Re: 4 Nations Squads : Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:21 am  

Rupert Pupkin wrote:

Has Westermans defence improved that much in one year that you wouldn't be worried about it?

Westerman has never been a bad defender. His issue is the past was going for big hits rather than just making the tackles. Whether it's because of the new rules or just a different approach he doesn't seem to be doing that so much.

All we really have to go on here are stats. I've omitted Tomkins because this is regular season and he played and contributed so little it's barely worth bothering.

Westerman:
Games Played: 27
Tackles made: 916
Tackles missed: 70
% made: 92.5

O'Loughlin
Games Played: 17
Tackles Made: 480
Tackles Missed: 34
% made: 92.9

Farrell
Games Played: 21
Tackles Made: 579
Tackles Missed: 12
% made: 97.9

Ablett
Games Played: 23
Tackles Made: 660
Tackles Missed: 59
% made: 91.1

Whitehead
Games Played: 24
Tackles Made: 768
Tackles missed: 67
% made: 91.3

Ferres
Games played: 21
Tackles Made: 471
Missed Tackles: 33
% made: 93

So compared to all the other backrow candidates. His workrate is the best of them all and his number of misses is more than comparable.

Farrells stats are hugely impressive btw. 12 misses across a full season is ridiculous.

Re: 4 Nations Squads : Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:25 am  

England must defeat Samoa, otherwise they won't win anything else.

I was hoping that McNamara might have become wiser as a result of a season living in Sydney. Apparently not.

Re: 4 Nations Squads : Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:28 am  

Mr. Zucchini Head wrote:

Farrells stats are hugely impressive btw. 12 misses across a full season is ridiculous.

It is when SL stats say he missed 102.

Re: 4 Nations Squads : Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:30 am  

looking forward to seeing how the new combinations work

hodgson and clarke interchanging at hooker

smith and widdop half backs

tomkins keeps his place at full back

will be good to see some international RL again this saturday!

Re: 4 Nations Squads : Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:30 am  

tigertot wrote:

It is when SL stats say he missed 102.

Nope, it says he made 102 marker tackles.

People go on about Farrell's size, but his defence is outstanding and he consistently breaks the line.

Re: 4 Nations Squads : Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:30 am  

tigertot wrote: It is when SL stats say he missed 102. http://www.superleague.co.uk/matchday/player/2228 I got it from there. 102 must be a typo surely? That would make him just about the worst tackler in superleague, and he isn't.

tigertot wrote: It is when SL stats say he missed 102. http://www.superleague.co.uk/matchday/player/2228 I got it from there. 102 must be a typo surely? That would make him just about the worst tackler in superleague, and he isn't.

Re: 4 Nations Squads : Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:42 am  

FearTheVee wrote:

Nope, it says he made 102 marker tackles.

People go on about Farrell's size, but his defence is outstanding and he consistently breaks the line.

Apologies, you're right, though I presumed it was an amusing typo. I assume he is in as a tackling machine because I cannot see him making many breaks against better opposition.

Re: 4 Nations Squads : Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:45 am  

tigertot wrote:

Apologies, you're right, though I presumed it was an amusing typo. I assume he is in as a tackling machine because I cannot see him making many breaks against better opposition.

He doesn't bust loads of tackles, but he runs good lines. Most of his breaks seem to made with no one laying a finger on him. Whether he will be afforded as much space to run at by the Aussies remains to be seen, but as long as the service is good I think he will still cause them some trouble.

[Bullseye]

Re: 4 Nations Squads : Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:47 am  

Given what's available I think McNamara has made the right choices in the backrow. They might not be up to it versus Australia or NZ but their really isn't anyone who's significantly better who's left out IMO.

I've been impressed with Westerman this year and believe he deserves a chance. Farrell's defence is excellent and will be vital. Tomkins is a bit lucky but has pace and versatility so I can see the rationale for picking him.

While Whitehead looks great ball in hand I'm still far from convinced about his defence. His stats show he's behind the others and that was vs SL opposition.

[Bullseye]

Re: 4 Nations Squads : Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:52 am  

Sounds like Samoa have had a relaxed attitude to training in the run up to the game: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... 18onv.html

Sounds like Samoa have had a relaxed attitude to training in the run up to the game: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... 18onv.html