Too Bad

[frillage]

It is distinctly noticeable that Laidlaw at 10 has, so far this season, been half the player with Rees or Leck inside him than he was with Blair inside him.

Rees has been individually good, but he has not linked with the players around him as well as Blair did. I am sure that given time he will develop some of the understanding that Blair had with Laidlaw, but I am unsure he has quite the rugby brain that Blair has, and thus will never have that instinctive connection that Blair and Laidlaw seemed to enjoy.

I also believe that Rees is only the second best scrum half at the club.

Blair, Laidlaw combo had the ability to change positions for quicker ball as well which helped.

[JohnnieJ]

It is distinctly noticeable that Laidlaw at 10 has, so far this season, been half the player with Rees or Leck inside him than he was with Blair inside him.

Rees has been individually good, but he has not linked with the players around him as well as Blair did. I am sure that given time he will develop some of the understanding that Blair had with Laidlaw, but I am unsure he has quite the rugby brain that Blair has, and thus will never have that instinctive connection that Blair and Laidlaw seemed to enjoy.

I also believe that Rees is only the second best scrum half at the club.

To be fair to them both haven't they only started 4 games together at 9 & 10?

[lornad]

Matt Scott is a 10/12, young, talented and intelligent. I would like to see him get a run at 10 with Laidlaw in his more natural position (IMHO) of scrum half. This would allow Atiga and De Luca (Cairns) to play in the centres and I think in the long run would work well. Greig and Mike worked well together because they interchanged so well and developed a good understanding. I think Rees is a great asset but not many players are in the same league as Mike Blair when in form and he is missed.
Ok shoot me down!!

[Weegie]

Matt Scott is a 10/12, young, talented and intelligent. I would like to see him get a run at 10 with Laidlaw in his more natural position (IMHO) of scrum half. This would allow Atiga and De Luca (Cairns) to play in the centres and I think in the long run would work well. Greig and Mike worked well together because they interchanged so well and developed a good understanding. I think Rees is a great asset but not many players are in the same league as Mike Blair when in form and he is missed.
Ok shoot me down!!

Bang!

[hp18]

Matt Scott is a 10/12, young, talented and intelligent. I would like to see him get a run at 10 with Laidlaw in his more natural position (IMHO) of scrum half. This would allow Atiga and De Luca (Cairns) to play in the centres and I think in the long run would work well. Greig and Mike worked well together because they interchanged so well and developed a good understanding. I think Rees is a great asset but not many players are in the same league as Mike Blair when in form and he is missed.
Ok shoot me down!!

[djphilp]

To be fair to them both haven't they only started 4 games together at 9 & 10?

Fair point, and as I said I am sure that their partnership and understanding will develop with more game time. I just don't think it will ever be as successful a partnership as Blair and Laidlaw enjoyed as Rees is not as natural a rugby player as Blair was. And currently Laidlaw's game is suffering due to the loss of the fluidity that Blair's rugby talent afforded him.

[Dalkiethladdie]

To be fair to them both haven't they only started 4 games together at 9 & 10?

Fair point, and as I said I am sure that their partnership and understanding will develop with more game time. I just don't think it will ever be as successful a partnership as Blair and Laidlaw enjoyed as Rees is not as natural a rugby player as Blair was. And currently Laidlaw's game is suffering due to the loss of the fluidity that Blair's rugby talent afforded him.

LOL !
There is no wonder that not many decent rugby fans post on here !
This forum is getting more comical by the minute !

[djphilp]

I'm sorry did Blair steal your teddy bear?

Why all the venom, hate, and disrespect to a player who has achieved more than you could even dream of in the sport you obviously class yourself to be an expert commentator on.

Until your favourite, Rees, has a Lions tour, 83 international caps, (despite competition throughout his international career from the likes of Cusiter, and Redpath), and has been on the short list for world player of the year (selected by people far more in the know than you), then I am afraid that most people who know anything about rugby will rate Blair as a better rugby player. Form is temporary but class, it's permanent.

[Dalkiethladdie]

I'm sorry did Blair steal your teddy bear?

Why all the venom, hate, and disrespect to a player who has achieved more than you could even dream of in the sport you obviously class yourself to be an expert commentator on.

Until your favourite, Rees, has a Lions tour, 83 international caps, (despite competition throughout his international career from the likes of Cusiter, and Redpath), and has been on the short list for world player of the year (selected by people far more in the know than you), then I am afraid that most people who know anything about rugby will rate Blair as a better rugby player. Form is temporary but class, it's permanent.

Yep !
Even more comical with each post !
Keep em coming !

[djphilp]

[JohnnieJ]

Matt Scott is a 10/12, young, talented and intelligent. I would like to see him get a run at 10 with Laidlaw in his more natural position (IMHO) of scrum half. This would allow Atiga and De Luca (Cairns) to play in the centres and I think in the long run would work well. Greig and Mike worked well together because they interchanged so well and developed a good understanding. I think Rees is a great asset but not many players are in the same league as Mike Blair when in form and he is missed.
Ok shoot me down!!

I'm not really sure Atiga has offered enough yet to warrant a starting spot. Im still to be convinced regarding him, he does not seem fit enough to me at present but hopefully he can turn things around.

[hp18]

I'm sorry did Blair steal your teddy bear?

Why all the venom, hate, and disrespect to a player who has achieved more than you could even dream of in the sport you obviously class yourself to be an expert commentator on.

Until your favourite, Rees, has a Lions tour, 83 international caps, (despite competition throughout his international career from the likes of Cusiter, and Redpath), and has been on the short list for world player of the year (selected by people far more in the know than you), then I am afraid that most people who know anything about rugby will rate Blair as a better rugby player. Form is temporary but class, it's permanent.

Yep !
Even more comical with each post !
Keep em coming !

You're a strange character. However, if you feel like laughing at something, why not turn your limited attention to lornads suggestion of moving Edinburgh and Scotlands best 12, to 10 (presumably taking up gametime in that position in place of FH hopefuls like Leonard), in order to accommodate some Kiwi journeyman.

[lornad]

Not necessarily advocating a place for Atiga. But why play Scott at 13 when he can play at 10 or 12? Was always a fan of the Cairns/ De Luca midfield partnership & Cairns should be match fit by November.
Ps Also a huge admirer of Mike Blair's talent so don't pick on me !

[hp18]

Not necessarily advocating a place for Atiga. But why play Scott at 13 when he can play at 10 or 12? Was always a fan of the Cairns/ De Luca midfield partnership & Cairns should be match fit by November.
Ps Also a huge admirer of Mike Blair's talent so don't pick on me !

So your response to bradley acting the twat and playing your best 12 at 13 is to play him at 10 instead?


How foolish of me, it makes total sense now....

[Dalkiethladdie]

We all have our favourites, Todd Blackadder was mine, Blair seems a favourite to others on this site, but they are has beens and past-it.
This forum should be topics about our current side, and giving them the support that they need, not what we have, and what we have not got, or used to have.
I would have Blackadder back tomorrow, Blair is sometimes playing 2nd division rugby in France, but time moves on, cant keep living in the past.
Some of the armchair supporters on this site should make the effort and support the boys at MURRAYFIELD, they are quick enough to give their opinion on past-it players, and obscure selections, and slagging Bradley off when we lose
Wake-up and smell the coffee, the boys need our support especialy this weekend