Massive thank you’s to leaving players
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Re: Massive thank you’s to leaving players
On his current trajectory he will be world class in 2 years.
A2O
Re: Massive thank you’s to leaving players
Definitely, I seriously have to scratch my head when thinking of what NH international FB I'd swap him for today!
"Rugby isn't a contact sport,ballroom dancing is a contact sport. Rugby is a collision sport" Heyneke Meyer
Re: Massive thank you’s to leaving players
Interesting question on NH fullbacks.
Liam Williams and Hogg at their best I'd narrowly take over current Freddie. Sanjay on top form is as good in the air but offers more in attack in my opinion. Probably a more consistent kicking game than Freddie currently as well. Hogg at his best isn't as good defensively but his attacking play is exceptional and his kicking on top form can be brilliant too. We haven't seen that top form from either this season though. Personally I think neither have looked fully fit at times.
I think Steward could surpass their respective best in time though. His huge boot means he should develop a kicking game that's a genuine tactical weapon like Hogg. He is already improving a lot as a carrier when running lines off 9 and 10, especially in the opposition half as his size makes him hard to stop close to the line.
We also saw against Ireland just what a weapon Steward chasing high balls could be if used frequently with an accurate kicking game. Steward chasing to challenge in the air with the likes of Curry, Lawes, Itoje and Underhill on his shoulder to make a hit if the opposition win that aerial battle is a brutal combination if England kick accurately.
Being very harsh, when defending as a last defender on the wing close to his try line (a role fullbacks often perform that close to the line) he can sometimes be hesitant and caught a bit flat footed. In some situations you simply need to commit to the rush looking to take man and ball, or use the touchline as your last defender and force the winger to step inside to the cover defender. On occasions I notice Freddie hang back doing neither and get flat footed. It's a small criticism and one that can easily be solved with experience. He obviously isn't lacking physicality in the tackle itself.
Given the combination of where Steward already is (England's best fullback) and where he could get to (potential to be one of the best fullbacks in rugby) I wouldn't trade him for any 15.
Liam Williams and Hogg at their best I'd narrowly take over current Freddie. Sanjay on top form is as good in the air but offers more in attack in my opinion. Probably a more consistent kicking game than Freddie currently as well. Hogg at his best isn't as good defensively but his attacking play is exceptional and his kicking on top form can be brilliant too. We haven't seen that top form from either this season though. Personally I think neither have looked fully fit at times.
I think Steward could surpass their respective best in time though. His huge boot means he should develop a kicking game that's a genuine tactical weapon like Hogg. He is already improving a lot as a carrier when running lines off 9 and 10, especially in the opposition half as his size makes him hard to stop close to the line.
We also saw against Ireland just what a weapon Steward chasing high balls could be if used frequently with an accurate kicking game. Steward chasing to challenge in the air with the likes of Curry, Lawes, Itoje and Underhill on his shoulder to make a hit if the opposition win that aerial battle is a brutal combination if England kick accurately.
Being very harsh, when defending as a last defender on the wing close to his try line (a role fullbacks often perform that close to the line) he can sometimes be hesitant and caught a bit flat footed. In some situations you simply need to commit to the rush looking to take man and ball, or use the touchline as your last defender and force the winger to step inside to the cover defender. On occasions I notice Freddie hang back doing neither and get flat footed. It's a small criticism and one that can easily be solved with experience. He obviously isn't lacking physicality in the tackle itself.
Given the combination of where Steward already is (England's best fullback) and where he could get to (potential to be one of the best fullbacks in rugby) I wouldn't trade him for any 15.
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Re: Massive thank you’s to leaving players
About as far removed from a full back as possible but the 2 things that have occurred to me is firstly the improvement in his attacking game as shown by his break past Daley in the final and the timing of the pass to Ashton. This wasn’t a one off and he has the ability to know when to time the pass off both hands.
Secondly the size of him. I noticed in some of the England snaps how he blends in with Chessum and a few others, and he hasn’t stopped developing yet. I’m sure with Aleds assistance he will develop in the right way and not loose any pace.
Slightly off topic but a back line built around JVP, Kelly, Porter, Potter and Steward will do very well over the next few years.
Secondly the size of him. I noticed in some of the England snaps how he blends in with Chessum and a few others, and he hasn’t stopped developing yet. I’m sure with Aleds assistance he will develop in the right way and not loose any pace.
Slightly off topic but a back line built around JVP, Kelly, Porter, Potter and Steward will do very well over the next few years.
Re: Massive thank you’s to leaving players
Sanjay?
"Rugby isn't a contact sport,ballroom dancing is a contact sport. Rugby is a collision sport" Heyneke Meyer
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Re: Massive thank you’s to leaving players
To win is not as important as playing with style!
Re: Massive thank you’s to leaving players
Never heard it before,what does it mean?
"Rugby isn't a contact sport,ballroom dancing is a contact sport. Rugby is a collision sport" Heyneke Meyer
Re: Massive thank you’s to leaving players
SUPPORT THE MATT HAMPSON TRUST
www.matthampson.co.uk
www.matthampson.co.uk
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Re: Massive thank you’s to leaving players
Had no idea what it meant, but had seen it many times on Twitter as it's his Twitter handleTigerbeat wrote: ↑Sat Jun 25, 2022 2:31 pmHad to google it...it is his nickname
https://www.rugbyworld.com/players/liam ... now-125411
Used to run around with an 11, 14 or 15 on my back.
Re: Massive thank you’s to leaving players
I’ve always struggled with the term world class. To me, any player that has more than a hand full of international caps, certainly for a tier 1 team, is world class. How can they be anything but?
I think many people that say “world class” really mean amongst the best in the world in their position, which is somewhat different in my mind
I think many people that say “world class” really mean amongst the best in the world in their position, which is somewhat different in my mind
Re: Massive thank you’s to leaving players
What matters is how good you are now.
Freddie S is among the best in the world now. What he did yesterday or Liam Williams (or others) did yesterday is irrelevant.
You get better by getting better not staying the same for longer.
Moroni is a high class operator, no doubt but world class? Possibly, but in a salary capped league it’s harder to justify big bucks for someone playing in the centres. Again it’s hard to judge someone playing in a mid level international team. Likewise it’s hard to judge how good England players are because they are part of a dysfunctional and underperforming team. A bit like Tigers pre Borthwick.
Freddie S is among the best in the world now. What he did yesterday or Liam Williams (or others) did yesterday is irrelevant.
You get better by getting better not staying the same for longer.
Moroni is a high class operator, no doubt but world class? Possibly, but in a salary capped league it’s harder to justify big bucks for someone playing in the centres. Again it’s hard to judge someone playing in a mid level international team. Likewise it’s hard to judge how good England players are because they are part of a dysfunctional and underperforming team. A bit like Tigers pre Borthwick.