Comments on: Joseph set to return to England’s midfield at expense of Burgess

By: Matt B

Matt B — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 12:13:31 +0000

Yes, I remember being really excited when 12trees came on the scene for England. And then pulling my hair out every time he did something stupid like pass straight onto the pitch, or out of touch, or miss a tackle.

I can’t help but think (in glorious hindsight) that going with just Barritt and Burgess as 12 options when Barritt didn’t even play in the warm ups was pretty stupid. Just blind faith that Barritt would come through and be in form.. which he doesn’t really look.

Lancaster wouldn’t drop Slade because he offered something different to the squad.. but he doesn’t pick him. And of course he wouldn’t drop Burgess as he owns the rights to his bio-pic (probably shared with Russell Crowe).

By: Matt B

Matt B — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 12:02:52 +0000

I knew I forgot something.

By: Benjit

Benjit — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 10:24:42 +0000

I have some sympathy for 12t, I think his worst games have been when playing alongside Barritt and Tomkins. Two players who provide zero interest to the opposition defence. Result the centre partner gets clobbered. Risking JJ to this treatment is madness.

I would add that Slade communicated very well in the warm up match, shepherding Burgess well in defence and Farrell in attack. Yes it would be a risk, but we are in the last chance saloon and a roll of the dice is needed.

By: stroudos

stroudos — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 10:15:15 +0000

I see.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 10:11:45 +0000

Burrell is probably someone they’d love to have at their disposal now. Barritt was been woeful and this was the one game that Burgess really couldn’t have played in my mind.

Twelvetrees frustrates me more any England player I can think of. He has all the attributes to be a really good 12 – kicking, passing, big carrier, good in the tackle – a few years ago i was convinced he was the future 12 for England. Unfortunately though, he has proven himself to be viable to absolute blunders far too often.

By: Leon

Leon — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 10:09:48 +0000

…and make colossal howlers

By: Matt B

Matt B — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 09:53:45 +0000

Yes fair points, Barritt is far from ideal. I wonder if the coaches are regretting dropping Burrell. He did play all 6 nations with JJ and it went ok.
I heard there’s also a guy called 12trees who is big, can run, pass, kick and run defence…

By: Jacob

Jacob — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 08:58:25 +0000

The problem with Barritt though is he offers literally no attacking threat. It creates a situation like one we had against Fiji where we just were not getting over the gainline regularly. The knock on effects from that means the breakdown is far more difficult to control, our halfbacks then get slower back foot ball and the back three can get starved.

That is how important the gainline is, and the 12 has to lead that.

All that being said, I simply don’t trust Burgess positioning enough to want him in the 12 channel in this game, so Barritt has to play by default. Luther Burrell available?

By: Matt B

Matt B — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 08:31:28 +0000

I’m certainly hoping for Barritt at 12 against Aus. He’s definitely not quick enough for 13, but 12 is fine. Burgess – i don’t think he has the positional awareness or experience to play 12 vs Aus. Yes Barritt is not the best international 12, but unfortunately what is the other option, apart from Farrell.
I’d rather the 12 be a very solid component of a concerted team effort than relying on him to be a match winner. 13 however – i want a potential match winner, please let JJ be fit!

By: Benjit

Benjit — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 08:16:45 +0000

I don’t give a sh*t about how he performs for Saracens, I judge him on his England performances. I can’t think of one match where his overrated defensive qualities have been the point of difference in the match, and yes include the face take performance against Australia. Sure he has been a component in may England wins. But never intrumental.

I echo the above, in that Saracens seem to have a lot of decent club players who in their specific team environment compliment each other well, but the likes of Barritt,Goode and Wigglesworth are way short of international quality.

If Barritt is the answer to SL midfield conundrum then I’m afraid he’s asking the wrong questions, and that is the most worrying thing.

By: Gerry

Gerry — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 07:55:34 +0000

it will be a relief to see Barrittt back in his familiar position of 12, so that he can play to his considerable defensive strengths. Might I remind those doubters that Barrittt has been a key component in Saracens rise to the top of the domestic championship and has been also instrumental in helping the club ‘s try fest.. need a JJ or slade outside him to take advantage of his skill set.

By: Dr Boo

Dr Boo — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 20:46:57 +0000

Hopefully Joseph is fully fit and not being rushed into the frontlines, because Slade is not trusted for the 13 shirt. Burgess to come off the bench for the 13 shirt? does slightly worry me.