There are no stats that help quantify Kirke's softcockery.



In fact there are no words to describe Kirk's softcockery.



So much so I have had to invent the word softcockery just to make this post.

Can't believe you are bagging that lad.



A few weeks back your comments were spot on, and shared by many.



But you are quick to chastise others for bagging players, but are continuing to do it on this lad.



I share your general view on the long term prospects of Kirke, but considering he has been head and shoulders over most other players over the last two weeks, it is a bit unfair to single him out for any critisism. Especially when you are critisizing him for a game in which he was one of the better performers.

My criticism of him has remained constant and has remained throughout the last two games when he has performed better but is not one of our better performers. A nice off-load against Saints and shoving Tansey whilst over the line does not deflect from his softcockery in just about every collision.



His 2 metres per carry confirm his lack of heart.

You told me that Meters per carry meant abosolutely nothing only 3 weeks ago. You told me it was more about the game in context and the defensive element they brought also. You further said it was about game changing moments.



In the last 2 games, Kirke has covered your criteria for what was important only 3 weeks ago.

I don't agree entirely with G1 on kirke, I think he has something to offer us when we are playing well as a team but G1's opinion of Kirke has remained consistent, especially in the pub after a few pints.

He has a lot to offer us, and does some donkey work. He's not the highest earner but a solid squad player who can do a decent job.



His offensive stats this week are poor, but the stats do not show a wonderful offload that everyone would have been creaming themselves on had it come from a flair player such as Ali.



His defensive stats are pretty good, so looking at it objectively, he may be asked to do a job, and that job may not be to cart the ball in

I don't think I have ever had to defend an average per carry of 2 yards.



I also said tackle statistics or carry statistics do not show the damage done in any particular tackle or carry.



Kirke does no damage in any collision. The only thing Kirke damages is my cholesterol as it winds me up to see such a big lad play like such a soft cock.

But try assists and try's scored are hard to argue against are they not?

15m in 7 carries is poor no getting away from it. How those stats are derived would be useful. Do the 5 or so yards which he ran in the build up to smith's try count or not?



Eiether way I think we need to trust McClennan on this one, I'd imagine once Ali, Eastwood & Ablett are back we may see Kirke and JJB given rests, and rotation from thereon

Metres per carry don't tell you how many men were on someone's back or how tight the opposition defence was.



I like the new word though.

Softcockery.

Yes, rolls off the tongue nicely, that. (*)











(*) Cue Puig at this point.

Your choice as an alternative in Jay Pitts made 0.5 meters per carry V Harlequins this season.



Not that I claim in any way to understand how some of the figures are arrived at by Opta.

That's because only a high Meter per carry should be seen as useful. And even then, if it involves returing drop outs or kick offs, it can be slightly miscued.



A low one taken as an average could see a mass anomoly. A player could make 8 carries, making 8 meters each time, but then get a couple of ridiculous passes from dummy half in his next 2 which might be 3 yards negative each time.



That would then go from an 8 meters per carry to a 5.8 meters just like that. Looking poor despite a more than excellent return for the first 8.