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International Test Matches
England v New Zealand
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<blockquote data-quote="gingergenius" data-source="post: 352492" data-attributes="member: 33219"><p>My assessment of the game (late but my internet at home's ****** and I want to get this typed up!)</p><p></p><p>Starting with the All Blacks, not their strongest performance... but at the same time, I think they were thouroughly outplayed in the tight pressured a lot in the backs, so I think it was England making them play badly as much as themselves.</p><p></p><p>I think the scrums said more about the outstanding scrummaging of the English front row than anything about the All Blacks, who've held their own against most other world teams.</p><p></p><p>Everyone will be talking about SBW. We saw that he can cut it at this level, and that his outstanding offloading game can create tries for his teammates. We also didn't see him much at all. Smith, as I've been saying all along, is currently the best 13 about.</p><p></p><p>Glad Mealamu's been cited, hope he sits out till next season.</p><p></p><p>Also, where has Hosea Gear been all this time?</p><p></p><p>Onto England:</p><p></p><p>Front row: outstanding, couldn't fault them besides a few dodgy Thompson throws. Hartley came on and made a real impact, but I hope he gets cited and banned for a very long time, because for the umpteenth time he's behaved like a ****.</p><p></p><p>Second row: very encouraging. Lawes had a big game and Palmer didn't totally impress but was good for his starting place. I like Attwood off the bench too.</p><p></p><p>Back row: Croft, outstanding. Moody - you can't fault his effort and general ability to be a 6, but we're going to need to find a fetching 7 soonish. Easter, mixed game. Some absolute brainfarts, some outstanding plays. Best 8 we've got, unfortunately.</p><p></p><p>halfbacks - very nice. Youngs looks to be a future star, and while Flood isn't in the Carter league, he looks like he can control a test match from 10, which is a good sign for a guy who started out as a flair player. Defence from him spot on too, coped with Nonu etc. absolutely fine.</p><p></p><p>centres - Hape isn't good enough. Waldouck please. Tindall can stick around and do a job for a bit.</p><p></p><p>back 3 - ashton and foden were both outstanding. I'd keep Cueto about, but despite his brainfart Armitage looks good for the 11 jersey fairly soon.</p><p></p><p>So, despite our defeat I'm hugely encouraged. We created a number of chances, we played some good expansive rugby and made the ABs sweat. If we become more clinical and improve our defence, then victories over the Aussies and Springboks are definitely possible.</p><p></p><p>Controversial tries - I didn't think Gear's was a try, but it was 6 of one and half a dozen of the other. Ashton was about a mile offside for our try. And Toeava took Hape out with a shoulder charge, which to me says penalty try... but then I'd say our fault for wasting a massive overlap.</p><p></p><p>All in all, fair result but one England certainly could have won. Which is why I'm feeling positive.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="gingergenius, post: 352492, member: 33219"] My assessment of the game (late but my internet at home's ****** and I want to get this typed up!) Starting with the All Blacks, not their strongest performance... but at the same time, I think they were thouroughly outplayed in the tight pressured a lot in the backs, so I think it was England making them play badly as much as themselves. I think the scrums said more about the outstanding scrummaging of the English front row than anything about the All Blacks, who've held their own against most other world teams. Everyone will be talking about SBW. We saw that he can cut it at this level, and that his outstanding offloading game can create tries for his teammates. We also didn't see him much at all. Smith, as I've been saying all along, is currently the best 13 about. Glad Mealamu's been cited, hope he sits out till next season. Also, where has Hosea Gear been all this time? Onto England: Front row: outstanding, couldn't fault them besides a few dodgy Thompson throws. Hartley came on and made a real impact, but I hope he gets cited and banned for a very long time, because for the umpteenth time he's behaved like a ****. Second row: very encouraging. Lawes had a big game and Palmer didn't totally impress but was good for his starting place. I like Attwood off the bench too. Back row: Croft, outstanding. Moody - you can't fault his effort and general ability to be a 6, but we're going to need to find a fetching 7 soonish. Easter, mixed game. Some absolute brainfarts, some outstanding plays. Best 8 we've got, unfortunately. halfbacks - very nice. Youngs looks to be a future star, and while Flood isn't in the Carter league, he looks like he can control a test match from 10, which is a good sign for a guy who started out as a flair player. Defence from him spot on too, coped with Nonu etc. absolutely fine. centres - Hape isn't good enough. Waldouck please. Tindall can stick around and do a job for a bit. back 3 - ashton and foden were both outstanding. I'd keep Cueto about, but despite his brainfart Armitage looks good for the 11 jersey fairly soon. So, despite our defeat I'm hugely encouraged. We created a number of chances, we played some good expansive rugby and made the ABs sweat. If we become more clinical and improve our defence, then victories over the Aussies and Springboks are definitely possible. Controversial tries - I didn't think Gear's was a try, but it was 6 of one and half a dozen of the other. Ashton was about a mile offside for our try. And Toeava took Hape out with a shoulder charge, which to me says penalty try... but then I'd say our fault for wasting a massive overlap. All in all, fair result but one England certainly could have won. Which is why I'm feeling positive. [/QUOTE]
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