Bunkermagnet
Journeyman Pro
Tonga Romania was a cracker I thought.
Captainron
Big Hitting, South African Sweary Person
Portugal have been amazing. Think they will run out of gas though. Still so impressive
Captainron
Big Hitting, South African Sweary Person
WOW!! Amazing result for Portugal. Can you believe it!
Bunkermagnet
Journeyman Pro
And more importantly, Oz are out
HeftyHacker
Well-known member
I was watching that game a bit unsure of what outcome I wanted. In the end I think it was the best of both worlds - Fiji through and Portugal with the win. Unbelievable game.
Farrell in for Ford 
. Has Borthwick been watching games recently? Just peculiar.
. Has Borthwick been watching games recently? Just peculiar.
GB72
Money List Winner
Farrell in for Ford
Now at Tigers he was known for odd selections but was proved right every time. That said, I am not sure that this is it, Farrell just seems to be undropable and I have no idea why.
You could argue that he is stronger in the tackle than Ford (when he does it legally) and Ford would lose yards bringing down big Fijians but that is all I can think of.
As for Arundel not getting a sniff, rumours are that this is due to a training ground bust up with Farrell.
I still think England will stumble their way to a semi final but no idea how.
Reached the stage where I would rather just have the Tigers players back in country and lining up for us. Selfishly cheering for France so as we can get Pollard and Weise back for next week against Sale.
SocketRocket
Ryder Cup Winner
I thoroughly enjoyed the Portugal v Fiji match, best match I've watched so far.
WGCRider
Newbie
Farrell in for Ford
I think this is the right choice. The one that I don't get is Smith at 15. He's started one game there in his life (vs Chile). Now Daly on the wing in the backup 15. If Fiji have any sense they will make it rain bombs all day!
GB72
Money List Winner
Their wingers are not designed for the kick chase so it would be hard to put that in to their game at short notice. If there was a game to get Smith involved from full back, this is it as you would certainly want the experience of Steward against any of the other teams left in.
Not saying I agree with the decision. Steward has gone from being hailed as the best in the world to being a reason for the back line not firing as he is apparently not quick enough (he is not slow) and I just do not get it, but I can at least make a slight case for it in this match and it may be something we need in a later match for that spark he can bring as the backs and the back row at the moment are just not geared up to play the style of rugby he needs at fly half plus he does not get the space he gets in the Premiership at international level.
Why do you think it is the right choice? I'm an occasional rugby watcher and with Farell playing we seem very slow and predictable. I'm not saying Ford is the absolute opposite but we do seem to have a bit more about us when he plays.
Farell is clearly great defensively but his impact going forwards seems negative.
Interested to hear your views, from previous posts you are a rugby person and so will see things I won't.
Bunkermagnet
Journeyman Pro
Personally, I watch Farrell and expect a high tackle every time he goes in. He is a liability for me, so I would have played Ford and don't mind Smith at FB.
Fiji do play a slightly different game that isn't so much kick dependant.
GB72
Money List Winner
It is purely on the defensive side of things. Ford is not the best in the tackle and tends to go in high and try and hold the bigger men up whilst waiting for support. The Fijians will look to exploit that and drive through the 10 channel to gain yards.
On the other side, the Fijians looked leggy against Portugal and may be short on gas later in the game. Ford can then step in to move the ball around the pitch and exploit a tiring team.
That is my thinking anyway and I am a bit more attuned to Borthwick's selection policy having watched it at Tigers for the best part of three years but then again even then he would pull the off surprise
GB72
Money List Winner
I would just worry about the big runners coming through the 10 channel with Ford or Smith there. I do expect Fiji to tire though and would like to see Ford or Smith at 10 after 60--65 minutes
spongebob59
Journeyman Pro
If Mitchell kicks like he did last week expect to see the Shepard's crook come into play early
WGCRider
Newbie
I think you need to play your best players in each position. While Farrel is defensively solid at 12 he doesn't get the backline moving forward as well as you would expect from a top of the range 10. In my view the best set up is rugby is to have 2 play makers in your team. For the best teams today it's 9 and 10. Even South Africa where it's sometimes 9 and 15 are moving to 9 and 10 (hence the choice of Libbock over Pollard despite his poor kicking). If England play Farrel at 12 your decision makers are 10 and 12. So 1) they don't get the ball often enough and 2) they are always under preasure behind the gainline. Tomorrow England are set up with 10 and 15 as the attacking keys. This is the way they have been playing for the past few years (even under Eddie Jones). What they are expecting is for Fiji to run at them but I don't think they play like that anymore. Their 9 kicks more and I think that may be a problem for Smith. For me I'd rather see Care at 9 and Farrel at 10 to set up like other teams. Then you can change it up by bringing Ford on later.
Never seen so many people claim to be Irish as I have over the last few days.
Bunkermagnet
Journeyman Pro
If that was England playing Argentina, they would be down to 14.
It did seem odd that it wasn't a yellow. Is it me or have things become more lenient as the tournament has progressed? Looking back, Tom Curry can count himself a little unlucky.
It's a close game, very little in this.
AmandaJR
Money List Winner
How was he wrapping with his hands by his side. Bizarre.
I was rather hoping the Welsh Number 1 was going to be carded - half the team would have walked
If Dan Biggar looks at himself on the big screen and clutches his chest one more time! Such a poser. Can't help himself but keep glancing at the screen!
I was rather hoping the Welsh Number 1 was going to be carded - half the team would have walked
If Dan Biggar looks at himself on the big screen and clutches his chest one more time! Such a poser. Can't help himself but keep glancing at the screen!
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