[quote author=Rosco link=topic=32866.msg896227#msg896227 date=1246103338]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=32866.msg896221#msg896221 date=1246102949]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=32866.msg896208#msg896208 date=1246102545]
Rafa - I'm guessing you've played rugby at some stage yeah ?
Why do you underestimate outhalves that control a game ? If you've played with one, you know the value of having a reliable boot, a steady pair of hands , an outhalf that allows others around him to do what they do best. It's an ability that the vast moajority of outhalves will never possess. It can't be taught. The reason why so many Irish backs are in the Lions squad is because ROG is that type of outhalf.
Hook and Cipriani can't do that and never will, because of that they'll never start regularly at the top level. Michalak too, Carlos Spencer was a another. All gamebreakers, but you never knew which side they'd break the game for. Outhalves don't have to win the game by themselves, they just need to give the opportunities to those around them and slot over the kicks when they come.
[/quote]
Yes i have played the game Rosco.
We are not talking club rugby, we are talking about the top tier of the sport. Just having a reliable boot and a steady pair of hands is not good enough (especially when you're soft as shite as well).
Let me just gets this straight then? The reason that so many Irish backs are in the squad is partly down to the genius of ROG, and the reason that so many Welsh backs are in the squad is down to the bias of Gatland and Edwards?
[/quote]
You're forgetting the ability to control a game. That's what will stop the flash in the pan types you like from ever being regulars at the top level. They don't have it, they may have one standuot peformance under their belt from a few years back but that's all it was , one game. When they play at a consistently high level over a period of years you can start comparing Hook and Cipriani to ROG and Jones, but they never will so it's a moot point.
I'll try to settle this - you said ROG kicks 90% of the time - I said you're being ridiculous and if that was the case our backs would never get a chance to show how good they are. It's because ROG doesn't kick that much that they've had the chance to shine. They've been picked because they're excellent players who've had the chance to shine.
The Welsh backs have been picked because they're very good too, it's just a pity that their coaches managed to make them look shit for most of last season because of their tactics.
[/quote]
Since your well deserved GS win Rosco, you've gone all OTT in regards to some of your lads. naming 11 Irish in the Lions test team is just one example of this.
I'll fully admit that the likes of Ferris, Bowe, O'Connell and BOD really are top quality players and that Kearney, Wallace, Heaslip, O'Call, Fitzy, O'Leary and Flannery are very good also.
ROG though is not.
I'll ask you a question now
Why have you not won more honours as a nation (or done better in major comps), even though it's accepted that you've had your best bunch of players ever?
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=32866.msg896221#msg896221 date=1246102949]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=32866.msg896208#msg896208 date=1246102545]
Rafa - I'm guessing you've played rugby at some stage yeah ?
Why do you underestimate outhalves that control a game ? If you've played with one, you know the value of having a reliable boot, a steady pair of hands , an outhalf that allows others around him to do what they do best. It's an ability that the vast moajority of outhalves will never possess. It can't be taught. The reason why so many Irish backs are in the Lions squad is because ROG is that type of outhalf.
Hook and Cipriani can't do that and never will, because of that they'll never start regularly at the top level. Michalak too, Carlos Spencer was a another. All gamebreakers, but you never knew which side they'd break the game for. Outhalves don't have to win the game by themselves, they just need to give the opportunities to those around them and slot over the kicks when they come.
[/quote]
Yes i have played the game Rosco.
We are not talking club rugby, we are talking about the top tier of the sport. Just having a reliable boot and a steady pair of hands is not good enough (especially when you're soft as shite as well).
Let me just gets this straight then? The reason that so many Irish backs are in the squad is partly down to the genius of ROG, and the reason that so many Welsh backs are in the squad is down to the bias of Gatland and Edwards?
[/quote]
You're forgetting the ability to control a game. That's what will stop the flash in the pan types you like from ever being regulars at the top level. They don't have it, they may have one standuot peformance under their belt from a few years back but that's all it was , one game. When they play at a consistently high level over a period of years you can start comparing Hook and Cipriani to ROG and Jones, but they never will so it's a moot point.
I'll try to settle this - you said ROG kicks 90% of the time - I said you're being ridiculous and if that was the case our backs would never get a chance to show how good they are. It's because ROG doesn't kick that much that they've had the chance to shine. They've been picked because they're excellent players who've had the chance to shine.
The Welsh backs have been picked because they're very good too, it's just a pity that their coaches managed to make them look shit for most of last season because of their tactics.
[/quote]
Since your well deserved GS win Rosco, you've gone all OTT in regards to some of your lads. naming 11 Irish in the Lions test team is just one example of this.
I'll fully admit that the likes of Ferris, Bowe, O'Connell and BOD really are top quality players and that Kearney, Wallace, Heaslip, O'Call, Fitzy, O'Leary and Flannery are very good also.
ROG though is not.
I'll ask you a question now
Why have you not won more honours as a nation (or done better in major comps), even though it's accepted that you've had your best bunch of players ever?
