Jonny Concrete in world xv

hk797

Good to see Jonny getting a run on Sunday against the Springbok. Looking forward to watching him play again and seeing Andy Farrell finally start in the centre. Big question marks on both players match fitness but I reckon they will both be up for it. Should be a cracking game.

zAbbo

What station is it on.

Is that the Man of Steel rugby league convert Andy Farrell

hk797

hey zabbo ... yeap that Andy Farrell ... still cannot figure out why Alan Gaffney tried to convert him into a back row ... made zero sense to me ... going along to the game so not sure if its been televised or not ... anyone know if this is on the box?

Funkstard

Checking the listings.....'Live International Rugby' on Sky Sports 3 tomorrow at 3pm, presume thats it? Can't see it anywhere else.

How come Johnny O'Connor didn't feature at all for Ireland in the Autumn series?

zAbbo

Funkstard wrote:

How come Johnny O'Connor didn't feature at all for Ireland in the Autumn series?

Not good enough

daveirl

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EdgarAllenPoo

How is that Ireland are ranked so highly and yet we have no representation on the World XV? Cobblers.

daveirl

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Funkstard

daveirl wrote:

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I remember him coming on in the English game for the last bit and lifting the tempo of the whole thing. Oh well.

damnyanks

He's been hit and miss when playing for ireland. It's a competitive area for ireland , he just doesnt cut it.

An Tarbh

He's possibly the best cheat of the lot though, that sly little tug on betsen in the french match in 2005 stopped him getting across to tackle O'Driscoll.

Crash

Hehehe I love how a world XV is just so ****e....

zAbbo

Did they really switch Farrel to fly-half

Erin Go Brath

Laurence Dallaglio's World XV suck!!! Would be nice to see a World XV made up of decent players. Just an idea for the next game.

Crash

When could you fit in a decent XV though? I mean, playing it now means HC, GP, super 14/12's commitments etc. - when would be the best time?

Erin Go Brath

&#231 wrote: »

When could you fit in a decent XV though? I mean, playing it now means HC, GP, super 14/12's commitments etc. - when would be the best time?

Yeah, thats the problem. The season is tight enough as it is. Rugby will hardly go the way of soccer and have midweek games, although I noticed last year the Welsh teams in the Celtic/Magners league playing midweek games against each other to facilitate their participation in the Anglo-Welsh Cup. Is this the future perhaps?

It would be nice to see a real top drawer World XV in action against the major nations though! Could have 3 or 4 Irish too the way some of the guys are playing at the moment.

Eoin

Funkstard wrote:

I remember him coming on in the English game for the last bit and lifting the tempo of the whole thing. Oh well.

Did he not give away the penalty that nearly lost us the game? I think that's the penalty that Goode kicked to get man of the match, before Horgan and his Inspector Gadget arm try in the corner.

hk797

For those interested here is my takeaway from the game - well drilled SA side make light work of World? VX who looked as if they never met before arriving at the ground. Real news is that Farrell is viewed as the solution to England problems. Did ok at 12 considering the holes those playing around him were leaving open. Looked comfortable when moved into 10 and provides lots of options going forward. Gaffney has been told no more messing around at 6 with Saracens. Farrell will be wearing the 12 shirt for England in 6N with the backline built around him. Lawrence who still has life left in him will be brought back in to lead the pack. Between them they will get England to the RWC final 4. Old club v country and RL v RU chestnuts about to be cracked to save some English pride. Hitting the bookies tomorrow to put my money where my mouth is. For those who said JC was not good enough they are harsh words. We were lucky to have him fill the gaps when they happened and might need him again if injuries crop up. Roll on 6N and RWC.

Teg Veece

How can you put money on a team that'll be building their backline around someone who plays most of his rugby at 6 (Does he have any international caps?) and with a pack being led by someone who was considered old in the last world cup?
Did you miss England's autumn internationals? Or most of their games over the last 3 years for that matter.

CJhaughey

hk797 wrote:

Between them they will get England to the RWC final

Whatever pills you are taking, can you get me some!

Crash

eh, he did say final 4.

might not agree with him, but if you're going to pick apart his posts at least be sure you're picking apart the correct point.

hk797

Teg Veece wrote:

How can you put money on a team that'll be building their backline around someone who plays most of his rugby at 6 (Does he have any international caps?)

Andy Farrell has been playing pro rugby since he was 16 and international since he was 18 - chatting with some RL and RU friends who have all played pro after the game we all agreed that his natural RU position is 12 - Gaffneys reasons of trying to play him at 6 never stacked up.

Teg Veece wrote:

and with a pack being led by someone who was considered old in the last world cup?Did you miss England's autumn internationals? Or most of their games over the last 3 years for that matter.

Dallaglio is playing some of the best rugby of his life at the moment - being out of the international scene has done him the world of good - he is back to enjoying his rugby again which is showing in the park.

Both are coming back after injuries which on the upside means they are not burnt out as many of their peers will be when the RWC rolls around - England are at an all time low at the moment and need leadership on the park - either would have little impact on their own but together they both been around long enough to lift this England side to make the final four in the RWC - experience counts for alot at this level so I would not be so quick to write them off on the grounds of age alone - remember Dads Army went out and won the last RWC for England - before the weekend I would have been just as skeptic about a final four finish but after a weekend of talking about nothing but the English rugby setup it looks more probable than possible - just my two cents worth - not looking for anyone to agree - time will tell

Teg Veece

I think Gaffney plays Farrell at 6 because he's a RL convert who's lacking in experience at playing a position that requires good distribution and passing skills like 12 or 13. I'd have to see him play more before I make up my mind on him tbh. Like hk797 said, time will tell...

zAbbo

Same Andy Farrell, playing since 16, now 30, may as well be playing Owen Finnegan at Inside Centre.