Indeed Peter, to be fair I said we had to change the way we played and that very clearly happened, that was a much better balance. To beat teams with that level of quality in you need to control things and to do that you need the right type of players at 8-10. Today he picked the best 3 in the squad and let them play a more natural game and we looked a far better side for it. A good performance in the front row and centres helped a lot as well.I agree with PWA that Watson gave us an extra dimension as well. I missed the first match so no idea how that went but in the week Halfpenny showed just how shit he is so seeing a proper full back performance was good. Hogg is a funny one, he has some quality but I think there's a lot wrong with his game as well.
Quote from: paul_e on June 10, 2017, 07:15:48 PMIndeed Peter, to be fair I said we had to change the way we played and that very clearly happened, that was a much better balance. To beat teams with that level of quality in you need to control things and to do that you need the right type of players at 8-10. Today he picked the best 3 in the squad and let them play a more natural game and we looked a far better side for it. A good performance in the front row and centres helped a lot as well.I agree with PWA that Watson gave us an extra dimension as well. I missed the first match so no idea how that went but in the week Halfpenny showed just how shit he is so seeing a proper full back performance was good. Hogg is a funny one, he has some quality but I think there's a lot wrong with his game as well.Far better performance and result today. The team is shaping up now and I would expect something like below for next Saturday and the first test:Halfpenny, North, Te'o, Farrell, Daly, Sexton, Murray, Vunipola, Owens, Furlong, AWJ, Kruis, Stander, Warburton, FaletauSubs - McGrath, George, Cole, Itoje, O'Brien, Webb, Biggar, WatsonGatland loves Halfpenny and has played him consistently at full-back when there have been many calls in Wales for him to switch to the wing and Liam Williams play there. I think it is his defensive game that Gatland rates and of course there is his goal kicking.
As it is I'd also drop Sexton. Biggar at 10 Farrell at 12. But thinking about it Farrell at 12 works better because of his understanding with ford. So, Farrell at 10 and Joseph at 12.