[RWC2019][Pool C] Round 1 - England vs. Tonga (22/09/2019)

[JohnKA]

Tonga going to get smacked

 

[mustardcharlie]

Predict Tonga will hold England until halftime, after which superior fitness and the better bench will tell. 35+/15 to England. Anything less will be poor.

 

[donmcdazzle]

I think England win this by 50. England will be good enough to cycle the ball through a few phases, get a couple of mismatches and then exploit it.

I love that Eddie said basically “We will take them on upfront and dominate.” And dominate they will too.

I like the aside England have named as well, looks a very strong line up.

 

[TommiG88]

So glad we’re playing inside. Trashing it down at the Italy game.

 

[MarkyH]

Game day !

 

[bushytop]

So glad we’re playing inside. Trashing it down at the Italy game.

#bantheroof

 

[Scotty]

Predict Tonga will hold England until halftime, after which superior fitness and the better bench will tell. 35+/15 to England. Anything less will be poor.

I dont think that will be the case at all. Our attack is strong and our defence is strong. Full strength England team should beat this Tonga team with relative ease. Especially if we looking to do well in the tournement. This needs to be the statement tbh.

No disrespect to tonga but a team looking to be in contention to win this thing shouldnt be pushed by tier 2 teams.

 

[Which Tyler]

Predict Tonga will hold England until halftime, after which superior fitness and the better bench will tell. 35+/15 to England. Anything less will be poor.

It could happen, but o it if England take the pitch thinking it's already won, and don't bother maneuvering Tonga around.
Tonga are good enough that we'll have to earn the points, so if we go outnin full English-arrogance mode, they'll hold us until fitness tells. If we treat them like we treat Italy (Good, just not good enough) well have the TBP in the bag by halftime.

Tonga are good enough to knock us off our stride for 10 minutes, but if itmlasts much longer than that, something will be seriously wrong (and I will probably blame either Farrell or Youngs)

 

[spartan32]

England are fielding our A team so nothing less than total domination of this game will do in every department. We currently stand at No. 3 in the world just below NZ and you know full well if they fielded their best against Tonga everyone would expect a cricket score, and so it must be for us. Tonga are a proud and fierce rugby nation and I think I speak for all when I say they deserve respect for what they do, but this is the WC, and we need to be ruthless and clinical in every game. Some of the big games have already come down to very small margins, one kick in FRA v ARG, and couple of silly missed tackles in NZ v RSA, this is going to be a tournament of fine margins, and that mindset must start today for England.

BRING IT ON!!!

 

[MarkyH]

England by 30 is the minimum. Should be aiming for 50. But Tonga will be ready, and determined, especially early on.

Move them around. Play phases so they have to tackle, then play territory. Dont kick to early. Some big units in the Tonga team, but we can tire them out.

 

[TommiG88]

England by 30 is the minimum. Should be aiming for 50. But Tonga will be ready, and determined, especially early on.

Move them around. Play phases so they have to tackle, then play territory. Dont kick to early. Some big units in the Tonga team, but we can tire them out.

I expect England to put 50-70 points on the board if I’m honest.

I think kicking early and getting May chasing it down will be an option.

 

[Umaga's Witness]

England by 65 I'd say. Suggestions of 30 or 50 seem off. ....
...now just looking up the odds...
the bookies have it at 63.5. Not worth a bet then.

I'll be hoping Tonga can hold them under 50 points total, not difference; that will be a major upset

 

[Reiser99]

Tbh I just want a BP with no serious injuries.

Good defence and low penalty count would come next.

Lots of points and an enterprising attack are just bonus for me. This is a world cup, the result is the only thing that matters.

 

[MarkyH]

I expect England to put 50-70 points on the board if I’m honest.

I think kicking early and getting May chasing it down will be an option.

I'm trying not to be too arrogant

 

[RedruthRFC]

England by 65 I'd say. Suggestions of 30 or 50 seem off. ....
...now just looking up the odds...
the bookies have it at 63.5. Not worth a bet then.

I'll be hoping Tonga can hold them under 50 points total, not difference; that will be a major upset

The figure in the 60s is total points, the cap on England is in the early fourties, so fill your boots!

 

[Umaga's Witness]

The figure in the 60s is total points, the cap on England is in the early fourties, so fill your boots!

hmm, not on NZs betting site, the TAB. 63.5 point start, meaning even odds either side of 62.5. Sounds like there is some serious arbitrage opportunity there. What site are you looking at?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Bet365 has England at -45,

I've bet their handicap every game so far (minus the Japan game) and it's come in every time

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Over to England now. Come on you roses in white.

 

[TommiG88]

The O2 England advert is a tad cringe.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I just hope we don't **** the bed like we did in our 2015 opener