So Who Will We All Blame?

After Sundays game who will everyone be moaning about on here and blaming for their teams loss?

Whoever loses I guess the Ref will get a fair share of the blame, they always do.

Wales - Will we be blaming Priestland - hell he gets the blame when we win and has had a good game. We certainly won't be able to blame injury as it's pretty much a first choice team we have out.

England - Will you be blaming the so called cheating the Welsh props get away with or will you resort to the injuries you have and proclaim that you would have won if so and so had been fit.

OR (highly unlikely) will fans from the respective losing Country come on here and other boards and be magnanimous in defeat - won't hold my breath on that one.

Scotland - we will be blaming Scott Johnson and the numpties at the SRU again

Im just going to blame Steve Walsh regardless...

BW

Depends how the game pans out - as England fans we don't have one preferred 'go to' option in the blame game. Last year Walsh copped a lot of stick because some of his decision making was, shall we say, unconventional, but it rather took away from the fact that you beat us quite convincingly. The main reason wasn't Walsh but that Lancaster picked the wrong team, especially across the back row, and we lacked ball carriers other than Manu.

I don't think our reasons for losing will be the same this year (if we do), and will more likely be down to performances of key players.

For Wales, I guess it's inevitable that Priestland will cop the blame - Welsh genetics require that, regardless of what is actually happening on the field, it is the guy in the 10 jersey who is either the match-winning genius or match squandering numpty*

*Comment not entirely serious, but with a kernel of truth...

GeordieFalcon wrote:Im just going to blame Steve Walsh regardless...

  

Nice choice. Take the safe option.

dummy_half wrote:

For Wales, I guess it's inevitable that Priestland will cop the blame - Welsh genetics require that, regardless of what is actually happening on the field, it is the guy in the 10 jersey who is either the match-winning genius or match squandering numpty*

*Comment not entirely serious, but with a kernel of truth...

dh,

I think your spot on regards Priestland and the constant No10 debate - RP is more like marmite than marmite.

bedfordwelsh   

gonna blame it on the boogie  

Just don't blame it on the moon light

Bedford

When did Wales last have a 10 who was universally popular amongst the supported? Jiffy? Even Stephen Jones had his critics who wanted to see Hook play there because he was a better ball carrier.

I guess it's just a heritage and upbringing thing - most Wales fans were either brought up in the era of Barry John and Phil Bennett or have been raised on stories of their genius. Modern rugby just wouldn't allow a 10 to play with that much freedom and needs them to make a few tackles*

*Isn't there a story of Barry John saying something like he never bothered to tackle because he had JPR behind him, who liked nothing better?

dh,

That's the problem many fans still live with the images of Benny and John and even Jiffy but the most successful 10s we have had in modern times were Jenkins and Jones, neither of whom were renowned for the flair.

There could be the rusty Davies or Hibberd doing a Youngs impression in the lineout arguments.

Or for us of course there could be Youngs doing a Youngs impression in the lineout...

bedfordwelsh wrote:dh,

That's the problem many fans still live with the images of Benny and John and even Jiffy but the most successful 10s we have had in modern times were Jenkins and Jones, neither of whom were renowned for the flair.

And then you've got a coach who is a pragmatist, asking your players to play a game plan based on power running and kicking for good territory, which would have suited either Jenks or SJ. Not exactly a game plan looking for scintillating 30m breaks and outrageous sidestepping from the outside half...

Heck, most of us know that 1/2p could be an outstanding counter-attacking full back, but how often do you see him do anything more constructive than just hoist a return kick?

Danny Care.

Scrumpy wrote:Danny Care.

Is he taking over the Austin Healy role of pantomime villain?

Love the story of Martin Johnson's response to the ref at a Tigers game after Healy has been punched. 'Didn't see who did it ref, but there are 29 suspects'

Wales will blame Priestland (no matter how he plays) and/or Hibbard if his line out game isn't up to scratch

England will blame the ref (who is the ref by the way)

it will be gatlands non existent PLAN B from outer space

I just think he is guilty of one too many tap and goes when 3pts is the better option.

Of course if he plays well and we lose I'll blame the Ref and SL for not pointing out the fact that Wales are fielding two props who haven't worked out the new scrum laws.   

Jhamer25 wrote:Wales will blame Priestland (no matter how he plays) and/or Hibbard if his line out game isn't up to scratch

England will blame the ref (who is the ref by the way)

We only blame the ref when it's Walsh (well, everyone should...) or Rolland if he's reffing us against France (obviously biased    ) .

Actually, if you look at our loss to France, I don't recall anyone blaming the ref - Danny Care took some criticism for dropping a goal rather than running 1 penalty and playing one advantage rather than taking the points in another (sometimes you can't win whatever you do), but mainly we just thought we'd had a couple of unlucky breaks (bounce of the ball for the first two French tries, losing Johnny May after 5 minutes etc) and that someone should have done more to stop the last French attack.

Hopefully if we lose on Sunday, it will be a similar story.

I'll blame England for not letting us win.
Italy for dramatically beating us at home on a scoreline of 0-3
And France, for rubbing salt on our wounds by letting us win for once on a scoreline of 3 -0!

Damn you all, I say!!!!

If England, sorry…..WHEN England lose they will blame Poite for being Walsh and Gatland for picking 12 Lions, the bookies for making them think they were favorites, the state school system, Andy Robinson, the chariot mechanic, foot and mouth, The Daily Mail, the price of fish.

The ref - it's always the the refs fault!

Scratch wrote:If England, sorry…..WHEN England lose they will blame Poite for being Walsh and Gatland for picking 12 Lions, the bookies for making them think they were favorites, the state school system, Andy Robinson, the chariot mechanic, foot and mouth, The Daily Mail, the price of fish.

It's worth blaming the Daily Wail for lots of things, although it might be a stretch to blame them for a loss on Sunday.

Of course it's really Maggie Thatcher's fault...(just because everything bad in the last 30 years is).

So long as both teams give their all then i don't think you can blame any one except your own players for not playing better that the other team.

I just hope that all players give their all for this is one game that is make or break, not only for this years 6ns. But also for the rugby world cup pool games next year.

Illegal immigration. Taking our rugby players jobs.

Vladimir Putin, piers Morgan, ghandi....

No matter how he plays, we probably can't blame Brown - the cognitive dissonance would be too traumatic. Rowntree seems to have a touch of the teflon about him but another poor pack performance will see him in the spotlight. If we look headless again, then Robshaw's captaincy will also be called into question.

We are always happy blaming wingers, though. Brown was on the wing when we started leaking tries last year. It's a long tradition with us.



One or both of the Farrells will be bound to cop it if we lose. My money is on them.

Cognitive dissonance indeed... English fans are so adept at doublethink they will be more than able to reconcile the fact that Brown is currently "the greatest full back in the world" with the fact that his spectacular dive that missed the ball was the single most likely cause of England's demise! Me? I'll blame the BBC for making them play on a Sunday!  

Oh i forgot, England are also blaming the fact that they have no strength in depth at TH and loss of Vunipola and Tuilago for their defeat whilst asserting their favorite status just in case they win.
And somehow Walsh will be to blame even though he is not ref on the day

Breadvan wrote:Vladimir Putin, piers Morgan, ghandi....

Since the Soviet Union is re-asserting itself in Crimea, and is led by the KGB, I choose Putin. Ghandi is a bit of a reach. I think he was a Cricket fan.

doctor_grey wrote:

Breadvan wrote:Vladimir Putin, piers Morgan, ghandi....

Since the Soviet Union is re-asserting itself in Crimea, and is led by the KGB, I choose Putin.  Ghandi is a bit of a reach.  I think he was a Cricket fan.

That's more than enough to think he might have plotted against rugby.  Sleeper Hindu Drones that have waited for this very moment to disrupt Care's JackRussell traits is not as far fetched an idea as people might think.

I'm going to blame Shane Howarth for being the most under-qualified Welshman to break English hearts back in 1999. 'Twas the start of the Wales rejuvenation and it was all based a lie!!   

As for the Welsh losing, apart from the obvious Priestland excuse, it will probably be because England "poached" Ben Morgan   

Probably in order of blame:

England

1.Farrell sr and jr
2.The wingers - May and Nowell
3.T.Youngs


Wales

1.Priestland
2.Warburton
3.Phillips

England will blame themselves. The fans however, will blame Poite, then Steve Walsh. Unforunately we see this behaviour from the fans every year . Wales fans will blame Priestland, Howley, the turf.

And there is the England have a gazillion more players to choose from argument too

lostinwales wrote:And there is the England have a gazillion more players to choose from argument too

Well, they do have 12 teams to choose from at least.  The extra gazillion are waiting patiently for one wildcard entry.

None of the above?

This game will be a draw, 18 - 18 FT score.

We will blame Bedford for starting the post.

Then we will all blame each other for the succession of insults and counter insults that are bound to fly.

Then we will all blame one poster in particular who has incensed us the most.

Then we will blame the mods for failing to act.

Then we will all calm down.

offload wrote:We will blame Bedford for starting the post.

Then we will all blame each other for the succession of insults and counter insults that are bound to fly.

Then we will all blame one poster in particular who has incensed us the most.

Then we will blame the mods for failing to act.

Then we will all calm down.

Leave me out of this!  I'm only dropping in now and then - I'm by no means the biggest offender!

So for who would a loss be most damaging?

lostinwales wrote:So for who would a loss be most damaging?

Both teams would suffer, Wales as the encumbant Champions, with an experieinced squad and the qudos of beating England at Twickenham have perhaps the most to lose, but England would see losing a chance of the championship and a loss at home as a set back to their WC ambitions (Italy pretty much being a given for England, even in Rome).

1. Gethin Jenkins - very capable of blaming, mostly because Paul James is very good 7/10
2. Richard Hibbard - difficult to blame due to his performances over the last year, will need a disaster at the lineout or another Aus penalty 5/10
3. Adam Jones - formerly unblamable, now likely to face heavy criticism if the scrum goes wrong 7/10
4. Luke Charteris - safely blameable for any lack of grunt 6/10
5. Alun Wyn Jones - may face blame for not being fit enough after injury 6/10
6. Dan Lydiate - one of our blame linchpins 9/10
7. Sam Warburton (c) - second only to Preistland and Howley in blametakeability 9/10
8. Toby Faletau - unable to blame for fear of upsetting Dragons fans 3/10
9. Rhys Webb - may face inexperience blame, but as a result is unable to take the full blame 5/10
10. Rhys Preistland - the basis of Wales blame game for 2 years now 10/10
11. George North - absent blameability "he didn't get involved enough" 4/10
12. Jamie Roberts - formerly a heavy blametake will be more difficult with his recent performances 4/10
13. Jonathan Davies - "not fit" blame 7/10
14. Alex Cuthbert - absent blameability and "revolving door" blameability 5/10
15. Leigh Halfpenny - no longer has a blameproof sheild 5/10

21. Mike Phillips - likely to take all the blame if he gets off the bench when the game is still in contention and doesn't score a match winning try. 11/10


Warren Gatland - bring back players too early, no plan B 8/10
Rob Howley - no tries scored, hopeless kicking game, selecting Rhys Preistland 8/10
Shaun Edwards - only if the defence goes to pieces - 5/10

The ref 10/10 - as in all matches, the ref is the easiest to blame
The TMO 8/10 - the rising star of blameability

Very good Wales606, particularly 21.

wales606 wrote:1. Gethin Jenkins - very capable of blaming, mostly because Paul James is very good 7/10
2. Richard Hibbard - difficult to blame due to his performances over the last year, will need a disaster at the lineout or another Aus penalty 5/10
3. Adam Jones - formerly unblamable, now likely to face heavy criticism if the scrum goes wrong 7/10
4. Luke Charteris - safely blameable for any lack of grunt 6/10
5. Alun Wyn Jones - may face blame for not being fit enough after injury 6/10
6. Dan Lydiate - one of our blame linchpins 9/10
7. Sam Warburton (c) - second only to Preistland and Howley in blametakeability 9/10
8. Toby Faletau - unable to blame for fear of upsetting Dragons fans 3/10
9. Rhys Webb - may face inexperience blame, but as a result is unable to take the full blame 5/10
10. Rhys Preistland - the basis of Wales blame game for 2 years now 10/10
11. George North - absent blameability "he didn't get involved enough" 4/10
12. Jamie Roberts - formerly a heavy blametake will be more difficult with his recent performances 4/10
13. Jonathan Davies - "not fit" blame 7/10
14. Alex Cuthbert - absent blameability and "revolving door" blameability 5/10
15. Leigh Halfpenny - no longer has a blameproof sheild 5/10

21. Mike Phillips - likely to take all the blame if he gets off the bench when the game is still in contention and doesn't score a match winning try. 11/10


Warren Gatland - bring back players too early, no plan B 8/10
Rob Howley - no tries scored, hopeless kicking game, selecting Rhys Preistland 8/10
Shaun Edwards - only if the defence goes to pieces - 5/10

The ref 10/10 - as in all matches, the ref is the easiest to blame
The TMO 8/10 - the rising star of blameability

I would say 6, 7, 10 and 21 are gimmes whist the ref and TMO are taken for granted blamworthy

    

You could do something similar for England. There would be 4 options
1) not recovered yet from injury
2) too inexperienced
3) Too spikey and liable to get a yellow card
4) Cant pass/catch/spot overlaps

Wales 606

Like the concept. Only one question - I assume the Mike Phillips 11/10 rating is on the assumption he plays less than 10 minutes, and that it rises to at least 27/10 if, for reasons of injury, he has to play most of the game?

England equivalent:

1 - Marler: 6/10, if he gets beaten up by Adam Jones
2 - Hartley - 5/10. Has some 'blame armour' from recent good performances, but still a risk that the set pieces may fall apart
3 - Wilson: 9/10. Combination of being bested by Gethin's front row cheating and a general lack of fitness after injury
4 - Launchbury: 2/10. Unblamable because of the unseen work everyone sees him do
5  - Lawes: 4/10. Good recent performances reduce likely blameability, but some risk from temperament or committing another match-losing error as in the last England v Wales match at Twickenham
6 - Wood: 3/10. See Launchbury
7 - Robshaw: 7/10. Captain Fantastic to some, not a 'real 7' to others
8 - Morgan: 6/10. Too many pies, not enough Billy Vunipola

9 - Care: 8/10. Taking quick penalties rather than points, or some God-awful box kicking
10 - Farrell: 10/10. Can't run the ball. Can't run a back line (except when he does)
11 - May: 6/10. If he butchers another touch-down as against Ireland, the knives may be sharpening
12 - 12trees: 8/10. Not living up to his 'New Will Greenwood' tag
13 - Burrell: 3/10. Low blameability as he has proven himself much better than Joel Tomkins
14 - Nowell: 9/10. Inexperience blame
15 - Brown: 1/10. Almost entirely unblameable as he is currently considered the second coming. Would have to do everything wrong for the entire game to cop any criticism. And even then it would the someone elses fault.

17 - Tom Youngs: 9/10. Has he actually hit a lineout yet this tournament?
23 -Alex Goode 9/10. The ultimate no impact replacement

Lancaster - 7/10. Still some protection because he is 'building the team'
Andy Farrell - 10/10. Obviously the Machiavellian genius whose behind the scenes actions are the only reason for his son getting picked.

Poite - 10/10. Obviously unable to see the cheating the Welsh front row were doing (whether we can see it or not...)
Walsh - Infinity/10. Just because  

Love the Launchbury one!

lostinwales wrote:You could do something similar for England. There would be 4 options
1) not recovered yet from injury
2) too inexperienced
3) Too spikey and liable to get a yellow card
4) Cant pass/catch/spot overlaps

You omitted Danny Care and Joe Marler for having crap haircuts. If one fails to walk the walk, then, at the minimum, they should look good whilst failing......

doctor_grey wrote:

lostinwales wrote:You could do something similar for England. There would be 4 options
1) not recovered yet from injury
2) too inexperienced
3) Too spikey and liable to get a yellow card
4) Cant pass/catch/spot overlaps

You omitted Danny Care and Joe Marler for having crap haircuts.  If one fails to walk the walk, then, at the minimum, they should look good whilst failing......

At least Nowell has the good grace to wear a scrumcap to hide that monstrosity normal people call a 'haircut'.

Cyril wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:

lostinwales wrote:You could do something similar for England. There would be 4 options
1) not recovered yet from injury
2) too inexperienced
3) Too spikey and liable to get a yellow card
4) Cant pass/catch/spot overlaps

You omitted Danny Care and Joe Marler for having crap haircuts.  If one fails to walk the walk, then, at the minimum, they should look good whilst failing......

At least Nowell has the good grace to wear a scrumcap to hide that monstrosity normal people wouldn't call a 'haircut'.

Slight correction. Actually haven't both Care and Marler toned down the hair styling recently? Marler in particular though should know better - front row forwards should be limited to either shaven heads or the woolly mammoth look favoured by Adam and Duncan Jones