Predictable. What we see in Traynor is totally beyond me. Why we persevere with those locks regardless of how they play is beyond me. Why we want Ford starting ahead of Toomua at 10 is beyond me.
I'm not particularly convinced by that Gloucester team though so we've got a decent shot at the game.
Ford hasn't played with Toomua this season, so perhaps having him outside him will take of a some of the pressure and bring out his best. I hope otherwise it's last chance saloon really.
SK 88 Sigh.
Predictable. What we see in Traynor is totally beyond me. Why we persevere with those locks regardless of how they play is beyond me. Why we want Ford starting ahead of Toomua at 10 is beyond me.
I'm not particularly convinced by that Gloucester team though so we've got a decent shot at the game.
Rizzo was pretty smashed up front by the Wasps youngsters. (granted Baumann prob didn't help him) but he hardly put his hand up.
SK 88 Sigh.
Predictable. What we see in Traynor is totally beyond me. Why we persevere with those locks regardless of how they play is beyond me. Why we want Ford starting ahead of Toomua at 10 is beyond me.
I'm not particularly convinced by that Gloucester team though so we've got a decent shot at the game.
Rizzo was pretty smashed up front by the Wasps youngsters. (granted Baumann prob didn't help him) but he hardly put his hand up.
Think the school boy lock would have had a pretty big impact too.
That was my biggest worry with the Wasps team selection. Good performances ignored as "only the AW", bad ones noted down and held against players in future. Gigena's been a bit of a nothing in his few games but that's still better than Traynor, at least he's young enough to kick on. Hopefully reserve looshead won't be the decisive factor.
SK 88 Sigh.
Predictable. What we see in Traynor is totally beyond me. Why we persevere with those locks regardless of how they play is beyond me. Why we want Ford starting ahead of Toomua at 10 is beyond me.
I'm not particularly convinced by that Gloucester team though so we've got a decent shot at the game.
Rizzo was pretty smashed up front by the Wasps youngsters. (granted Baumann prob didn't help him) but he hardly put his hand up.
Think the school boy lock would have had a pretty big impact too.
That was my biggest worry with the Wasps team selection. Good performances ignored as "only the AW", bad ones noted down and held against players in future. Gigena's been a bit of a nothing in his few games but that's still better than Traynor, at least he's young enough to kick on. Hopefully reserve looshead won't be the decisive factor.
Gigena was good IMO in the game v Cardiff.
Wonder since Mulipola and Cilliers both can play LH if Traynor will be 4th choice LH in the end.
Barrow is still injured, but could be fit next week.
Whether the fact he is leaving impacts selection we will find out after that, unless recovery has taken a knock back ?
Traynor comes on. Gets "injured" at first scrum so gets replaced by a replaced/rested Logo? About time we started abusing the system like others. Did you know your head is by your knee?
Not too sure why so many think that Toomua is the answer at FH ?
Presumably he isn't interested, or doesn't look good enough in training ?
Unless the coaches haven't even considered it ?
Tiggs Not too sure why so many think that Toomua is the answer at FH ?
Presumably he isn't interested, or doesn't look good enough in training ?
Unless the coaches haven't even considered it ?
Good enough to wear ten for Oz and Brumbies but not Tigers?
At last, Tiggs - someone questioning the Toomua at 10 idea. He may have played there before, but I was never convinced when it was tried in Super Rugby. In addition to general play, his goal kicking has always been incredibly streaky, prone to disastrous off-days.
KevinR At last, Tiggs - someone questioning the Toomua at 10 idea. He may have played there before, but I was never convinced when it was tried in Super Rugby. In addition to general play, his goal kicking has always been incredibly streaky, prone to disastrous off-days.
Ok, fair enough. But it's got to be worth a try hasn't it? None of us know how it would go but we need to shake things up, don't we?
I need a consolation from this impending debacle.
9 and 10 is not a combination to inspire anyone, we have better alternatives and still we are passing up on players who deserve to be starting with the 6 Nations in progress. I would be starting Simmons at 9 and TPN as Hooker. If we have to kick from hand I would rather Toomua was the option and not Ford.
We seem to be persisting with Traynor on the bench and any injuries to any of our front 3 will mean we call up a player who is no way near this level and a liability in the scrum.
These are 'Skippy's' favourites. These are the players who together never look like a team and who collectively on the whole have failed.
Like many I would have liked to have seen at least Simmons and most especially Wells in the team. What exactly are we saving Wells for because at this rate he'll be off at the next opportunity?
Give our lineout difficulties as a whole this season I'm pretty sure starting with TPN isn't the solution.
Are we seriously to accept that an international 10 - no matter how imperfect - isn't a valid option over an imperfect Championship 10? Come on - there are times when you have to play the numbers.
I'm not sure there are too many favourites involved - in fact MOC's signings are largely conspicuous by their absence from te starting XV at least - it just look like selection by rote to me.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:02:09:16:47:17 by Rich W.
A lot will depend on the form of the two Mikes. As Rich pointed out on another thread, they have both gone backwards under the current regime. It's now hard to believe that Williams was ever on Jones's radar, but he was and his form then was certainly noteworthy.
I actually think we can win this as the Glos team doesn't look that strong in the pack and Twelvetrees is prone to defensive errors. It depends how well or forwards emerge from the cotton wool.
Just my thoughts but could it be that Toomua's not able to play at 10(the kicking part anyway) due to his recent injuries!
He hasn't looked anywhere near the form he was in at the start of season imho
Hope we can get something from this game but Glous are very good at home!
And Manu has been named but will he start?
RushdenTiger (KT at work) Perhaps favourites was the wrong word.
Perhaps I should have said his stubbornly, fixed in stone although it's not working, favoured selection.
But working hard in a "it`s not working" environment.
KevinR At last, Tiggs - someone questioning the Toomua at 10 idea. He may have played there before, but I was never convinced when it was tried in Super Rugby. In addition to general play, his goal kicking has always been incredibly streaky, prone to disastrous off-days.
He's not a goal kicker granted. According to itsrugby he's only ever kicked 7 conversions.
But he has played a lot at 10. Saying it was "tried" implies an occasional use. He played 40 of 58 Super Rugby matches itsrugby has data for at 10. That's was his main position.
Its not a controversial opinion to want an experienced Super Rugby player ahead of a former Championship player!
Who knows, it might of been part pf the machinations in securing Golden boy that big bruvva came with him and played 10 whenever his sibling was playing for Ingerlund.
As long as we are still in it at the hour mark we will be fine when their replacements come on, only heard of 2 of them and we gave them those 2 and Fraser isn't going to worry us is he?
tigerburnie As long as we are still in it at the hour mark we will be fine when their replacements come on, only heard of 2 of them and we gave them those 2 and Fraser isn't going to worry us is he?
With our slow starts this season
In terms of the bench Vellacott is a good Scrum half and Matt Scott is a Scottish international, surprised Owen is not in their squad
Traynor should be no where near our Matchday squad put some faith in an Italian international who under an old management scheme and whilst on loan working for this person played well or develop the Argentinian!
The selected 2nd row partnership has not performed well this season and on form Wells has to start (especially without Barrow).
Williams has not been in particularly good form this season but with the 2nd row selection probably has to play to add grunt. Kalamafoni has not impressed and I would on form select Mapalangi above him.
Joe Ford is a failed experiment at Premiership level so try something different, Toomua, Worth or recall Hardwick from U20's!
Any reason to be concerned about Veainu being pictured sat in the stands on the teams instagram feed? All the other pictures were of players on the pitch....
GreenandGold22 Any reason to be concerned about Veainu being pictured sat in the stands on the teams instagram feed? All the other pictures were of players on the pitch....
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