Ryan Miller
@mrdoorstep.bsky.social
Editor @ FactCheckNI. Rugby sicko. I love words and numbers equally.
I think Thomas is a genuinely nice playmaker and he and Edwards could go well as a pair - but that only works if they get the right blend of players around them.
If that blend isn't available atm, then Thomas has to go. Although he could wear #22 and provide cover at 10 and change-up option at 12.
If that blend isn't available atm, then Thomas has to go. Although he could wear #22 and provide cover at 10 and change-up option at 12.
November 16, 2025 at 3:05 PM
I think Thomas is a genuinely nice playmaker and he and Edwards could go well as a pair - but that only works if they get the right blend of players around them.
If that blend isn't available atm, then Thomas has to go. Although he could wear #22 and provide cover at 10 and change-up option at 12.
If that blend isn't available atm, then Thomas has to go. Although he could wear #22 and provide cover at 10 and change-up option at 12.
On the other hand, Ben Thomas can make things happen...
Beyond that:
- Blair Murray can't play full back because he can't catch high balls. Might work on the wing and/or be a useful #23.
- Josh Adams... not sure there's any juice left in that (formerly delicious) orange. Can BT catch a high ball?
Beyond that:
- Blair Murray can't play full back because he can't catch high balls. Might work on the wing and/or be a useful #23.
- Josh Adams... not sure there's any juice left in that (formerly delicious) orange. Can BT catch a high ball?
November 16, 2025 at 12:59 PM
On the other hand, Ben Thomas can make things happen...
Beyond that:
- Blair Murray can't play full back because he can't catch high balls. Might work on the wing and/or be a useful #23.
- Josh Adams... not sure there's any juice left in that (formerly delicious) orange. Can BT catch a high ball?
Beyond that:
- Blair Murray can't play full back because he can't catch high balls. Might work on the wing and/or be a useful #23.
- Josh Adams... not sure there's any juice left in that (formerly delicious) orange. Can BT catch a high ball?
The question of what to do with Ben Thomas is intertwined with this.
One way to get more carrying and quicker rucking into the team would be to pick a centre closer to that profile. Doesn't have to be a breeze block - even Roberts or Hawkins would qualify, and they offer other stuff too.
One way to get more carrying and quicker rucking into the team would be to pick a centre closer to that profile. Doesn't have to be a breeze block - even Roberts or Hawkins would qualify, and they offer other stuff too.
November 16, 2025 at 12:57 PM
The question of what to do with Ben Thomas is intertwined with this.
One way to get more carrying and quicker rucking into the team would be to pick a centre closer to that profile. Doesn't have to be a breeze block - even Roberts or Hawkins would qualify, and they offer other stuff too.
One way to get more carrying and quicker rucking into the team would be to pick a centre closer to that profile. Doesn't have to be a breeze block - even Roberts or Hawkins would qualify, and they offer other stuff too.
Seems to me like Wales need quicker and cleaner ruck ball. Whenever there are circumstances to attack that doesn't seem to he where you'd want it to be, stifles everything.
Lots of ways to address that. Some heavy carriers would help, but maybe the options aren't there. More ruck focus in training?
Lots of ways to address that. Some heavy carriers would help, but maybe the options aren't there. More ruck focus in training?
November 16, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Seems to me like Wales need quicker and cleaner ruck ball. Whenever there are circumstances to attack that doesn't seem to he where you'd want it to be, stifles everything.
Lots of ways to address that. Some heavy carriers would help, but maybe the options aren't there. More ruck focus in training?
Lots of ways to address that. Some heavy carriers would help, but maybe the options aren't there. More ruck focus in training?
In all sincerity, can I remind Wales fans that you are allowed to enjoy that.
Lots of bad things but also a significant number of good things and, ultimately, a huge amount of heart and a win. Early in the second half I thought you were cooked. Fair play.
Lots of bad things but also a significant number of good things and, ultimately, a huge amount of heart and a win. Early in the second half I thought you were cooked. Fair play.
November 15, 2025 at 7:41 PM
In all sincerity, can I remind Wales fans that you are allowed to enjoy that.
Lots of bad things but also a significant number of good things and, ultimately, a huge amount of heart and a win. Early in the second half I thought you were cooked. Fair play.
Lots of bad things but also a significant number of good things and, ultimately, a huge amount of heart and a win. Early in the second half I thought you were cooked. Fair play.
The historic connections between Italy and Scotland are widely known and well...
November 15, 2025 at 2:46 PM
The historic connections between Italy and Scotland are widely known and well...
Italy the total opposite, by the way - they have a real opportunity to win this and it has scrambled their minds.
Pointlessly offside for the tap kick, another cheap offside a couple of phases later, and it actually let the Boks in as they kept narrow and attacked the weak folded part of the line.
Pointlessly offside for the tap kick, another cheap offside a couple of phases later, and it actually let the Boks in as they kept narrow and attacked the weak folded part of the line.
November 15, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Italy the total opposite, by the way - they have a real opportunity to win this and it has scrambled their minds.
Pointlessly offside for the tap kick, another cheap offside a couple of phases later, and it actually let the Boks in as they kept narrow and attacked the weak folded part of the line.
Pointlessly offside for the tap kick, another cheap offside a couple of phases later, and it actually let the Boks in as they kept narrow and attacked the weak folded part of the line.
Yes. I think the rush to crown them the generally best team ever is a bit mad given just how dominant NZ were for over a decade, win rate around 90% and so on - but with backs to the wall I think Rassie's Boks are peerless. Awesome clarity of purpose and effort.
November 15, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Yes. I think the rush to crown them the generally best team ever is a bit mad given just how dominant NZ were for over a decade, win rate around 90% and so on - but with backs to the wall I think Rassie's Boks are peerless. Awesome clarity of purpose and effort.
And I say this as someone who wouldn't have Henshaw in an Ireland 23 at the minute. He remains a smart player, a cool head, good positioning and low errors - but he's always been all that, and he used to be so physically imposing. The dynamism is gone and it's reduced him.
November 13, 2025 at 3:17 PM
And I say this as someone who wouldn't have Henshaw in an Ireland 23 at the minute. He remains a smart player, a cool head, good positioning and low errors - but he's always been all that, and he used to be so physically imposing. The dynamism is gone and it's reduced him.
I've no concerns about the cover at 15, I like Crowley there and think he is actually an option in general (not sure Faz does).
Bigger problem is if Henshaw gets injured. Don't like Aki defending at 13.
Bigger problem is if Henshaw gets injured. Don't like Aki defending at 13.
November 13, 2025 at 3:15 PM
I've no concerns about the cover at 15, I like Crowley there and think he is actually an option in general (not sure Faz does).
Bigger problem is if Henshaw gets injured. Don't like Aki defending at 13.
Bigger problem is if Henshaw gets injured. Don't like Aki defending at 13.
I'm not sure the panel are saying that MA should have given red on the basis of what he saw. Instead they are saying that, based on the evidence before them, they are satisfied a red card offence occurred. Refs don't use the same evidence or the same evidentiary standard.
October 24, 2025 at 12:37 PM
I'm not sure the panel are saying that MA should have given red on the basis of what he saw. Instead they are saying that, based on the evidence before them, they are satisfied a red card offence occurred. Refs don't use the same evidence or the same evidentiary standard.
Or is your issue with the evidentiary standard used?
October 24, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Or is your issue with the evidentiary standard used?
Do you honestly think JHW probably didn't do it? That Josh Murphy probably made it all up?
October 24, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Do you honestly think JHW probably didn't do it? That Josh Murphy probably made it all up?
...The panel has to decide if it is more likely that the ball grabbing happened or that it didn't happen. Based on all the evidence that's in the public domain, it seems pretty clear (to me) that they reached the appropriate decision.
October 24, 2025 at 8:57 AM
...The panel has to decide if it is more likely that the ball grabbing happened or that it didn't happen. Based on all the evidence that's in the public domain, it seems pretty clear (to me) that they reached the appropriate decision.
You have the video. There is no direct footage of any incident but there is footage of JHW's arm moving in the relevant area and an immediate reaction from JM, plus of course the allegation itself was made immediately to the ref...
October 24, 2025 at 8:56 AM
You have the video. There is no direct footage of any incident but there is footage of JHW's arm moving in the relevant area and an immediate reaction from JM, plus of course the allegation itself was made immediately to the ref...
What I'm trying to explain to you is that rugby citings use the civil standard not the criminal one. What probably (rather than definitely) happened is, more or less, what the panel determines and then any sanctions are issued if applicable.
October 23, 2025 at 5:49 PM
What I'm trying to explain to you is that rugby citings use the civil standard not the criminal one. What probably (rather than definitely) happened is, more or less, what the panel determines and then any sanctions are issued if applicable.
Facts are established against an evidentiary standard though, which in this case is balance of probabilities.
October 23, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Facts are established against an evidentiary standard though, which in this case is balance of probabilities.
...Given you say that you "doubt JM would react like that of he wasn't grabbed" then you yourself are in agreement that JHW probably did it and, therefore, in agreement with the verdict.
October 23, 2025 at 4:46 PM
...Given you say that you "doubt JM would react like that of he wasn't grabbed" then you yourself are in agreement that JHW probably did it and, therefore, in agreement with the verdict.
That's not what hearsay means. If Josh Murphy gives his version of what happened to him, that's a statement of evidence.
The evidentiary standard in a citing is the civil standard "on the balance of probabilities" not the criminal one...
The evidentiary standard in a citing is the civil standard "on the balance of probabilities" not the criminal one...
October 23, 2025 at 4:45 PM
That's not what hearsay means. If Josh Murphy gives his version of what happened to him, that's a statement of evidence.
The evidentiary standard in a citing is the civil standard "on the balance of probabilities" not the criminal one...
The evidentiary standard in a citing is the civil standard "on the balance of probabilities" not the criminal one...
I actually think rugby now is more like 3 skill positions - 9, 10 and 15 - and 12 physical ones. Kickchase tackling and rucking one on one so important for wingers. However, any such theory is a loose fit at best given how fluid the sport on many levels (plus the more ballers the better anyway).
October 19, 2025 at 9:31 AM
I actually think rugby now is more like 3 skill positions - 9, 10 and 15 - and 12 physical ones. Kickchase tackling and rucking one on one so important for wingers. However, any such theory is a loose fit at best given how fluid the sport on many levels (plus the more ballers the better anyway).
I'd add midfield into that as well. They are almost as much a part of the gainline and breakdown battles as any forward.
Aki looking creaky, Big Stu off yesterday with a head knock, Henshaw fully cooked... not been this concerned about Ireland in a long time.
Aki looking creaky, Big Stu off yesterday with a head knock, Henshaw fully cooked... not been this concerned about Ireland in a long time.
October 19, 2025 at 9:28 AM
I'd add midfield into that as well. They are almost as much a part of the gainline and breakdown battles as any forward.
Aki looking creaky, Big Stu off yesterday with a head knock, Henshaw fully cooked... not been this concerned about Ireland in a long time.
Aki looking creaky, Big Stu off yesterday with a head knock, Henshaw fully cooked... not been this concerned about Ireland in a long time.