article or the only 10 mentioned in it.

 

[cyclopath]

Derpus says "clickbait".

Sigh. I remember the days when you could trust the newspapers. GRobb says there is "serious excitement" about the boy.

Has he started to shave yet?

These days you need to specify anatomically where the shaving is happening.

 

[KOB1987]

It's an article about the potential fly half options going forward to kick start the attack:


...

He's definitely not the focus of the article or the only 10 mentioned in it.

OK given it's in the England match thread I had assumed the excitement was about bringing him into the squad this tour. Going forward no issue including him in the discussions. Given our current predicament at 10 include as many as possible!

 

[Wilson]

OK given it's in the England match thread I had assumed the excitement was about bringing him into the squad this tour. Going forward no issue including him in the discussions. Given our current predicament at 10 include as many as possible!

Yeah, I don't think he's likely to get too much game time next year and will generally be better served playing 80 minutes in u20s/club then getting minimal time off the bench for the reds, at least initially. That said it's not outside the realm of possibility he steps up, given the options are all either over 30 or under 22. The biggest issue I have with that article is it doesn't mention Gordon or Pasitoa/Kuenzle, as they're all just as likely to be the answer.