Lions test goal kicker

This may of course change depending on form in the opening games but assuming Sexton is first choice 10 and Halfpenny likely first choice 15 (or if not, is likely to be at 14), who should be 1st choice goal kicker?

It's a massive, likely series defining decision. Gatland got it wrong in the World Cup by sticking with Priestland/jones/Hook ahead of Halfpenny who only got the long range ones. Fortunately it changed after Preistland's meltdown vs Ireland in 2012 and Tuppence hasn't looked back.

Big call for the coaches.

Good question, you could reasoni two ways here, Gatland knows Halfpenny and will trust him.

Question is will he trust Sexton?

if he is nailing his goals in the warm up games then i think he will, but if there is so much as a hint of loss of form he will turn to the metronomic Half. Jonny has proven kicking wins games, Steyn hammered that home in 09.

If Halfpenny is fullback one of the reasons will be his goalkicking - Hogg and Kearney are probably better runners. His kicking stats have to be the best of the available players. So if it takes some of the pressure off Sexton and lets him concentrate on No 10 duties, Halfpenny doesn't seem to feel the pressure - so would be my choice..

It won't be what the tour is won and lost on, those 2 must be neck and neck in the stats. I suppose the goalkicker does attract the view of the armchair fan.

Either is fully capable.

I think Halfpenny has strong rivals for fullback, so isn't guaranteed to start. In my mind anyway. Maybe Gatland has him nailed on.

The benefit of Halfpenny kicking is that we know he's 100% composed under pressure, and it would free Sexton to concentrate on doing what I think he's there to do. Get the back line moving.

Is it just me or is Halfpenny a better winger than fullback anyway? The Welsh management obviously prefer North/Cuthbert on the wings. But the options of Hogg and Kearney might make them move Halfpenny out wide in place of one of his compatriots? But then there's also Bowe to consider.

Oh the arguments we'll have.

Well Hogg's just thrown his hat into the ring. Been training with Chris Paterson for a while. Had a wee run at 10 for Glasgowto tonight. Banged one over from 30 odd meters. Then nailed a lovely touchline conversion. Good to see him adding a new string to his bow

Maybe they could share the duties? Both excellent with the boot.

Personally I would start with Halfpenny but both are very reliable so duties could be shared.

Guessing both will get enough practice in before the tests

Sexton and Halfpenny are both good kicker and both reliable under pressure - I would have more questions over Farrell.

I would say it would be Halfpenny for 2 reasons :

1. Overall, I think he has slightly less off days that Sexton
2. He will be taking the long range shots anyway, so it is best for him to get his eye in with the closer and easier ones.

Who is the better long range kicker? Halfpenny?

Most likely, the goal kicker in the third test will be Jonny. I simply can't see getting through this tour with only two 10s.

But for the first test, I would have Halfpenny handle the kicking.
He is class and, in my opinion, is playing terrific. This is not a slight at Sexton, simply respect for Halfpenny.

Linebreaker wrote:Who is the better long range kicker? Halfpenny?

Yep, easily

I can't think of anyone I would rather take a kick from halfway, not even Steyn

Has anyone got Halfpenny/Sexton stats for int level - either total or this season? I still get nervous watching Halfpenny kick goals - mainly because he seemed forced into it to start with. That said, aside from a bad run of misses in the Scotland match, he's become pretty dead-eyed this year!

Halfpenny without a doubt will be the dead-ball kicker

Is he an out-and-out dead-ball kicker though?

Linebreaker wrote:Is he an out-and-out dead-ball kicker though?

What do you actually mean?....... this is not American Football, I mean he doesn't just come on to take kicks and then goes off .............. he attempts all the penalties and conversions for his club and country and is deadly accurate, hence he is a backs player who take all the kicks. Ergo an out and out deadball kicker

T'was a pathetic joke, right Fly. (I just like that expression 'out and out')

Linebreaker wrote:T'was a pathetic joke, right Fly. (I just like that expression 'out and out')

Ahhhh sorry mate ,
Bank holiday weekend and here I am sending off business plans and reading a few posts on the forum ....... your humour soared over my head (time to enjoy the sun I think)

Looking forward to the series Linebreaker?

Not to worry my friend! Even the best of us can get on edge sometimes.

My oath I am. Got my ticket for the 3rd Test and counting down the days until the Barbarian match.

I have fond memories of 2001 - not necessarily the end result (don't get me wrong... that was a huge relief!) but the sea of red shirts all over streets and in the pubs and bars in the lead up.

With yhe lions getting closer who do you lot think will have the kicking duties its for sure going be a game where Halfpenny plays along side sexton or farrell so whos your lots choice

Halfpenny
Farrell
Sexton

Who has the kicking duty

With yhe lions getting closer who do you lot think will have the kicking duties its for sure going be a game where Halfpenny plays along side sexton or farrell so whos your lots choice

Halfpenny
Farrell
Sexton

Who has the kicking duty

I'd prefer the Fly half to always take the kicks. Don't know whose the more accurate between Sexton and Farrell? Halfp can take the long rangers....

Whoever has their kicking boots on match day, all 3 are capable.

Yea but im sure theres one we all would rather kick

See id prefer and out side back to kick because an outside half has enoygh pressure on him as it is with out having to kick I kbow their pro but thats my opinion but if it was a 10 it has to be sexton

I don't think it matters,the Lions will be lucky to have 2 top quality kickers on the pitch.Is HP a leftie?That might see them swap some of the more difficult kicks depending on which side of the pitch they are.

This reminds me of a couple of other threads!

Halfpenny is for me the goal kicker and theres no one overbthe past season id trust kicking them in a test match but there again sexton is as good I guess.

I said on another thread that if Sexton starts at 10 then he takes the kicks at goal. if not wont that be taken of a sign of disrespect too Sexton. If he make a ash of it ( kicking the goals that is) then bring up Halfpenny.

But i do think who ever gets the kicking duties they will have to be spot on every time.....Or the Aussies will punish big time.

Doesn't Healy use the boot a fair bit?

As for one we all would rather kick, Hartley has to be up there.

But isn't it a sign of disrespect to halfpenny if he starts and don't kick it works both ways

welshboii15 wrote:But isn't it a sign of disrespect to halfpenny if he starts and don't kick it works both ways

No, i dont think so. Sexton plays 10 and carry's out the fly half duties really well, which includes kicking goals.

Halfpenny on the other hand plays 15, and he carry's out the 15 duties really well, but the duties of a full back do not usualy take kicks at goal.

Farrell.

There's nothing the book about positions say that a fly halfs role is to kick goals.

welshboii15 wrote:There's nothing the book about positions say that a fly halfs role is to kick goals.

Does the rule book say that it is the full back's role too kick goals?

if 1/2p is the kicker why is farrell on tour?

No it don't say a full back should kick it ses the best kicker kicks and that means halfpenny the man is has one of the best boots in rugby

Whoe3ver the best kicker on the field is - Adam Jones or Stuart Hogg - I don't care so long as its the best kicker. Its a very recent phenomenon that the 10 must take the kicks. I have seen play aright and a left footed kicker, I have seen forwards do the kicking.

In reality - sexton for the under 40 m, 1/2 p for the longer ones maybe?

don't care what position kicks but it had to be halfpenny. Out of the three he's the most consistent and has the greatest distance

welshboii,

I've merged your thread into Cadair Idris' one.

majesticimperialman wrote:

welshboii15 wrote:But isn't it a sign of disrespect to halfpenny if he starts and don't kick it works both ways

No, i dont think so. Sexton plays 10 and carry's out the fly half duties really well, which includes kicking goals.

Halfpenny on the other hand plays 15, and he carry's out the 15 duties really well, but the duties of a full back do not usualy take kicks at goal.

You are completely wrong.

There have been plenty of Locks and Fkankers, Centres and scrum halfs all top goal kickers.

Goal kicking is not specific to a roll. It is just whoever is the best.

maestegmafia wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:

welshboii15 wrote:But isn't it a sign of disrespect to halfpenny if he starts and don't kick it works both ways

No, i dont think so. Sexton plays 10 and carry's out the fly half duties really well, which includes kicking goals.

Halfpenny on the other hand plays 15, and he carry's out the 15 duties really well, but the duties of a full back do not usualy take kicks at goal.

You are completely wrong.

There have been plenty of Locks and Fkankers, Centres and scrum halfs all top goal kickers.

Goal kicking is not specific to a roll. It is just whoever is the best.

Of course if our friend Madge could remember pre 2003, he would remember a few English goal kicking fullbacks. Webb for one.

They may well actually decide who is first choice kicker based on pure statistics for the season. With the caveat that anything over 45m out should be Halfpenny.

Last two 6 Nations

2013
Sexton: 100%
Halfpenny: 80.65%

2012
Sexton: 88%
Halfpenny: 91.3%

Feckless Rogue wrote:Last two 6 Nations

2013
Sexton: 100%
Halfpenny: 80.65%

2012
Sexton: 88%
Halfpenny: 91.3%

Sexton had the advantage of not taking many kicks this year, while Halfpenny was the top points scorer

It would be interesting to see the made/missed stats for both for the last 12/24 months.

Sexton is just as good as Halfpenny. Halfpenny is not a kicking god like some are making out to be.... one of the best sure (as in amongst the top 5-10 kickers out there) but his averages are no better then a host of kickers... Peter Grant (kicked 93% in the last SR season, 87% before), Morne Steyn, Ronan O'Gara, Jonny Sexton.

You don't want to strip away the responsibilities from your 10 if he is just as good as the alternative as 10 is as much a confidence position then anything else.
Halfpenny for the long kicks... although his range is probably at best 5m more than Sexton so they will be rare.

Risca Rev wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:

welshboii15 wrote:But isn't it a sign of disrespect to halfpenny if he starts and don't kick it works both ways

No, i dont think so. Sexton plays 10 and carry's out the fly half duties really well, which includes kicking goals.

Halfpenny on the other hand plays 15, and he carry's out the 15 duties really well, but the duties of a full back do not usualy take kicks at goal.

You are completely wrong.

There have been plenty of Locks and Fkankers, Centres and scrum halfs all top goal kickers.

Goal kicking is not specific to a roll. It is just whoever is the best.

Of course if our friend Madge could remember pre 2003, he would remember a few English goal kicking fullbacks. Webb for one.

He did say 'do not usually take kicks at goal' which is a fair statement.

It's not really the way he's coming across though, but it is difficult to understand what he means sometimes. The way he's written it reads a bit like he's suggesting it is a ten's job to kick.

Risca Rev wrote:It's not really the way he's coming across though, but it is difficult to understand what he means sometimes. The way he's written it reads a bit like he's suggesting it is a ten's job to kick.

It usually is