Best League to Union convert
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Tana was a leagie wasn't he? When did he first play union?
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="584469" data-time="1464745126">
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<p>Well Robinson was a better stepper and much faster. Thorn was better at every single facet of forward play.</p>
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<p>But of course, that means nothing up against SBW. You win.</p>
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<p>Are you being intentionally dim?</p>
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<p>The skill step he bought was the off load, that whilst used in rugby before was a truly a leap above what union had seen before.</p>
<p>People had stepped like Robinson before. And BBBT bought what skill that rugby had never seen before? BBBT was a excellent AB with many fine characteristics.</p>
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<p>You can disagree as much as you like, but at least try and follow other peoples points before making dumb comments.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Baron Silas Greenback" data-cid="584496" data-time="1464753240">
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<p>Are you being intentionally dim?</p>
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<p>The skill <strike>step</strike> set he <strike>bought</strike> brought was the off load, that whilst used in rugby before was <strike>a</strike> truly a leap above what union had seen before.</p>
<p>People had stepped like Robinson before. And BBBT bought what skill that rugby had never seen before? BBBT was a excellent AB with many fine characteristics.</p>
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<p>You can disagree as much as you like, but at least try and follow other peoples points before making dumb comments.</p>
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<p>No, I'm disagreeing with you and you're going on the offensive and being insulting. What a massive surprise.</p>
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<p>Until SBW achieves what those two did year upon year I might save the jizz fest for you if that's ok. I'm sure I remember Jonah being a terrific offloader when he wasn't trampling or running around guys but I guess I imagined that.</p>
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<p>I corrected your post for you as well. Hope you don't mind.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="584502" data-time="1464756903">
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<p>No, I'm disagreeing with you and you're going on the offensive and being insulting. What a massive surprise.</p>
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<p>Until SBW achieves what those two did year upon year I might save the jizz fest for you if that's ok. I'm sure I remember Jonah being a terrific offloader when he wasn't trampling or running around guys but I guess I imagined that.</p>
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<p>I corrected your post for you as well. Hope you don't mind.</p>
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<p>Achieve what they did? Well that is a different argument entirely. Way to move the goal posts and argue about something I never said. BBBT has arguably achieved more, but I dont think so as winning 2 world cups trumps all IMO. As for Robinson... I would be fascinated to see what argument could be made that he achieved more.</p>
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<p>And your 'jizz' comment is pathetic. I simply said that I think SBW was a better convert to union because his a particular skill set he bought across is at a new level... </p>
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<p>And good luck convincing anyone that Lomu was as good at off loading as SBW. Lomu had many incredible traits, and he could off load, but not at the level of SBW.</p>
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<p>Just because I think SBW was a better convert than Robinson and BBBT does not mean I think they were rubbish or that I think SBW is the best rugby player. </p>
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<p>But least I know you were not intentionally being dim.</p> -
<p>It's really hard to rate SBW in relation to the others because he hasn't been with the ABs for very long at any one time and has never been first choice. His only full seasons were in 2011 and 2015 and he was always a bench option. Now we get to see what he can achieve with 3 straight seasons of just union. I think we'll get a much better indication after that.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Baron Silas Greenback" data-cid="584509" data-time="1464759852">
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<p><strong>Achieve what they did? </strong>Well that is a different argument entirely. Way to move the goal posts and argue about something I never said. BBBT has arguably achieved more, but I dont think so as winning 2 world cups trumps all IMO. As for Robinson... I would be fascinated to see what argument could be made that he achieved more.</p>
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<p>And your 'jizz' comment is pathetic. I simply said that I think SBW was a better convert to union because his a particular skill set he bought across is at a new level... </p>
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<p>And good luck convincing anyone that Lomu was as good at off loading as SBW. Lomu had many incredible traits, and he could off load, but not at the level of SBW.</p>
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<p>Just because I think SBW was a better convert than Robinson and BBBT does not mean I think they were rubbish or that I think SBW is the best rugby player. </p>
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<p>But least I know you were not intentionally being dim.</p>
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<p>Well yeah, that was the whole point in the thread. If SBW has a great few years perhaps he'll get there.</p> -
<p>Well maybe you should have been more accurate in your thread title and OP.</p>
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<p>Because you just said best, not who has achieved more. </p>
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<p>But lets go with your achievement criteria then.</p>
<p>How has Robinson achieved more than SBW? (is there where I accuse you of jizzing over Robinson?)</p> -
<p>I would not be at all surprised to see the Blues win another title within the next three years.</p>
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<p>I don't really buy SBW simply because he hasn't been able to get the 1st choice starting spot in the ABs. Robinson was starting 15 for England & the Lions almost from word go. Folau unchallenged for the Wobblies etc. Thorn owned the power lock slot for a couple of years.</p>
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<p>I think its pretty certain SBW will get there - he should be 1st choice later this yerar & for the next 3 or 4. But up till now he's been our bench cover at 2 world cups & gets in the team when Nonu is on a break. Thats not "worlds greatest"...</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Baron Silas Greenback" data-cid="584534" data-time="1464765755">
<div><br><p>How has Robinson achieved more than SBW? (is there where I accuse you of jizzing over Robinson?)</p>
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<p> 1st choice starting player in his position at a WC & a Lions tour helps... </p> -
Back - Folau<br>
Forward - Thorn<br><br>
Mentions for Sonny and Jason. -
I was a huge fan of Robinson and thought he was an excellent player, but England have been my second team since I was a kid so perhaps I've always favoured a Pom over others. But in the clear light of day he was probably on par with Mat Rogers. <br><br>
Both good with ball in hand and under the high ball. Good decision makers and knew how to evade/bump off a defender. <br><br>
For me the best has been Sonny Bill because of what he brought to union was an offloading game that we hadn't seen from a backline player of his size and skill. Does it mean he is the bestest player the world has ever seen or the bestest 2nd 5 in the history of AB rugby - no! But for me the best convert suggests someone who brought a skill from his old code and help to transcend it in the new code. <br><br><br>
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk -
Thorn, SBW, Robinson and Folau awesome in both codes professionally. If I had to pick one it would be Thorn.<br><br>
Tim Horan, Tana Umaga, Owen Farrell and Nehe Milner-skudder all player junior League but senior Rugby Union at pro level.<br><br>
Frano Botica, Matthew Ridge and Inga Tuigamala were all undoubtedly more successful and better players in League than they had been in Union. -
Are you sure Tim Horan played league? He went to a union playing school in Toowoomba then played colts (u21) in Brisbane.<br><br>
Considering all 3 of the latter mentioned players were in their prime when they played league and played league for longer it's hardly surprising that they achieved more in that sport. In fact Id question whether Inga was better in league. He was a farking super star in union. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Sneakdefreak" data-cid="584464" data-time="1464744471">
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<div>League to Union: Brad Thorn</div>
<div>Union to League: Brad Thorn</div>
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<div>There....done.</div>
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<p>Union to League: Jonathan Davies</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Baron Silas Greenback" data-cid="584496" data-time="1464753240">
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<p>Are you being intentionally dim?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The skill step he bought was the off load, that whilst used in rugby before was a truly a leap above what union had seen before.</p>
<p>People had stepped like Robinson before. And BBBT bought what skill that rugby had never seen before? BBBT was a excellent AB with many fine characteristics.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You can disagree as much as you like, but at least try and follow other peoples points before making dumb comments.</p>
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<p>Is it even possible for you to engage different opinions from yours on this site without being offensive and insulting? I don't visit this site that often, but as long as I have been coming here, I've read this type of remark from you. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Brian9848" data-cid="584580" data-time="1464789811">
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<p>Is it even possible for you to engage different opinions from yours on this site without being offensive and insulting? </p>
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<p>It is possible, it just isn't very frequent.</p> -
<p>NB regards Jason Robinson. That would be Jason Robinson, OBE. I believe as part of Wigan he also beat the Broncos.</p>
<p>As for rugby: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.espnscrum.com/england/rugby/player/13578.html'>http://www.espnscrum.com/england/rugby/player/13578.html</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gollum" data-cid="584544" data-time="1464772875">
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<p>I don't really buy SBW simply because he hasn't been able to get the 1st choice starting spot in the ABs. Robinson was starting 15 for England & the Lions almost from word go. Folau unchallenged for the Wobblies etc. Thorn owned the power lock slot for a couple of years.</p>
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<p>I think its pretty certain SBW will get there - he should be 1st choice later this yerar & for the next 3 or 4. But up till now he's been our bench cover at 2 world cups & gets in the team when Nonu is on a break. Thats not "worlds greatest"...</p>
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<p> 1st choice starting player in his position at a WC & a Lions tour helps... </p>
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<p>Who was standing in the way of SBW? Who was standing in the way of Robinson? I bet if SBW was English he would have been first choice... and for the Lions The list of top draw fullbacks in England was very thin when Robinson was around.</p>
<p>Your point might have some validity if we were comparing Nonu to SBW, but we are not.</p>
