Lea Hedges

[Lea Hedges @LeaHedges]

@PaulBailey0 @SamLStandsUp I like your thinking but wouldn't a second 9 work better from the wing. Given most of them roam looking for extra work nowadays.

[Lea Hedges @LeaHedges]

@SaffasRugby @CharlieFelix @EnglandRugby I was idly thinking earlier if I was to pick the best 3 players in the world in each position, the only two Englishmen I'd confidently pick based on the last few years are Marler and Lawes, and neither of them are available. Possibles were Curry, Earl and Itoje.

[Lea Hedges @LeaHedges]

@ImShahinyan Bh2, I think.

[Lea Hedges @LeaHedges]

@philipaball @markchoake @rugbyworldcup Not sure I agree. He always gets the plaudits, and rightly so. He didn't have the media profile of others, but that's a different point. Not sure if that's because he deliberately avoided the limelight or because he played for what was at the time a bang average team.

[Lea Hedges @LeaHedges]

@Rugbyworldmag @thepaulwilliams Why is the breakdown by nation relevant & and always the headline? It's implied the relative strength of the 4 teams should reflect the makeup the 15. Not so, particularly given the number of 50/50 calls and the fact the best in each position does not necessarily = the best team

[Lea Hedges @LeaHedges]

@Johan1802 @MorrisRhodri @SquidgeRugby A similar poiny to consistency is results on a bad day. SA should only be compared with NZ (imo everyone else is a level below). SA on a bad day are a lot worse than NZ on a bad day. Maybe you think that shouldn't matter but it's subjective and to many it does.

[Lea Hedges @LeaHedges]

@Johan1802 @MorrisRhodri @SquidgeRugby But to answer your question. Imo, winning when it matters most, as SA excel at, is the most important but not the only quality. To many, consistency matters too. I accept there are mitigating factors for SA, but that doesn't explain losing to Japan (or Italy for that matter).

[Lea Hedges @LeaHedges]

@Johan1802 @MorrisRhodri @SquidgeRugby I just provided possible reasons why some may view Boks' players unfavourably in these discussions. I didn't say I agreed with such reasons. FWIW, I largely agree with the the OP. Hence why I provided reasons.

[Lea Hedges @LeaHedges]

@Lm14686602Lm @rugby_ap Sorry not sure where my rogue z came from

[Lea Hedges @LeaHedges]

@Lm14686602Lm @rugby_ap It's because they never won a Zwc 😉

[Lea Hedges @LeaHedges]

@Lm14686602Lm @rugby_ap Joking aside, not sure I agree. JK always in discussion for allrounder although most still think Sobers. Steyn widely regarded as best bowler of his generation- some 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 fans say anderson for his longevity. ABD I get. FWIW, I always thought Pollock was overlooked more than JK.

[Lea Hedges @LeaHedges]

@FactualRandomly @CraigGrehan1 @Oldsuliansrfc I can. Because you don't set the criteria for how I form my opinion. It's a team game and the best players often end up not winning tournaments. Therefore, I take a more nuanced approach rather than just 'have they won a WC'? With that logic, Balshaw was a better winger than Lomu

[Lea Hedges @LeaHedges]

@ianmalcolmhelps @ImShahinyan After knxe7 ke6

[Lea Hedges @LeaHedges]

@rugby_ap Do you mean carnage in the scrum or the social media meltdown 🤣

[Lea Hedges @LeaHedges]

@CharlieFelix Anyone agree OL at 12 didn't look natural. We used him ala DDA, but the timing of his runs in tighter channels looked out. Sure he'll improve and should persist given the options, but if Bath continue to play him at 13 where he looks a much more dangerous runner, he won't improve

[Lea Hedges @LeaHedges]

@KiwiDaveGkamp @TimCase57051592 @cricketjim1 Don't apologise if it's your opinion. I'll always be of the view though that who you play against is relevant when it comes to averages. It's the sort of thing you'd learn in a basic stats course.

[Lea Hedges @LeaHedges]

@asgcgunner @cricketjim1 I seem to recall both batting line ups were dogshit. After KP, Trott and Bell all retired within a year of Root's debut, the only other of note was Cook, but in the 6 years they played together his returns were pretty similar to Latham contributions to NZ.

[Lea Hedges @LeaHedges]

@TimCase57051592 @cricketjim1 @KiwiDaveGkamp Similar oposition? JR has played 45% of his Tests v 🇦🇺 and 🇮🇳, easily the 2 best teams for the last 10/15 years. KW is 24%. KW's average against 🇦🇺 🇮🇳 & 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 is 36-37 while he has cashed in against all others. JR's record against 🇦🇺 is similar but 55 v 🇮🇳