domthebull wrote:
Smokey TA i disagree and not just winding up now - I have watched and a lot of his tackles he is not the main man he makes a lot of third man in tackle (which still need making do not get me wrong) but that is not the sign of a strong defensive 6. He rarely takes on the line and thus his limited clean breaks or busts - as a 6 in the junior league he used to do this often, a stand off does not need to be quick a fair few have made breaks with men in support who are faster I remember people like craigie or bradley not graced with pace but provided a few breaks and tries were conceded off this. If you look at the stats (not the only reason to judge a player i know) for a player regarded as so creative (somone who does not take many hit ups or make many 1:1 tackles for a forward should be creative) he is not somone who fits in a box. Thing is when you look at the side he has played loose forward because mcguire ticks more boxes at six than he does and burrow was predominantly a 7 until recently. He is a great leader and does organise things but is that not what forshaw was doing as water carrier?
the reason he struggles at international level is he is not good enough as an out an out 6 or 13 and against australia you cant carry players because they are good at goal kicking.
Sinfield took the 4th most hit ups of anyone in SL, he takes on the line very often. As an example of his defensive capabilities Sinfield has made 522 tackles, missing 86. For comparison Rangi Chase made 112 and missed 10, Finch 354 missing 56, Briers 196 missing 26, Dureau 279 missing 21. Sinfield isnt a 6 or a 13, he isnt a check list of skills. This isnt fantasy football, we arent just filling spots. Sinfield may not tick all the boxes for an S-O, Mcguire may tick more of them, but its a team game, and the winning team is the one which has the best mix of skills, not the one with the most players ticking the most boxes in the most positions.
Leeds certainly havent struggled because Sinfield doesnt tick these boxes.
