Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Thu Jun 10, 2010 11:58 am  

Catalancs wrote:

http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyunion/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rugby/10/06/10/RUGBYU_England.html

'Hape will become the third former New Zealand rugby league international to play for England, following in the footsteps of Henry Paul and Lesley Vainikolo.'

He's looked very one-dimensional the times I've seen him for Bath, sidestep then hands through the tackle looking for the offload and that's about all he's got.

Does demonstrate the complete dearth of creative centres in English rugby at the moment though.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Thu Jun 10, 2010 12:13 pm  

Andy Gilder wrote:

He's looked very one-dimensional the times I've seen him for Bath, sidestep then hands through the tackle looking for the offload and that's about all he's got.

Does demonstrate the complete dearth of creative centres in English rugby at the moment though.

My sentiments exactly. If you are going to pick him, play him at inside rather than outside centre.
Looking forward to seeing how Chris Ashton goes on the wing.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:04 pm  

A quick thought on union for the day.

Wallabies vs England is pretty much a who's who of ex league players!

The Super14 looked mile and miles ahead of the NH rugby union this year, I expect England to be torn to pieces, though that probably won't happen.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:17 pm  

Ashulster wrote: A quick thought on union for the day. Wallabies vs England is pretty much a who's who of ex league players! The Super14 looked mile and miles ahead of the NH rugby union this year, I expect England to be torn to pieces, though that probably won't happen. The Super14 nations and Argentina all look appealing on the handicaps. Sonny Bill Williams agrees to return to New Zealand

Ashulster wrote: A quick thought on union for the day. Wallabies vs England is pretty much a who's who of ex league players! The Super14 looked mile and miles ahead of the NH rugby union this year, I expect England to be torn to pieces, though that probably won't happen. The Super14 nations and Argentina all look appealing on the handicaps. Sonny Bill Williams agrees to return to New Zealand

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Fri Jun 11, 2010 12:35 pm  

Ashulster wrote:

The Super14 looked mile and miles ahead of the NH rugby union this year,

The strength of the Super 14 is very much in New Zealand and South Africa though IMO. If England (or the weather) can draw the Australians into a forward dominated game then I reckon it'll be a lot closer than some pundits are reckoning.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Fri Jun 11, 2010 12:36 pm  

Andy Gilder wrote:

The strength of the Super 14 is very much in New Zealand and South Africa though IMO. If England (or the weather) can draw the Australians into a forward dominated game then I reckon it'll be a lot closer than some pundits are reckoning.

Free up some space for the backs. Broken field + Ben Foden + Chris Ashton = happy days.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Fri Jun 11, 2010 2:00 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

Free up some space for the backs. Broken field + Ben Foden + Chris Ashton = happy days.

England yawnion...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Sat Jun 12, 2010 9:50 am  

What a one sided affair. I thought it was only rugby league that had such blowouts Being serious, from what I saw the gap between the southern hemisphere (NZ and SA) and the north is getting wider. http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyunion/ ... _Snap.html

What a one sided affair. I thought it was only rugby league that had such blowouts Being serious, from what I saw the gap between the southern hemisphere (NZ and SA) and the north is getting wider. http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyunion/ ... _Snap.html

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Sat Jun 12, 2010 12:44 pm  

WHat a waste of talent Shontayne Hape has become in YAWWWWWWWWWWWNION

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Sat Jun 12, 2010 1:52 pm  

Oh dear... again 'Injuries meant the Wallabies were forced to field their least experienced front row in 27 years, while star centre Matt Giteau was ruled out yesterday with a hip injury. England have now not won a Test match south of the equator in 11 attempts since Johnson himself lifted the Rugby World Cup in Sydney seven years ago. Johnson's record since being appointed England coach now shows just eight wins from 22 Tests - a worse return than his predecessors Brian Ashton and Andy Robinson.'

Oh dear... again 'Injuries meant the Wallabies were forced to field their least experienced front row in 27 years, while star centre Matt Giteau was ruled out yesterday with a hip injury. England have now not won a Test match south of the equator in 11 attempts since Johnson himself lifted the Rugby World Cup in Sydney seven years ago. Johnson's record since being appointed England coach now shows just eight wins from 22 Tests - a worse return than his predecessors Brian Ashton and Andy Robinson.'