athywhite1958 Posted December 14, 2011 Posted December 14, 2011 I was wrong, it was Leeds, Walkden Whites led me astray
Smiffs Posted December 14, 2011 Posted December 14, 2011 We're going to have to agree to disagree on this one; I actually think that Wilkinson has been unfairly viewed as just a kicker because he was so good at it. you're not made England's 2nd youngest ever debutant just because you can kick it a bit I would concede that without his kicking he'd not be seen as world class, but his other attributes are also well into the international class and kicking is so important to a number 10 in Union that you can't take that attribute away from him just because you don't like Union's kicking nature Its nowt to do with if I think the game is shit or not. Them two aussies I mentioned also played union and were complete players, word class, even a league heathan like me can see that and appreciate them. Wilkinson wasn't anywhere near them. World class kicker, above average at the rest. No more no less.
jules_darby Posted December 14, 2011 Posted December 14, 2011 Its nowt to do with if I think the game is shit or not. Them two aussies I mentioned also played union and were complete players, word class, even a league heathan like me can see that and appreciate them. Wilkinson wasn't anywhere near them. World class kicker, above average at the rest. No more no less. Don't know enough about Ella to comment on him. I do remember Michael Lynagh though as I was playing 10 for my school when he was playing; great player and yes a better player than our Johnny. But at the time he played earlier in his career, Wilkinson was the best fly half on the planet, that makes him world class for me. Maybe not in the best players of all time, but world class? yes
Smiffs Posted December 14, 2011 Posted December 14, 2011 If kicking a ball makes him world class them maybe that sums up English rugby over the last twenty years.
Members bolty58 Posted December 14, 2011 Members Posted December 14, 2011 There is no argument in my view. Wilko was world class. That team was great but they drew much from his inspirationsl play and it wasn't just kicking although that part of his play was absolutely outstanding. He put his body on the line in the tackle too. With him on song, England believed they couldn't lose and his name is in the history books as the main factor in Englands 2003 RWC victory.
Ben Der Posted December 14, 2011 Author Posted December 14, 2011 There is no argument in my view. Wilko was world class. That team was great but they drew much from his inspirationsl play and it wasn't just kicking although that part of his play was absolutely outstanding. He put his body on the line in the tackle too. With him on song, England believed they couldn't lose and his name is in the history books as the main factor in Englands 2003 RWC victory. couldnt agree more. Every great team has a great number 10 and he was ours. He has to be the most complete player i have ever watched,to be able to tackle someone who weighs 7 stone more than you like he could is a sign of just how good he was. i once saw him play against sale and tackled sebastian chabel so hard he had to go to hospital with concusion...(if you havent seen him google him, he is scary) he could boss a game like no other 10, his name just being on the team sheet made the other team thik "christ we cant give away a penalty within 50 yards of goal" and yes engalnd did kick a lot with him in the team but why wouldnt you he could do things no ther other number 10 could. to say he was just above average in every area apart from kicking is harsh in my opinion, the guys was often the smallest guy on the pitch but at the same time the most feard for a multitude of reasons,you dont get that sort of reputation by being "average". He was also part of one of the greatest scrum half/fly half partnership in international rugby imo(Dawson/Wilko)
Members bolty58 Posted December 15, 2011 Members Posted December 15, 2011 couldnt agree more. Every great team has a great number 10 and he was ours. He has to be the most complete player i have ever watched,to be able to tackle someone who weighs 7 stone more than you like he could is a sign of just how good he was. i once saw him play against sale and tackled sebastian chabel so hard he had to go to hospital with concusion...(if you havent seen him google him, he is scary) he could boss a game like no other 10, his name just being on the team sheet made the other team thik "christ we cant give away a penalty within 50 yards of goal" and yes engalnd did kick a lot with him in the team but why wouldnt you he could do things no ther other number 10 could. to say he was just above average in every area apart from kicking is harsh in my opinion, the guys was often the smallest guy on the pitch but at the same time the most feard for a multitude of reasons,you dont get that sort of reputation by being "average". He was also part of one of the greatest scrum half/fly half partnership in international rugby imo(Dawson/Wilko) Spot on. If we ever get another combo like those two, it will be happy days again.
Moderators Casino Posted December 15, 2011 Moderators Posted December 15, 2011 the greatest? the greatest in 2003, maybe but all time? no way
Moderators Casino Posted December 15, 2011 Moderators Posted December 15, 2011 van der husteizen and his mate whose name escapes me gregan and larkham, or the pair before them of which lynagh was one edwards and john/bennett what dawson and wilkinson had was a a brilliantly organised, disciplined team around them its only as i've got older and started to 'get' union, that i've realised what a massive player will greenwood was they had captains everywhere
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