S
SaintsFan_Webby
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Not quite sure why this thread hasn't been around in the build up to the match, but never mind...
Firstly, I'd just like to say I thought the referee was dreadful at times. People have talked about smaller nations being refereed out of matches, but it seemed as though Mr Lewis was trying to referee Samoa into this one. His judgement at rucks and mauls was appalling - at times England's forwards were clearly on the front foot, with Samoan players coming in from all angles in an attempt to illegally halt their momentum. Nothing was done. This also seemed to be the case at some scrums, where the English front row clearly had dominance for much of the match. Furthermore, there is no possible justification for Brian Lima not being yellow carded for his high tackle on Wilkinson. I have lost huge amounts of respect for Lima at this World Cup. He seems a shadow of the player he was, and rather than just being hard, it seems as though he needs to try and injure a player every match just to live up to his reputation. I thought his 'tackle' against South Africa was a disgrace, and a deliberate head-high on England's key man was totally uncalled for in this match.
Anyway, now my moaning is out of the way, onto the match:
Very exciting, and as an Englishman, certainly a huge relief to come away with a hard earned victory. Gomersall was superb today, a cry back to the good old days of English scrum halves when Gomersall learned his international trade as understudy to the likes of Dawson and Bracken. I thought, much as it pains me to say it about a Leicester man, that Chuter was also excellent. Hit his jumpers most of the match, and linked very well in open player. In fact the whole front row definately earned their caps today. England's backs still aren't playing particularly fluently, but it's clear that there is far more balance without Farrell. Corry was good enough not to get dropped, which came as a pleasant suprise. Certainly nowhere near good enough to retain our ***le, but at least it makes a difference from wanting to hang yourself come the final whistle.
Actually, one more moan while I'm on a role; Samoa's try really wasn't a try. Had it made a difference to the outcome, I would have been very angry. Even Will Greenwood didn't think it was a try, so there you go.
Good match, great to get through in tact, just suprised to see Tonga rather than Samoa challenging for second spot in the group.
Firstly, I'd just like to say I thought the referee was dreadful at times. People have talked about smaller nations being refereed out of matches, but it seemed as though Mr Lewis was trying to referee Samoa into this one. His judgement at rucks and mauls was appalling - at times England's forwards were clearly on the front foot, with Samoan players coming in from all angles in an attempt to illegally halt their momentum. Nothing was done. This also seemed to be the case at some scrums, where the English front row clearly had dominance for much of the match. Furthermore, there is no possible justification for Brian Lima not being yellow carded for his high tackle on Wilkinson. I have lost huge amounts of respect for Lima at this World Cup. He seems a shadow of the player he was, and rather than just being hard, it seems as though he needs to try and injure a player every match just to live up to his reputation. I thought his 'tackle' against South Africa was a disgrace, and a deliberate head-high on England's key man was totally uncalled for in this match.
Anyway, now my moaning is out of the way, onto the match:
Very exciting, and as an Englishman, certainly a huge relief to come away with a hard earned victory. Gomersall was superb today, a cry back to the good old days of English scrum halves when Gomersall learned his international trade as understudy to the likes of Dawson and Bracken. I thought, much as it pains me to say it about a Leicester man, that Chuter was also excellent. Hit his jumpers most of the match, and linked very well in open player. In fact the whole front row definately earned their caps today. England's backs still aren't playing particularly fluently, but it's clear that there is far more balance without Farrell. Corry was good enough not to get dropped, which came as a pleasant suprise. Certainly nowhere near good enough to retain our ***le, but at least it makes a difference from wanting to hang yourself come the final whistle.
Actually, one more moan while I'm on a role; Samoa's try really wasn't a try. Had it made a difference to the outcome, I would have been very angry. Even Will Greenwood didn't think it was a try, so there you go.
Good match, great to get through in tact, just suprised to see Tonga rather than Samoa challenging for second spot in the group.
...great to see him back.
