Fullbacks Choices of the Home Nations

Lets look at who the board rate as the best Fullbacks possible for the Lions next year.

Pick Two Fullbacks from the Poll below.

Kearney and Foden for me are the best fullbacks. I'd take Halfpenny as a utility back

Current form, I'd go with Kearney and Halfpenny with Halfpenny edging it for me for his versatility.

Foden & Kearney, best 2 fullbacks in NH

Kearney and Halfpenny. Possibly Halfpenny will go as a winger in which case I'd take Foden.

At the moment I would agree with gowales - Kearney was the best FB of the 6Ns, Foden would be a good back up and 1/2p is excellent cover for the back 3 - I think he's a better winger than FB, but his positional sense in defence is very good from either position.

Next year though, Hogg might be better than the lot of them - needs to work a bit on the defensive side of his game, but he is one of those rare players that can find space in attack without seeming to try

Kearney and Halfpenny are the best options.

Foden would need to find some decent ad consistent form to get in the reckoning, his good performances were few and far between for club and country.

Kearney and Foden by a fair distance. Kearney is probably in front at the moment.

Maybe Halfpenny could go as a a utility back but not as full back.

Kearney and Foden too. Both absolute class acts on their day. Kearney is the master of taking the high ball, and Foden is a quality counter attacker.

If I was Australian and saw Foden at 15 I know who I would target.

He is defensively a weak link and doesn't offer anything that Halfpenny or Kearney doesn't attacking wise.

Against Australia I would go for Halfpenny. I don't see Australia putting up many big bombs which is where Kearney is superior.

Foden a weak defensive link? Can't think of any instances where I would think of him as that. In fact, I think his defence is one of the best parts of his game.

doctornickolas wrote:If I was Australian and saw Foden at 15 I know who I would target.

He is defensively a weak link and doesn't offer anything that Halfpenny or Kearney doesn't attacking wise.

With respect, that's absolute codswallop.

sugarNspikes wrote:
With respect, that's absolute codswallop.

Couldn't have put it better myself

Thing is, I'm all for people choosing whichever player they want, but to fabricate 'weaknesses' in another player's game is a bit desperate and silly.

Kearney, 1/2p, Foden. In that order.

Kearney is back to his best imo and 1/2p is developing into a top fullback having converted from wing. His goal kicking is a real plus too. Foden is not defensively weak - just lacking form right now.

This one should be easy, Kearney for his skill under the high ball and Halfpenny for his versatility.

1/2p has added bulk but he has lost some pace and doesn't make the incisive breakes he used to, have seen him get caught a few times when in the past he would have been away - Kearney followed by any of 1/2p and Foden depending on what you want from your FB

1/2 p's break against France with the little spin was awesome, his positional play is great aswell, its him and Kearney for me, Kearney to start.

Foden's defence against France in the WC was shocking, didn't he tackle his own player ? Saying that, Kearney isn't great in defense either.

munkian wrote:Foden's defence against France in the WC was shocking, didn't he tackle his own player ? Saying that, Kearney isn't great in defense either.

Halfpenny has been fantastically committed and talented in defence throughout. All round he has the advantage, great boot, pace, defence and a pretty good goal kicker.

dummy_half wrote:
Next year though, Hogg might be better than the lot of them - needs to work a bit on the defensive side of his game, but he is one of those rare players that can find space in attack without seeming to try

I agree, Hogg looks exciting. Has had a great season at club and for Scotland.

Foden's defence is possibly the strongest of any FB in world rugby. I've lost count of the amount of times he's bailed England out over the last 12-18mnth

ospreysboyo wrote:1/2 p's break against France with the little spin was awesome, his positional play is great aswell, its him and Kearney for me, Kearney to start.

O's

I think having a second goal kicker in the team is also a massive benefit. Halfpenny would possibly be first choice kicker if Sextin or Priestland were picked as the test team flyhalfs.

Kearney and 1/2p on form but considering Foden has been the best NH fullback for the past few years I would not count him out.

I'd actually say Kearney is the weakest in defence and Foden is the strongest. Especially for those last gasp tackles near the line that fullbacks have to make. Foden is excellent at these and Kearney is quite mediocre. If they were all on top form Foden would be my pick to play Australia.

However Foden is not on top form and Kearney is on fire. Kearney should start at the moment. Halfpenny is great too and might end up starting for his goal kicking, if the Lions flyhalf is struggling (which is a possibility).

This is one position I wouldn't be worried about. I'd by confident in any of those three. And who knows, Hogg might force his way into contention in the next year. I'm not a fan of Hook or Byrne at all.

The Lions selection will be finalised around March 2013?

Thats 12 months ahead!!

By then you will have seen how good Hogg will be, 12 months more experienced and with the awareness, guile, and pace that will outstrip all the above rivals

Kearney
Hogg

with 1/2p covering FB and wing

are these polls created by Welshmen?

1 English player
1 Irish player
1 Scottish player
3 Welsh

?????????????

tigertattie wrote:are these polls created by Welshmen?

1 English player
1 Irish player
1 Scottish player
3 Welsh

?????????????

To be fair based on the past six nations there should only be two.

Halfpenny and Kearney

biltongbek wrote:

tigertattie wrote:are these polls created by Welshmen?

1 English player
1 Irish player
1 Scottish player
3 Welsh

?????????????

To be fair based on the past six nations there should only be two.

Halfpenny and Kearney

I selected on who played which position in the six nations plus former lions, possible selection form players who have been excluded and stuff like that.

In some polls there are more of other nations than Wales. Though as Grandslammers, having used more players than the other home nations they were bound to have a larger base for selection

Nothing contentious.

maestegmafia wrote:

biltongbek wrote:

tigertattie wrote:are these polls created by Welshmen?

1 English player
1 Irish player
1 Scottish player
3 Welsh

?????????????

To be fair based on the past six nations there should only be two.

Halfpenny and Kearney

I selected on who played which position in the six nations plus former lions, possible selection form players who have been excluded and stuff like that.

In some polls there are more of other nations than Wales. Though as Grandslammers, having used more players than the other home nations they were bound to have a larger base for selection

Nothing contentious.

Maes

All the above are players who are genuine FBs with the exception of Hook

During the 2012 season is playing 10 for his club, and is only a benched utility back covering I would suggest centre (albeit Roberts, Davies, Willliams, Beck, Bishop all are ahead of him as specialist centres), flyhalf then FB.

The following (taking into account the Lions selections are still the best part of 12 months away) are the more obvious selections
Scotland - Rory Lamont
Wales - Morgan Stoddart
Wales - Liam Williams
Ireland - Luke Fitzgerald
England - Mike Brown

On a side issue, keep your eye on our own Tom Brown playing very well for us this season, superb against Toulouse last week, and awesome in Scotland A's 35-0 win over England Saxons at Netherdale in February 2012............ could be a dark horse to creep into the Lions squad

Cheers FHF

I will run a utility back poll next and a few guys like Hook and fitzgerald will feature

maestegmafia wrote:Cheers FHF

I will run a utility back poll next and a few guys like Hook and fitzgerald will feature

How are you Maes old pal?

Love the polls............... great work mate, all good stuff for banter and discussion

Hook currently will deffo be No:1 choice if you are looking at cover for 10,12,13, and 15, cannae think of anyone else who fits that slot like Hooky.

One thing you can say with so many good players representing each nation, its going to be hell of a selection headache for Mr Gatland

For me 1/2 penny is not a full back, not the greatest under the high ball but a brave defender. I have gone for Kearney for the high ball and attack but goes AWOL in defence and Bryrne similar to Kearney but good defence but his brain sometimes goes AWOL.

Kearney & Foden. No competition.

Kearney & Foden either way around you choose.

Halfpenny to go as cover for back three. and to kick the goals.

flyhalffactory wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Cheers FHF

I will run a utility back poll next and a few guys like Hook and fitzgerald will feature

How are you Maes old pal?

Love the polls............... great work mate, all good stuff for banter and discussion

Hook currently will deffo be No:1 choice if you are looking at cover for 10,12,13, and 15, cannae think of anyone else who fits that slot like Hooky.

One thing you can say with so many good players representing each nation, its going to be hell of a selection headache for Mr Gatland

Hi mate, hope alls well with you.

Hook's diversity really is becoming a bonus and not a hindrance.

Kearney and Halfpenny on current form, but Foden and Byrne may well run them close - especially Byrne who looks to have removed his head from his backside and is putting in some very good performances in France. If nobody is playing particularly well by next year, then I would plump for Kearney and Foden - both are big game players.

And 2 of Kearney, 1/2 p and Foden. I think they all have to tour and Hogg might get there too.

Gibson wrote:Kearney & Foden. No competition.

+1

The most consistent FB in the NH this season has been Mike Brown by a distance.

On form, it's Kearney by an absolute mile. He's been the best player in the Heino this year and he carried the Ireland team a couple of times this year. Feel Foden is a better full-back than 1/2p but 1/2p offers long range goal kicking and versatility.