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Spook
Guest
I reckon we should go with a backrow of Smith, Mumm and Elsom until Palu gets back. Thoughts?
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Hugonaut
Guest
Speaking as a Leinster fan, I reckon Australia should clone him and play him all across the backrow. Jesus, make three and leave one for us! He has been absolutely immense this season - I'd go so far as to say he's been the best import in the history of Irish rugby, in terms of one season effect. Don't know how much you guys get to see of the Heineken Cup, but his performance in the semi against Munster was mind-blowing.
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steiner
Guest
I've definitely considered having 2 of Elsom, Mumm & MMM (when he's fit) playng at 6 and 8 and putting real pressure on the oppo lineout. Has its possibilities.
Langthorne
Phil Hardcastle (33)
Spook said:
I'd prefer Mumm, Elsom (so he does qualify then?) and Waugh (in case you missed my other posts).
Yeah, I know, not the popular choice.
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Spook
Guest
Hugonaut said:
Quite a lot given I live in Dublin :thumb He's improved again as a player and is hitting his peak IMO.
I reckon Mumm makes a dynamic Lock and a lumbering 6.
If Rocky was at 8 (good suggestion Spook) I'd rather see Mowen at 6.
Fuck, you'd have 4 class line-out options and big, dynamic runners galore.
Instead we've got yet another short fetcher in Hodgson, even though he's been playing well in that role.
If Rocky was at 8 (good suggestion Spook) I'd rather see Mowen at 6.
Fuck, you'd have 4 class line-out options and big, dynamic runners galore.
Instead we've got yet another short fetcher in Hodgson, even though he's been playing well in that role.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Hugonaut said:
Good to see that my ravings about Elsom's great form in the northern season have been validated. Have seen all the Heineken Cup games that matter including all by Munster and Leinster, and most of their Magners League games. Elsom has a high regard for the Leinster fans and his team mates - and is chuffed by the boxing like chant of "Rocky, Rocky ..." from the Leinster crowd.
Good luck to Leinster in the final. I don't know how your guys beat Munster in the semi after their respective performances in the Q/Fs, but if they play at the same level in Murrayfield, they will win. I thought that Leicester was ordinary in the GP final, despite winning.
Love the video Gagger. He is such a complete player. Works well in the tight and the loose, has great speed, works in the lineout, almost expected him to pot a drop-goal at one point.
Smell that smoke? Don't stress, it's just naza's arguments going down in flames...
Smell that smoke? Don't stress, it's just naza's arguments going down in flames...
Biffo
Ken Catchpole (46)
Agree with both your posts.
I have a caveat about Rocky's Yuropean form. While the Yuropean work at the breakdown is very good, it takes quite a while for that work to start. As a man is tackled, play of the ball stops while anyone nearby waits for the rest to arrive. Very gentlemanly and suits Rocky very well indeed. I want to see him in games with high-speed RSA and NZ back rows charging onto the ball and the tacklee as the tackle is made before I rant too much about Yuropean form. That said, I wrote that he was the best on the planet before he went to Yurope. He is now simply better, because his body is maturing.
I have a caveat about Rocky's Yuropean form. While the Yuropean work at the breakdown is very good, it takes quite a while for that work to start. As a man is tackled, play of the ball stops while anyone nearby waits for the rest to arrive. Very gentlemanly and suits Rocky very well indeed. I want to see him in games with high-speed RSA and NZ back rows charging onto the ball and the tacklee as the tackle is made before I rant too much about Yuropean form. That said, I wrote that he was the best on the planet before he went to Yurope. He is now simply better, because his body is maturing.
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Spook
Guest
His leadership has improved as well and his decision making is far superior now. He knows when to run, when to do nothing and when to pilfer, etc. Superb timing and he doesn't let the ball die when he's tackled.
Cutter
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
8 is a specialist position. Play Brown there. I agree with whomever said Mumm could be ponderous at 6.
Elsom has obviously been in great form up north, but I dont think he is going to come back as the messiah. Consider also that when the NH teams tour here at the end of their season they complain about tiredness and burnout. Rocky is just about to go into his 3rd season back to back. I think he will be ok for the Wallabies but I'd be surprised if he is much different to when he left just under 12 months ago.
Elsom has obviously been in great form up north, but I dont think he is going to come back as the messiah. Consider also that when the NH teams tour here at the end of their season they complain about tiredness and burnout. Rocky is just about to go into his 3rd season back to back. I think he will be ok for the Wallabies but I'd be surprised if he is much different to when he left just under 12 months ago.
waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
can someone explain the brownie love to me?, i know he is a different sort of player to palu but for my ilking he isnt anywhere near him.
he just uses speed to get to the advantage line then he goes to ground, most of the work he does at the breakdown seems to be picking the guy at the side of the ruck off the ball which usually does nothing for securing the ball itself. and in attack he seems to be taking cues from sharpie, he hasnt quite found the edge of the field yet (probably a force oval thing!) but he is creaping wider and wider in attack to get round. for mine a number 8 goes right up the guts.
has he been doing something that i havnt seen or is he just getting a rep for reps sake?
he just uses speed to get to the advantage line then he goes to ground, most of the work he does at the breakdown seems to be picking the guy at the side of the ruck off the ball which usually does nothing for securing the ball itself. and in attack he seems to be taking cues from sharpie, he hasnt quite found the edge of the field yet (probably a force oval thing!) but he is creaping wider and wider in attack to get round. for mine a number 8 goes right up the guts.
has he been doing something that i havnt seen or is he just getting a rep for reps sake?
waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
higher work rate, but from what i have seen less effective on a consistant bases.
touching the ball is one thing, but at this level, touching the ball doesnt mean making a difference.
touching the ball is one thing, but at this level, touching the ball doesnt mean making a difference.
naza
Alan Cameron (40)
waratahjesus said:
I can explain. Your instincts are correct - Palu is vastly superior.
Brown deserves credit for persevering and improving his game dramatically. With Cliffy being so injury prone, many are relieved that we have a solid backup at #8 and one who can keep Cliffy honest if he slacks off.
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