elfieldinho wrote:
I've a fair deal of sympathy for Faz fans and for Jones for picking him. The intangibles are clearly there in terms of will, competitiveness and nerve. The skill set is tantalisingly close to matching the intangibles at two different positions. He has the kicking game, the game intelligence, the requisite physicality and the nerve under fire to play 10. He has the passing game, the kicking game, the appreciation of space and the aggression to play 12.
He isn't a good enough or imaginative passer to play 10 though. He isn't strong enough or quick enough to play 12 in the modern game either. Ford has fewer attributes than Faz. He doesn't seem to be much of a leader. He is less obviously a big game player. He's no-one's idea of a centre as he is small and slight. He is though, incredibly good at creating space for others with perfectly and imaginatively timed passes.
That's it. One thing. Whereas Farrell gives you power and aggression and leadership and physicality at 10, Ford offers only the superb passing. I think that one thing should outweigh all the others at international level and would pick Ford.
Eddie has picked Farrell because I think - wrongly- he has given up on the idea of England being able to play a quick and expansive game. The flat, knackered forwards last year, along with Farrell's own limitations at 12 have convinced him that we're not up to it. I'd argue that we've more chance of doing that, than grinding teams down through power right now.
Other than the deluded press, most people rating Farrell aren't blind to his flaws; they've just lowered their ambitions for what England can be in terms of attack and decided that the bigger, stronger player, the more aggressive and inspiring player and the better kicker make more sense for a team without real centres or much in the way of wit and intelligence.
IS Faz actually more inspiring? His win record with England under Jones isn't great at 10 and under Lancaster it was a case of coming up short constantly. I think you forget that Faz has had to be dropped form the 10 shirt by every test coach he has played under. I agree about his intangibles and have discussed them before, but leadership sin't a substitute for ability. On that note I disagree about your comment Faz appreciates space. He's got very limited reading of space and where it opens up compared with say Ford or any southern hemisphere 10.
It's possible coaches depending on Faz is actually holding back other players to adopt leadership roles. It's like how people quieten down when surrounded by the gobby one. The All Blacks would never pick a player for leadership when they have such glaring flaws for a position. They pick the best and develop leaders under them and make the whole squad understand their roles. Some how in England we are stuck to the idea leaders and authority is born not moulded.
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