Greg Laidlaw

First topic message reminder :

There have been a few posters waxing lyrical about Greg Laidlaw and I see from another thread that Sky even have him in as starting 9 for the Lions.
Am I missing something here? Ok, he put in a nifty wee pass for Maitland's try against England and I appreciate that he would be following a game plan but his box kicking was truly awful and either went vertically putting all his forwards in an offside position or was so far ahead of the chasers, it was just a waste. His service isn't anything special and his defence while getting better could be likened to Chris Ashton. From what I can see, he was in the team for his place kicking. Hopefully, young Kennedy will get more game time at Edinburgh next season and displace Laidlaw.
I didn't think I would ever say this but Mike Phillips is a shoo-in for the starter's role with the Lions.
God, I am in a bad mood this morning

RDW_Scotland wrote:Yet another person who doesn’t read what posts are actually saying…

I was saying that he at least puts his body on the line and goes in for tackles and is committed to trying to tackle – because he is so small it doesn’t always work out. I’m not claiming he is a good defender, I am saying he at least has the right attitude and commitment and is only in inhibited by his size.

100% agree with this. I've seen him knocked out the way a few times, but I've never seen him fanny out of a tackle in the same way that Ashton (or Visser) doesn't like to get his shorts dirty.

I've seen Laidlaw strip the ball off forwards in the tackle. Sure, because he throws himself about he gets bumped a few times - happens to pretty much all small scrum halves. I certainly wouldn't say Danny Care's defence is any better. Sure, Phillips is a great tackling scrum half, one of the best around. But there are weaknesses to his game as well.

funnyExiledScot wrote:
I've seen Laidlaw strip the ball off forwards in the tackle. Sure, because he throws himself about he gets bumped a few times - happens to pretty much all small scrum halves. I certainly wouldn't say Danny Care's defence is any better.

Including against Ulster in the HK semi final when he stripped their number 8 of the ball as he was charging towards the line.

Again I'm not saying he's a rock in defence - but he puts himself about and puts everything to make up for his size. As he said himself - he's a number 8 in a scrum halfs body!

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Taffineastbourne wrote:Why would his goal kicking br required?

To score points?

Most accurate goal kicker in the 6N could be seen as a good asset to have.

Blwydi Hell!Halfpenny,Farrell,Biggar and Sexton all ruled out of the Lions Tour.They kept that quiet

What do Dan Biggar's international goal kicking stats look like next to Greg Laidlaw's?

funnyExiledScot wrote:What do Dan Biggar's international goal kicking stats look like next to Greg Laidlaw's?

I have no idea.I believe he has been in sides that have won the 6N's and the Rabo which indicates a certain consistency.What has Laidlaw's side ever won?

Taffineastbourne wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:What do Dan Biggar's international goal kicking stats look like next to Greg Laidlaw's?

I have no idea.I believe he has been in sides that have won the 6N's and the Rabo which indicates a certain consistency.What has Laidlaw's side ever won?

An away win over the Wallabies in Australia. Seems relevant...

Manky-Flanker wrote:

Taffineastbourne wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:What do Dan Biggar's international goal kicking stats look like next to Greg Laidlaw's?

I have no idea.I believe he has been in sides that have won the 6N's and the Rabo which indicates a certain consistency.What has Laidlaw's side ever won?

An away win over the Wallabies in Australia. Seems relevant...

Was that an under strength Australian team in dreadful conditions?Cling onto your little victories.They will keep you going.

Taffineastbourne wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:What do Dan Biggar's international goal kicking stats look like next to Greg Laidlaw's?

I have no idea.I believe he has been in sides that have won the 6N's and the Rabo which indicates a certain consistency.What has Laidlaw's side ever won?

If you have no idea, why bother making the point that we don't need Laidlaw's goal kicking when Dan Biggar is going to be touring??

funnyExiledScot wrote:

Taffineastbourne wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:What do Dan Biggar's international goal kicking stats look like next to Greg Laidlaw's?

I have no idea.I believe he has been in sides that have won the 6N's and the Rabo which indicates a certain consistency.What has Laidlaw's side ever won?

If you have no idea, why bother making the point that we don't need Laidlaw's goal kicking when Dan Biggar is going to be touring??

Because Biggar is a better rugby player and a highly effective place kicker.Stats lie as we all know.Is someone who misses three difficult kicks a worse kicker than one who kicks three easy ones?

1. Laidlaw is a 9, and Biggar is a 10.

Stating that Biggar "is a better rugby player" is pointless in terms of Lions selection.

2. Biggar doesn't take kicks at international level. It is a different environment and brings with it different pressures. Halfpenny takes the kicks for Wales rather than Biggar, so I'd suggest it's fair to say that Halfpenny is considered, by the Welsh management at least, to be a better kicker than Dan Biggar. In comparison, Laidlaw's statistics show him to be a more accurate kicker than Halfpenny. I was at the Scotland vs Wales game this year. Laidlaw's goal kicking was considerably better than Halfpenny's, and it wasn't a case of "easy kicks" either, not in the slightest. If you were to start Laidlaw and Biggar in tandem, there is no question that you'd want Laidlaw taking the kicks, thus your initial point about Biggar having to be injured before Laidlaw's kicking became relevant is rather silly.

Considerably better than Halfpenny's? I wouldn't have said they were considerably better. I think Halfpenny's misses were fairly difficult kicks against the conditions.

I don't see what the point of all thus discussion is though,as both are fine kickers but one is more nailed on to be doing it than the other.

Risca Rev wrote:Considerably better than Halfpenny's? I wouldn't have said they were considerably better. I think Halfpenny's misses were fairly difficult kicks against the conditions.

The conditions point confuses me. Why were the conditions a factor for Halfpenny and not for Laidlaw? They were on the same pitch!

Anyway, I'm not comparing Laidlaw to Halfpenny, I'm comparing Laidlaw to Biggar as an international goal kicker.

come on now FES!!! You know there is no point in trying to put a point across to a one eyed Welshman!

Can't believe that they are trying to argue that biggar is a better kicker at international level because his side won the rabbo, and Laidlaw's international kicking success rate doesn't matter...takes one eyed to a whole new level!

Risca Rev wrote:Considerably better than Halfpenny's? I wouldn't have said they were considerably better. I think Halfpenny's misses were fairly difficult kicks against the conditions.

I don't see what the point of all thus discussion is though,as both are fine kickers but one is more nailed on to be doing it than the other.

I was there and they weren't difficult kicks.



He just shat himself.

Shat himself? No wonder he couldn't kick very well.

The reason I mention the conditions, was the commentators seemed to be of the opinion that Halfpenny in the first half and Laidlaw in the second were against the conditions. This certainly seemed to be the case when in the first half one of Laidlaw's seemed a bit wind assisted. Laidlaw only took three shots at goal in the second half (I think), missing one and scoring two, so against the perceived conditions, Halfpenny had more kicks.

Without going too in depth into this thread, isn't it one guy going on about Biggar? So it's a bit over the top to say "they are trying to argue". No need to start throwing one eyed Welshman accusations around. Is Biggar not 100% more or less with his kicking stats from this years championship anyway?

Apologies risca - I don't mean to tar all Welsh posters with the same brush but I am just becoming incredibly frustrated why a large number of posters feel the need to discredit any Scottish win of note and go on about how all our players are inferior.

You Welsh have won 3 grand slams and a title in the last 10 years - why can't you let is have our small victories when they happen so rarely? Why do they feel the need to put us down all the time as being lucky to win or there being some mitigating factor?

The Laidlaw thing is a case in point - pretty much all Scottish posters on here say that Phillips should tour and Laidlaw only has a chance, and that it probably dependant on injuries - where's the controversy in that to warrant all this bile? Is it ridiculous to suggest that his excellent goal kicking might be seen to be favourable?

I jist don't

Apologies for the formatting - doing it on my phone and it is being a pain

RDW_Scotland wrote:Apologies risca - I don't mean to tar all Welsh posters with the same brush but I am just becoming incredibly frustrated why a large number of posters feel the need to discredit any Scottish win of note and go on about how all our players are inferior.

You Welsh have won 3 grand slams and a title in the last 10 years - why can't you let is have our small victories when they happen so rarely? Why do they feel the need to put us down all the time as being lucky to win or there being some mitigating factor?

The Laidlaw thing is a case in point - pretty much all Scottish posters on here say that Phillips should tour and Laidlaw only has a chance, and that it probably dependant on injuries - where's the controversy in that to warrant all this bile? Is it ridiculous to suggest that his excellent goal kicking might be seen to be favourable?

I jist don't

I am not trying to discredit Laidlaw by the way (not that anybody is accusing me of doing so, unless that removed post is some sort of attack). I would take him as a tourist and I do know he's an extremely capable goal kicker. I also wouldn't be surprised if he made the bench (minimum) and given the performance of Hogg in the 6 Nations, Halfpenny isn't nailed on to start so I am fully appreciative that we have such great kicking options throughout the likely squad.

I also (personally) don't wish to come across as being overly critical if I discuss certain Scottish results, I just basically offer a differing opinion if they're compared to Welsh ones. Naturally any Welshman wouldn't be so keen to turn down a win in Australia under any conditions, nor would they have minded beating Ireland in the manner that you did.

I'm with RDW on this one. Laidlaw has plenty weaknesses to his case for selection, but his goal kicking abilities are not open for sensible debate - he is a proven excellent goal kicker at international level.

Biggar is a very solid and capable fly half. Importantly (for Wales) he is showing signs of improving. He looked pretty wooden to start of with but I thought he really grew through the tournament and finished strongly. As an international goal kicker, he is unproven. Kicking at club level versus international rugby is different. I can name countless players to nail every kick going in a club jersey, only to struggle at international level. I've no reason to suggest that Biggar can't make the transition, in fact I think it's really helpful that he's being allowed to settle at 10 without the kicking duties. He has every chance of touring with the Lions. If he is picked, and Laidlaw is to play 9, I strongly suspect we'll see Laidlaw taking the kicks though.

Whether the difference is sufficient to select Laidlaw over say Care or Murray, well that would have been a more sensible point to make, rather than "Biggar is good and has won the Rabo".

FFS - what was my post removed for ? A bit of consistency required . I'm off to Blood and Mud .

[quote="RDW_Scotland"]Can't believe that they are trying to argue that biggar is a better kicker at international level because his side won the rabbo, and Laidlaw's international kicking success rate doesn't matter...takes one eyed to a whole new level![/quote
Judge not that ye be not judged when it comes to one-eyed ness.
Laidlaw's is an awesome scrum half that all sides rightly fear and he is considerably better than either Halfpenny and Biggar at goal kicking.
Out of interest who was the top points scorer in the 6N's?Who is the top points scorer in the Rabo?

Knowing Gats penchant for utility players i see laidlaw as a strong 9/10 kicker and mid week player. I don't rate Care after the 6 Nations and there is no one else

Philipps
Youngs
Laidlaw

Also means no need to take Hook. Biggar still may go as Sexton's understudy but I think it will be

Sexton
Farrell
Laidlaw

Its not a strong group after the 6 Nations and Gats may want Biggar who improves game by game but i still think Laidlaw goes.

[quote="Taffineastbourne"]

RDW_Scotland wrote:Can't believe that they are trying to argue that biggar is a better kicker at international level because his side won the rabbo, and Laidlaw's international kicking success rate doesn't matter...takes one eyed to a whole new level![/quote
Judge not that ye be not judged when it comes to one-eyed ness.
Laidlaw's is an awesome scrum half that all sides rightly fear and he is considerably better than either Halfpenny and Biggar at goal kicking.
Out of interest who was the top points scorer in the 6N's?Who is the top points scorer in the Rabo?

Pretty sure visser has a better strike rate than north at international and club level, so presumably you agree that north isn't as good as visser?

Wilkinson and rog have scored more points than sexton, so you would agree that we ought to use them both on the lions tour?

Oh dear - lots of poop being slung by the usual wum monkeys.

You want numbers? Here you go then (courtesy of StatBunker.com):

A. Top points scorers in the 6N 2013

74 Leigh Halfpenny Wales T1 C6 P19
61 Greig Laidlaw Scotland T- C5 P17
45 Owen Farrell England T- C3 P13

Michalak some way back on 33.

B. Goalkicking stats

Flood, Sexton, Burton, Biggar, Jackson and Machenaud all technically kicked at 100% success rate (taking into account conversions and penalties).

However it should be sensibly noted that the number of attempts at goal to produce these numbers were as follows:
Flood - 8
Sexton - 6
Burton - 4
Biggar - 2
Jackson - 1
Machenaud - 1

This means the most accurate kicker was technically Toby Flood.

However, in the Big Boys League of regular kickers, the numbers look like this:
(chronologically, the numbers below represent the following criteria:

- Conversions attempted:
- Successful conversations:
- Penalties attempted:
- Successful penalties:
- Total attempts:
- Total success rate:)

88% Greig Laidlaw
(Scotland) 6 5 19 17 25 22

80.65% Leigh Halfpenny
(Wales) 8 6 23 19 31 25

75% Frederic Michalak
(France) 4 3 12 9 16 12

73.33% Luciano Orquera
(Italy) 4 3 11 8 15 11

69.57% Owen Farrell
(England) 5 3 18 13 23 16

Surely nobody is trying to claim that Biggar is the 'best' kicker on the back of his two attempts?

On the Laidlaw vs 1/2p debate I really don't think there's much between them. They both have an excellent success rate and what let 1/2p down was his mini case of the yips at Murrayfield - Laidlaw stayed consistent all 6N.

Incidentally I think 1/2p has the better technical technique whereas Laidlaw is more of a natural striker of the ball.

Either way the 2 of them are the top kickers in NH rugby just now and we should be delighted to have them to call upon - not make up derogatory 'facts' about them or try and claim one is significantly inferior.

Laidlaw v Halfpenny

That's a good one....the guy who would put his body on the line every time to make the tackle v the 2nd best tackle fluffer in the 2013 6 Nations...only Ashton missed more.

I give up. I've tried sensible rugby debate but it is obviously wasted on some people here. I was comparing kicking - nothing else

y'all have a nice day now.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

I give up. I've tried sensible rugby debate but it is obviously wasted on some people here. I was comparing kicking - nothing else

y'all have a nice day now.

1. You were not just comparing kicking...read all your posts

2. You take yourself and your own opinions much more seriously than others who, when they express a contrary opinion, are cast down by you as wum/troll

3. I am a Laidlaw fan, but any comparison between him and Halfpenny is ridiculous not least because one can tackle and one can't

4. Your defeatist attitude when faced with a different opinion is a shame

5. Have a nice day

Beefy - quick question - I'm fascinated, as one of the more consistently and transparently unpleasant wummers on these boards, are you entirely motivated by hatred?

I would suggest that certain posters are completely ignored whenever they post on what normally is a intelligent, well thought out discussion.

They'll go away eventually.

Best bet to ignore them.
George - you do remember yo are not allowed to make the slightest criticism of any welsh player even implicit ones with attracting a jihad from some welsh fans

the fact Laidlaws kicking is the best in the NH right now is obviously irrelevant

Burton technically kicked at 100% success rate (taking into account conversions and penalties).

That's all I need to know. Sign him up Darren

100%beefy wrote:Laidlaw v Halfpenny

That's a good one....the guy who would put his body on the line every time to make the tackle v the 2nd best tackle fluffer in the 2013 6 Nations...only Ashton missed more.

There was a time when Halfpenny missed a few tackles so are you saying he didn't used to put his body on the line then , to suggest that Laidlaw doesn't give his all in the tackle is inaccurate, disrespectful and juvenile. I would like to ask you where you get the facts to support one of your infamous one liners on Laidlaw or even Ashton.

Do you actually ever go and watch a live rugby match or are you one of those "fair weather, offside ref, cowboy hatted so called fans" that only follow the national team usually in a pub and that's only if they are in with a shout of winning the championship.

This post was about the possibility of Laidlaw being the Lions choice as was suggested by some well respected rugby pundits, its actually a great debatable post, topical and one that could have been enjoyed by the board. Yet again it has been destroyed by one liners with no factual back-ups...... well done

I personally think that Laidlaw is behind Phillips based on what Spikey can do when on top form, but the one thing you get from Laidlaw is consistency as rarely you will get a poor game from him, nerves of ice and the most accurate natural dead ball kicker in the northern hemisphere. He also has the uncanny knack of knowing when to pass and the style of pass whether short, quick, floated etc.. One thing I think is apparent though is Laidlaw's intelligence, awareness and natural ability to weigh up the options of attack he seems to have the Plan A and B and C at his finger tips.

Comparing to Phillips...... well Phillips is an incredibly confident big game player who can win you games by his pure natural aggression and build, he is much more technically talented than a lot of people give him credit, could easily operate in midfield and has got a deceiving turn of pace. Most importantly when he is on top of his game, he gets in the faces of the opposition, mixes it up and his bravery is unquestionable.

Laidlaw will be more suited to Gatland if he plays an expansive game, if he requires a 9 who can change the dynamics of a game if the Plan A isn't working.

My Lions Selection and possibly in order of preference

Phillips
Youngs
Laidlaw

People aren't comparing apples to apples here. I think Laidlaw is a good talent, up there with Youngs and ahead of Murray as international 9's

Neither should be compared to Phillips, who is the worlds best 8 1/2

just for clarity.

I've never seen Laidlaw shirk form a tackle. Due to his size, sometimes he gets ran over, but at least he tries.

tigertattie wrote:just for clarity.

I've never seen Laidlaw shirk form a tackle. Due to his size, sometimes he gets ran over, but at least he tries.

Clarity? Clarity and reason both abandonned this thread a long time ago.

Richie Gray is better than Alex Cuthbert. Discuss.

Can't believe no-one pointed out that Biggar is really really really boring, like comfortably the most boring fly-half in the 6Nations.

And if my life depended on a kick, I'd probably want wee Greig on it as he doesn't seem to miss when it matters.

But fair enough his defending is totally awful, certainly don't take him on the Lions tour.

Also I'd prefer they left Adam Jones behind, when was the last time you saw him beat a man and really show his pace?

reallybored wrote:Also I'd prefer they left Adam Jones behind, when was the last time you saw him beat a man and really show his pace?

Zero clean breaks that I can recall. Stuart Hogg is much better.

Adam Jones is so over-rated it's unbelievable, can you remember the last time he had a successful conversion?

reallybored wrote:Adam Jones is so over-rated it's unbelievable, can you remember the last time he had a successful conversion?

He doesn't even step up for the "easy kicks". Makes him even worse the Greg Laidlaw and Chris Paterson, and that's saying something.

Are you surprised he doesn't step up for easy kicks, total coward!!

Anyone see Ryan Grant was 5th top tackler and had a 94.5% success rate, outrageous for a prop!

My cat's breath smells like cat food.

reallybored wrote:Can't believe no-one pointed out that Biggar is really really really boring, like comfortably the most boring fly-half in the 6Nations.

And if my life depended on a kick, I'd probably want wee Greig on it as he doesn't seem to miss when it matters.

But fair enough his defending is totally awful, certainly don't take him on the Lions tour.

Also I'd prefer they left Adam Jones behind, when was the last time you saw him beat a man and really show his pace?

We can't take Adam Jones anyway. Not only isn't he versatile enough to do a stint on the wing or at scrum half, the Australian sun would make his hair wildly unmangeable.

Nobody try and question this logic please. I am right. My opinions are the bestest everest.

flyhalffactory wrote:

100%beefy wrote:Laidlaw v Halfpenny

That's a good one....the guy who would put his body on the line every time to make the tackle v the 2nd best tackle fluffer in the 2013 6 Nations...only Ashton missed more.

There was a time when Halfpenny missed a few tackles so are you saying he didn't used to put his body on the line then , to suggest that Laidlaw doesn't give his all in the tackle is inaccurate, disrespectful and juvenile. I would like to ask you where you get the facts to support one of your infamous one liners on Laidlaw or even Ashton.

Do you actually ever go and watch a live rugby match or are you one of those "fair weather, offside ref, cowboy hatted so called fans" that only follow the national team usually in a pub and that's only if they are in with a shout of winning the championship.

This post was about the possibility of Laidlaw being the Lions choice as was suggested by some well respected rugby pundits, its actually a great debatable post, topical and one that could have been enjoyed by the board. Yet again it has been destroyed by one liners with no factual back-ups...... well done

I personally think that Laidlaw is behind Phillips based on what Spikey can do when on top form, but the one thing you get from Laidlaw is consistency as rarely you will get a poor game from him, nerves of ice and the most accurate natural dead ball kicker in the northern hemisphere. He also has the uncanny knack of knowing when to pass and the style of pass whether short, quick, floated etc.. One thing I think is apparent though is Laidlaw's intelligence, awareness and natural ability to weigh up the options of attack he seems to have the Plan A and B and C at his finger tips.

Comparing to Phillips...... well Phillips is an incredibly confident big game player who can win you games by his pure natural aggression and build, he is much more technically talented than a lot of people give him credit, could easily operate in midfield and has got a deceiving turn of pace. Most importantly when he is on top of his game, he gets in the faces of the opposition, mixes it up and his bravery is unquestionable.

Laidlaw will be more suited to Gatland if he plays an expansive game, if he requires a 9 who can change the dynamics of a game if the Plan A isn't working.

My Lions Selection and possibly in order of preference

Phillips
Youngs
Laidlaw

Firstly just because you write an essay every post doesn't make what you say vaguely informed or more valid, on the contrary it reveals a lot about you. In your opinion you know how it is, in mine i do. Accept it.

Secondly, keep it on rugby...i stupidly backed you when rainbow was having a pop at you i think...he said what woudl you know about rugby talk being scots? i called him out on that but on reflection you seem to repeatedly get worked up on here and throw your toys, take things personally and make it personal. No wonder you get popped.

Not sure why i can be bothered to help you but stats on tackling as it is well documented...of course because this is walesonline you will dismiss it but i can't address that, that's your problem

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2013/03/18/six-nations-2013-10-key-stats-from-a-remarkable-tournament-91466-33015502/

It would be ridiculous to suggest that a tackler like Half missed a tackle due to commitment - i refer you to last years last ditch save v England when he kncoked himself out- yet it is well documented that Ashton's tackling is poor and his commitment has been questioned in that vain. Regarding Laidlaw, I have not said anything about him other than he fluffed tackles, i said just less than Ashton, turns out I was wrong...it is as many tackles as Ashton. Draw your own conclusions, I have thanks.

You seem to love to dabble in syntactic absolutes but you characterise my take on Laidlaw from a completely defensive and clearly inferior point of view - where did i say Laidlaw doesn't give his all in the tackle?I said he fluffed them. He did. As for inaccuracy, sorry but his tackle stat is on the record and is accurate, Disrespectful and juvenile? How so?. As for your personal and rather silly suggestion i don't watch rugby, this tripe:

Do you actually ever go and watch a live rugby match or are you one of those "fair weather, offside ref, cowboy hatted so called fans" that only follow the national team usually in a pub and that's only if they are in with a shout of winning the championship.

Disrepectful? juvenile?

Not that i need to justify myself to you but i have played for over 30 years, coached and even played a national side, i have watched rugby all over the world from living room to countless pubs to Rodney to Welford, Cardiff to Loftus to Hong Kong to Sydney Jo burg, Twickenham, The Stoop...got it? It is beyond belief that people make these statements on forums about people they have never met and about whom they knwo nothing. My assessment of you however is based solely on what i read; i bet you are a committed passionate scottish fan. As am i of Wales.

Lastly if you opened your eyes and read the thread you will find i backed laidlaw for the lions behind Philipps and Youngs, as a utility 9 and 10 feeling that he overtook Care in the rankings and was useful to a utility favouring coach.

Now, i am willing to bury the hatchet and get behind the Lions. Your choice.

100%beefy wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:

100%beefy wrote:Laidlaw v Halfpenny

That's a good one....the guy who would put his body on the line every time to make the tackle v the 2nd best tackle fluffer in the 2013 6 Nations...only Ashton missed more.

There was a time when Halfpenny missed a few tackles so are you saying he didn't used to put his body on the line then , to suggest that Laidlaw doesn't give his all in the tackle is inaccurate, disrespectful and juvenile. I would like to ask you where you get the facts to support one of your infamous one liners on Laidlaw or even Ashton.

Do you actually ever go and watch a live rugby match or are you one of those "fair weather, offside ref, cowboy hatted so called fans" that only follow the national team usually in a pub and that's only if they are in with a shout of winning the championship.

This post was about the possibility of Laidlaw being the Lions choice as was suggested by some well respected rugby pundits, its actually a great debatable post, topical and one that could have been enjoyed by the board. Yet again it has been destroyed by one liners with no factual back-ups...... well done

I personally think that Laidlaw is behind Phillips based on what Spikey can do when on top form, but the one thing you get from Laidlaw is consistency as rarely you will get a poor game from him, nerves of ice and the most accurate natural dead ball kicker in the northern hemisphere. He also has the uncanny knack of knowing when to pass and the style of pass whether short, quick, floated etc.. One thing I think is apparent though is Laidlaw's intelligence, awareness and natural ability to weigh up the options of attack he seems to have the Plan A and B and C at his finger tips.

Comparing to Phillips...... well Phillips is an incredibly confident big game player who can win you games by his pure natural aggression and build, he is much more technically talented than a lot of people give him credit, could easily operate in midfield and has got a deceiving turn of pace. Most importantly when he is on top of his game, he gets in the faces of the opposition, mixes it up and his bravery is unquestionable.

Laidlaw will be more suited to Gatland if he plays an expansive game, if he requires a 9 who can change the dynamics of a game if the Plan A isn't working.

My Lions Selection and possibly in order of preference

Phillips
Youngs
Laidlaw

Firstly just because you write an essay every post doesn't make what you say vaguely informed or more valid, on the contrary it reveals a lot about you. In your opinion you know how it is, in mine i do. Accept it.

Secondly, keep it on rugby...i stupidly backed you when rainbow was having a pop at you i think...he said what woudl you know about rugby talk being scots? i called him out on that but on reflection you seem to repeatedly get worked up on here and throw your toys, take things personally and make it personal. No wonder you get popped.

Not sure why i can be bothered to help you but stats on tackling as it is well documented...of course because this is walesonline you will dismiss it but i can't address that, that's your problem

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2013/03/18/six-nations-2013-10-key-stats-from-a-remarkable-tournament-91466-33015502/

It would be ridiculous to suggest that a tackler like Half missed a tackle due to commitment - i refer you to last years last ditch save v England when he kncoked himself out- yet it is well documented that Ashton's tackling is poor and his commitment has been questioned in that vain. Regarding Laidlaw, I have not said anything about him other than he fluffed tackles, i said just less than Ashton, turns out I was wrong...it is as many tackles as Ashton. Draw your own conclusions, I have thanks.

You seem to love to dabble in syntactic absolutes but you characterise my take on Laidlaw from a completely defensive and clearly inferior point of view - where did i say Laidlaw doesn't give his all in the tackle?I said he fluffed them. He did. As for inaccuracy, sorry but his tackle stat is on the record and is accurate, Disrespectful and juvenile? How so?. As for your personal and rather silly suggestion i don't watch rugby, this tripe:

Do you actually ever go and watch a live rugby match or are you one of those "fair weather, offside ref, cowboy hatted so called fans" that only follow the national team usually in a pub and that's only if they are in with a shout of winning the championship.

Disrepectful? juvenile?

Not that i need to justify myself to you but i have played for over 30 years, coached and even played a national side, i have watched rugby all over the world from living room to countless pubs to Rodney to Welford, Cardiff to Loftus to Hong Kong to Sydney Jo burg, Twickenham, The Stoop...got it? It is beyond belief that people make these statements on forums about people they have never met and about whom they knwo nothing. My assessment of you however is based solely on what i read; i bet you are a committed passionate scottish fan. As am i of Wales.

Lastly if you opened your eyes and read the thread you will find i backed laidlaw for the lions behind Philipps and Youngs, as a utility 9 and 10 feeling that he overtook Care in the rankings and was useful to a utility favouring coach.

Now, i am willing to bury the hatchet and get behind the Lions. Your choice.

Beefy don't hide behind the smoke screened poor attempt at cognitive psychology laddy, (if you have played for 30 yrs and at this very high level we must have encountered each other in our past lives)..... its quite clear by your inference

That's a good one....the guy who would put his body on the line every time to make the tackle v the 2nd best tackle fluffer in the 2013 6 Nations...only Ashton missed more

that you think Laidlaw hasn't or wouldn't put his body on the line

I for one think that Halfpenny is not only such a great player but probably the bravest and most honest hardworking professional in the northern hemisphere

As far as burying the hatchet I don't feel that that we need to, I am just countering your statement if I feel I its maybe worth qualifying

[quote="funnyExiledScot"]

Taffineastbourne wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Can't believe that they are trying to argue that biggar is a better kicker at international level because his side won the rabbo, and Laidlaw's international kicking success rate doesn't matter...takes one eyed to a whole new level![/quote
Judge not that ye be not judged when it comes to one-eyed ness.
Laidlaw's is an awesome scrum half that all sides rightly fear and he is considerably better than either Halfpenny and Biggar at goal kicking.
Out of interest who was the top points scorer in the 6N's?Who is the top points scorer in the Rabo?

Pretty sure visser has a better strike rate than north at international and club level, so presumably you agree that north isn't as good as visser?

Wilkinson and rog have scored more points than sexton, so you would agree that we ought to use them both on the lions tour?

Thought it was the Scottish who put great emphasis in stats.They have to coz their record on the scoreboard hasn't been crash hot for some time.Bragging about Laidlaw's marginally higher kicking success ratio is just sad straw clutching.I genuinely sympathise but am getting tired of delusional Scots overrating reasonable players above their station.The fluke over Oz is more tiresome than norovirus gate.Win something,threaten to win something and I don't mean the wooden spoon and folk will take your players more seriously.Who exactly did the "killer b's" kill???????

[quote="Taffineastbourne"]

funnyExiledScot wrote:

Taffineastbourne wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Can't believe that they are trying to argue that biggar is a better kicker at international level because his side won the rabbo, and Laidlaw's international kicking success rate doesn't matter...takes one eyed to a whole new level![/quote
Judge not that ye be not judged when it comes to one-eyed ness.
Laidlaw's is an awesome scrum half that all sides rightly fear and he is considerably better than either Halfpenny and Biggar at goal kicking.
Out of interest who was the top points scorer in the 6N's?Who is the top points scorer in the Rabo?

Pretty sure visser has a better strike rate than north at international and club level, so presumably you agree that north isn't as good as visser?

Wilkinson and rog have scored more points than sexton, so you would agree that we ought to use them both on the lions tour?

Thought it was the Scottish who put great emphasis in stats.They have to coz their record on the scoreboard hasn't been crash hot for some time.Bragging about Laidlaw's marginally higher kicking success ratio is just sad straw clutching.I genuinely sympathise but am getting tired of delusional Scots overrating reasonable players above their station.The fluke over Oz is more tiresome than norovirus gate.Win something,threaten to win something and I don't mean the wooden spoon and folk will take your players more seriously.Who exactly did the "killer b's" kill???????

Overrating players beyond their station is the first rule of being a welsh forum poster, so that is pretty rich.