jestnation says...

Manu is definitely a 13 not a 12.

Like all powerhouse strike runners the secret is to put him in space, with a head of steam and use his strength to fend off tacklers once he's in stride not smash into the first tackler. Whilst he's very capeable of being a battering ram it's a total waste of his speed and power.

We need a 12 with distribution skills and a playmakers instinct. If he has the physical element as well then that's a bonus but it's not enough on it's own.

Burrell may be an option. Let's see how he goes this season.

Joseph at 12 is an interesting option and not one I'd thought of but I'd be tempted to get him out on the wing where he can use that acceleration and those quick feet.

But Twelvetrees looks like the ideal solution. Great hands, good kicking, big lad, good in contact and defence and with a touch of the twinkling feet.

Posted 13:01 25th June 2012

benski says...

@sirtidychris.... Absolutely, Twelvetrees is an exceptional player and I am amazed that he has not had a look in with this new, young and fresh England team, surely it can come now as SL looks for different center partnerships.

Posted 07:51 25th June 2012

leebok says...

The rating suggest exactly that. But for me Tom Johnson was man of the match. Morne Steyn must be dropped until he gets his kicking right.

Posted 10:42 24th June 2012

quietbrit says...

The ratings are consistently higher than SA - given the result (which was fair shading to flattering Eng) they feel a little generous. I would mark Cole, Hartley, Haskell and Goode down a point. I'm also of the opinion that Care started very well but didn't offer enough in the second half so 8 rather than 9 (though I feel that part of that was the fact that Farrell had a bad outing so he is being marked down for crisp service that went nowhere)

Posted 04:40 24th June 2012

yelloj321 says...

Very generous ratings. If that England side came up against a side that has more than muscle, they would have been killed.

Posted 22:48 23rd June 2012

NHsaints says...

However much I hate to say it you can't have such a dominating figure at 12 if you're up against a defence that won't crack every few runs...the midfield has to be changed. Why not try Joseph at 12 and Tuilagi at 13...we all know how terrifying a prospect manu is at 13 and Joseph does have the distribution skills required but he's also strong enough in defence and on his runs to play 12...try it SL!!! Our problem may be solved this season anyway with Saints signing a low profile english 12 to replace Downey...he's a big lad and has been good at Sale...not to mention look at what playing in Northampton's midfield has done to Pisi and Downey and May...Pisi is now a top class 13 and May and Downey are rejuvinated at 12...keep and eye on him.

Posted 21:35 23rd June 2012