[RWC2019][Semi-Final 1] England vs. New Zealand (26/10/2019)

[Derpus]

Can I be nominated for drunkest poster yet?

No

 

[Pom in Exile]

Parties?
What are these parties you refer to?

I’ve said too much, oh look a rainbow.

 

[ALJ]

Brodie will have plenty of time now to have a lie down and rest. Unless he’s picked for the 3rd place play off. Who came up with that game? - the game no one wants to play in.

So, so glad Eddie didn’t change his team in response and put Lawes at 6 in response. Hansen putting Barrett at 6 felt like a panic selection with hindsight now. Still I don’t think Cane could have done much even if he did start.

I’ve never seen a side improved by playing a lock at 6.
It was the same for us when we kept trying it.

I know Barrett plays six a fair bit at club level but if he was the best option for the ABs at flanker, he’d be playing there all the time.

 

[Pom in Exile]

I guess it’s a North America thing. It’s a big no no I’m the NHL to celebrate the semi-final (even though you get a trophy) and it’s considered bad luck.

Fair enough, although I didn’t see anything that worries me for next week.

 

[ALJ]

Still feels weird that the back row is such a strength after the hackshawood years.

Was thinking that last night - Ludlam not even on the the bench and players like Simmonds and Mercer back home.

Crazy really.

Edit - Ludlam was clearly not on the bench, just too excited for my own good.

 

[TheOvalBall]

New Zealand were like Hillary Clinton. Had everything going their way and still lost.

 

[Scotty]

Now for next week unchanged side? Or Wilson and kruis in and lawes and underhill to come on at 50 min and demolish?

Im in 2 minds. on 1 hand a formular thats beat the ABs and Demolished the Aussies, on the other vs SA hard to change but on the other our pack must be dead and aching, wilson and kruis are more phsyical and fresh with underhill and lawes on at 50 min.

Might be wales but point still stands.

 

[Reiser99]

See how well England play with an actual 7. None of this 6.5 ********.

 

[Which Tyler]

Fair enough, although I didn’t see anything that worries me for next week.

It worries me, but maybe that's the France rugby, and England cricket fan in me. I've seen far too many world class performances followed up by a dispirited schoolboy effort

 

[TommiG88]

No. Your spelling’s fine, obvs a fair way to go yet....

We can’t risk any half fit players next week. Big week for the medics. Hope Spencer’s at Heathrow already.

Get to tuck bgiswhciebtjt

 

[TommiG88]

Walk him!

**** him? How dare you

 

[Umaga's Witness]

What went wrong for the all blacks? Retallick was awful, as has been the case for 2 years now. He simply can’t clean a ruck to save himself. Laulala couldn’t handle the pace. We couldn’t handle the pressure, making bad decisions like allowing ourselves to be taken out on several occasions. We selected the wrong players, should have picked some others who could have handled the pressure. At least not Jordie; of course he was going to stuff up, it’s his forte.

what else? Oh, england was better. Itoje and curry undies in particular. They’re an all round team, and hard to beat from behind.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Apart from one aberration George was brilliant

I'm not a lineout guy, but wasn't that aberration on the lifter rather than the thrower?

It appeared to me that Tuilagi had a simple trigger read when New Zealand were in possession. If they were looking to go deep / wide he simply blocked the 13 channel for the pass. If it was flat, then number up and drift. Brilliantly done.

Aaah centres! This is more my area!

Tuilagi was world class in defence, I never thought I'd say that about him to be honest. It was a system that gave other people the responsbility to cover for him and freed him up a bit, but still a role which required crucial decisions to be made in split seconds on almost every attack, and he did it excellently. Credit to him, and credit to EJ and John Mitchell for bringing it out of him.

 

[Reiser99]

What went wrong for the all blacks? Retallick was awful, as has been the case for 2 years now. He simply can’t clean a ruck to save himself. Laulala couldn’t handle the pace. We couldn’t handle the pressure, making bad decisions like allowing ourselves to be taken out on several occasions. We selected the wrong players, should have picked some others who could have handled the pressure. At least not Jordie; of course he was going to stuff up, it’s his forte.

what else? Oh, england was better. Itoje and curry undies in particular. They’re an all round team, and hard to beat from behind.

For me the key is that England never panicked and kept their defensive line even when NZ did get past them. NZ weren't awful, but England never gave the easy possession even after a line break and it looked then like NZ didn't know what to do.

 

[RedCard]

NZ had no answer which I am quite surprised about. Yes, England kept their game going for the full 80 but they were never really troubled. Other than the cock up of a lineout England were close to deserving to nil the AB's which is incredible. If they can back up that performance then next week is again likely to be a comfortable win.


No pressure England as I know they love a good buckle when it really counts...... one can only hope

 

[Every Time Ref]

Semi Final score flattered England to b fait, couple tries on the counter, another from an intercept.
I've seen nothing from their attacking play this entire tournament that would trouble the AB's.
Barring a red card or a couple yellows, I think the AB's win comfortably.

This aged well.

God the English are arrogant aren't they

 

[corny]

I was convinced England had the best team prior to the tournament but that blew me away. The NZ'ers were swatted aside as if they're a tier 2 nation.

Brilliant set of forwards. Every bit the equal of their 2003 side.

 

[Pom in Exile]

Now for next week unchanged side? Or Wilson and kruis in and lawes and underhill to come on at 50 min and demolish?

Im in 2 minds. on 1 hand a formular thats beat the ABs and Demolished the Aussies, on the other vs SA hard to change but on the other our pack must be dead and aching, wilson and kruis are more phsyical and fresh with underhill and lawes on at 50 min.

Might be wales but point still stands.

As you were I think. Depending on injuries obviously.

 

[Rinkadink]

God the English are arrogant aren't they

IKR!

Another classic in this thread;

From Engand's POV I think they should have played NZ a few more times in the last four years in the hope of beating them at least once for confidence and just to get used to playing at seventh gear and with 100% concentration all match which is what will be required here. Nothing in NH rugby or playing historically weak Aus and SA teams will have prepared them for what is needed to win a World Cup semi-final v NZ.

 

[Which Tyler]

I need a rewatch - has anyone uploaded it to the internet?

Pornhub probably the best place for it!