Hey I wasnt attacking Powell. I like the guy. I was just pointing out how you can read statistics in many different ways.He constantly made the gain line, and why does he need to offload? Powell took 2-3 England players with him everytime which is just as good as an offload![/b]
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cymro @ Feb 15 2009, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey I wasnt attacking Powell. I like the guy. I was just pointing out how you can read statistics in many different ways.He constantly made the gain line, and why does he need to offload? Powell took 2-3 England players with him everytime which is just as good as an offload![/b]
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Logorrhea @ Feb 15 2009, 09:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dullonien @ Feb 15 2009, 04:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Dont get me wrong, I like Powell but how many of those started and stayed behind the gain line. Every kick off he'd get 6-7 yards, run into contact and be taken down, same for ball received in the midfield. The distance he runs is not very important if he doesnt break the gain line and I dont recall too many offloads.Just checked the stats on Powell, 17 carries, making 107 metres, that's pretty impressive for a bad day at the office.[/b]
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cymro @ Feb 16 2009, 09:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Logorrhea @ Feb 15 2009, 09:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dullonien @ Feb 15 2009, 04:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Dont get me wrong, I like Powell but how many of those started and stayed behind the gain line. Every kick off he'd get 6-7 yards, run into contact and be taken down, same for ball received in the midfield. The distance he runs is not very important if he doesnt break the gain line and I dont recall too many offloads.Just checked the stats on Powell, 17 carries, making 107 metres, that's pretty impressive for a bad day at the office.[/b]
Ok I think I phrased my criticism of Powell wrong.
Basically, he's a great player who still did a great job on Saturday.
My point was that in the Autumn he was world class. Now he looks merely good.. 4 stars as opposed to 5. So if he's to hold on to the reputation he gained in the Autumn he needs a big game. Unfortunately for him, his Lions spot atm is being seriously challenged by Heaslip who looks marginally better atm.[/b]
What is this prejudice against Total Rugby (pronounced like Arnie Schwarz)?I'm sorry but I'll side with Cymro. We all seem to be seduced by the ever impossible dream of total rugby, that everyone can offload like Ma Nonu and can run as fast as Shane Williams and tackle as hard as Schalk Burger.
EDIT: Sometimes, players can be a credit by doing a few things incredibly well. By crashing, banging and walloping and causing chaos in the thick of it players like Powell fulfil their purpose.[/b]
Never? Since when? I never thought he would be a Lions Test player based on his performances in Blue this year. Totally different animal in the last few weeks though![/b]
Good point. But you're probably going by stats too much - doesn't take account of the rhythm of play, what you see with your own eyes.I dunno why everyone is talking about Worsley doing a number on Wales. The "Roberts marking" took him away from being a proper flanker where England gave away 18 points and 2 yellow cards, because Goode and Tindall had to do what Worsley didn't do. Also Roberts had a break which led to points, so Worsley didn't even excute that perfectly either. My MoM would have gone to Gethin or Goughie.[/b]
