Which team would win if they played against each other?
Which team would win if they played against each other?
The game in the last 15 years has changed dramatically - the 2006 team were a mass departure on the fluid, error strewn rugby which came before it (and we all complained it was too structured then ...) and the 2021 team has just taken that to extreme levels. Fitness and defensive structures alone means I think 2021 team would win - the 2006 team just wouldn't know how to handle the lack of space to exploit.
That being said, that doesnt mean I think the 2021 team is better than the 2006 team, as the 2006 team is still the single best team Super League has ever seen (and I doubt we will ever see another team dominate it in the same way - Saints 2018 was close, but they choked in the big games). Its just these sorts of comparisons forget "Sports Science inflation".
Also this generation of Saints are yet to do the treble, and until they do (or get a WCC) so cant be discussed in the true great terms yet.
Haven’t a clue but I think the defence of the 2021 team would smother the attacking flair of the 2006 team - golden point winner then ?
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That's a diffcult one.
The 2006 team clearly had a more talented side, I don't think anyone would argue against that with the likes Wellens, Lyon, Pryce, Long, Cunningham etc... however I'm not sure how the attacking style played would cope with our 2021 defence.
I think the structures of Rugby League now are far superior to what they were 15 years ago and much harder to break down. The almost metronomic style that the 2021 team can implement could quite possibly strangle the life out of the 2006 team in terrirotry and possession and the reliance would be on flashes of brilliance breaking down a very rigid defensive line.
Having said that, if you chuck the two sides on the park with no prior structures in place the 2006 side would win comfortably I tihnk.
The 2006 team played against better opposition as the standard of the league was better. Also they had an amazing defence and a lot of strike.
I would imagine thats an easy one, both teams are almost identical in defence but the 2006 attack had a lot more variety and effect because of the quality of player. The one thing the 2006 team could struggle with though is the 13 man set defence with no scrums.
Being 15 years apart you can only really look at the squad lists. The game has changed and I’m sure the 2006 squad would play differently in the current era.
The 2006 squad had both of St. Helens’ best ever hookers.
St. Helens’ best ever half back.
St. Helens’ best ever centre.
St. Helens’ best ever loose forward.
St. Helens’ best ever fullback.
Added to that James Graham, Leon Pryce, Cayless etc.
This squad is terrific and also has great players, some who will be talked about for a long time - Walmsley, Coote, Makinson, Lomax, Knowles but that 2006 squad for me was filled with absolute stars who were in their prime.
2021 would win - they would suffocate them.
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I suspect we are thinking of the same two!
Not sure I agree, but it's certainly arguable.
But if so it means that a very good but not (in my view) quite great Saints team could suffocate the most dazzling attacking line-up I have seen in the British game (with the possible exception of the 80s Wigan sides), which seems to me to be a sad reflection on the way things have gone.
It’s almost impossible to compare sides from different eras due to different styles of the game and fitness levels. That being said, the 2006 team lost only 4 games that year by only 1, 2, 3 & 4 points whilst playing some absolutely thrilling rugby. For me man for man the 2006 side is just better.
Forwards win games. The backs decide by how much.
I think 2006 had more talent, without a doubt. However as a team this current lot are as good as anything I've seen. Don't know who'd win, probably be close though
Really difficult to predict. I’ll say one thing though, just the fact that this side is seen in the same echelon as 2006 shows just how good they’ve been
Amazing to think that some supporters want to see our coach get sacked
Walmsley leaves the field and this team changes completely, Paasi, Amor or LMS arrives are nowhere near his standard.
In the 2006 team, Anderson is replaced by Faasavalu or Fozzard. KC is replaced by Roby.
The back row included Gilmour, Wilkin, Anderson, Scully didn't play much that year but was still around.
Thats without talking about the backs
No contest really
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Also the standard of this league is shit in comparison
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Yes away to Catalans the week before the CC final with a much changed side.
Yes 2021 doesn’t hold up when you compare the players side by side.
Wellens, Gardner, Lyon, Talau, Meli, Pryce, Long, Anderson, Cunningham, Cayless, Gilmour, Wilkin, Sculthorpe. Subs: Roby, Fozzard, Fa’asavalu, Graham.
Who really gets in the 2006 17 man side from the 2021 group? Arguments maybe for Makinson, Percival and Grace in the backs. Probably only Walmsley, Knowles and obviously Roby in the pack.
Forwards win games. The backs decide by how much.
Makinson would comfortably be in over Meli. Grace against Gardner would be an interesting debate I think; Grace can do things no one else can and make a break out of nothing, but Gardner was always reliable. Wellens and Coote are just a representation of how the role has changed over the years. Walmsley is in (the though of him alongside Graham and Faasavalu!) and you would have to find a bench spot for Knowles (over Fozzard I would assume). It’s crazy to think Roby was part of both…