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Western Force v British & Irish Lions

Seems very harsh on Cummings. Thought he was pretty anonymous but certainly didnt seem like 3/10 performance. I can't read the article; what was their justification for it?

Also think that's very generous to Beirne who gave away some silly pens and was otherwise fairly anonymous.
‘An absolute disaster at the restarts where he was mercilessly targeted by the Force. Sadly, that is likely to mean his Test chances are gone, although he did come up with a turnover’

Was their justification for Cummings.

For Beirne
‘Got on the wrong side of Ben O'Keeffe at the breakdown which is a worry as he is the referee for the first Test. A couple of bright moments but feels like he went backwards.’
 
Some interesting comments from Farrell after the game, the praise for Hansen seemed forced, he looked off his game and under powered.

A few players did well, Russell and Tomos in the backline, but again Mitchell did nothing wrong.

Sheehan, Mccarthy, VDF and Beirne looked good, but the Force pack couldnt keep pace tbh, after 20 mins they were blowing a bit.

Stand out for me was Daly, very refreshingly safe at the back, cleaned up a few Hansen mistakes, boot was good, and he looked cool ball in hand. That's a very solid start to tour for him.

Pollock has a very high ceiling, but bugger me he's not ready. Physically he isn't up to test rugby, and his mouth keeps writing cheques for it to cash. The half time brawl is one, if your going to taunt your opponent dont immediately get floored on your back, that's going to be a tour fine lol. He fell off some tackles too. Can't blame him he's over eager, and his career this far has been bullying 19 year olds, he could be top class in a few seasons, but a number of times today he was sat down. Unreal talent for the linebreak chip and chase though!

Good start against Argetina, this was a lesser performance in my opinion, not realistic to tap and score from 45 years out at international level, and the relationships in small units dont seem to be there yet, but that's the nature of tour.
 
I think Farrell’s comments on Hansen are somewhat through green tinted glasses and I really wouldn’t be surprised if he started the first test. Imo he was a comfortable 3rd out the back three today. Had his moments but not without a fair few errors.
 
I think Farrell's comments on Hansen are somewhat through green tinted glasses and I really wouldn't be surprised if he started the first test. Imo he was a comfortable 3rd out the back three today. Had his moments but not without a fair few errors.

Sounded to me like coach cope. Sometimes you go to bat for the kid who tried really hard and didnt do very well.

I can't see Hanson in test 1, not with the likes of Daly, Lowe, VDM, and Keenan injury free.
 
Only watching the second half now, at 65 mins and Hansen has been the top performing back of the last 20mins...

Had the moment of the game after the intercept, key involvements in two tries and a missive hit forcing a turnover in WF's half.

Weird narrative.
 
Thoughts - probably going to be focused in Irish players, just naturally notice them more when watching as a neutral:

Sheehan - quiet game by his standards and still looked levels ahead of the pair from last week, the best player in Australia right now.

Furlong - looks a shadow of himself. Really annoyed that he's on this tour. That man needs a few months in his zen garden (farm).

McCarthy - possibly caused a nice headache for Farrell to have. Not sure if him and Itoje are dynamic enough to play together but definitely a combo worth trying.

Beirne - not a 6, please stop.

VdF - crazy work rate and defensive work, one error after a 30m break aside, pretty much what you want out of a modern 7. 22 tackles is stupid high in a game that his team dominated for large parts.

8 - Pollock - I think he's class, wouldn't rule him out of the 23 at all.

9 - Williams - was looking tidy, classic 9, love a bit of that.

10 - Russell - very good in a name made for him. Just not my type of test 10 though with his tendency to force a pass, will be more interested to see Fin Smith in a side in the ascendancy.

11 - Lowe - if this jersey is between him and VDM, next question. VDM is quicker and probably picks a line better than Lowe but isn't in the same league when it comes to playmaking, kicking or defensive ability as a whole. Makes me wonder why Farrell brought VDM at all, he's got the big abrasive winger in Lowe and could have had Graham who I think is just plain better than Duhan. My favourite part of the game was Lowe receiving the ball behind his line, beating a man, clearing it 50m and leading the chase - bit of French joué about it.

Tuipuluto - reminds me a lot of peak Henshaw, this is praise of the highest order.

Ringer - just a sicko defensively and loves emptying people. Think it'll be hard not to pick him for a test because it.

Hansen - uncharacteristically bad under the high ball / with loose balls but was really good in the second half. Not in the test 23 for me but hardly a bad option. Had the moments coaches love really.

Daly - so good that he has made me question if English coaches have just used him as poorly as possible the last 6 years or so. Feel like he is / was a far far better player than will be remembered.

Don't think many of the subs had an opportunity to make an impact, got a bit sloppy at the end and they were probably trying to force it against a beaten team.

Chessum - ginger.


Now onto a real rugby game in Paris.
 
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Just finished watching too.

Front row was poor. Sheehan will still start, but Furlong and Schoemann must be at the bottom of the list now.

Cummings struggled and I don't see him near the test team.

McCarthy was excellent and deserved his motm.

Beirne had a poor game overall and got to have question marks over.

Van de Flier not bad, but not fantastic.

Pollock. Love him or hate him he makes things happen. Could definitely be in the 23.

Williams played well and will be a shame if he's injured.

Russell, will start the tests, simple as that.

Tuipolotu was good overall. Had some nice passes.

Ringrose made some good crunching tackles, but not as impactful in attack.

Hansen started quietly but grew into the game and performed well.

Lowe is still a twat. Missed some tackles, but also had some good kicks.

Daly was excellent at the back and was very dependable.
 
8 - Pollock - I think he's class, wouldn't rule him out of the 23 at all.

He's on this tour because of what he can do, not because he's the finished article. And what he can do is very good. On his break for Williams first try loved the way he kept looking around for support, wasn't just head down and ploughing on. Even if the ball didn’t always get to him he was invariably there in support.

Daly - so good that he has made me question if English coaches have just used him as poorly as possible the last 6 years or so. Feel like he is / was a far far better player than will be remembered.

Real conundrum. Classy in so many respects but in a white shirt has at times been a complete liability under the high ball or in defence in the back 3. Was good in 6N, but always worry something daft is just around the corner and still convinced his very best position is 13.

Furlong - looks a shadow of himself. Really annoyed that he's on this tour. That man needs a few months in his zen garden (farm).

In my book that’s unfortunately been the case for quite a while now. Top drawer at his very best but Stuart’s the man in form.

Can’t really read too much into today as the opposition was pretty weak. One or two might have played themselves out of contention though.
 
I think Farrell's comments on Hansen are somewhat through green tinted glasses and I really wouldn't be surprised if he started the first test. Imo he was a comfortable 3rd out the back three today. Had his moments but not without a fair few errors.
Had a look at the stats


Hansen defence was truly appalling, 6 turnovers conceded, 7 tackles and 3 missed.
 
Thoughts - probably going to be focused in Irish players, just naturally notice them more when watching as a neutral:

Sheehan - quiet game by his standards and still looked levels ahead of the pair from last week, the best player in Australia right now.

Furlong - looks a shadow of himself. Really annoyed that he's on this tour. That man needs a few months in his zen garden (farm).

McCarthy - possibly caused a nice headache for Farrell to have. Not sure if him and Itoje are dynamic enough to play together but definitely a combo worth trying.

Beirne - not a 6, please stop.

VdF - crazy work rate and defensive work, one error after a 30m break aside, pretty much what you want out of a modern 7. 22 tackles is stupid high in a game that his team dominated for large parts.

8 - Pollock - I think he's class, wouldn't rule him out of the 23 at all.

9 - Williams - was looking tidy, classic 9, love a bit of that.

10 - Russell - very good in a name made for him. Just not my type of test 10 though with his tendency to force a pass, will be more interested to see Fin Smith in a side in the ascendancy.

11 - Lowe - if this jersey is between him and VDM, next question. VDM is quicker and probably picks a line better than Lowe but isn't in the same league when it comes to playmaking, kicking or defensive ability as a whole. Makes me wonder why Farrell brought VDM at all, he's got the big abrasive winger in Lowe and could have had Graham who I think is just plain better than Duhan. My favourite part of the game was Lowe receiving the ball behind his line, beating a man, clearing it 50m and leading the chase - bit of French joué about it.

Tuipuluto - reminds me a lot of peak Henshaw, this is praise of the highest order.

Ringer - just a sicko defensively and loves emptying people. Think it'll be hard not to pick him for a test because it.

Hansen - uncharacteristically bad under the high ball / with loose balls but was really good in the second half. Not in the test 23 for me but hardly a bad option. Had the moments coaches love really.

Daly - so good that he has made me question if English coaches have just used him as poorly as possible the last 6 years or so. Feel like he is / was a far far better player than will be remembered.

Don't think many of the subs had an opportunity to make an impact, got a bit sloppy at the end and they were probably trying to force it against a beaten team.

Chessum - ginger.


Now onto a real rugby game in Paris.
Why does Tuipolotu remind you of Henshaw? Surely they are different style players. Tuipolotu has much more of a playmaking element to his game. He can kick and pass.
 
Why does Tuipolotu remind you of Henshaw? Surely they are different style players. Tuipolotu has much more of a playmaking element to his game. He can kick and pass.
Don't know what you've been watching if you think Henshaw hasn't been a playmaker in his career to be honest. Jordie Barrett is the only more well rounded 12 that I can think of in the last 10 years or so.
 
Beirne also had a worse game than I thought based on those stats. Barely anything in attack. 5 tackles and 1 missed in defence.
 
It feels that the Irish lads are getting some harsh criticism. It’s like they’re in the shoes of the Welsh for the previous 3 tours where you have to justify their selection.

My boy Beirne starts even if he puts in a 3 out of 10 performance and while I’m not a massive Hanson fan he’s decent and I definitely don’t buy into Lowe being an average player. He’s a top 10 winger in my opinion. Bit long in the tooth perhaps.
 
Chessum and McCarthy both above Bernie for me
1. Genge
2. Sheenan
3. Stuart
4. Itoje
5. McCarthy
6. Chessum
7. Curry
8. Conan

16. Kelleher
17. Porter
18. Bealham
19. Bernie
20. Pollock

Feel Daly has nailed a bench spot tbh
 
My current test team at this point.

1. Genge
2. Sheehan
3. Stuart
4. Itoje
5. McCarthy
6. TBC (Morgan/Curry)
7. Van Der Flier
8. Conan

09. Williams (if fit)
10. Russell
11. Freeman
12. Tuipulotu
13. TBC (Jones/Ringrose)
14. Lowe
15. Kinghorn

Beyond the TBCs, Stuart, Williams and Lowe are only pencilled in, not inked.
 

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