George tells it like it is. What a guy.

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rainbow-warrior wrote:

Norfolklass wrote:I went to the same school as George North, (okay so I left before he started) and have been shopping in Kings Lynn twice, so we're virtually related and all he is stating is his ambition to gain 100 caps for Wales. The "what a guy" epithet is misplaced. George is a model professional.

So you went to school in Anglesey?  or are you trying to be funny or using weak sarcasm?  At least I know George and his family and yes he is "What a guy" no one has ever questioned his professionalism so get off the moral high ground and do one  

Your ignorance is breathtaking. How stupid are you?

The Saint wrote:

fa0019 wrote:

They faced the worst team in the 3N at the time... one that was smashed by their SH rivals in the same year losing EVERY match home and away. In 2013 they were a bad side.

You could argue that was because NZ and SA were and still are, a lot better than everyone else in world rugby. If anything, it shows that the Lions team, at the tail-end of the tour, were on the same level as SA and NZ. Not surprising, as they had some handy players throughout the squad.

These terms insinuating rebuilding teams, dead rubber Lions tours, weakest Aus team in the world is getting really boring now.  

All I was saying is that in previous Lions tour victories, it was a big statement to get a series scalp; beating the world champs, beating the best in the SH at the time.... in 2013 AUS were neither.... and SA and NZ followed the Lions with comprehensive wins against AUS, home and away.

Achieving something unique is something to be truly proud of, achieving something everyone else is doing doesn't have the same level of kudos. One thing the lions should be proud of is getting together as a team from strangers I do admit (unlike a settled side like the boks).

fa0019 wrote:

The Saint wrote:

fa0019 wrote:

They faced the worst team in the 3N at the time... one that was smashed by their SH rivals in the same year losing EVERY match home and away. In 2013 they were a bad side.

You could argue that was because NZ and SA were and still are, a lot better than everyone else in world rugby. If anything, it shows that the Lions team, at the tail-end of the tour, were on the same level as SA and NZ. Not surprising, as they had some handy players throughout the squad.

These terms insinuating rebuilding teams, dead rubber Lions tours, weakest Aus team in the world is getting really boring now.  

All I was saying is that in previous Lions tour victories, it was a big statement to get a series scalp; beating the world champs, beating the best in the SH at the time.... in 2013 AUS were neither.... and SA and NZ followed the Lions with comprehensive wins against AUS, home and away.

Achieving something unique is something to be truly proud of, achieving something everyone else is doing doesn't have the same level of kudos. One thing the lions should be proud of is getting together as a team from strangers I do admit (unlike a settled side like the boks).

Well now you're putting it slightly more constructive. Though I don't believe everyone else was doing it? Aus beat everyone else they played that year, apart from NZ, SA and Eng at Twickenham. Only NZ, SA and Lions thrashed them, hence they were on the same playing level.

It was a great achievement I think, the first in a long time. People don't like to admit it because of Welsh coaching and playing involvement. After that 2nd test everyone on here was saying the Lions would get thrashed in the 3rd test because BOD was dropped for missing that tackle on AAC . I believe you were one of those too.

  

lol. It was a mistake playing Davies though.

Best player in the 13 jersey, without a doubt...

In the third test no question   

If Wales and England United the infighting would be more entertaining than the rugby.

Norfolklass wrote:

rainbow-warrior wrote:

Norfolklass wrote:I went to the same school as George North, (okay so I left before he started) and have been shopping in Kings Lynn twice, so we're virtually related and all he is stating is his ambition to gain 100 caps for Wales. The "what a guy" epithet is misplaced. George is a model professional.

So you went to school in Anglesey?  or are you trying to be funny or using weak sarcasm?  At least I know George and his family and yes he is "What a guy" no one has ever questioned his professionalism so get off the moral high ground and do one  

Your ignorance is breathtaking. How stupid are you?

Really how? your post was meaningless to everyone apart from you. I suggest some Flixotide - 2 puffs should do it.

Scramble wrote:If Wales and England United the infighting would be more entertaining than the rugby.

I don't know - we could have an all English born back line for once.

Half penny isn't English   

rainbow-warrior wrote:

Norfolklass wrote:

rainbow-warrior wrote:

Norfolklass wrote:I went to the same school as George North, (okay so I left before he started) and have been shopping in Kings Lynn twice, so we're virtually related and all he is stating is his ambition to gain 100 caps for Wales. The "what a guy" epithet is misplaced. George is a model professional.

So you went to school in Anglesey?  or are you trying to be funny or using weak sarcasm?  At least I know George and his family and yes he is "What a guy" no one has ever questioned his professionalism so get off the moral high ground and do one  

Your ignorance is breathtaking. How stupid are you?

Really how?  your post was meaningless to everyone apart from you.  I suggest some Flixotide - 2 puffs should do it.

i understood you post quite well Norfolk.
the "what a guy" comment is a bit over the when describing a guy who states that he wants to win 100 caps. and the response from Rainbow is overly aggressive too. sit down and take a chill pill pal

It's really aggressive here, reconsidering my posting allegiance.

The Saint wrote:

fa0019 wrote:

The Saint wrote:

fa0019 wrote:

They faced the worst team in the 3N at the time... one that was smashed by their SH rivals in the same year losing EVERY match home and away. In 2013 they were a bad side.

You could argue that was because NZ and SA were and still are, a lot better than everyone else in world rugby. If anything, it shows that the Lions team, at the tail-end of the tour, were on the same level as SA and NZ. Not surprising, as they had some handy players throughout the squad.

These terms insinuating rebuilding teams, dead rubber Lions tours, weakest Aus team in the world is getting really boring now.  

All I was saying is that in previous Lions tour victories, it was a big statement to get a series scalp; beating the world champs, beating the best in the SH at the time.... in 2013 AUS were neither.... and SA and NZ followed the Lions with comprehensive wins against AUS, home and away.

Achieving something unique is something to be truly proud of, achieving something everyone else is doing doesn't have the same level of kudos. One thing the lions should be proud of is getting together as a team from strangers I do admit (unlike a settled side like the boks).

Well now you're putting it slightly more constructive. Though I don't believe everyone else was doing it? Aus beat everyone else they played that year, apart from NZ, SA and Eng at Twickenham. Only NZ, SA and Lions thrashed them, hence they were on the same playing level.

It was a great achievement I think, the first in a long time. People don't like to admit it because of Welsh coaching and playing involvement. After that 2nd test everyone on here was saying the Lions would get thrashed in the 3rd test because BOD was dropped for missing that tackle on AAC . I believe you were one of those too.

  

Yes but we all know there is a massive gulf between the top sides in the world and those below say 8.  Saying AUS beat Ireland, Wales and Argentina only would never constitute nothing bar a year of failure for a team like AUS. This is a team that faced the 3 major historical rugby teams on 7 occasions in 2013 and lost 6. Even SA put on bonus point victories against them.... a rare event for SA against their peers.

Look you can only beat who you face, the team and Gatland deserve a lot of credit, the Lions have no say in who is the best SH team at the time. But it reminds me of how England cricket pundits/fans love to talk about Botham's ashes and how that team was one of the greats etc..... the only issue was that at the time, AUS were no where near the best team in the world.. the WIs were and they continually trashed Eng during that era.
Compared to say in 2005 when AUS were the all-conquering world no.1, the series win was a genuine achievement to hold up and say, this victory will stand the test of time.

NZ/SA/AUS were no where near there best when Eng won the World cup, doesn't devalue the victory does it ?

True that. Everyone was rubbish for the next decade as well. We're only coming out of that period now.

munkian wrote:NZ/SA/AUS were no where near there best when Eng won the World cup, doesn't devalue the victory does it ?

They weren't, but the victory wasn't out of the blue as we had been the dominant team for a couple of seasons. You can look at it as the final tick in the box for a phenomenal if all too short period when we were no.1

In contrast making it to the final in 2007 was out of the blue

It was more grey than blue   

GoodinTightSpaces wrote:

rainbow-warrior wrote:

Norfolklass wrote:

rainbow-warrior wrote:

Norfolklass wrote:I went to the same school as George North, (okay so I left before he started) and have been shopping in Kings Lynn twice, so we're virtually related and all he is stating is his ambition to gain 100 caps for Wales. The "what a guy" epithet is misplaced. George is a model professional.

So you went to school in Anglesey?  or are you trying to be funny or using weak sarcasm?  At least I know George and his family and yes he is "What a guy" no one has ever questioned his professionalism so get off the moral high ground and do one  

Your ignorance is breathtaking. How stupid are you?

Really how?  your post was meaningless to everyone apart from you.  I suggest some Flixotide - 2 puffs should do it.

i understood you post quite well Norfolk.
the "what a guy" comment is a bit over the when describing a guy who states that he wants to win 100 caps. and the response from Rainbow is overly aggressive too. sit down and take a chill pill pal

Tbh, everything rainbow posts is passive-aggressive, if not just outright aggressive. He's a keyboard chav whose only motivation for posting is looking for people to disagree with him so as to be able to flap his jaw at them in response. Not sure how people haven't reached this conclusion and continue stooping to his thinly-veiled attempts at provocation.

munkian wrote:It was more grey than blue   

  

What do you mean - we had Matthew Tait, he was only 21....

Looking on t'net average age in the semi final was 31

As in dull   

This is what I'm talking about. Any attempt to celebrate a genuine welsh world beater is somehow a cue for haters to start a chest beating recital of all the times England won the World Cup.

Yes they did, and well done to them. But that doesn't alter George north's credentials. One bit.

Actually, anyone sensible could see this thread regressing to a mud-slinging sesh a mile away. How could it not when the author responds to disagreement with personal and generalising quips? And when more than one of the posters who frequent this kind of thread employ the same divisive tact that interminably keeps the discussion off rugby and on whinging and slanging?

Here here. Down with that sort of thing.

Biltong wrote:

rainbow-warrior wrote:

Scramble wrote:I don't understand how for some people it's hard to accept when the best player in the world in a position is welsh. If it's a New Zealander like carter, or Australian like Genia or Irishman like O'Driscoll or South African like victor Matfield or Englishman like wilkinson or Chris Ashton then everybody can accept it but when we have the best winger by some distance who has proven himself time as again and he is welsh everyone lines up to drag him down.

Fact is Wales have had many many individual players who have been the best in the world, Barry John, JPR, Edwards, Bennett, 1/2penny, North not many if any can beat them.  In a nutshell, Kiwi's are a delusional bunch who have little else to cheer on and English.....well nuff said their English  

Rainbow, why do you have to do that, you start off with a perfectly normal and credible comment and then you simply have to get a dig into two nations.

Please desist with your tarring everyone with the same brush.

He didn't tar everyone Bilt, only the English.   

Scratch wrote:

Biltong wrote:

rainbow-warrior wrote:

Scramble wrote:I don't understand how for some people it's hard to accept when the best player in the world in a position is welsh. If it's a New Zealander like carter, or Australian like Genia or Irishman like O'Driscoll or South African like victor Matfield or Englishman like wilkinson or Chris Ashton then everybody can accept it but when we have the best winger by some distance who has proven himself time as again and he is welsh everyone lines up to drag him down.

Fact is Wales have had many many individual players who have been the best in the world, Barry John, JPR, Edwards, Bennett, 1/2penny, North not many if any can beat them.  In a nutshell, Kiwi's are a delusional bunch who have little else to cheer on and English.....well nuff said their English  

Rainbow, why do you have to do that, you start off with a perfectly normal and credible comment and then you simply have to get a dig into two nations.

Please desist with your tarring everyone with the same brush.

He didn't tar everyone Bilt, only the English.   

His grammar was also wrong. He meant "they're English" surely?

If you're going to have a pop at the English at least get your grammar right, eh?

Which position is Halfpenny the best in the world in?

You do realise place kicking isn't a position??

The welsh have produced some of the greatest individual players in history.... Here in SA, Edwards is renowned as the greatest.... From the boere who give praise to no one that's testimony enough.

But you guys over egg your rep in the 70s. The French were just as good in the decade and NZ and SA never lost a match in the era.

We here know talent... How many put frik du preez etc in your worlds greatest???  None, how many know mannetjies roux or wynand claassen?

Those outside of SA laugh when we put a shed loads of boks in a world greatest even though well within rights since they were the most successful side of the 20th century.

Chaps like halfpenny are good but I'm sorry if I had to put my life on a kicker it would be morne and I'm a WP fan. The guy has no peers.

Halfpenny had had two major kicks in his life, one to win the 2nd lions test and series and one to put Wales into the RWC final.... He missed both.

Morne or jonny would have got both.

Apologises just got back from drinking a few light ales. Read emails and had to reply.... True enough though.

fa0019 wrote:The welsh have produced some of the greatest individual players in history.... Here in SA, Edwards is renowned as the greatest.... From the boere who give praise to no one that's testimony enough.

But you guys over egg your rep in the 70s. The French were just as good in the decade and NZ and SA never lost a match in the era.

We here know talent... How many put frik du preez etc in your worlds greatest???  None, how many know mannetjies roux or wynand claassen?

Those outside of SA laugh when we put a shed loads of boks in a world greatest even though well within rights since they were the most successful side of the 20th century.

Chaps like halfpenny are good but I'm sorry if I had to put my life on a kicker it would be morne and I'm a WP fan. The guy has no peers.

Halfpenny had had two major kicks in his life, one to win the 2nd lions test and series and one to put Wales into the RWC final.... He missed both.

Morne or jonny would have got both.

Think the last two lines sound a bit iffy, not sure if it's the ale or genuinely what you think.

First, they were hard kicks... the one in the 2011 semi final was a huge kick and Halfpenny was short by inches. It's also tough to single out the missed kick in the second Lions test when it was the only one and Halfpenny kept the Lions in that game with his boot... how much can you ask of someone?

Second, it's coming close to completely ignoring all the massive kicks he's nailed and all the important games he's helped Wales win.

Third, I'm seen Wilkinson miss easier kicks than that (sure Morne has as well, only I don't watch S15 so there's only so much I can say for certain)

GoodinTightSpaces wrote:

rainbow-warrior wrote:

Norfolklass wrote:

rainbow-warrior wrote:

Norfolklass wrote:I went to the same school as George North, (okay so I left before he started) and have been shopping in Kings Lynn twice, so we're virtually related and all he is stating is his ambition to gain 100 caps for Wales. The "what a guy" epithet is misplaced. George is a model professional.

So you went to school in Anglesey?  or are you trying to be funny or using weak sarcasm?  At least I know George and his family and yes he is "What a guy" no one has ever questioned his professionalism so get off the moral high ground and do one  

Your ignorance is breathtaking. How stupid are you?

Really how?  your post was meaningless to everyone apart from you.  I suggest some Flixotide - 2 puffs should do it.

i understood you post quite well Norfolk.
the "what a guy" comment is a bit over the when describing a guy who states that he wants to win 100 caps. and the response from Rainbow is overly aggressive too. sit down and take a chill pill pal

You suit each other, I suggest you go and lick windows together.

Wow rainbow. Norfloks post was light hearted fgs. You really do have zero humour and personalilty...

Knowsit17 wrote:

fa0019 wrote:The welsh have produced some of the greatest individual players in history.... Here in SA, Edwards is renowned as the greatest.... From the boere who give praise to no one that's testimony enough.

But you guys over egg your rep in the 70s. The French were just as good in the decade and NZ and SA never lost a match in the era.

We here know talent... How many put frik du preez etc in your worlds greatest???  None, how many know mannetjies roux or wynand claassen?

Those outside of SA laugh when we put a shed loads of boks in a world greatest even though well within rights since they were the most successful side of the 20th century.

Chaps like halfpenny are good but I'm sorry if I had to put my life on a kicker it would be morne and I'm a WP fan. The guy has no peers.

Halfpenny had had two major kicks in his life, one to win the 2nd lions test and series and one to put Wales into the RWC final.... He missed both.

Morne or jonny would have got both.

Think the last two lines sound a bit iffy, not sure if it's the ale or genuinely what you think.

First, they were hard kicks... the one in the 2011 semi final was a huge kick and Halfpenny was short by inches. It's also tough to single out the missed kick in the second Lions test when it was the only one and Halfpenny kept the Lions in that game with his boot... how much can you ask of someone?

Second, it's coming close to completely ignoring all the massive kicks he's nailed and all the important games he's helped Wales win.

Third, I'm seen Wilkinson miss easier kicks than that (sure Morne has as well, only I don't watch S15 so there's only so much I can say for certain)

This is the thing I don't get about halfpenny... Everyone says, ah he has a massive boot as on bigger than anyone else in the game etc. in truth his range is average for a test player, top accuracy but his figures are no better then sexton, Farrell, wilkinson, morne... He hadn't rewritten the rule book.

You want to talk about range, see Fran's steyn hitting near 65 metre drop goals and place kicks... In terms of range he has 10 metres on anyone else.

Just re watched the video and the kick  vs France was literally on the centre spot right? So the halfway line and dead in the centre. I'm sorry but if that's the case, it wasn't a monster kick etc, it was long range yes but should be well within range of every test quality kicker.... for morne that's bread and butter even at sea level.

It was a fluff as the distance shouldn't have been a problem but he felt short... Not just short, if you miss by inches in reality you miss by a few metres. just like his fluff in the 2nd... As great as his kicking had been in the series, the kick was once again in range and what would have happened if Aus had won the 3rd test? Would have gone down as one of the biggest misses in pro rugby history.

In both cases he never got the distance, end of game yes but Morne would have slotted both. Probably the best kicker in history for me, jonny is a supreme clutch kicker but morne is an ice man... I read a study about kicking rates I while back and whilst guys like grant have better rates, when you factor in place of kick, Morne is stand alone.

All I was saying is that he had 2 long but within his  and expected capability kicks which will never be beaten for impact and pressure save a World Cup final in his career... And he missed them both. This is where you separate the greatest kickers from the very good kickers.

George North is a true professional and a very good winger,and its good to see he isnt going to turn his back on Wales.

According to most people at Saints, he is indeed a good kid.  I would like to see him really translate his Wales form to Saints, where he has been inconsistent so far.  In fact, if he can turn it on, Saturday mid-afternoon would be a real good time to light it up.  Going further, the rest of the month would be just what the doctor ordered. If he does that I will forgive his trespasses.

Doesn't Cuhbert actually have a better strike rate for Wales though?

This OP makes more sense now. George North: great player. The article before made no sense. NH players who make the move to Super rugby have something wrong with their careers and want to get noticed again for the right reasons. e.g. Cipriani, Haskell, Michalak. Why would a player like George North, with no such problems and an integral part of the Welsh team, give that all up to have a taste of Super rugby. It would be the same as a player in the SH saying I want a taste of Heineken rugby, as this 4N and test scene is not doing it for me. The whole thing is a non-event as a story.

As for the   that seems an apt description to me.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Doesn't Cuhbert actually have a better strike rate for Wales though?

It wouldnt surprise me at all if North was as much if not more the creator than the scorer

RDW_Scotland wrote:As a neutral it beggars belief how this topic has descended into petty squabbling.

Rainbow warrior - plus stop trying to pick fights.

Rainbow warrior sunk in New Zealand again.

Keep up the good fight rainbow!!

Scratch wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:As a neutral it beggars belief how this topic has descended into petty squabbling.

Rainbow warrior - plus stop trying to pick fights.

Rainbow warrior sunk in New Zealand again.
Keep up the good fight rainbow!!

Perhaps he should of taken a leaf out of George's book and stayed with Wales?

North is not the best winger in the world yes he score tries but defensively he possibly the worst really annoys me watching wales because their defensively solid up the middle and behind with halfpenny but north and cuthbert are urine poor and are the reason wales get caught out and teams know that now so that is why north is not the best for me because to be the best you got to be as strong in defense as you are in attack

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Scratch wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:As a neutral it beggars belief how this topic has descended into petty squabbling.

Rainbow warrior - plus stop trying to pick fights.

Rainbow warrior sunk in New Zealand again.
Keep up the good fight rainbow!!

Perhaps he should of taken a leaf out of George's book and stayed with Wales?

Perhaps you should get used to the fact this is my country as much as it is yours and I am here to stay until I want to move  

George North the best winger in the world? Really? He is good no doubt but how do you compare chalk and cheese? For me North is a bit one dimensional and I would rather have a more rounded player like Maitland.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Which position is Halfpenny the best in the world in?

You do realise place kicking isn't a position??

Oh I think there is a decent argument that he is the best full back. Who would you rather have in your best world 15?

George North one dimensional? Maitland?

TJ wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Which position is Halfpenny the best in the world in?

You do realise place kicking isn't a position??

Oh I think there is a decent argument that he is the best full back.  Who would you rather have in your best world 15?

In terms of goal kicking Halfpenny is not the best. That belongs to Morne Steyn and previously belonged to JW.

He is peerless. A great clutch player who gets the kicks which matter.

Halfpenny has had 2 major clutch kicks in his life, both of them within range and you would have expected a top 5 kicker to get both, let alone at least one. He missed both. That simply doesn't happen to the best.

Supreme technique gets you 14 out of 14 vs. Georgia... being a clutch kicker is nailing a slot in the last minute to win a world cup final, get into a world cup final, win a grand slam, 6N title, Lions series, HC final, SR final. That is the definition of a great kicker.

Halfpenny is an amazing player. Top class. But he's not the best pure FB in the world he's probably top 5 and in terms of place kicking he's top 3-5. Just because he can do both doesn't mean he's the best.... most teams have 10s who are kickers so teams can play a more well-rounded FB.

fa0019 wrote:

TJ wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Which position is Halfpenny the best in the world in?

You do realise place kicking isn't a position??

Oh I think there is a decent argument that he is the best full back.  Who would you rather have in your best world 15?

In terms of goal kicking Halfpenny is not the best. That belongs to Morne Steyn and previously belonged to JW.

He is peerless. A great clutch player who gets the kicks which matter.

Halfpenny has had 2 major clutch kicks in his life, both of them within range and you would have expected a top 5 kicker to get both, let alone at least one. He missed both. That simply doesn't happen to the best.

Supreme technique gets you 14 out of 14 vs. Georgia... being a clutch kicker is nailing a slot in the last minute to win a world cup final, get into a world cup final, win a grand slam, 6N title, Lions series, HC final, SR final. That is the definition of a great kicker.

Halfpenny is an amazing player. Top class. But he's not the best pure FB in the world he's probably top 5 and in terms of place kicking he's top 3-5. Just because he can do both doesn't mean he's the best.... most teams have 10s who are kickers so teams can play a more well-rounded FB.

I'd also add that what he adds to Wales, which is a great deal seeing the range of jobs he has to cover, doesnt substitute for the above.

Jeezo this is turning into the Lions selection debate all over again.   

As long as everyone is nice to each other and we have no falling outs, we will have no problems!

One dimensional isn't necessarily bad. Cuthbert is very one dimensional... but you can't say he's not effective.

George North has a lot of strings to his bow though. His career will last way beyond him losing a step in pace. Can't say the same about Cuthbert.

I think any team in the world would fine a place for North.