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I'm thinking the opposite, I think the Boks will smash the poms. My reason being:Originally Posted by TRF_Darwin
1. We're not playing at the coast
2. We're playing at altitude, at the South African Rugby fortress which was known as Ellis Park.
3. Sold out Crowd
4. One more week preparation
5. Just one change in the starting 15 (and adding a better player)
6. The Boks now know how the Poms are going to play at the breakdowns...
The Official 2012 TRF Best Newcomer
Or Ashton running a line off of Flood.
If Tuilagi's hands and brain are in working order, it also leaves de Villiers slightly isolated against Joseph should he get the ball away quickly there.
Alas, I don't think it's going to quite work like that, but long term that is the dream of Tuilagi at 12...
I actually think it's going to be a thrashing.
Last week was the Poms only chance of beating us.
Was thinking about Tuilagi at 12 and I'm more open to it than I was before: He often crops up at first receiver for Tigers and, despite loving running in to people, he's still a pro-rugby player and can get a pass away - If he charging up in the 10 channel causing SA to commit a man or two to him, and then he can get the ball out to Flood with Ashton/Joseph running off of his shoulders (like Ashton used to do pre-World Cup/loss of form) then that could be quality.
Can't wait to see Joseph at 13 - probably the fastest English player on the pitch, possibly the fastest of both team, crazy agile too. If he can bring his Not Nots form to the side then that'd be great.
... bear in mind that Habana and Jean De Villiers doesn't like to intercept...
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That's a risk against anyone though.
Whether or not we get the execution right, the potential here is very clear.
You missed: 7. I am a South African supporter
I think points 1,2, and 3 are really just one point (though a very valid point, one that I hadn't really taken into account!). Don't forget England have one more weeks preparation too, which will be equally beneficial to them. The South Africa have a settled starting XV is certainly a good point - England do have to work with new un-tried combinations. I don't think knowing what England will be doing at the breakdown will really be that much of an advantage though, as I really think South Africa are lacking a lot of breakdown expertise in their pack, so will not necessarily be able to combat England even if they know what they are going to do!
You could well be right about the Boks smashing England - they certainly have handed out some good beatings in the past - but I just feel that England have the potential to play a lot better than they did last week.
The same can be said about the Boks too... we lacked execution
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True, but if they didn't intercept Farrell's ridiculously slow/inaccurate wide passes last week I think we should be OK
Habana has curbed his intercept attempts recently, I was disappointed the see - I was hoping he'd jump out of the line at every opportunity like he used to, leaving a massive gap for someone to run through, but no, he had to go and regain his form in time for the England tour of SA
I am away on anniversary weekend, will be watching this naked with a bottle of Sherry.
Every time the Boks score, I will do just that!
No offence, but I hope you have a very boring anniversary
lol, was waiting for the humorous comments from both sides Olly
Anniversaries come and go, the England Series is only once. Tell her that.
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Thomas Waldrom has replaced Dowson on the bench.
I would've preferred Haskell, to be honest, but he'll Waldrom will make a good impact player coming on at 60.
Something Martin Corry said on his column over at Planet Rugby:
Do people agree with that analysis?he other flank, Chris Robshaw, showed just what an effective international he is becoming. People have long lamented England's perceived lack of a traditional 7, but Robshaw's workrate, intelligence and leadership is making an absolute mockery of those comments. He is both an exceptional Test player and leader.
Robshaw shows the same qualities as Warburton. Leadership, good attitude and a really good intelligent lad who knows what to say in public. I always thought Tom Croft would be a good pick but Robshaw shows what is needed
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I think you've misunderstood physics. Being big doesn't mean you can actually tackle backwards big guys running at pace. With Tuilagi defenders are exposed to his upper body strength before they can even get in a position to tackle.Thats why Cuthbert/Steyn/de Villiers and other large guys get barged off - they haven't even been able to get their arms round him yet! I definitely don't think Tuilagi can be disrupted physically.
i'm honestly far more worried about SOuth Africa going forward, as you have so many more ball carriers
Lets remember that at club level he has been moved around to 12 and occasionally 13 quite often this season, which is why he doesn't have the most developed attacking game. It doesn't mean he is incapable of it.
Playing in the center doesn't stop attacking skills in fact it should help develop them.
Sherry? What are you, a fullback or something?
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I completely understand Physics, when something bigger and stronger drives against something smaller and weaker, then the stronger item will have more momentum, hence the reason I mentioned Willem Alberts, I could also mention Beast, Bismarck and even Frans Steyn as they are bigger than Tuilagi. Steyn is 1.91 M tall and weighs in at 110kg's...
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The Official 2012 TRF Best Newcomer
Nope.
Cuthbert is bigger than Steyn and he didn't do too well.
Nor did Jamie Roberts.
However, that's at 13, where he's virtually impossible to line up as he's always got a bit of space to step into.
At 12 however, it'll be a bit easier to line him up in the ribs and smash him back.
However, I wouldn't have thought it terribly easy, nor would I assume simply other players are stronger than Tuilagi simply because they're bigger and heavier as he is incredibly strong for his size, nor would I think it's likely a guy who grew up playing beach rugby in Samoa, sometimes with his family, would be that phased by getting smashed back. There might be an ego thing making him want to smash it back, but tbh, as long as he smashes it back well, that's ok.
Tuilagi looks to have a real low center of gravity too... so hitting him high isn't gonna be that effective. Warburton showed everyone how its done.
You are very mistaken Tuilangi weighs 112Kg whilst Bismark weighs just 106Kg steyn being 110kg is LESS then Tuilangi who is is also exceptionally strong I have seen videos of him jump squatting 220Kg over 12 months ago he has put on additional size and strength since then. Tuilangi has better Gym stats (well bench and squat) as far as I know then any guy in the SA team, better than Bismark and Spies at least.
I have no idea what Bismark and Spies lift but I'd imagine their both pretty damn strong (as is Tuilagi I'm sure). How do you know their gym stats?
How about we just see what happens on the field tomorrow instead of arguing who can do a better bicep curl
Every time I watch Tuilagi (His big brother as well infact) I have always been disappointed. Never seen him have a good game against decent opposition eg. Last week against the Boks, and his brother last year at the WC for Samoa against the Boks.
Tuilagi is a massive threat, and a dangerous player. What he does well he does better than Frans Steyn, Frans may have a slightly more varied skill set but there it is.
It's tacky to put down English players (until we get the sweep that is)
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