Flyhalves in the RWC

So, was putting together what I thought could be the team of the tournament, loads of problem positions but none more than 10. Seems to be a low standard of performances from a lot of tens at the moment.

Cooper: A RWC to forget if ever I saw one, poor when up against tough opposition.
Carter: Was gret but got injured before knock out rugby so can't really put him in.
Parra/Trin-Duc: Not great by any stretch of the immagination although trin-Duc has looked good at times.
Sexton/Rog: Neither have played well when they have been starting, Sexton played well vs Aus but couldn't kick goals.
Steyn: Kicks well and all that but again not really a great RWC from him and he is limited.
Contempomi: Ended up playing 12.

Priestland seems the best of the bunch as he was consistent, kicked goals, ran the ball well and was an ok game manager, and also the samoan 10 looked pretty good too, am I being too harsh on some of the flyhalves.

To be honest, to me this world cup was about the breakdowns, no flyhalf was a match breaker during this tournament except Carter against the French.

You can look at a number of the "fetchers" in this tournament and they made more of an impact.

In fact there were a number of midfielders who impressed me more as well, Roberts, Steyn, Nonu, Smith etc. etc.

I agree with both your points Biltong I have to say. Think there have been some great enlightening moments about backrow play and the need for 7 as well as ball carriers, engine room fellas and lineout options and in the centre, the big man seems to be beginning to take on more importance again.

I think two key goals have emerged that to win a game it is vital you get over the advantage line and can win quick ball and stop the opposition winning quick ball.

But in your RWC XV who would be your 10??

Carter.

Even though he didn't play a knock out match. In fact did he only play 3 matches????

What about Priestland?

Priestland did get his back line going well, I can't really remember him missing any tackles either. but he did miss a drop or two.

He was consistent es, so i suppose he definitely gets a nod, how old is he now?

good prospect for the next number of years.

I think he is something like 24 but don't quote me on that.
That Samoan 10 was really good to I thought.

Pete, the problem for me is there are a number of teams with some very young prospects and most likely we will see at the next world cup the fly hlaves dominate again.

Sexton
Cooper
Lambie
Priestland
Cruden

That is five of your top eght nations with young flyhalves who still need to establish themselves.

good prospect all for the next number of years.

Funny thing is a chap by the name of Carter will only be 33 by the time the next Cup rolls around.

Wonder if that guy will actually show signs of age by then!

A Kiwi has been one of the best, but he played for Japan! James Arlidge put in some great performances and was Japan's standout player at 10. Scored all of his sides points in one game I think, including 2 tries.

Griff,

Pity he never bloody played like that for us down at Dave

Priestland would be my pick, but it's slim pickings really.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Griff,

Pity he never bloody played like that for us down at Dave

People tend to play better when they have quality players around them though

Ouch SS right thats it, its war lol.

No surprise we seen best of Priestland then with and Osprey and a Blue on both sides

disneychilly wrote:Funny thing is a chap by the name of Carter will only be 33 by the time the next Cup rolls around.

Wonder if that guy will actually show signs of age by then!

Looking good for us if Cruden kicks on from here. I said in an earlier thread that come 2015, the next big flyhalf will have come along for us and to have Carter still thereabouts will serve NZ well. A bench option coming on to close the game out? Yes please!

Indeed not a rwc for numbers 10s...but for number 9s.

Alrlidge was probably the most exciting FH bar Carter.

Priestland is to me on par with other solid but no so exciting fly halves such as Jackson and flood. Sexton is above all of them but didnt perform at his normal level.

I agree I think if Sexton could kick better and had a more threatening midfield he could have been excellent ah well.

What about the Samoan 10 he was awesome!

Carter was superb against France, showing his running game in all its glory. Cruden was excellent against Oz, but it was his only game.

You have to pick one of these two. These performances were head and shouldrs above the rest.

He also came on against Argentina samuraiddragon so this Sunday will be his third.

I agree though, after Carter there is daylight. Cooper can be brilliant but he is a confidence player and just hasn´t fired this tournament. It has been a weak area for many teams and perhaps the reason why some are out of the tournament because a good ten can control the game.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Griff,

Pity he never bloody played like that for us down at Dave

Yeah Bedford, I posted somewhere else that it's funny that he didn't shine for the Dragons, went to semi pro at Nottingham and then goes and stars at a world cup and looked great! Funny old world!

bedfordwelsh wrote:Griff,

Pity he never bloody played like that for us down at Dave

Agreed!Thought it was his brother!

No Wilko or Desperate Dan ?

Priestland, if he carries on like this he might be as good as Dan Biggar one day!

Carter was still the best by a mile. Priestland showed a lot of promise. Cooper didn't show up.

AC is the new DC.

who you going to pick to ref?

Have to say DC. Even with his limited playing time, he was on a different level to anyone else. Preistland played well. But I'd have to agree it hasn't been a game for running 1st fives. I think you'd have to blame the IRB refereeing committee for that.

Right, I’ll give a WC XV a bash here.


Healy – Best – Jones
Charteris – Thorne
Kaino – Felatau – Warburton
Priestland – Phillips
Kahui – Roberts– Fourie– Clerc
Dagg

Mickado wrote:Right, I’ll give a WC XV a bash here.


Healy – Best – Jones
Charteris – Thorne
Kaino – Felatau – Warburton
Priestland – Phillips
Kahui – Fourie – Roberts – Clerc
Dagg

Woodcock-Best-Jones
Charteris - Nallet
kaino-Read-Pocock
Phillips-Priestland
Jane-Roberts-Smith-Clerc
Dagg

Also Bleyendaal(spelling?) is a name i would expect to hear figure prominently at the next world cup. That being said i had previoously tipped Ryan Crotty for greatness so im not sure im the best one to judge here.

whocares wrote:Indeed not a rwc for numbers 10s...but for number 9s.

Alrlidge was probably the most exciting FH bar Carter.

Priestland is to me on par with other solid but no so exciting fly halves such as Jackson and flood. Sexton is above all of them but didnt perform at his normal level.

James Arlidge or Priestland were the best for me.

Cooper was always going to be found out at this tournament. Been saying it for months. He would be a great sevens player but he will never be one of the best out halves. His game is too limited.

leinsterbaby wrote:Cooper was always going to be found out at this tournament. Been saying it for months. He would be a great sevens player but he will never be one of the best out halves. His game is too limited.

Leinster, you need to be fair to him as well, a lot off hype has surrounded the player, not only from the point of view of his shenanigans with McCaw, but also the expectation put on him by the australian media after he had a very good super XV tournament.

From there, the unfortunate thing is he has more chance to disappoint than to exceed those expectations.

He seldom had go forward ball druing this tournament thus far and this showed he is as fallible as any other 10 on the back foot. He has always had the inconsistency of being either brilliant or decidedly average.

If you put him behind the SA pack he would have had a different tournament.

Putting him behind the SA pack would have made no difference. SA OHs traditionally kick high pressure drop goals and penalties. Cooper cannot do this and it is very important at this level. Also the SA pack were matched more or less by the Aussie pack and arguably matched or even outgunned by Wales and Samoa. So they are not the all conquering force they were three seasons ago when they bullied everyone in the Tri nations to muscle their way to Tri nations glory.

Cooper didn't even look great against the minnows. He was being called the best oh in the world. I would pick maybe 5 outhalves ahead of him including Barnes.

Yeah, you are right, we have a $h1t pack, and apart from that our backs aren't too good either.

Cooper took quite a neat DG against New Zealand. He looked uncomfortable, but still did some good things.

biltongbek wrote:Yeah, you are right, we have a $h1t pack, and apart from that our backs aren't too good either.

I didn't say that. SA have a strong pack it's just not as dominant as a few years ago and not strong enough that it would allow Cooper to live up to the hype surrounding him.