posted Jun 5, 2007

what are peoples opinions of playing hipkiss at 12? it is englands problem position as 13 has plenty of potential players. he has played there a fair bit for the tigers.

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posted Jun 5, 2007

Well, Im sure we can all pick a different team for the World Cup and here is mine.But boy, will that midfield tackle

15. Lewsey
14. Cueto
13. Tait
12. Jonny W
11. Robinson
10. Geraghty Shane
09. Richards Peter
08. Dallaglio (60 mins, then Haskell)
07. Worsley
06. Rees
05. Palmer
04. Corry
03. Stevens
02. Chuter
01. Vickery ( if not fit, White )

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posted Jun 6, 2007

it seems that the majority of people posting here forget that hodgson will be back in time for the world cup. i know he isnt the best kicker in the international game (arguably due to confidence), but his running game in my opinion exceeds johnny's. he stands right on the gameline when receiving the ball, and had he had international standard backs (centres especially, although tate has come a long way since his debut), he could have done a lot more with the team since 2003. im not saying drop johnny as we cant afford to miss half our penalties every game. johnny is a very physical player but is also very creative, which is why he is so special, and therefore i believe he would be suitable at inside centre with charlie at fly half. in my view there is no point putting a brute like farrel in the center just because we are scared players will miss tackles. if we play expansive, attacking rugby we wont be forced to defend for the whole game.
my back line would look like this:
09. richards/gommarsal (obviously ellis if he miraculously gets fit)
10. hodgson
11. robinson
12. wilkinson
13. tate (not a defensive risk, and having watched him play 7's i have realised how good a player he is- he also did a lot with very little against SA)
14. strettle (the only back who really impressed me in the 6 nations)
15. lewsey (who is far more effective here than wing)

i think its time for england to stop playing so conservatively (which has obviously been ingrained in them during andy robinsons reign) and start playing attractive rugby. with this back line they can certainly do just this.

(open to comments)

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posted Jun 6, 2007

9. gommarsal/richards
10. hodgson
11. robsinson
12. wilkinson
13. tate
14. strettle
15. lewsey

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posted Jun 6, 2007

Steve 1982 was obviously watching a different England game because I can't remember Tait missing a first up tackle throughout either of the two tests. Flood was also pretty solid in defense and not much if anything came through the 10/12, 12/13 channel. The missed tackle on Habana had to be made but let's be fair he's not the only person on the international stage who has missed that guy.

Abendanon also 'missed' only one tackle on his debut against probably the best finisher in the game at the moment who had a head of steam up and room to move so you can't blame him for that as I don't think anyone would have stopped Habana. As rtgphillips pointed out he has also had an excellent season for Bath and the Saxons.

I certainly don't think our young english backs have trouble tackling but the problem seems to stem from a certain lack of physicality in this area and it is this rather than not being able to tackle that is really causing England problems in the backline.

As for the world cup team here's mine:

15. Robinson/Morgan
14. Strettle
13. Tait
12. Wilko
11. Lewsey/Sackey
10. Hodgson
9. Richards
8. Ward-Smith
7. Rees
6. Haskell
5. Palmer
4. Corry
3. Vickery
2. Chuter
1. Stevens

16. Payne
17. Mears
18. Kay
19. Lund
20. Perry
21. Flood
22. Tindall

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posted Jun 6, 2007

Hodgson may be back by the world cup but he wont have played enough rugby and after what happened in his last few matches for england i think he would be too much of a risk.

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posted Jun 6, 2007

jwhitall182:
cueto has been out as well but we are still considering him. also johnny had effectively been out since 2003 and he was put straight back into the england team once he got fit. i dont think he would be a risk if the pressure of place kicking was taken away from him.

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posted Jun 6, 2007

I'm a big Dallaglio fan but come one people? There are six better no 8's than him at least: Ward-Smith, Forrester (if fit?), Corry, Haskell, Easter, at a push Skirving, even Dowson looked quite handy.

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posted Jun 21, 2007

1.andrew sheridan
2.george chuter
3.matt stevens offers more in the loose than vics and is a better scrummager
4.steve borthwick
5.simon shaw
6.joe woresley
7.tom rees
8.martin corry

9.shaun perry
10.jonny wilkinson
11.jason robinson
12.josh lewsey
13.matt tait/jamie noon
14.david strettle
15.olly morgan/danny cipriani

i beleieve in thsi selection we have a good solid pack who will front up, and sum quick but also strong backs who will ad a spark and a solid defence

what do u reckon..??

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posted Jun 22, 2007

hodgson has had 3 years to make the England shirt his. He hasnt. His kicking is hot or cold and he couldnt tackle a jam doughnut!!Keep himwell away fro the England starting line up.

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