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Rugby Union
International Test Matches
[2018 November Tests] England v South Africa (3/10/18)
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<blockquote data-quote="Mr Ruggleby" data-source="post: 918711" data-attributes="member: 41553"><p>Just to clarify, my 23 picks were what I am expecting from Jones. Personally, I wouldn't pick Te'o alongside Tuilagi, but from what I've heard/read he is being seriously considered. Apparently Jones sees Tuilagi exclusively as a 13 and Te'o exclusively as a 12. I think Tuilagi will definitely start given the injuries to the Vunipolae and the other options for a bit of finesse in the backs are only really solid/tested at 13 internationally (and arguably at club too). Therefore that leaves Te'o to start at 12 or we go back to the Ford/Farrell axis, which I would find a bit irritating (if not overly surprising) given how well Farrell has played at 10, how mixed Ford has been and how much Jones has gone on about Cipriani being out of the squad because he's 3rd choice fly half (he's not if Farrell is going to play 12 the whole time...).</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Rhodes is very good player, difficult to think of an English comparison because we don't tend to breed players like him here - think typical Saffa Blindside like Danie Rossouw or Juan Smith from back in the day. He's 6'6" and 18 stone, physical carrier but won't be making multiple line breaks in most games. Earns most of his money defensively; he puts in a lot of tackles and a lot of big shots and is just the worst kind of player to go up against at the breakdown both offensively and defensively. Also very good in the line out and is just a big man. He compliments Kruis and Itoje well when playing for Sarries, so I think he will go alright with those two. That being said, I think the pack even with him will still struggle physically - Itoje is probably our most physically gifted lock and Kruis is one of the biggest, but in terms of sheer grunt, both of them are significantly lacking vs their SA counterparts. I would rather have Launchbury in there (if fit) ahead of Kruis, who hasn't really been at his best since getting dropped on the Lions tour.</p><p></p><p>In essence, I think a lot of the above is just the result of the cupboards being bare due to injury and highlights how much of our game has been based around the talents of a few individuals rather than a style of play that can be coached to and achieved by different types of players. Hoping I'm proved very wrong and we come out and smash the Boks, just can't see it happening with this team.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Mr Ruggleby, post: 918711, member: 41553"] Just to clarify, my 23 picks were what I am expecting from Jones. Personally, I wouldn't pick Te'o alongside Tuilagi, but from what I've heard/read he is being seriously considered. Apparently Jones sees Tuilagi exclusively as a 13 and Te'o exclusively as a 12. I think Tuilagi will definitely start given the injuries to the Vunipolae and the other options for a bit of finesse in the backs are only really solid/tested at 13 internationally (and arguably at club too). Therefore that leaves Te'o to start at 12 or we go back to the Ford/Farrell axis, which I would find a bit irritating (if not overly surprising) given how well Farrell has played at 10, how mixed Ford has been and how much Jones has gone on about Cipriani being out of the squad because he's 3rd choice fly half (he's not if Farrell is going to play 12 the whole time...). Rhodes is very good player, difficult to think of an English comparison because we don't tend to breed players like him here - think typical Saffa Blindside like Danie Rossouw or Juan Smith from back in the day. He's 6'6" and 18 stone, physical carrier but won't be making multiple line breaks in most games. Earns most of his money defensively; he puts in a lot of tackles and a lot of big shots and is just the worst kind of player to go up against at the breakdown both offensively and defensively. Also very good in the line out and is just a big man. He compliments Kruis and Itoje well when playing for Sarries, so I think he will go alright with those two. That being said, I think the pack even with him will still struggle physically - Itoje is probably our most physically gifted lock and Kruis is one of the biggest, but in terms of sheer grunt, both of them are significantly lacking vs their SA counterparts. I would rather have Launchbury in there (if fit) ahead of Kruis, who hasn't really been at his best since getting dropped on the Lions tour. In essence, I think a lot of the above is just the result of the cupboards being bare due to injury and highlights how much of our game has been based around the talents of a few individuals rather than a style of play that can be coached to and achieved by different types of players. Hoping I'm proved very wrong and we come out and smash the Boks, just can't see it happening with this team. [/QUOTE]
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[2018 November Tests] England v South Africa (3/10/18)
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