YandaB
Newbie
Comedy try, I'll take it.
Piece
Tour Winner
The two tries so far are from a Japanese mistake on their 5yr line and a jammy nudge off Marler's head
SurreyGolfer
Active member
Said the same last week and got told it was ‘absolute garbage.’ Have seen nothing 55mins in to change my view, 2 England performances that are a couple of levels below what the top teams have already produced. We put 50 on Japan in November ffs (I was there!).
Having said that, no one on our side of the draw is pulling up trees. Would be very English to grind our way to the final and get thrashed by one of Fra/SA/Ire/NZ
Having said that, no one on our side of the draw is pulling up trees. Would be very English to grind our way to the final and get thrashed by one of Fra/SA/Ire/NZ
Piece
Tour Winner
Last 10 mins have been much better as we've cut out the aimless kicking and Japan tiring
HeftyHacker
Well-known member
Wouldn't want him starting there but think Smith at fullback when the game opens up in the final quarter looks like a great option. Popping up all over the shop, steppy, pacey and great distribution. Thought he looked superb.
Such a frustrating game to watch though and reinforced what I said during the warm ups - the players look as though they don't quite know what the game plan is yet. Laborious between sets and looking around to see where their teammates are etc. Feels like they've neither gelled as a team nor are they at ease with the game plan at the moment.
Such a frustrating game to watch though and reinforced what I said during the warm ups - the players look as though they don't quite know what the game plan is yet. Laborious between sets and looking around to see where their teammates are etc. Feels like they've neither gelled as a team nor are they at ease with the game plan at the moment.
Another vote for Marcus Smith. He doesn't look like a Borthwick player, it may not be right to start with him but 20-25 minutes to go, bring him on 
. Finally, some creativity. We might be able to batter our way through a weak group but once in the knock out phases we need more than the mindless stuff we saw last night for 70 minutes.
. Finally, some creativity. We might be able to batter our way through a weak group but once in the knock out phases we need more than the mindless stuff we saw last night for 70 minutes.oleinone
Active member
Ben Kay's confected commentary voice gets on my wick.
Grizzly
Well-known member
Having been a massive critic of Borthwick's reign so far, I actually didn't think England were bad last night. Not that I thought they were great, but there was at least a sense of leadership on the field from Lawes and Ford, the defence was making consistently good decisions and crucially the penalty count was under control. Some of the handling was poor - but to be fair it was hot and sticky in the stadium and this was a problem for both side - but that apart it was at least an improvement. Look, we're ranked six in the world right now - that's both a fair assessment, and one that hides the gap between the top three/four sides and everyone else. We're not going to win it - but if we keep improving and maybe make a semi due to a tame draw, it will give them something to base the next four year cycle on.
And yes, Smith does look like an interesting option at full back. I'd just prefer them to keep Steward on and move him to the wing when Smith arrives.
And yes, Smith does look like an interesting option at full back. I'd just prefer them to keep Steward on and move him to the wing when Smith arrives.
GB72
Money List Winner
Fair assessment.
Not making any excuses for England but I wonder if there are issues with the ball being used for this world cup as there appear to be handling issues across the board.
I think we will see Farrell at fly half next week and Chile would seem to be the ideal time to get him time on the pitch which is a pity as I think Ford controls a game better than anyone. Also would like to see Lawrence and Marchant in the centers and we must have a better wing option. Daly is starting to look his age and I have never been the biggest fan of May even when he was a Tiger.
Would also like to see the full Tigers second row get a run out, Martin and Chessum really do pay well together.
Still, need to get next week out of the way and then a 2 week break until Samoa to re-organise a bit. Hopefully we will have already qualified for the next round by then.
spongebob59
Journeyman Pro
Interesting video analysis doing the rounds for the Wales/Fiji game.
Grizzly
Well-known member
I have to be honest, I would only be looking at Farrell as a stand by option for the World Cup at this stage - Ford has given the team a tactical maturity that they sorely need given their limitations in terms of personnel and preparation when compared to the top four sides. I'm not too worried about the wings though - I think May is massively underrated even now; his pace and workrate mean that he puts pressure on a lot of kicks that the other options would not get near, and he is the one player we have who just might create something from nothing. Daly, meanwhile, gives the side an extra distributor and another kicking option, though he doesn't really play as a wing as much as a utility back.
Grizzly
Well-known member
Whilst it was not exactly Andre Watson refereeing the 2003 World Cup Final in his special Green and Gold glasses, a lot has been made of the lack of equity in that game and (appreciating that some of the penalties that the creator is arguing Wales committed are microscopic infringements) its not a performance the referee should look back on with any pride. It was mentioned in the Press that the deference to authority within Fijian culture has done them no favours.
WGCRider
Newbie
I think your point about equity is a good one. Watching the Ireland/Tonga game at the weekend it was noticeable how the referee (think it was Wayne Barnes) kept referring to the Irish by their first names but to the Tongans by their numbers. He knows the Irish players cause he's reffing them 2 or 3 times a year and watching their games. He has no idea who half the Tongans are. It's just an unconscious bias that can only be avoided by more frequent games between tier 1 and 2 teams or top refs spending more time reffing secondary games.
GB72
Money List Winner
The whole Tier 2 situation is a frustrating one. For the long term good of the game, they need more matches against top opposition. The trouble with that is on a number of fronts:
1. The Tier 1 unions are all pretty much living hand to mouth on the income from home internationals. The Tier 2 nations just do not sell out the ground.
2. There is an argument to expand the 6 Nations and the Rugby Championship. The problem is that these matches will take players away from their clubs for an even longer period. Clubs are already on their knees and so to not have their big names on show for even more of the season could spell disaster.
3. The alternative is promotion and relegation in the 6 Nations but the turkeys are not gong to vote for xmas.
I would very much like to see more matches against emerging nations to help increase their strength and spread the game but rugby globally needs a root and branch re-organisation and an honest assessment of its finances before it moves forward.
Take the emerging nations games around the country. If England played Japan at St James Park I'm sure it would sell out and it would make the England team less London centric. You can say the same for Manchester, Leeds, SW, Midlands etc
GB72
Money List Winner
I would very much agree with that, in fact I am not convinced any national sports team should be only based in one stadium. Sadly, the RFU would never do it plus I am not sure how much the stadium costs are and also not sure who takes the money from the lucrative catering, bars etc.
The England women's football team do not have an exclusive deal with Wembley so they are coming to Sunderland this Friday to play Scotland. It's all possible, it comes down to finances. It always comes down to finances
GB72
Money List Winner
The England women's football team do not have an exclusive deal with Wembley so they are coming to Sunderland this Friday to play Scotland. It's all possible, it comes down to finances. It always comes down to finances
This is it. Aside from the ticket price, Twickenham rakes it on bars, catering, merchandise and corporate entertainment and much would depend on who took the money from that if it was held elsewhere. Sadly the FA are at least reasonably funded, the RFU and rugby as a whole is skint.
Captainron
Big Hitting, South African Sweary Person
So Antoine DuPont has a fractured cheekbone! Changes the landscape massively! Could be that they have lost their first choice 'brains trust' and I think that will be a massive issue for them
Love the RWC though.
Love the RWC though.
GB72
Money List Winner
Just got to hope that you and Ireland do not smash each other out of the competition as well at the weekend. That is going to be a crunching match. Almost a case of making sure you have all players fit and not suspended at the end being as important as the result.
Looking forward to seeing Fiji knocking out Wales or Australia. Either outcome would put a big smile on my face.
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