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I’m surprised he scored him. He was only on for 22 mins. Majority of the replacements played more.
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England vs New Zealand - 15/11/2025
- Thread starter Rugbyfan564
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The England replacements are proving to be the new bomb squad.
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Agreed, from what I remember he was good in the air, made a try-saving tackle (for a couple of phases) in open play, and made some solid carries.
He'll be very frustrated to have been hooked, especially as Marcus went well. He seemed surprised by the HIA but maybe that was because of it... I didn't see the knock.
Zed
Bench Player
I think he's OK. Solid. But just imagine if England had someone like Arundell hitting the line at pace in broken play.
Ah, but how often does that really happen at international level though? Couple of times a game?
If Arundell has an international future (and I think he does) then it's on the wing - don't think he has the solidity or top two inches for fullback
Might come with time, he is still very young, but he'd be pretty far down my list for fullback options for England
Not sure i agree. Dont recall the time on the clock but i do remember the play: NZ kicks long, behind Smith's back. 2 all blacks chase. He doesnt really sprint (giving the chasers time to close the distance), gets the ball, and instead of kicking it out (he still had time to do so) he goes in between two all blacks while all of the english players were still running back. He gets pinned, doesnt release, penalty for NZ.
Game was still up for grabs at that point.
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This is his work on.
At 10, he has time to scan before getting the ball, at 15 it is often very last second to make decisions.
I’m fairly vocal about his inclusion, thought he was neutral with maybe small credit in the bag from this one, did some really good stuff, but did get charged down and did Lnock on a high ball which wasn’t hugely pressurised, NZ did score a phase or to later but not his fault the covering tackle after we got calved up outwide was very impressive and that’s one area I have been very critical of so fair play to him on that, outside of the knock on some very nice aerial work, I’d have probably gone 6,5-7 but in reality he didn’t play long enough to gauge.
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My summary:
We won comfortably. Aside from the disallowed try, I counted at least three occasions where we were within a whisker of scoring. Had Ford's poor kick pass and Underhill's offload found their targets early on, the complexion of the game could have been very different (the third was Coles being held up but that was at a very different point in the game). Blackett is obviously very new to his role, but as he gets more time to exert his influence, I think the variety and accuracy will increase which will make us a very dangerous side.
The response to going 12 down against the run of play was excellent. I don't think we'd have seen that level of confidence/conviction in the past. That is hugely encouraging, particularly given the speed of the two scores and how the second one came about. That suggests to me that the mindset in the squad has shifted and we genuinely believe we can beat the top sides.
Baxter and Heyes are an excellent combination. They were solid in the scrum, great in defence and willing and effective carriers. Sure, they're not going to make big line breaks but they carry hard and present the ball well. I think we can confidently say we have 4 very good props. Building this to a stable of 6 or 7 is the next target, but that feels very possible with AOF, Iyogun, Fasogbon and Sela coming through.
I know Coles has his detractors, but I thought he was good yesterday and looks as though he is comfortable at this level. We definitely need a couple more locks to break through but I think we have some high potential players who could fill that gap. Itoje, Chessum, Martin, Coles, Ewels is not a bad group IMO.
Dingwall was decent. I’d still prefer Atkinson, but showing up well vs. the ABs is not a small thing, particularly off the back of two poor performances. Borthwick was right to trust him - also good management IMO. The easy decision would have been to bring back Slade, but that would have been a backwards step.
On the game - lots of very iffy decisions. Piardi looked out of his depth. The yellow card for Taylor was extremely harsh and probably did influence the result. However, it often felt like he was only penalising one side and I think the disallowed try and questionable yellow for Earl more than cancel out the Taylor decision.
We won comfortably. Aside from the disallowed try, I counted at least three occasions where we were within a whisker of scoring. Had Ford's poor kick pass and Underhill's offload found their targets early on, the complexion of the game could have been very different (the third was Coles being held up but that was at a very different point in the game). Blackett is obviously very new to his role, but as he gets more time to exert his influence, I think the variety and accuracy will increase which will make us a very dangerous side.
The response to going 12 down against the run of play was excellent. I don't think we'd have seen that level of confidence/conviction in the past. That is hugely encouraging, particularly given the speed of the two scores and how the second one came about. That suggests to me that the mindset in the squad has shifted and we genuinely believe we can beat the top sides.
Baxter and Heyes are an excellent combination. They were solid in the scrum, great in defence and willing and effective carriers. Sure, they're not going to make big line breaks but they carry hard and present the ball well. I think we can confidently say we have 4 very good props. Building this to a stable of 6 or 7 is the next target, but that feels very possible with AOF, Iyogun, Fasogbon and Sela coming through.
I know Coles has his detractors, but I thought he was good yesterday and looks as though he is comfortable at this level. We definitely need a couple more locks to break through but I think we have some high potential players who could fill that gap. Itoje, Chessum, Martin, Coles, Ewels is not a bad group IMO.
Dingwall was decent. I’d still prefer Atkinson, but showing up well vs. the ABs is not a small thing, particularly off the back of two poor performances. Borthwick was right to trust him - also good management IMO. The easy decision would have been to bring back Slade, but that would have been a backwards step.
On the game - lots of very iffy decisions. Piardi looked out of his depth. The yellow card for Taylor was extremely harsh and probably did influence the result. However, it often felt like he was only penalising one side and I think the disallowed try and questionable yellow for Earl more than cancel out the Taylor decision.
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Pollock has so far had very positive impacts. BUT, his over exuberance could easily be costly and I wouldn’t be surprised if officials start taking exception to him breaking early off the scrum and/or flirting a bit too much with the offside line.
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Before the game I said we should win, the first time I've ever said that before a NZ game.
A deserved win with a lot to like although not as dominant as 2012 or 2019.
Loving the scrum. When Harrison was appointed I asked Tom who? Tougher tests await but you can't argue with that.
Loving the drop goals. Went out of fashion for ages but they're a great weapon to keep opponents guessing and the scoreboard ticking.
Not loving the lineouts. Team effort and all that but I think three thrown to Itoje were lost. That would have mattered more on another day.
Not totally loving the first half. At one point it looked like the Pom squad might have had a bit of uphill swimming to do. The DGs changed the momentum. But the important point is that we did find a way.
Not loving New Zealand. Imprecise and no stardust. For all their history, at the moment they're just another team. Whether this is just a generational issue or a good domestic coach struggling at a higher level I don't know, but I do hear that rugby isn't quite the obsession over there it once was - a small population with waning interest could be a massive issue……see Wales, who have admittedly taken it to extremes.
Loving that Scotland will have watched that with huge regret about blowing their chance.
Loving Underhill. Because I just do.
A good win and a very positive step. Can't wait to lock horns with Fra and the Boks.
A deserved win with a lot to like although not as dominant as 2012 or 2019.
Loving the scrum. When Harrison was appointed I asked Tom who? Tougher tests await but you can't argue with that.
Loving the drop goals. Went out of fashion for ages but they're a great weapon to keep opponents guessing and the scoreboard ticking.
Not loving the lineouts. Team effort and all that but I think three thrown to Itoje were lost. That would have mattered more on another day.
Not totally loving the first half. At one point it looked like the Pom squad might have had a bit of uphill swimming to do. The DGs changed the momentum. But the important point is that we did find a way.
Not loving New Zealand. Imprecise and no stardust. For all their history, at the moment they're just another team. Whether this is just a generational issue or a good domestic coach struggling at a higher level I don't know, but I do hear that rugby isn't quite the obsession over there it once was - a small population with waning interest could be a massive issue……see Wales, who have admittedly taken it to extremes.
Loving that Scotland will have watched that with huge regret about blowing their chance.
Loving Underhill. Because I just do.
A good win and a very positive step. Can't wait to lock horns with Fra and the Boks.
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Minute by minute
Absolutely.
However in his defence, he hit a ruck for a turnover, and immediately asked the ref if he was ok. The ref said yes go for it. So he's got a few brain cells in there aswell which is good to see.
The key point with Henry is how he copes when he inevitably has a little period when things aren't going so well. Hopefully he will take that in his stride aswell.
Am i hearing correctly that England have been fined £2000 for their V challenge to the haka..as it breaks Haka challenge protocols.
What that actual F.....??!
What that actual F.....??!
I'll be interested to see how Pollock does against the boks. Against UBB who have some very big boys he looked very out of place and thought he struggled against the bigger Aus players.
But he is a perfect impact sub for England. in a 6/2 bench split I would be interested to see Ilione and Pollock together on the bench that would be some serious firepower.
Props wise
Iyogun is only 24 so plenty of time but I feel he's got a lot to develop first.
Fasogbon is firmly behind AOF and IMO Sela will have a massive push once he gets more game time with Bath (Not saying he should have more game time now just in the next few seasons his development is going to be crazy)
Locks
The gap between Itoje, Chessum and Martin and Coles + Ewels is scary massive for me. We really need someone to step up and fill bridge that gap. It's like going from 3 world class options to 2 players that prob wouldn't get into any of the top 10 squads.
Back row
I'm a massive Earl fan so it was great to see him at his best again.
Underhill is at his best again and is genuinely a game winner with his defence.
I do worry against a big pack like SA how we will fair and that might be where we really will miss a player like Willis.
But he is a perfect impact sub for England. in a 6/2 bench split I would be interested to see Ilione and Pollock together on the bench that would be some serious firepower.
Props wise
Iyogun is only 24 so plenty of time but I feel he's got a lot to develop first.
Fasogbon is firmly behind AOF and IMO Sela will have a massive push once he gets more game time with Bath (Not saying he should have more game time now just in the next few seasons his development is going to be crazy)
Locks
The gap between Itoje, Chessum and Martin and Coles + Ewels is scary massive for me. We really need someone to step up and fill bridge that gap. It's like going from 3 world class options to 2 players that prob wouldn't get into any of the top 10 squads.
Back row
I'm a massive Earl fan so it was great to see him at his best again.
Underhill is at his best again and is genuinely a game winner with his defence.
I do worry against a big pack like SA how we will fair and that might be where we really will miss a player like Willis.
Why would I not agree? He pretty clearly has been good
IF true, it's not England who look bad as a result.
ETA,
England fined by World Rugby for epic response to All Blacks Haka - Ruck
World Rugby were not amused and slapped England with a £2,000 fine for breaching haka-challenge rules after the clash.
www.ruck.co.uk
I really want us to get more minutes into CCS because I do think we're missing a tight carrier in the pack - obviously it didn't matter in the end but I did notice that yesterday there were a few times we'd send a backrower on a short hard carry (to move a ruck infield or whatever) and they'd get blasted backwards and we'd have to scramble to secure
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