[2015 RWC] Pool A: England vs. Fiji (18/09/2015)

[dragos03]

As a neutral supporter, I thought the referee in this match was absolutely shameful (everyone in the pub I was in seemed to agree on this). If England will continue to benefit from this kind of homer ref support, I don't even know why the other teams have bothered showing up.

I am afraid that Romania will also be robbed by refs against Tier 1 teams and of course nobody will care.

 

[barthelemy]

As a neutral supporter, I thought the referee in this match was absolutely shameful (everyone in the pub I was in seemed to agree on this). If England will continue to benefit from this kind of homer ref support, I don't even know why the other teams have bothered showing up.

I am afraid that Romania will also be robbed by refs against Tier 1 teams and of course nobody will care.

Romania is crap, this is a different matter (just teasing mate)

 

[TommiG88]

As a neutral supporter, I thought the referee in this match was absolutely shameful (everyone in the pub I was in seemed to agree on this). If England will continue to benefit from this kind of homer ref support, I don't even know why the other teams have bothered showing up.

I am afraid that Romania will also be robbed by refs against Tier 1 teams and of course nobody will care.

Romania don't need the refs help to lose.

 

[The Jones Boy]

I don't think people should be too hard on England.
The Vunipola brothers proved to be a massive improvement to the go forward of Englands forwards, Launchbury helped and Burgess looked like everything that Joseph needs along side him in the midfield.
The saffer Barritt was a dead loss.
It was their first hit out on the biggest stage and they did what they needed to do.
They will improve just watch.

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+1 England is the organizer, they have put some money into it , they need their money back.

A bit like NZ in 2011

We didn't have much money, thats why we only won by one point. ;-)

 

[Muzzy]

Fiji were great at the break down, we got 11 turnovers to Englands 4 and thats what kept us in the game for so long. It was just little errors that cost us the game. Hopefully the bounce of the ball will go our way against Australia. If you compare this to past Fiji performances it was a huge improvement. Normally when we play in Europe our props are yellow carded for scrum collapses. Last time we played England it was 54 - 12, this time we were right in the game until the last 10 mins.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Talking open sides, Launchbury and Lawes are bonus second rows with their mobility but we need another Neil Back

We do indeed & we've known for ages that we'd be up against Wales and Aus, both of who have a choice of open sides and may well play 2 against us. Kvesic may not be Back, but he's the best we have. Why hasn't he been given a shot instead of persisting with Robshaw who's a 6? God, if we get murdered at the breakdown by Fiji....

Launch & Lawes athleticism is a bonus only if they're doing their prime grunt work in the tight exchanges. Just don't think any of our locks carry the requisite power to do that. A combination of poor selection and the wrong emphasis in training. Give me orcs on steroids in my 2nd row any day.

 

[Crapspray]

Talking open sides, Launchbury and Lawes are bonus second rows with their mobility but we need another Neil Back

Yes, but there isn't one in the squad and, while he may not be a groundhog, Robshaw is the best 7 in England. So the immediate choice is to put Launchbury back in, who was England's best breakdown player throughout 2014. There is no Neil Back - that's the main problem. We have Kvesic, the only realistic option, Fraser, who's made of paper maché, and Wallace who's always been poor in the Saxons and has been overtaken by Clifford at Quins. There's also some fat bloke in France who wants the entire Premiership to bend to his will.

 

[Mcfadden]

Not only did England beat Wales last time out you're significantly weaker with injures. How can England not have enough quality to beat Wales? Oz on the other hand England did win last time out but Oz have been impressive but England absolutely can beat them.

Pretty much, I was about the say the same thing. If that were Wales out there today I'm pretty sure they would have got beaten. Just my opinion.

 

[Tony Manx]

As a neutral supporter, I thought the referee in this match was absolutely shameful (everyone in the pub I was in seemed to agree on this). If England will continue to benefit from this kind of homer ref support, I don't even know why the other teams have bothered showing up.

I am afraid that Romania will also be robbed by refs against Tier 1 teams and of course nobody will care.

Quite amazing!! Most people here do not understand that the rules clearly say that the try can be disallowed at any time prior to the goal kick attempt.

Further most people do not realise that not only is Pyper generally deemed to be anti England but that most of the controversial decisions were not taken by him but after many replays by the TMO!

Indeed, some people seem to have had their eyes closed when the last try had many, many replays of which the last number clearly showed the ball on the line.

Please watch the game when sober!!!

 

[barthelemy]

Anyway, lets be happy, that was a good opening game, Fiji has shown some interesting stuff and made it tough for England. England has won that match, not by far. I think that England won't win this world cup, they do not have the experienced players to win it (even if they are a very good side - I really like Mike Brown, really pretty player with a lot of flair). I seriously think that last decision try was a shame, just a point given to England. In the meantime, there is one human TMO, he has a lot of pressure, he made a mistake, a costly one for the England opponent teams but still I guess that won't make England world champion and the decision of this championship will be on some other matches.

 

[Sarries918]

We do indeed & we've known for ages that we'd be up against Wales and Aus, both of who have a choice of open sides and may well play 2 against us. Kvesic may not be Back, but he's the best we have. Why hasn't he been given a shot instead of persisting with Robshaw who's a 6? God, if we get murdered at the breakdown by Fiji....

Launch & Lawes athleticism is a bonus only if they're doing their prime grunt work in the tight exchanges. Just don't think any of our locks carry the requisite power to do that. A combination of poor selection and the wrong emphasis in training. Give me orcs on steroids in my 2nd row any day.

Does anyone know of a new world beating open side coming through that could stop England losing so much ball at the breakdown?

 

[barthelemy]

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We didn't have much money, thats why we only won by one point. ;-)

High Five !

 

[dragos03]

Romania don't need the refs help to lose.

Really, I wonder why we were robbed when we played Italy last time at a World Cup then.

Back to the topic: we've been waiting for so long for the RWC to start only to witness this absolute farce.

 

[TommiG88]

Quite amazing!! Most people here do not understand that the rules clearly say that the try can be disallowed at any time prior to the goal kick attempt.

Further most people do not realise that not only is Pyper generally deemed to be anti England but that most of the controversial decisions were not taken by him but after many replays by the TMO!

Indeed, some people seem to have had their eyes closed when the last try had many, many replays of which the last number clearly showed the ball on the line.

Please watch the game when sober!!!

 

[Belvedere]

Not only did England beat Wales last time out you're significantly weaker with injures. How can England not have enough quality to beat Wales? Oz on the other hand England did win last time out but Oz have been impressive but England absolutely can beat them.

I should clarify, I meant England won't beat Both.
I'd expect Australia to beat you, even at home and with a good recent record against the Aussies.
As for us, I Didn't see anything in that game or in the warm ups that suggests you will be dominant in any area of the game.
Sure, we've lost Webb and Halfpenny but the team we will feild is still as good a Wales team as England have faced in recent times.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Does anyone know of a new world beating open side coming through that could stop England losing so much ball at the breakdown?

Opensides don't stop their own team losing ball...

 

[Sarries918]

Yes, but there isn't one in the squad and, while he may not be a groundhog, Robshaw is the best 7 in England. So the immediate choice is to put Launchbury back in, who was England's best breakdown player throughout 2014. There is no Neil Back - that's the main problem. We have Kvesic, the only realistic option, Fraser, who's made of paper maché, and Wallace who's always been poor in the Saxons and has been overtaken by Clifford at Quins. There's also some fat bloke in France who wants the entire Premiership to bend to his will.

Excellent summing up. Think we need to plunder the old empire !!

 

[barthelemy]

Quite amazing!! Most people here do not understand that the rules clearly say that the try can be disallowed at any time prior to the goal kick attempt.

Further most people do not realise that not only is Pyper generally deemed to be anti England but that most of the controversial decisions were not taken by him but after many replays by the TMO!

Indeed, some people seem to have had their eyes closed when the last try had many, many replays of which the last number clearly showed the ball on the line.

Please watch the game when sober!!!

Overall, I do not think the referee had such a bad game ( I would have something to say about the yellow card and the penalty at the start but the fiji guys could only blame themselves for doing this and letting the referee have a go at them). But please stop this nonsense with the last try : there is NO video from the replays that show the ball grounded. In any other matches, this try would not have been granted because of the doubt. I had 2 pints, not enough to transform flies in elephants. I do not know what has happened with the TMO (english wifey ready to put her knees in his balls ?) but clearly this was a bad decision.

 

[dragos03]

Quite amazing!! Most people here do not understand that the rules clearly say that the try can be disallowed at any time prior to the goal kick attempt.

Further most people do not realise that not only is Pyper generally deemed to be anti England but that most of the controversial decisions were not taken by him but after many replays by the TMO!

Indeed, some people seem to have had their eyes closed when the last try had many, many replays of which the last number clearly showed the ball on the line.

Please watch the game when sober!!!

Lol, I am sober. I am not contesting the disallowed Fijian try (correct call). The last try of the match was grounded on the line but the ref ignored two offside positions leading to it. There were so many other ridiculous calls, too many to mention here. Just remember the absurd yellow card given to a Fijian after the penalty try or the decision at the end of the first half when instead of awarding a penalty to Fiji, the ref did the opposite.

But as always, nobody will remember that a Tier 2 team was robbed.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Anyone else annoyed at the TMO for getting himself involved so often? The penalty against England 6 for throwing the guy on the ground and the one on the Fijian lock for a normal enough looking clean out were both ridiculous and really unnecessary. Hope the powers that be tell them to knock it off.

To to the game, England will be hard to beat with their set piece (although the scrum had a couple of misfires). The line out was largely good and rolling maul was well structured. Lack of a genuine turnover threat might be a bit worrying against Australia especially who probably won't make as many unforced errors and probably are more threatening than Fiji. England will need to be able to slow the ball against the top sides.

thought Barritt was very quiet, Burgess is obviously a lot better in attack. How important Barritt is to the defence is something the coaches will appreciate more than this neutral I suppose, but I don't see the appeal in him as a player. Ford was ok without doing anything great. Joseph was fairly ordinary, brown is bloody powerful and the wings were both fast and busy.

that last try could be very crucial in the big scheme of things.

 

[Sarries918]

Opensides don't stop their own team losing ball...

I think New Zealand, Australia and South Africa have some who don't make a bad fist of it. Granted sometimes when players go off on their own and get stripped there is not a lot the 7 can do, but he was anonymous tonight and previously against concerted, quick and committed rucking

 

[TommiG88]

Delete

 

[donmcdazzle]

Lol, I am sober. I am not contesting the disallowed Fijian try (correct call). The last try of the match was grounded on the line but the ref ignored two offside positions leading to it. There were so many other ridiculous calls, too many to mention here. Just remember the absurd yellow card given to a Fijian after the penalty try or the decision at the end of the first half when instead of awarding a penalty to Fiji, the ref did the opposite.

But as always, nobody will remember that a Tier 2 team was robbed.

They were clearly not robbed settle down. Hey got the benefit of numerous calls at the breakdown that a bias ref could've easily overlooked so you're just being one sided. The yellow card was curious I thought it was only foul play preventing a try that equated to penalty try and yellow?

 

[Tony Manx]

View attachment 3955

Pretty lady!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Blah blah blah England are cheats.

Talking open sides, Launchbury and Lawes are bonus second rows with their mobility but we need another Neil Back

David Seymour
Magnus Lund
Matt Kvesic
Jamie Gibson

Lancaster has had multiple chances to try a traditional openside, but don't want it.
I thought Robshaw was good tonight but part of an ineffective backrow.
I'd have Lund there, as he's a great lineout operator as well as being a quality openside.

 

[Muzzy]

Anyone else annoyed at the TMO for getting himself involved so often? The penalty against England 6 for throwing the guy on the ground and the one on the Fijian lock for a normal enough looking clean out were both ridiculous and really unnecessary. Hope the powers that be tell them to knock it off.

To to the game, England will be hard to beat with their set piece (although the scrum had a couple of misfires). The line out was largely good and rolling maul was well structured. Lack of a genuine turnover threat might be a bit worrying against Australia especially who probably won't make as many unforced errors and probably are more threatening than Fiji. England will need to be able to slow the ball against the top sides.

thought Barritt was very quiet, Burgess is obviously a lot better in attack. How important Barritt is to the defence is something the coaches will appreciate more than this neutral I suppose, but I don't see the appeal in him as a player. Ford was ok without doing anything great. Joseph was fairly ordinary, brown is bloody powerful and the wings were both fast and busy.

that last try could be very crucial in the big scheme of things.

Was it the TMO or the touch judges saying to go to the TMO. I think the penalty with Nakarawa getting grabbed around the neck and thrown to the ground was a fair penalty. The one for the clean out was a bit harsh to me especially because they had to go so far back for it.

This rule of going so far back in play by TMO's all started when Andrew Hore got away with making that illegal hit against Wales.

 

[barthelemy]

Anyone else annoyed at the TMO for getting himself involved so often? The penalty against England 6 for throwing the guy on the ground and the one on the Fijian lock for a normal enough looking clean out were both ridiculous and really unnecessary. Hope the powers that be tell them to knock it off.

In the meantime and if you go by that way, the yellow card (and the try that has followed, should I remind you) was very harsh against Fiji, it was not dangerous at all.

 

[TommiG88]

In the meantime and if you go by that way, the yellow card (and the try that has followed, should I remind you) was very harsh against Fiji, it was not dangerous at all.

The try that followed was down to a horrendous bit of play from Fiji, suicidal in fact.

 

[barthelemy]

The try that followed was down to a horrendous bit of play from Fiji, suicidal in fact.

Yeah lets not be too dramatic huh ??! I agree that the Fiji guys should not have shown that sort of move because they are letting their destiny in the referee hand ..but realistically, there was nothing horrendous into this..Suicidal, maybe I could agree...naive seems more appropriate

Again, pressure of the home crowd, choice under pressure for the referee blabla...

 

[TommiG88]

Yeah lets not be too dramatic huh ??! I agree that the Fiji guys should not have shown that sort of move because they are letting their destiny in the referee hand ..but realistically, there was nothing horrendous into this..Suicidal, maybe I could agree...naive seems more appropriate

Again, pressure of the home crowd, choice under pressure for the referee blabla...

Over throwing the line out ball to no one isn't horrendous? It was a poor and thoughtless move, let alone when you're down to 14 men.

I don't think it was a sin bin though, as a penalty try was given. That should have been punishment enough