4-Team Exhibition Tournament: Chat & Matches

Well, the 4-Team draft is nearly over so we'll be having some matches soon.

With 4 teams, each team will play each other home & away:

Jimmy vs. Tart
Morgieb vs. Arhein

Jimmy vs. Arhein
Tart vs. Morgieb

Morgieb vs. Jimmy
Arhein vs. Tart

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Tart vs. Jimmy
Arhein vs. Morgieb

Arhein vs. Jimmy
Morgieb vs. Tart

Jimmy vs. Morgieb
Tart vs. Arhein

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3rd vs. 4th
1st vs. 2nd

 

Odds:

Arheiner: $2.00F
Morgieb: $2.50
Jimmy: $5.50
Tart: $8.00

Outlook

Arheiner: Strengths - Powerhouse backrow, no weak links there. Some dynamism in backline - the mercurial Lucas Schaw can score from anywhere, but is a revolving door on defence. Ed Ames in the centres should go well at this level.
Weaknesses: Okoudou Gbagbo as hooker with no real back up - line out throws will be erratic. Not the greatest options for tactical kicking.

Morgieb: Strengths - Ginger Furball was starting to become an excellent player towards the end of the season. He can kick, run and score - he just needs good service. Solid bench strength - some good players on there to relieve the aching legs. Jonty Rhodes was an excellent last round pick, but Spark and Phlegm as well could be starting players in other teams
Weaknesses - Well, it's the pivots. Classified-Alessi isn't terrible, but noticeably weaker than any other team in this comp. Will the decent looking back line get enough service?

Jimmy: Strengths - The backline looks pretty good. Weakest link there is Daniel Speirs who tends to punch above his weight. Rob Cribb is a standout player across the Seasonal Rugby landscape and should ensure good ball for the backs.
Weaknesses - Has by far the weakest 2nd row - line outs could be a problem there. There were probably better players available when Donald Boland was picked up. First-five is also a weak area. Matthew Scoble can kick for the posts, but doesn't bring much else to the table. Matt James is a more balanced first-five, but perhaps a level too high for him at this stage.

Tart: Strengths - I actually think this team is better on paper than the odds would suggest. There's a number of players in here who fare better than their absolute ranking - the front row, for example - Welker - Delonge - Eggman should be a highly competitive unit. Second row is the best in the tournament so a few gains from line outs/mauls could see them on the scoresheet. Bobby Blunder is still a star and should dominate at this level.
Weaknesses: Pivots are weak - van der Westhuizen unproven at this level and Luffman a fading player although still value for this tourney. Back line generally looks a bit underdone for this tournament with solid but unspectacular picks. They'll be okay, but will perhaps lack the x-factor of other units. Damien Taylor perhaps the weak link here.

 

Apologies - been snowed under this week. Will definitely begin next week - the sim is updated with the squads

What I need though are generic team orders for each team.

What are your first XVs.
When do you want each sub to come on and who for?
Who will be taking the kicks (kicks for goal and separately tactical kicks)
What tactics do you want to use? (Open, Closed, Kicking, Balanced)

@Arheiner @morgieb @jimmy_c8 @Tartmaster

 

Not really, no. The ratings are only generated at the end of each half. I guess we could for important games in the sim give teams the opportunity to change tactics at half time, but we won't be doing that for this tournament.

 

Full back is most commonly the tactical kicker. Al Son would be fine for such purposes.

Matt James is your only starting player who can kick for goal. Scoble is equally good if coming off the bench.

As for subs, Storer should probably come on for Masters at some point. Scoble could come on for James at any point in the second half (choose a time). Ryabovol is a utility replacement for any back. Perhaps Warrington in the 2nd half. Chewie & Hall are reasonable options. Chewie for Martyn and Hall for Morgan. Probably late-ish in the match.

 

So, what subs etc. are you going for then @jimmy_c8. Just waiting for that and we can be underway.

 

Anyone interested in this? Might be able to actually get some games going.

 

I've actually simmed a game. Didn't take too long. Might be able to rattle through this reasonably quickly, though I'm away next week.

Just need to remind myself how to publish the match. I'll sort that out later.