England vs. South Africa on Saturday.

[Aztecs27]

Anyone see this game on Saturday?


I really love what Lancaster is doing with this team. It's not all there yet, but the fact that we went toe-to-toe with South Africa and out played them in their own back yard for 40 minutes speaks massive volumes.

They still need to find the right team balance to generate more creativity (though the last 5 minutes were promising with the last batch of replacements) but defensively they were nothing short of incredible, short of the two tries, but there's only so much onslaught you can take before your lines are broken!

The scrum wasn't great, but there's a lot of inexperience, so I'm not worried about that just yet. Line outs were solid and we have some promise in the backfield.

Chris Ashton really needs to go though. I have no clue how he keeps getting picked. He's done absolutely nothing since scoring 4 tries in one game during the 6 nations two years ago.

Looking forward to the next two tests. Hopefully the first one didn't take too much out of them!

Didn't see the Wales or Ireland games but did anyone see them? Did the scorelines reflect the games?

 

[User20205]

I thought we got smashed. We did well at the breakdown otherwise they would have scored loads. Robshaw was awesome. Otherwise it was a lesson in power rugby from the Boks.

I fear for next week on the highvelt, but they may surprise me, if we can be competitive it will go along way to establishing this team

I saw the Ireland game, the All blacks were brilliant. They would give anyone a lesson in incisive back play. Apparently Wales blew it, 20-19 with 20 mins to go and ran out of steam

 

[chris661]

We must have been watching different games. For the last half hour england barely got out of their own half some brave last gasp defending and mistakes from the springboks kept it to a score line that wasn't embarrassing IMO

 

[Aztecs27]

I thought we matched them for power during the 1st period. Perhaps I was just shocked with the discipline and dominance we showed at the breakdown. I kept waiting for us to be penalised every time! As you say, Robshaw was nothing short of awesome. Johnson impressed me with his debut and Botha really looked like he wanted to prove a point!


I wasn't expecting us to take ANYTHING from this tour and was expecting us to be totally schooled, but I feel like they held their own against a very strong Boks side. This team is still very much re-building and if they continue to improve as they have done, the next WC might be interesting! (yes, ever the optimist )

The kicking game needs a lot of work (well, Youngs needs to learn how to box kick at international level) as do other areas, but this team is a huge improvement over any of the Johnson teams of the last few years.


Tuilagi running over DeVilliers was a beautiful sight!

 

[Aztecs27]

We must have been watching different games. For the last half hour england barely got out of their own half some brave last gasp defending and mistakes from the springboks kept it to a score line that wasn't embarrassing IMO

I agree, but my point is, the first 40 minutes, they (a young, inexperienced team that hasn't played much rugby together) held their own against an experienced and powerful South Boks side...Now they just need to learn to do it for the second 40 minutes

The depth (especially in the forwards) isn't good enough for that right now though.

 

[Deleted member 1418]

I also like what Lancaster is doing, but the lack of creativity in midfield is a huge concern. Says something that the last time we had some creative centres was back when Greenwood and Catt were playing regularly way back in the late 90's and from 2000-2003!! Hopefully with Catt in the fold full-time we can slowly see a change. I also think we need a more creative fly-half. Farrell is outstanding, but probably better at 12 than at 10. Really hope Cipriani has improved his defence in Australia as IMO he is the most gifted 10 we have, and IF his attitude improves next season at Sale, then hopefully will see him back in the fold at some point.

Forwards were awesome - we have no problems there - just a shame that Morgan had possibly his worst game yet in an England jersey. Great to see the Quins boys putting in good displays as well. Has anyone else noticed how huge Francois Steyn has got over the last few seasons? That's some going on the Maximuscle!! Obviously a tough ask now on the high veld next week but a good performance midweek and you never know.

The All Blacks were simply outstanding and the Aussies were also very good, although I still think Wales are a better than them.

 

[fundy]

Think we got very fortunate with their selection, the change they made at scrum half rectified it partly but I fear for us the rest of the tour, that game will taken a lot out of us and whilst the approach we are taking may limit the damage on the scoreboard it isnt going to win us games.

Farrell isnt ready to be the playmaker at 10 at this level and I expect he moves to 12 for the 2nd test, that said we only really have journeymen at 10 to select which obviously limits what you can do creativity wise

 

[Aztecs27]

I also like what Lancaster is doing, but the lack of creativity in midfield is a huge concern. Says something that the last time we had some creative centres was back when Greenwood and Catt were playing regularly way back in the late 90's and from 2000-2003!! Hopefully with Catt in the fold full-time we can slowly see a change. I also think we need a more creative fly-half. Farrell is outstanding, but probably better at 12 than at 10. Really hope Cipriani has improved his defence in Australia as IMO he is the most gifted 10 we have, and IF his attitude improves next season at Sale, then hopefully will see him back in the fold at some point.

Forwards were awesome - we have no problems there - just a shame that Morgan had possibly his worst game yet in an England jersey. Great to see the Quins boys putting in good displays as well. Has anyone else noticed how huge Francois Steyn has got over the last few seasons? That's some going on the Maximuscle!! Obviously a tough ask now on the high veld next week but a good performance midweek and you never know.

The All Blacks were simply outstanding and the Aussies were also very good, although I still think Wales are a better than them.

I didn't know Catt was in full time, as you say, hopefully that will start making a difference to our creativity. Top news!

As Fundy said, I think saturday will have taken a lot out of the team and I expect a more one-sided contest on Saturday, but hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised.

Negative points aside, Lancaster has the team moving in the right direction, hopefully the trend continues.

Re: Steyn, he looks like a completely different bloke, an absolute UNIT.

 

[OldMate]

I also like what Lancaster is doing, but the lack of creativity in midfield is a huge concern. Says something that the last time we had some creative centres was back when Greenwood and Catt were playing regularly way back in the late 90's and from 2000-2003!! Hopefully with Catt in the fold full-time we can slowly see a change. I also think we need a more creative fly-half. Farrell is outstanding, but probably better at 12 than at 10. Really hope Cipriani has improved his defence in Australia as IMO he is the most gifted 10 we have, and IF his attitude improves next season at Sale, then hopefully will see him back in the fold at some point.

Forwards were awesome - we have no problems there - just a shame that Morgan had possibly his worst game yet in an England jersey. Great to see the Quins boys putting in good displays as well. Has anyone else noticed how huge Francois Steyn has got over the last few seasons? That's some going on the Maximuscle!! Obviously a tough ask now on the high veld next week but a good performance midweek and you never know.

The All Blacks were simply outstanding and the Aussies were also very good, although I still think Wales are a better than them.

Sorry to disappoint - Cipriani was hopeless defence wise (and generally) in the Super 15. Embarrassing that he even got a gig down there.