Rugby 6 Nations 2007

[cockneyrock]

Farrell was bought into union by the rfu and saracens mainly for his leadership abilities and ball carrying skills.

Kind of contradicts your original statement about lack of handling skills in Rugby League doesn't it?

And I disagree, I don't think he was brought across to RU for his leadership skills. Whilst Farrell might have been an outstanding captain for Great Britain Rugby League, he has a long way to go (probably too far given his age) before he could be concidered to have sufficient understanding of Rugby Union to captain his country. It's a bit different standing out on the wing or at fullback to playing in the centre and making decisions at first or second reciever.

 

[wgaf]

Kind of contradicts your original statement about lack of handling skills in Rugby League doesn't it?

And I disagree, I don't think he was brought across to RU for his leadership skills. Whilst Farrell might have been an outstanding captain for Great Britain Rugby League, he has a long way to go (probably too far given his age) before he could be concidered to have sufficient understanding of Rugby Union to captain his country. It's a bit different standing out on the wing or at fullback to playing in the centre and making decisions at first or second reciever.

Ball handling/ ball carrying, two completely different skill sets, there's even different coaching and training methods for them.
One of Farrells big skills on a pitch is his ability to organise and tell people where to go in a high pressure situation, which is what I meant by his leadership skills. Union has a requirement to have many leaders on the park, more so than league.There's no requirement to be the named Captain to give orders in a given situation in union. Mind you Farrell has always claimed to be a Union fan, even in his League days so he should be ok with the rules.
You've hit the nail on the head about his age though, shame really I'd love to have seen him try Union 4 years or so ago.

 

[cockneyrock]

Ball handling/ ball carrying, two completely different skill sets, there's even different coaching and training methods for them.
One of Farrells big skills on a pitch is his ability to organise and tell people where to go in a high pressure situation, which is what I meant by his leadership skills. Union has a requirement to have many leaders on the park, more so than league.There's no requirement to be the named Captain to give orders in a given situation in union. Mind you Farrell has always claimed to be a Union fan, even in his League days so he should be ok with the rules.
You've hit the nail on the head about his age though, shame really I'd love to have seen him try Union 4 years or so ago.

But that would have been a waste of his talent.DT_Xtremez_15:

 

[wgaf]

But that would have been a waste of his talent.DT_Xtremez_15:

not bitin, not biting, not biting................

 

[rugby then work]

Farrell was without a doubt a great exponent of RL, he's unfortunately way short of that mark when it comes to union. His ball carrying ability is without question when he's playing league, when he's playing union he's sadly lacking, he thrives on the rigidity of the league format (ball in hand, go forward until tackled and as long as you don't drop the ball you maintain possession) when it come union and he is more of a decision maker at 1st or second receiver he is finding it hard to anything but distribute (ship) the ball. Don't get me wrong he has a great pass off either hand but as a union 12 he lacks penetration (sits deeper than any other international 12 I know). It's not just at international level either, I watched him play for Saracens against Gloucester and I can honestly say he hardly broke the gain line.

On the other hand I've stood and watched him play for Wigan against Saints at Knowsley Road and he was awesome (even though Saints won) I think he should have done a Cunningham and resisted the temptation to switch codes, his home is league and that's where he belongs.

As for the argument about cross code switches and the RFU looking for a quick fix, wasn't League guilty of that for years. Jason Robinson is the only real success story of league to union exports whereas the list the other way is legion:

Scott Quinell, Scott Gibbs, Jonathon Davies, Martin Offiah, Alan Tait to name a few.

I should also say that I'm a fan of both codes but watch them a separate sports without prejudice to each other.

 

[cockneyrock]

As for the argument about cross code switches and the RFU looking for a quick fix, wasn't League guilty of that for years. Jason Robinson is the only real success story of league to union exports whereas the list the other way is legion:

Scott Quinell, Scott Gibbs, Jonathon Davies, Martin Offiah, Alan Tait to name a few.

Can't argue with that. For years, RU players made the switch to RL to earn some real money rather than shuffling around the mirky world of shameterish RU. Now the boot is on the other foot, RL players are switching codes to take a bit of the big fat pie that is RU. Who could blame them wanting to finish their careers off with RU with all the money that is being waved at them (Robinson, Farrell, and all of the above bar Offiah). You have got to look after your financial future when you are a professional sportsman. If you are really lucky, you could get a contract as a pundit like Jonathon Davies and count the money as it roles in while you make a really bad job of commentating on both codes.

 

[JoJo82]

I ain't been able to read fully through this thread, just a quickie;

England arn't playing with any of the original line up as from the Last World cup, are they?

Therefore, doubt we'd do that well this time round.

 

[wolfy]

I ain't been able to read fully through this thread, just a quickie;

England arn't playing with any of the original line up as from the Last World cup, are they?

Therefore, doubt we'd do that well this time round.

Unfortunately thier are still a few playing, but its not down to just one area that is causing the problems otherwise it would be simple to sort out.

 

[wgaf]

I ain't been able to read fully through this thread, just a quickie;

England arn't playing with any of the original line up as from the Last World cup, are they?

Therefore, doubt we'd do that well this time round.

I believe this is a rugby thread, woman know your place DT_Xtremez_17:

 

[FOMz]

Careful WGAF, Mrs FOMz is a Glawster girl and knows her stuff. A die hard shed head since birth. Members of her family have pulled on the glorious Cherry and White hooped shirt and she's friendly with British Lions from the Glaws stable.
If she reads that, she would hunt you down like a dawg, and kick the sh1t out of you. Big woman my missus!

DT_Xtremez_14:

 

[wolfy]

I believe this is a rugby thread, woman know your place DT_Xtremez_17:

Beware she's a red head that bites!!!!!

 

[Scaley brat]

Can't argue with that. For years, RU players made the switch to RL to earn some real money ...... like Jonathon Davies.

For years that mans name would cause my grandmother to go ape$hit, when he when north, he became "he who shall not be named in this house" on pain of death or at least a serious Paddington hard stare.

 

[I Look Like Kevin Costner]

Well done Premiership!!

Well done Premiership!!

I would like to say a great thank you to all the English clubs who played England players at the weekend and saw them get crocked for the France game (Yes I know a French first choice player broke a leg skiing, but that was self inflicted!). I would be doing my nut if I was Brian Ashton!!DT_Xtremez_09:

 

[wolfy]

I would like to say a great thank you to all the English clubs who played England players at the weekend and saw them get crocked for the France game (Yes I know a French first choice player broke a leg skiing, but that was self inflicted!). I would be doing my nut if I was Brian Ashton!!DT_Xtremez_09:

Just backs the ongoing argument for a better structure to the season to avoid these situations.

 

[wgaf]

Right, Vickerys out, Wilkinsons out, Farrells out, Catts in, Billy Whizz in, Flood in, White in, Payne in. Catt as captain. Good, bad, indifferent ?
Discussions please.

 

[I Look Like Kevin Costner]

Right, Vickerys out, Wilkinsons out, Farrells out, Catts in, Billy Whizz in, Flood in, White in, Payne in. Catt as captain. Good, bad, indifferent ?
Discussions please.

Damm our club / country structure!!

 

[gemarriott]

Right, Vickerys out, Wilkinsons out, Farrells out, Catts in, Billy Whizz in, Flood in, White in, Payne in. Catt as captain. Good, bad, indifferent ?
Discussions please.

Ouch on wilko, good that cattys back,don't know about flood, Farrell going was obvious but probably premature, would have preferred Tindall as skipper.

Wait and see is all we can do now.

 

[wolfy]

Right, Vickerys out, Wilkinsons out, Farrells out, Catts in, Billy Whizz in, Flood in, White in, Payne in. Catt as captain. Good, bad, indifferent ?
Discussions please.

France was never going to be an easy game but it just got a lot tougher, I fear for the teams moral if they take another beating. Shame as Ashton looked to be starting to create a team to build for the future and England seemed to be getting some shape.

 

[wgaf]

Ouch on wilko, good that cattys back,don't know about flood, Farrell going was obvious but probably premature, would have preferred Tindall as skipper.

Wait and see is all we can do now.

Farrell's injured- back I believe.

 

[rugby then work]

With Flood in at 10 Catt will provide a lot of the direction so makes sense to give him the captaincy, he's been doing the same job for London Irish with an inexperienced fly half on his inside. Robinson back is good news and I think Nick Easter will play well now that he's in his favoured position at 8.

All said, it was going to be a hard enough task to stop the French now they've got a sniff of another grand slam, it's going to take one hell of an effort now.