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International Test Matches
June International Test: Australia vs. England [3rd Test] (25/06/2016)
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<blockquote data-quote="Peat" data-source="post: 805767" data-attributes="member: 42330"><p>Some interesting thoughts.</p><p></p><p>I think our backs are being a little undersold. The unit of Ford-Farrell-Joseph doesn't do anyone any favours and sets a ceiling below what the players could reach in other units. I think the star quality of the players involved would be more obvious in a stronger unit.</p><p></p><p>At the same time, I think a big part of being a star vs being an impact player is consistency. You don't have to single handedly bury the opposition every game but players who keep mixing in pretty average games with big games aren't stars. Given how young our backs are I'm sanguine that we're going to get some stars out of them, but we're not there yet. </p><p></p><p>I do see growing consistency in Ford, Farrell and Joseph though. If you watch Joseph's defensive play closely, he's really strong there. There's a bit of a concern in that he's not a true Gustard style 13 with big hits and lots of shooting, but I think both men can adapt. I also like Joseph in that even when we're not giving him the space he needs, he's still lively, he's still working, he's still ready to take the one opportunity that comes his way. It would be nice if his footwork and physicality were sufficiently advanced for him to function better when there's not much space - although he still does good there - but they're not and its not the end of the world in this unit, never mind a bigger one.</p><p></p><p>The argument between Ford and Farrell is partly a sign that they're not true stars yet, but it also a sign that we're pretty blessed. Farrell has kicked on again this year - he seems a lot better at seeing space instinctually now. I still don't like him that much as a player to run a multi-phase attack against a fairly set defence but that is hardly the end of the world. Its a shame his ball carrying isn't better as in a lot of ways, I think 12 actually looks like it suits him better. And I think everyone knows how strongly I feel about Ford at the moment.</p><p></p><p>One other positive thing I'd say for both guys - last season might just be the toughest they will ever face in rugby. They're both pretty big parts of a cataclysmic World Cup for England, having their fathers fail can't have been great. You could see their form shake at times. I don't think it ever got as bad as some say it did, but it did definitely shake. And now they've done this. I think it says great things for their mental resilience and will stand to them in the future. </p><p></p><p></p><p>As for young flankers... I think its fair to say Jones isn't really sold on any of the ones available to him at the moment.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Peat, post: 805767, member: 42330"] Some interesting thoughts. I think our backs are being a little undersold. The unit of Ford-Farrell-Joseph doesn't do anyone any favours and sets a ceiling below what the players could reach in other units. I think the star quality of the players involved would be more obvious in a stronger unit. At the same time, I think a big part of being a star vs being an impact player is consistency. You don't have to single handedly bury the opposition every game but players who keep mixing in pretty average games with big games aren't stars. Given how young our backs are I'm sanguine that we're going to get some stars out of them, but we're not there yet. I do see growing consistency in Ford, Farrell and Joseph though. If you watch Joseph's defensive play closely, he's really strong there. There's a bit of a concern in that he's not a true Gustard style 13 with big hits and lots of shooting, but I think both men can adapt. I also like Joseph in that even when we're not giving him the space he needs, he's still lively, he's still working, he's still ready to take the one opportunity that comes his way. It would be nice if his footwork and physicality were sufficiently advanced for him to function better when there's not much space - although he still does good there - but they're not and its not the end of the world in this unit, never mind a bigger one. The argument between Ford and Farrell is partly a sign that they're not true stars yet, but it also a sign that we're pretty blessed. Farrell has kicked on again this year - he seems a lot better at seeing space instinctually now. I still don't like him that much as a player to run a multi-phase attack against a fairly set defence but that is hardly the end of the world. Its a shame his ball carrying isn't better as in a lot of ways, I think 12 actually looks like it suits him better. And I think everyone knows how strongly I feel about Ford at the moment. One other positive thing I'd say for both guys - last season might just be the toughest they will ever face in rugby. They're both pretty big parts of a cataclysmic World Cup for England, having their fathers fail can't have been great. You could see their form shake at times. I don't think it ever got as bad as some say it did, but it did definitely shake. And now they've done this. I think it says great things for their mental resilience and will stand to them in the future. As for young flankers... I think its fair to say Jones isn't really sold on any of the ones available to him at the moment. [/QUOTE]
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June International Test: Australia vs. England [3rd Test] (25/06/2016)
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