So, what this tells us is that Atkins' missed tackles ratio is 3.6% of those that he made compared to Shenton at 4.4%, Carmont at 5.6% and Yeaman at 8.9%

The stats still stack up in Atkins favour

They do - its an excellent ratio, but when you mention the missed tackle count only, it make the difference seem massive when its reasonably comparable to, say, shenton.

Precisely.



Yes, but 3.6% and 4.4% missed tackles are both good and fairly even stats over the course of a season.

10 and 27 missed tackles on their own look like a chasm in defensive class.

So what the selectors need to consider is the above ratio, where Atkins is superior, combined with who is considered a better positional defender, where the feeling is he is lacking.
[iIts better to be on hand with 100 men than absent with 10,000 (Machiavelli)[/i

Shenton has struggled to impress this year because of lack of ball. Saints just don't spread the ball to the right with the same ease. He still threatens, and often when Meli puts Foster in, its the play after Shenton has caused bother on his side.
He's still got it, Pryce fed him well for one of my favourite tries of the season against Catalans. The pace he came on to the ball and split the line was incredible.

that's because we always have the ball

ok then.

Yeaman misses 8.9% of tackles
Atkins misses 3.5% of tackles
carmont misses 5.5% tackles
shenton misses 4.3% of tackles

is this one selective and misleading?

*edit.... i see someone has already put you right on this

I hope that's the case against Austrailia

also... at no point did i claim that these stats show a full picture... you jumped to that conclusion.... I was using them to point out that this season he hasnt been a defensive liability, like many seem to think he is...

Hardly, we were all agreeing to the same point.

You have to admit, whilst Atkins still has the better stats in terms of the percentages (and vastly so compared to Yeaman), factoring in the amount of tackles made in place of just stating the missed statistics shows a better, more accurate picture.

I'm not disagreeing..... and I'm not arguing a case against all the other centres.... im arguing it FOR atkins.

the best attacking and defensive centre in SL

If anything, Guerier, galvanized that point.