Rugby Union Summer Internationals

MikeTheNative

MikeTheNative

MikeTheNative

Soldato
Joined
17 Jun 2012
Posts
9,898
Location
South Wales
I couldn't see a thread so I thought I would start one.
As a Welsh fan I'm not exactly confident going into the games, I think we could get hammered, but perhaps we could try out a few of the young ones. I would like to see Matthew Morgan at 10, never going to happen, and maybe Jordan Williams getting a start over Cuthbert.
As for England, absolute joke that they haven't got their full strength team going into the first game. I reckon they could preform well but if they take an absolute beating in the first game it may be hard to come back from.
 
I reckon England may get a beating but All blacks are missing some key players like Kieran Read and Julian Savea. England have just lost Twelvetrees who has not recovered yet, with Eastmond set to take over, even thought he got overtaken in bath.
I will be happy if england can run the all blacks close. There is also word Burns will start instead of Cipirani.
 
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As an England fan I would be chuffed with one win. Genuinely excited to see how we do but a real shame that we aren't full strength due to injuries and what I can only assume is **** organisation
 
The last time the AB's were beaten at home was 2009 by SA and the last time we lost a game was to you (England) guys... I cant wait for Saturday afternoon. Aussie vs France straight after too, nice! (Go France!) :D
 
Well played England, for a 2nd/3rd string that put the willies right up the ABs and just came up short, this team is slowly turning into something special with a good attitude and a good culture and according to my friend over in NZ is also winning the press and the people back over with the humble coaching setup and good attitude of the players.
 
An excellent performance England had a solid pack it was the bench that was weak. The backs were better than i feared. Youngs looks a little off the pace but his kicking was excellent. Burns had a great game nothing like his club form. Eastmond played well, Tuilangi was excellent a real threat. Yarde doesnt look like an international he doesn't seem to read the game well, I thought Nowell looked more natural (during the 6n). May makes mistakes but looks dangerous and reads the game well and Brown had a mixed match. I feel a little bad for Cipriani because 9minutes isnt enough to show your stuff. So barring a Farrell injury we may never see him in an Ebgland shirt again despite doing nothing wrong today.
 
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Kyle Eastmond show some nice flashes, our wingers are still not international ready yet. Young was pretty poor in the game. should have brought Lee Dickson into the game much Earlier. Nice to see Burns played much better and Rob Webber very good at the line out. I wonder why we never kicked for touch.
 
Well played England.... some good running action here. It's a shame you had a few key players out due to injury cos most of us over here had you guys written off!

One of the head lines in NZ Herald is "Did England blow it?"
 
It's essentially a headline over here too (in the guardian), Eddie Butler saying that was the one poor NZ performance we should have taken advantage of. Great performance still
 
Possibly Tuilagi on the wing on Saturday to accommodate 36 (who's fit again) and Burrell in the centres. I'm not normally one for moving players out of position to accommodate but Tuilagi would be a nightmare for the ABs on the wing and he can put in a defensive shift when needed as well :D
 
It was a fine Australian performance France seemed to open up at every attack. I cant understand why Michalak remains Saint Andre's preference at fly half he wasnt bad but is not the future and I cant see him leading a World Cup campaign.
 
Wales play today not sure i am going to watch it as E3 is on. I may watch it if i get bored of E3 live stream. Be interesting to see James Hook on fly half.
 
Robot Dog said:
Wales play today not sure i am going to watch it as E3 is on. I may watch it if i get bored of E3 live stream. Be interesting to see James Hook on fly half.
Click to expand...

I think I may skip the gym to watch it, wished that Matthew Morgan played at 10 to be honest. I think that he should be the future for Wales, but we know that Gatland doesn't like his 10s to run.
 
Our bench for example

Chris Ashton - Is not a impact sub and should not be no-where near a England shirt. Is simply wasting a spot on the bench.
Ben Youngs - Luckly to be even on the bench. Lee Dickson or Richard Wiggleworth would have been the better choice.
Matt Mulan - Will he even been used at all
Lawes - One of our best locks on the bench but could have a huge impact

Our Starters
Mike Brown - If in the slight chance he gets injured somebody will have to go out of position.
Twelvetrees - Has been injured for some time. Has spent most of his time playing 10 at Gloucester If he has a bad day then expect errors. should have been in the bench to get back into his role.
Farrell - Show some poor display at both finals, fitness is a question when other final players are on the bench. Burrell included.

Other then that May showed improvement even though i don't like him. Kyle Eastmond showed promise but is dropped for 12t fitness in question. Attwood has been dropped, Woods need to do 80min and looked tired last encounter with the All blacks towards the last 10mins.
 
Interesting points robotdog. Personally I agree Ashton shouldn't be on the bench but becaue I don't think this England team play a style of rugby that suits him. I'm assuming Burns will cover Brown but not ideal.
Youngs formlast week certainly didn't demand his inclusion this week. Lawes is unlucky but the incumbents did play well and Lawes will be an excellent impact sub.

I'm not convinced about Twelvetrees fitness and migh have preferred Burrell Tuiliagi, not subtle but witha nice flat back line and fast recycling could really stretch the AB's defence. Tuilagi on the wing worries me, as a 20 minute impact sub there I think it ciuld be great a full match, that has disaster written all over it please let me be wrong. Farrell has played well for England recently but still plays too deep and doesnt challenge the line, his Finals form wasn't great but he is the incumbent.

I feel bad for Haskell he played brilliantly last week and out of the squad altogether but Vunipola does offer something else.

I'm really looking forward to this weekend but I don't really think we will win.
 
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