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11:07:48, Thu, Apr 23 2026 [ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2], 3 ]

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Date Posted: 16:38:10, Wed, Oct 12 2005
Author: OxonRob
Subject: Were my name Brian

Were my name Brian I'd be tempted to take the game to the Saints, but in a slightly different way.

I'd not sling the pill around willy-nilly as at Sarries because that would feed the likes of Reihana, Spencer and Robinson. Beware the Saints counter-attack. It's potent!

Despite Springbok Mr Boome in the 2nd row, or however you spell him, the Saints pack is respectable rather than awe-inspiring, IMHO. A good quick back row and some power in the engine room, but not the stuff of nightmares.

I'd be after working the percentages. Get into their half and stay there. Win line outs. Short range chip kicks to hand. Cherry pick the penalties and get the points moving. Nothing flash until we are 10 in front at least. 10 man rugby, until we can afford to cut loose and they are forced to play catch-up.

I'd be after picking a mobile pack (Do we have a choice?) and use a fast back row combined with our normal rush defence to try to stifle their half back axis. My team ...

Horak (Delon needs to calm down a bit!)
Feau'nati (Now looking good)
Penney
Catt
Staniforth
Flutey
Willis (a nice long pass to keep the quick Saints back row at bay)

Collins (He gets it on speed)
Paice or Hickie
Skuse
Casey
JFK or Roche (Speed again)
Magne
Dawson
Leguizamon (Speed again)

Bench
Hatley
Paice or Hickie
Strudwick
Murphy
Hodgson
Franze
Armitage

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Replies:

[> Re: Were my name Brian -- PeterS, 16:49:00, Wed, Oct 12 2005 [1]

Agree with most of that, Rob, but don't forget the other side of the coin. Such a game plan is totally upset if we kick possession away to them rather than to touch (I'm not thinking of Riki here since his touch-finding is superb thus far) and if scoring passes are knocked on through overeagerness.


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[> Re: Were my name Brian -- Huck the hooker., 19:56:09, Wed, Oct 12 2005 [1]

I like that selection Oxonrob but where is our cover for 10? If it involves a complete re-hash of the back line then surely any momentum gained would be quickly lost?


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[> Re: Were my name Brian -- OxonRob, 22:59:46, Wed, Oct 12 2005 [1]

I am assuming that Barry, Ross and Shane are still injured, so Catty might have to step up to the mark!


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[> Re: Were my name Brian -- SteveS, 0:08:46, Thu, Oct 13 2005 [1]

Interesting thoughts from Rob, as ever.

My take is that we should not be re-inventing the wheel every week - we should carry on with our current approach of trying to play an expansive game, but obviously trying to amend the weaknesses that were displayed on Sunday.

The Sarries defeat was not terrible - Sarries got a flattering lead they didn't really deserve early on and we would have had a good chance to overhauling them but for the Achilles heel we showed at the scrum, conceding two 5-yard pushovers.

How we address our scrum problems is not clear - we will have to get by as best we can until our new Boks are ready.

The lineout problems was down a bit to the inexperience of David Paice, but Flav sorted those out and hopefully he can carry on if Russell is still not fit.

Flutey was different class, I'm making a bold claim I know, but I think he could rival O'Shea and Venter as an influential backline signing of the past decade, he is that talented.


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[> Re: Were my name Brian -- Loobs, 8:49:24, Thu, Oct 13 2005 [1]

Does the general feeling that Flutey's arrival seriously places Barry either under pressure or as a definite second fiddle to the Flute-meister?


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[> Re: Were my name Brian -- Shawshank, 9:07:42, Thu, Oct 13 2005 [1]

Yep, and Laidlaw also looked very good before his injury.

Good competition in key positions must be good for the development of the side.

Willis/Dodge
Horak/Delon
Spud/Geezer

are three more positions that appear to be very difficult calls for BS to make at present.


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[> Re: Were my name Brian -- SteveS, 9:59:21, Thu, Oct 13 2005 [1]

Loobs, although it was a bit grim watching us go down on Sunday, my first sight of Riki more than compensated. Effortless flat passing and the confidence to break even under heavy pressure - we've got another Steve Bachop, only this one in the prime of his career rather than at the tail-end, and one that can tackle too :)

The Argentine was also very impressive too. Gussie had one of his best games for us in the adversity of the first half too.

There were lots of positives on Sunday - it's just about fixing those achilles heels and we will get some consistency at last!


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