Re: Westwood v Hock : Sun Aug 12, 2012 9:47 am  

Asgardian13 wrote:

The difference though is that Westwood has now learned to channel his aggression into hard but legal play. Hock still turns into a caveman-thug when the match is going against him. Two examples: elbowing Westwood in the tackle ( which he got away with ) and chasing way out of the line in an attempt to flatten Briers, which just created the huge hole from which Hodgson set up Monaghan's try.

Play like that against the Aussies ( where, let's face it, the matches are usually going against England ) and Hock will be a cert for a red card.

This. He could be a world class player, but he has the massive obstacle of being a total w*nker in the way and I fear he never will reach his potential for this very reason.

Re: Westwood v Hock : Sun Aug 12, 2012 9:48 am  

Wollyhood wrote:

What a battle, these two both need to start every game for England. We need to get away from picking Jokers like Wilkin and JJB or putting loose forwards in to accomodate them. Both great players and the cream of SL in their position.

As a Saints fan, I completely agree. Both horrible people on the field but absolutely brilliant players and the best in their position for England by far.

Wilkin isn't a patch on either of them. Soliola is the closest we've got to that type of player at the moment but I don't think Manu is that far behind those two you've mentioned.

Re: Westwood v Hock : Sun Aug 12, 2012 9:51 am  

The Yellow Giraffe wrote:

As a Saints fan, I completely agree. Both horrible people

Benny Westwood is a really nice bloke, so you must be referring to yourself and Hock.

Re: Westwood v Hock : Sun Aug 12, 2012 9:54 am  

1905 wrote:

Benny Westwood is a really nice bloke, so you must be referring to yourself and Hock.

He could have meant Wilkin to be fair, I find the preening weirdo a little bit nauseating.

Re: Westwood v Hock : Sun Aug 12, 2012 9:55 am  

1905 wrote:

Benny Westwood is a really nice bloke, so you must be referring to yourself and Hock.

He might be a perfect gentleman off the field; I am referring to how he conducts himself on the field. Why you have chosen to insult me I'll never know. Grow up.

Re: Westwood v Hock : Sun Aug 12, 2012 9:59 am  

8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Burgess
11. Westwood
12. Hock
13. Ellis

That would be an impressive pack, especially with two of Hill/Mossop/Crabtree/Morley/Carrvell on the bench!

Re: Westwood v Hock : Sun Aug 12, 2012 10:01 am  

WakeyManDan8 wrote:

8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Burgess
11. Westwood
12. Hock
13. Ellis

That would be an impressive pack, especially with two of Hill/Mossop/Crabtree/Morley/Carrvell on the bench!

That would match anything that Australia or NZ could offer. Shame the same can't be said about our centres and halfbacks.

Re: Westwood v Hock : Sun Aug 12, 2012 10:06 am  

The Yellow Giraffe wrote:

That would match anything that Australia or NZ could offer. Shame the same can't be said about our centres and halfbacks.

I agree completely. Tomkins at full back, and Hall/Charnley on the wings is very strong, but we don't have enough qualiaty centres. Atkins, Yeaman, Bridge, et al just don't cut it. I think Jack Reed is one for the future, but we need another of a similar quality.

The problem with British half backs is the lack of consistency shown by the coach. Sinfield, Chase, Brough, Widdop, Smith, McGuire, Burrow, Lomax. Instead of chopping and changing them for every game, pick the two best and stick to them. Lockyer and Thurston played together year in, year out for the Aussies, and they were one of the main reasons for theisr success. I'd go for Widdop at 6, Brough at 7, but I bet we see loose forward Sinfield in there somewhere and probably Rangi aswell.

Pick the side, stick with it as rigidly as possible. Obviously if a player is injured/out of form then make a bold decision and drop them, but try and give the same players an opportunity.

Re: Westwood v Hock : Sun Aug 12, 2012 10:08 am  

Put Roby in your team as hooker and the rest of the team will be wasted. He'll be busy bumping up his stats while space and overlaps go begging.

Re: Westwood v Hock : Sun Aug 12, 2012 10:13 am  

1. Tomkins
2. Hall
3. Reed
4. Atkins
5. Briscoe
6. McGuire
7. Brough
8. Graham
9. Roby
10.Burgess
11.Hock
12.Westwood
13.O'Loughlin

14.Burrow
15.Ellis
16.Carvell
17.Hill

That's what I'd go with.