Itoje has to start. AWJ just isn't in the same class.At the start of the tour, there were 3 players for me that had to be certain starters (barring injury) for the dynamism they bought to the team. They were Farrell, Billy Vunipola and Itoje
Quote from: taylorsworkrate on June 20, 2017, 10:51:46 PMItoje has to start. AWJ just isn't in the same class.At the start of the tour, there were 3 players for me that had to be certain starters (barring injury) for the dynamism they bought to the team. They were Farrell, Billy Vunipola and ItojeDifferent types really. AWJ is the more rugged, old fashioned second row whereas Itoje is a more modern, athletic type of forward. I think that dynamism might be viewed as better utilised coming off the bench in the latter stages, but we will see.Farrell and Vunipola are indeed key players to any side, but Kruis is the key in the front five, especially as he calls the lineouts.
Quote from: tomd2103 on June 21, 2017, 11:54:37 AMQuote from: taylorsworkrate on June 20, 2017, 10:51:46 PMItoje has to start. AWJ just isn't in the same class.At the start of the tour, there were 3 players for me that had to be certain starters (barring injury) for the dynamism they bought to the team. They were Farrell, Billy Vunipola and ItojeDifferent types really. AWJ is the more rugged, old fashioned second row whereas Itoje is a more modern, athletic type of forward. I think that dynamism might be viewed as better utilised coming off the bench in the latter stages, but we will see.Farrell and Vunipola are indeed key players to any side, but Kruis is the key in the front five, especially as he calls the lineouts. I think Itoje will start, his ability to get round the pitch as, effectively, an extra back row is important against a team with the pace of the ABs. I'd have Lawes as the bench option as well because he's also very good around the pitch and in a close game bringing someone on to smash the flyhalf can make a difference. AWJ shouldn't be there at all.
Quote from: paul_e on June 21, 2017, 02:35:44 PMQuote from: tomd2103 on June 21, 2017, 11:54:37 AMQuote from: taylorsworkrate on June 20, 2017, 10:51:46 PMItoje has to start. AWJ just isn't in the same class.At the start of the tour, there were 3 players for me that had to be certain starters (barring injury) for the dynamism they bought to the team. They were Farrell, Billy Vunipola and ItojeDifferent types really. AWJ is the more rugged, old fashioned second row whereas Itoje is a more modern, athletic type of forward. I think that dynamism might be viewed as better utilised coming off the bench in the latter stages, but we will see.Farrell and Vunipola are indeed key players to any side, but Kruis is the key in the front five, especially as he calls the lineouts. I think Itoje will start, his ability to get round the pitch as, effectively, an extra back row is important against a team with the pace of the ABs. I'd have Lawes as the bench option as well because he's also very good around the pitch and in a close game bringing someone on to smash the flyhalf can make a difference. AWJ shouldn't be there at all.I can't see Gatland not starting AWJ and Warburton on Saturday Paul, with Itoje and O'Brien being on the bench. The other big choices are Sexton or Farrell at ten and Joseph or Daly on the bench.
Quote from: tomd2103 on June 21, 2017, 02:47:54 PMQuote from: paul_e on June 21, 2017, 02:35:44 PMQuote from: tomd2103 on June 21, 2017, 11:54:37 AMQuote from: taylorsworkrate on June 20, 2017, 10:51:46 PMItoje has to start. AWJ just isn't in the same class.At the start of the tour, there were 3 players for me that had to be certain starters (barring injury) for the dynamism they bought to the team. They were Farrell, Billy Vunipola and ItojeDifferent types really. AWJ is the more rugged, old fashioned second row whereas Itoje is a more modern, athletic type of forward. I think that dynamism might be viewed as better utilised coming off the bench in the latter stages, but we will see.Farrell and Vunipola are indeed key players to any side, but Kruis is the key in the front five, especially as he calls the lineouts. I think Itoje will start, his ability to get round the pitch as, effectively, an extra back row is important against a team with the pace of the ABs. I'd have Lawes as the bench option as well because he's also very good around the pitch and in a close game bringing someone on to smash the flyhalf can make a difference. AWJ shouldn't be there at all.I can't see Gatland not starting AWJ and Warburton on Saturday Paul, with Itoje and O'Brien being on the bench. The other big choices are Sexton or Farrell at ten and Joseph or Daly on the bench. If Warburton starts he's basically admitting that picking players he knows is the most important thing, O'Brien has arguably been the player of the tour so far.
Predictions rather than who I'd play...HalfpennyWatsonDaviesTe'oNorthFarrell (if fit)Murphy VunipolaGeorgeIrish fella whose name escapes meWyn JonesKruisWarburtonO'BrienFelatau
I should have put my own! I was looking for what will start rather than what we think should.ColeGeorgeFurlongKruisAWJWarburtonO BrienFaletauMurraySexton Farrell Te'oNorth Watson Halfpenny