Quote: Juan Cornetto "You really don't like accuracy or reading much do you? I did not claim Burgess is as good as BOD. What I said was"What the former Union International players are really upset about is that in Burgess you have a Rugby League prop who in a very short space of time is able to do most of what they did at Union International level just as well. Now because it took a couple of Irish 3 years to learn how to play centre at test match level is rather the point. A top League International already has the key skills to make the switch quickly and as I say this is what has pricked their bubble. (Burgess he can also play at 6 too!)"[/i
Did you spot the difference this time? I do not think that anybody has suggested that Burgess is a world class centre just yet have they?
What was being discussed was; firstly the objections to his selection in the squad over some other centres that had not proven their worth consistently despite plenty of previous chances. And secondly the objections, mostly from those same sources, to his being on the bench and subsequently in the starting line up.
I have not sought to prove Burgess is the finished ticket or a World class centre. I think I have provided a strong case to show in each of the matches that he did not look out of place or let the team down as other more experienced players in fact did.
Did Burgess make a few errors - YES. Were those errors crucial or cost us points - NO.
Did other vastly more experienced players including the first choice inside centre make errors - YES. And were they crucial and cost points and a try - YES
Did Burgess restrict the "world class" Wales & Lions centre and stop him getting over the gain line - YES
Did this same vastly experienced Roberts & co stop Burgess crossing the gain line - NO
Did Burgess run a good dummy line and execute very well a training field move that led to our try - YES
Were England winning with the defence well intact when Burgess was substituted - YES
So Burgess, despite his lack of experience, in his International Union performances to date have shown he can tackle as well, cross the gain line as well, even offload effectively as both his opposite numbers and co centres. In fact on current form he should be starting at 12 before Barritt.
Our first choice inside centre Barritt is not exactly known as a good kicker is he? When Ford came on he put in two poor kicks that "failed miserably" (to use your term) and gave away possession at a time when we needed it. I also recall you would have selected him before Farrell remember?'"
If you think SB can do 'just as well' (your words) in a couple of games what BOD could do you are quite deluded. For a start Bod could kick, he also didn't need to be told where to stand defensively (by both Slade and Barritt in both games, if you went on RU forums you'll see fans from both sides commenting on this basic error). You're right, Barritt isn't known as a good kicker, hence why I said he wouldn't be in the worlds top 50 centres (and you said I don't like accuracy or reading much?). You also never answered why 2 Irish ex-players would be 'anti-league' when, coming from Ireland, they wouldn't give a rats about a regional sport in England. Mainly because it blows your theory that it's because they are 'anti-league' (to use your term) rather than that they might actually be telling the truth. And not only does Lancaster think the same about SB's lack of nous in playing in the centres (because he's DROPPED him), but Mike Ford at Bath was so unimpressed with his centre play that he moved him to number 6 and has no intention of moving him back to centres. I suppose Mike Ford is 'anti-league' too is he?
You think you provided a strong case? Only in your dream-world
