Quote: jimlav "well done, I would class this as the most incorrect post I have read on here for a long time!
Vainikolo was 27 when he left, Hape was also 27.
Farrell was also a week before his 30th birthday before he left. So in fact, non of them were the wrong side of 30, unless you of course mean the younger side.
Also, short term blindness of RU to sign Farrell. Are you trying to make me laugh. So short term blindness that he is now England assistant coach, and going on tour with the Lions. They have in Farrell one of the best up and coming coaches, and someone who should NEVER have been lost to the game of Rugby League. They also lured his son away from the game of league and created a bridge between the two codes, which could see many players leave League to join Union through his knowledge of League and position in Union. Joel Tomkins anyone. Already been talked about as a England centre. There is the potential for many more to follow this path. How on earth is that short term blindness from Union, its a blooming master stroke!
Owen Farrell who you just brush aside as a nothing player is one of the most promising players I have seen in Union for a long time. The thing which you so criminally miss out of you're assessment of him is his mental strength. Nothing seems to bother him, or get him outside of his comfort zone, which in front of that many people is half of the battle of being a great player. That is totally ignoring you're poor summary of the player as he is not run averse. His ability to take the right option, be it through his excellent passing game or kicking is also impressive for someone of his age and experience.
To say Owen Farrell has nothing to offer league is just pure and utter drivel. I wouldn't say Sinfield is quick, or a running HB but he seems to do okay at Stand Off, although Owen may well be seen as a LF if he was still in league.
We also lose people like Shaun Edwards to Union. These Ex-Players should be in our game coaching our young players, but we cannot afford to pay them like union can.'"
Shontayne Hape had had two knee reconstructions, Vainikolo and Farrell had both had serious knee injuries. Farrell spent months out of the game due to recurring injuries and a road accident but he was crocked when he went to Union. It was good business by RL not to offer them major money to stay, None of them was up to continuing their RL careers. It is a testament to lesser fitness and speed required for top class Union that they were all able to get into th England team, Farrell as a back for Petes sake. OK they were less than 30 but they were finished in RL.
Are you saying that Farrell was recruited to RU as a coach. Tht s plain wrong. His coaching career ensued after he finished playing because of his skills and knowledge of rugby. It was not why he left League.
Both Joel Tomkins and Eastmond left for the money, nothing more, nothing less. Why would Eastmond sign for Bath if Farrell was such a huge influemce in getting players to jump to RU ?
Master stroke. They paid a fortune and got next to nothing in return fom Farrell as a player.
If Owen Farrell is the future of English RU success then good luck.He is not fit to lace the boots of such great RU stand offs as David Watkins, Phil Bennett, Jonathan Davies, Chris Carter, Carlos Rogers or even Sharp.
He is from the long line of nonetities who have graced British RU with their kick first, run never approach like O Gara Jones,Wilkinson and the very forgettable Scottish excuses for stand offs.
He dosn t make a break or a mesmerising side step to set his threequarters in motion with mental strength. He needs physical ability to do that and all he can do is kick. He is run averse. His first instinct is to heave the ball downfield. His astute passing, which you praise but I have never seen, is practically useless if he never shapes to run and the defence can just key on those to whom he passes.
Don t give me that age and experience guff either. Alex Murphy and Roger Mollward were playing against and beating the Aussies when they were teenagers. Farrell is playing the kind of earth shattering stand off brilliance expected of a 35 year old just selected to manage things because there is no one better.
You might be right in saying Farrell might make a loose forward.Thats what Sinfield does for leeds. He might be listed as stand off but he plays as a link forward. The person playing the traditional stand off role at Leeds is Mcguire, you know, devastating place, making breaks, setting up chances for his outside backs on the end of the breaks, you know, things Farrell cannot do.
I have no quarrel with you regarding your observations Sean Edwards and I don t know why he is iin your post. I never mentioned him.
