Re: Wayne Bennett : Sun Nov 05, 2017 8:24 pm  

Rhinos 22 Wigan 20 wrote:

Percival would get absolutely Annihilated against Australia or New Zealand
Bateman simply isn't big enough to play international rugby in the back row,that is why he was picked to play as a centre

Agree with this. As does the World’s most successful coach, Wayne Bennett.

Re: Wayne Bennett : Sun Nov 05, 2017 9:32 pm  

Rhinos 22 Wigan 20 wrote:

What damage would Bateman do whilst playing out wide in the back row against Australia or New Zealand?

He made plenty of ground last season against them and he did last week as well. He also had a superb game playing against a back row of Wade Graham, Luke Lewis and Paul Gallen over here in the WCC in Feb (with a busted shoulder).

He's never a centre but to write him off as an international back rower is way off imo. As I say he's producing far more statistically then a top NRL player in Elliot Whitehead.

Just to add some statistical context in regards to carries/meters-

Vs Australia

Bateman 19 carries for 152 metres

Whitehead 8 carries for 59 metres

Vs Lebanon

Bateman 11 carries for 118 metres

Whitehead 9 carries for 72 metres

Currie 14 carries for 136 metres

Re: Wayne Bennett : Sun Nov 05, 2017 9:50 pm  

Maybe Bateman might end up not being big enough to play 2nd row at this level....but I'd rather try it first than just dismiss it without giving him the opportunity.

Re: Wayne Bennett : Sun Nov 05, 2017 11:57 pm  

Nicky - Whitehead is playing more centrally than Bateman, and making a shedload more tackles. If you're going to try to use stats then at least be fair. Bateman's on line defence is poor IMO, but he may improve as he's not used to defending as wide as he is for England.

Re: Wayne Bennett : Mon Nov 06, 2017 2:24 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

Nicky - Whitehead is playing more centrally than Bateman, and making a shedload more tackles. If you're going to try to use stats then at least be fair. Bateman's on line defence is poor IMO, but he may improve as he's not used to defending as wide as he is for England.

I understand your point but Bateman has been running into the teeth of the defence throughout both games. It's not like he's been making easy metres with 50 metre line breaks so I think the comparison is a valid one. The point re: defence is a fair one but to level this up Whitehead has given away some stupid and costly penalties.

Re: Wayne Bennett : Mon Nov 06, 2017 7:45 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

Nicky - Whitehead is playing more centrally than Bateman, and making a shedload more tackles. If you're going to try to use stats then at least be fair. Bateman's on line defence is poor IMO, but he may improve as he's not used to defending as wide as he is for England.

One position in side?

Compare him to Currie then he's if needs be and leave Bateman out of the debate. He's been dreadful with ball in hand so far. His work rate with the ball is poor. I'm judging Whitehead against his billing. I keep getting told he's one of the best in the NRL and that's lads like Bateman, Currie, Farrell etc aren't in his class, so if that's the case I expect contributions in both attack and defence. I'm seeing lads like Frizzel, Gillet, Wade Graham, Currie, M'au etc do that so I don't think I'm expecting too much.

Re: Wayne Bennett : Mon Nov 06, 2017 7:47 am  

Phuzzy wrote:

I understand your point but Bateman has been running into the teeth of the defence throughout both games. It's not like he's been making easy metres with 50 metre line breaks so I think the comparison is a valid one. The point re: defence is a fair one but to level this up Whitehead has given away some stupid and costly penalties.

Exactly.

Bateman has been getting bashed for not passing to Hall and constantly running in side. It's because he's a back rower and he's playing like one.

Re: Wayne Bennett : Mon Nov 06, 2017 7:52 am  

Brick with eyes wrote:

overrated as is Watkins

Re: Wayne Bennett : Mon Nov 06, 2017 8:02 am  

hmmmm, just trying to think who we can give you next time around, if we give you Craig Bellamy will you still bitch & moan?

Re: Wayne Bennett : Mon Nov 06, 2017 8:08 am  

downo wrote:

hmmmm, just trying to think who we can give you next time around, if we give you Craig Bellamy will you still bitch & moan?

You may be a WUM but you're right on that. We are nowhere near Australia. Our best chance to beat them in this WC was the first game while they were scratchy. We have no chance if we meet them in the final, although I think we'll lose to NZ in the semis.