Spring Tour: South Africa v England -2nd Test. (16/06/2012 15:00GMT)

[TRF_Olyy]

Because compared to Flood (and Youngs) it's infinitely better.
Nothing phases him - when he's having an off day he's having an off day, but it won't be the pressure making him eff up like it would be with Flood.

 

[big ginger 8]

I know he's obviously a good place kicker, tackler and a cool head but not as good as a many have made out.

 

[Darwin]

A couple of really interesting selections by England. Slightly surprised to see Marler start again over (a presumably fit) Corbisiero. Out of curiosity which of Marler and Corbiseiro are covering tight-head prop from the bench (as I've only ever seen them play loose head)? Strange to see Youngs starting again - I'm certainly no expert on English rugby, but he wouldn't have made my match day 22! Not sure how Tuilagi will go at 12 - they obviously won't have the most fluent backline with him there, but could cause South Africa a lot of problems if he targets Morne Steyn. Interested to see how Joseph goes at centre, though I feel playing outside Tuilagi isn't really going to give him the best chance to show his skills!

 

[big ginger 8]

Corbisiero will cover 3.

 

[Saintjay]

I know he's obviously a good place kicker, tackler and a cool head but not as good as a many have made out.

I my opinion he is better than Priestland is at the moment. As some have said he did better than Steyn at the weekend also. At the end of the day he is not even into double figures when it comes to international caps and a good five years younger than most of the so called best 10's in world rugby. It would be impossibe for him to be as good as some of the others at this stage.

 

[big ginger 8]

True but he's not that type of player he's already got most of the stuff that experience brings and that's what's remarkable about him. He's better than Priestland based on Priestland's current form but if both are on form Priestland is better.

 

[coonor]

Because compared to Flood (and Youngs) it's infinitely better.
Nothing phases him - when he's having an off day he's having an off day, but it won't be the pressure making him eff up like it would be with Flood.

I completely agree, I just think there's more chance of Farrell have a good game on Saturday. Epsecially when you consider the pressure the SA will put England under.

 

[TRF_heineken]

A couple of really interesting selections by England. Slightly surprised to see Marler start again over (a presumably fit) Corbisiero. Out of curiosity which of Marler and Corbiseiro are covering tight-head prop from the bench (as I've only ever seen them play loose head)? Strange to see Youngs starting again - I'm certainly no expert on English rugby, but he wouldn't have made my match day 22! Not sure how Tuilagi will go at 12 - they obviously won't have the most fluent backline with him there, but could cause South Africa a lot of problems if he targets Morne Steyn. Interested to see how Joseph goes at centre, though I feel playing outside Tuilagi isn't really going to give him the best chance to show his skills!

Yes well the Boks will also consider this, and they will know that he's not a big passer of the ball so they will counter it. It looks like the English are going with the plan of fight fire with fire in putting Tuilagi at 12 vs Francois Steyn. Who won't shy away from the physicality side, in fact I don't think any Bok would. putting Tuilagi closer to the forwards might work against them when guys like Willem Alberts and co. starts to tackle him backwards and then not provide good front foot ball.

 

[Darwin]

Picking South Africa to win this one again, though I expect it will be pretty close. If England wants to win they are going to have to play with a bit more fire though, as I thought they were a bit flat last weekend. I felt England struggled a bit last weekend to get go-forward ball; to achieve this I feel Ben Morgan needs to have a big game. He was pretty quiet last week, but he was the only English forward that consistently got over the advantage line with ball in hand. I will be interested to see whether Alberts repeats his outstanding performance of last weekend, as consistency has always seems to be an issue for him.

Another key for England will be to put pressure on Hougaard. Hougaard is a very dangerous player going forward, but his passing game isn't that strongest (especially when under pressure), and his box-kicking game is pretty poor.

Overall I'm picking South Africa to win again and take the series, but I expect it will be a pretty close game (South Africa winning by 5-10 points).

Yes well the Boks will also consider this, and they will know that he's not a big passer of the ball so they will counter it. It looks like the English are going with the plan of fight fire with fire in putting Tuilagi at 12 vs Francois Steyn. Who won't shy away from the physicality side, in fact I don't think any Bok would. putting Tuilagi closer to the forwards might work against them when guys like Willem Alberts and co. starts to tackle him backwards and then not provide good front foot ball.

Yeah I'm sure the South African loosies and Hougaard will be rushing out fast to help cover Tuilagi. They will, however, have to be careful not to run out too quickly, as this could leave a big gap for Youngs to exploit....

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Yes well the Boks will also consider this, and they will know that he's not a big passer of the ball so they will counter it. It looks like the English are going with the plan of fight fire with fire in putting Tuilagi at 12 vs Francois Steyn. Who won't shy away from the physicality side, in fact I don't think any Bok would. putting Tuilagi closer to the forwards might work against them when guys like Willem Alberts and co. starts to tackle him backwards and then not provide good front foot ball.

Alberts, Etzebeth and, even though he isn't in the squad, Kolisi more often drive players backwards in the tackle than not it's true. I think if they can hammer Tuilagi a few times it might mess with his head as he would probably either try to bash it up each time to try and prove a point or just pass it on if his confidence takes a hit. Either would be bad for England. I thought Brown was their best back last game. A pity he is out as the others didn't test the defenses as often as him. Yeah, Tuilagi and Ashton had their moment but brown was consistently asking questions.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Picking South Africa to win this one again, though I expect it will be pretty close. If England wants to win they are going to have to play with a bit more fire though, as I thought they were a bit flat last weekend. I felt England struggled a bit last weekend to get go-forward ball; to achieve this I feel Ben Morgan needs to have a big game. He was pretty quiet last week, but he was the only English forward that consistently got over the advantage line with ball in hand. I will be interested to see whether Alberts repeats his outstanding performance of last weekend, as consistency has always seemed to be an issue for him.

Another key for England will be to put pressure on Hougaard. Hougaard is a very dangerous player going forward, but his passing game isn't that strongest (especially when under pressure), and his box-kicking game is pretty poor.

Overall I'm picking South Africa to win again and take the series, but I expect it will be a pretty close game (South Africa winning by 5-10 points).

I'm thinking the opposite, I think the Boks will smash the poms. My reason being:

1. We're not playing at the coast
2. We're playing at altitude, at the South African Rugby fortress which was known as Ellis Park.
3. Sold out Crowd
4. One more week preparation
5. Just one change in the starting 15 (and adding a better player)
6. The Boks now know how the Poms are going to play at the breakdowns...

 

[Peat]

Yeah I'm sure the South African loosies and Hougaard will be rushing out fast to help cover Tuilagi. They will, however, have to be careful not to run out too quickly, as this could leave a big gap for Youngs to exploit....

Or Ashton running a line off of Flood.

If Tuilagi's hands and brain are in working order, it also leaves de Villiers slightly isolated against Joseph should he get the ball away quickly there.

Alas, I don't think it's going to quite work like that, but long term that is the dream of Tuilagi at 12...

 

[peanuts40]

I actually think it's going to be a thrashing.

Last week was the Poms only chance of beating us.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Was thinking about Tuilagi at 12 and I'm more open to it than I was before: He often crops up at first receiver for Tigers and, despite loving running in to people, he's still a pro-rugby player and can get a pass away - If he charging up in the 10 channel causing SA to commit a man or two to him, and then he can get the ball out to Flood with Ashton/Joseph running off of his shoulders (like Ashton used to do pre-World Cup/loss of form) then that could be quality.

Can't wait to see Joseph at 13 - probably the fastest English player on the pitch, possibly the fastest of both team, crazy agile too. If he can bring his Not Nots form to the side then that'd be great.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Was thinking about Tuilagi at 12 and I'm more open to it than I was before: He often crops up at first receiver for Tigers and, despite loving running in to people, he's still a pro-rugby player and can get a pass away - If he charging up in the 10 channel causing SA to commit a man or two to him, and then he can get the ball out to Flood with Ashton/Joseph running off of his shoulders (like Ashton used to do pre-World Cup/loss of form) then that could be quality.

... bear in mind that Habana and Jean De Villiers doesn't like to intercept...

 

[Peat]

... bear in mind that Habana and Jean De Villiers doesn't like to intercept...

That's a risk against anyone though.

Whether or not we get the execution right, the potential here is very clear.

 

[Darwin]

I'm thinking the opposite, I think the Boks will smash the poms. My reason being:

1. We're not playing at the coast
2. We're playing at altitude, at the South African Rugby fortress which was known as Ellis Park.
3. Sold out Crowd
4. One more week preparation
5. Just one change in the starting 15 (and adding a better player)
6. The Boks now know how the Poms are going to play at the breakdowns...

You missed: 7. I am a South African supporter

I think points 1,2, and 3 are really just one point (though a very valid point, one that I hadn't really taken into account!). Don't forget England have one more weeks preparation too, which will be equally beneficial to them. The South Africa have a settled starting XV is certainly a good point - England do have to work with new un-tried combinations. I don't think knowing what England will be doing at the breakdown will really be that much of an advantage though, as I really think South Africa are lacking a lot of breakdown expertise in their pack, so will not necessarily be able to combat England even if they know what they are going to do!

You could well be right about the Boks smashing England - they certainly have handed out some good beatings in the past - but I just feel that England have the potential to play a lot better than they did last week.

 

[TRF_heineken]

You could well be right about the Boks smashing England - they certainly have handed out some good beatings in the past - but I just feel that England have the potential to play a lot better than they did last week.

The same can be said about the Boks too... we lacked execution

 

[TRF_Olyy]

... bear in mind that Habana and Jean De Villiers doesn't like to intercept...

True, but if they didn't intercept Farrell's ridiculously slow/inaccurate wide passes last week I think we should be OK

Habana has curbed his intercept attempts recently, I was disappointed the see - I was hoping he'd jump out of the line at every opportunity like he used to, leaving a massive gap for someone to run through, but no, he had to go and regain his form in time for the England tour of SA :lol:

 

[Gena_ZA]

I am away on anniversary weekend, will be watching this naked with a bottle of Sherry.
Every time the Boks score, I will do just that!