GB72
Money List Winner
Whilst it's true that the likes of NZ would have punished the errors, they weren't playing NZ, you can only play what's in front of you.
Game plan for all 3 of the winning sides on Saturday would be totally different in a world cup game vs SH opposition.
Heaslip's try saving tackle on Hogg was unbelievable. Such a crucial moment, that was what made it just a little too far for England.
I think England Wales and Ireland can all look to the World Cup with some optimism. I expect Oz aren't looking forward to having to face England and Wales in the group.
France and Scotland, not much reason to be cheerful.
Totally agree, talk about how a Southern Hemisphere team would pounce on the errors is wide of the mark in that Saturday had a unique set of circumstances that will rarely be repeated and you would never play like that in most matches. Simple fact is that Wales had to score big and had to play out and out attack, they did that and set a very high bar. This, in turn, meant that Ireland had to play out and out attack to get past that score and did even better which meant that England had no choice but to go all out for a big win. All credit to France who were not competing for anything then and could have capitulted or just shut up shop but they decided to play as well leaving a great game of open rugby.
That Saturday was a one off set of circumstances that has no bearing on how any team would perform against Southern hemisphere opposition. Simple fact is that any of the top 8 or 9 teams can beat each other on a given day with any perceived gap in abilility levelled by the european teams having the advantage of home conditions. It will be close, Australia, England or Wales could conceivably not get past the group stages and Ireland could easily go on to win it if they can keep players fit (they are not as good without Sexton on the pitch)