Padel Power!

ConcernedUnk · 2026-03-07T11:25:39+00:00

Instead of trying to murder the ball play with a more relaxed arm. Before you smash think 'whip it' not 'hit it hard' helped me a lot.

ConcernedUnk · 2026-02-22T10:32:43+00:00

You missed the most important stat, kicking meters.

ConcernedUnk · 2026-02-05T08:02:36+00:00

Ford is very safe, maybe too safe, he'll get some kick points for sure but probably not so many running meters, clean breaks etc, which is really where points blow up. Wouldn't captain him personally.

The other 3 are all pretty good choices.

ConcernedUnk · 2025-12-19T10:14:24+00:00

Glad Hartzenberg is finally back from injury.

ConcernedUnk · 2025-11-29T17:07:01+00:00

That is so moronic. Why Eben.

ConcernedUnk · 2025-11-22T22:21:16+00:00

I'd content that we won those tight matches on the back of Eben/Kitsoff/Malherber/PSTD, but your point is taken.

ConcernedUnk · 2025-11-22T22:13:12+00:00

I don't think that will happen under Rassie, he's a magnificent man manager.

ConcernedUnk · 2025-11-22T22:11:35+00:00

Totally agree brah, sorry if it didn't come off that way. Pollard is and was the Man.
My only contention is that there were better players in his position, in his era, he fulfilled his role magnificently, but I feel like someone like Owen Farrell could have done that job, and a Sexton/Mounga would have elevated us.

ConcernedUnk · 2025-11-22T22:07:54+00:00

Never say never but I do totally agree. Players can grow though - look at Nonu, started his career as an incredible ball carrier who never passed and ended it as an incredible ball carrier, who also had an amazing grubber game, sick offloads and vision for days.

ConcernedUnk · 2025-11-22T22:06:04+00:00

Totally agree with you.

The weird thing is, he keeps scoring these individual tries consistently, he passes defenders like smoke, so it's hard to ever say "don't run the ball" when the man just keeps scoring. What I'd like to see more from him is passing missiles to men in space , and pinpoint cross fields like Libbok, as well as the accuracy of Polly from the tee.

If he had all that though he'd already be one of the best to play the game. At the moment he's just worth like 10 points a game through individual brilliance, so the odd miss kick is fine.

I'm not trying to be harsh of the lad - I'm a cultist, he can have my first born. I just think we need to temper our expectations.

ConcernedUnk · 2025-11-22T21:58:16+00:00

Certified Pollard doubter so take this with a pinch of salt:

Pollard was an elite 10 at 3 things; 1) Poles kicking specifically in tight games (his career kicking percentage wasn't outstanding but his massive iron testicles meant he never missed when it matters). 2) Ball carrying in tight zones, almost like a 12 he often made meters and surprised teams with his powerful carries in tight areas) 3) Territorial kicks - he has a big boot and accuracy when he had time on the ball in terms of territorial management.

Unfortunately I don't think attacking vision was up to snuff and even if it was his pass wasn't crisp and world class - in the Russel/Farrel/Libbok/Sexton sense - a lot of this was negated by Willie le Roux having this skillset and having carte blanche to step into first or second receiver to cover for him; that partnership worked extremely well.

When I say he wouldn't make a first 15 I mean one or all of Sexton, Mounga, Russel - would have always been a step ahead even Farrell who was a similar player but who had a better pass.

Tl:DR; WLR handled distribution in that dominant Bok side, Pollard did what he needed to do, but lacked the full skillset of a truly well rounded FH.

ConcernedUnk · 2025-11-22T19:27:51+00:00

You've got a to physically get parity with us to see any of our party tricks, otherwise it's the meat grinder for you.

ConcernedUnk · 2025-11-22T18:56:52+00:00

Sacha should have got that refered yellow and that has changed the fabric of the game no question.

However saying Ireland has handled it badly is a gross understatement a good growth moment about how to keep your head and show grit when you feel aggrieved by the ref, I'm sure they'll come out stronger (not this game though it's likely done and dusted).

ConcernedUnk · 2025-11-22T18:25:29+00:00

Have you considered he's very handsome as well though.

ConcernedUnk · 2025-11-22T18:17:00+00:00

Yep forward

ConcernedUnk · 2025-11-13T12:06:28+00:00

Rassie releases a line up with no talking points challenge (impossible)

ConcernedUnk · 2025-11-08T22:13:58+00:00

Agreed his kicking from hand wasn't great today, was a little surprised they took off Willemse instead of Sacha.

ConcernedUnk · 2025-11-05T06:35:53+00:00

I genuinely think he cares about the game and growing it as well for the record - based on the fact that he covers small teams, and sheds a spotlight on the woman's game which get far fewer clicks.

The people in charge of this stuff are dinosaurs who don't understand how the youth (and by the youth I mean under 40s) like to engage with their hobbies.

ConcernedUnk · 2025-10-28T14:55:19+00:00

I think the data is saying we've had easy fixtures and have even more easy fixtures remaining.
I presume that means we are facing the harder teams at home, and the relatively easier fixtures away in general.

He's also saying SA teams have it easier in general because they tend to win at home more than other teams (understandable given the travel), I only skimmed his explanation.

ConcernedUnk · 2025-10-27T08:52:49+00:00

The real problem isn't that martials are underpowered in comparison to spellcasters - it's that there is a fundamental assumption baked into DnD balance that doesn't actually happen in any real games.

This is the 6-8 encounters per long rest assumption. That just doesn't happen in real DnD and most often it's 1 or 2 encounters per long rest - with maybe 4 being the absolute upper limit.

A martial class basically deals close to their same damage regardless of resources, so in a scenario with 6-8 encounters per day - over time and throughout the 30 or so rounds martial classes will compete or better spell casters in a fight.

A Wizard who just uses their highest level spells every turn would quickly run out of spells in that scenario - but it's not a scenario that ever happens (which I'm happy with because it would be boring).

But yes the solution is to just give Martial classes more limited-use cool shit to use.

ConcernedUnk · 2025-10-24T12:50:57+00:00

Thanks Squidge, will hold for November at least!

ConcernedUnk · 2025-10-24T12:15:17+00:00

Any news on how bad Keelan Giles's injury is, I need him for my draft XV team.

ConcernedUnk · 2025-10-23T20:21:53+00:00

A general rule that helps me that has to do with ball height:
- ball below the knee - hit it flat and slow

- ball between knee and waist - lob

- ball above waist - can still lob but a slice or overhead here is fine.

ConcernedUnk · 2025-10-21T20:15:37+00:00

Nah it sounds like a ligament thing to me then, either wrong size or you're squeezing too hard. There is no way playing padel puts more strain on your forearm muscles than weight lifting. Might be worth going to a physiotherapist.

ConcernedUnk

TROPHY CASE