England RUGBY

[Foxholer]

Now I sooooo want England to hammer the All Blacks

Well, the hammering happened - just by the All Blacks, not to them!

Added pressure - as if there's any needed - for the Test against their traditional 'Auld Enemy' in 8 weeks!

Seems to me that England performed best when it was the new boys. When the heavyweights came, it was more of a drubbing - even if the score didn't reflect it last week. Not sure what does to English confidence either!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I agree that yesterday will have done nothing for the confidence and morale that the first two games would have given and I still don't think he knows the starting or best XV even now.

 

[fundy]

Actually think that result was quite predictable as would have been very hard for a lot of the england squad to get up for another game, especially a dead rubber. Really think those who had played the big finals shouldve been rested and those who had a bit more hunger and more gas in the tank shouldve been selected.

As for not knowing the best side, I agree he doesnt but not too big an issue this far out, good to have plenty of competition in most positions.

Pretty sure the pack will be fine next yr, big worry for me is between 9 and 12 - not sure we have as much quality at scrum half, fly half and inside centre (Farrell possibly excepted). Outside again the resources are better, especially assuming Tuilagi remains fit and available (was a big miss last yr), just a case of picking which ever wings are firing and Brown with Goode as cover at 15 strong too.

 

[User20205]

Well, the hammering happened - just by the All Blacks, not to them!

Added pressure - as if there's any needed - for the Test against their traditional 'Auld Enemy' in 8 weeks!

Seems to me that England performed best when it was the new boys. When the heavyweights came, it was more of a drubbing - even if the score didn't reflect it last week. Not sure what does to English confidence either!

Nothing, it's about building for next years World Cup. It was the last test of a long season, against the world champs, and they came up short.
Lancaster wants experience and depth in the squad, they're working towards that, and will be closer the 600 cap mark by the World Cup.

They'll smash your lot in the autumn, and the kiwis will choke again next year.

 

[Foxholer]

They'll smash your lot in the autumn, and the kiwis will choke again next year.

Disagree with both parts. All Blacks will power through the Autumn series.

It'll be home-sickness that kills them at the World Cup, not choking! And they need to bring their own caterers too!