Soldato
Rugby Winter International Squads
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Soldato
Can't wait for 14:30! Very jealous of anyone who is actually there! To make myself feel better a man delivered 8 London prides to me this morning with the shopping so I'll be ready!
Can't wait. My dad's managed to get tickets through work...
Unfortunately he's taking clients and not me
Should be a good match, saying that the All Blacks team look insane.
Good start from England and Wales.
Very poor start to the second half for England....why couldn't we play with the intensity of the last 5 minutes....so frustrating. Nz deserved it 8 the end.
Might aswell void the world cup and hand the title to the all blacks, seems the irb has told refs to let them get away with murder. McCaw always off his feet along with the rest. And the lack of duty of care allowing a Courtney laws to be kicked in the head. Plus the constant not jumping for the ball just interfering with the player for the high ball.
I know the irb love the invincible team image that they can sell but it's getting to the point where I can't be bothered to watch all black games as you can see the rub of the green on 50/50 calls
And ffs Wales are getting worse
I know the irb love the invincible team image that they can sell but it's getting to the point where I can't be bothered to watch all black games as you can see the rub of the green on 50/50 calls
And ffs Wales are getting worse
Soldato
Awesome from Ireland.
Well played by Ireland - a strong enough victory to change the world rankings. Ireland will likely go in to third place moving ahead of Australia and England when the ranking is recalibrated on Monday. The victory came as mostly a surprise to the Irish who expected a loss on account of half a dozen starting players missing and South Africa in good form the past few months.
I predicted a victory mostly because home advantage matters more when playing Southern Hemisphere teams and Ireland have a strong squad but with equally strong replacements. At loss though wouldn't have shocked me.
I predicted a victory mostly because home advantage matters more when playing Southern Hemisphere teams and Ireland have a strong squad but with equally strong replacements. At loss though wouldn't have shocked me.
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Soldato
The bitterness around the ABs from the press and fans is embarrassing. The officials weren't the difference yesterday, England not turning up in the second half was.
uh, check my location, not english.... So no bitterness....
Just noticed how the ref's seem to let the all blacks get away with murder mcgaw is forever off side and doing illegal things in the ruck.
Also IRB seem to be completely inconsistent against them, Last year I was yellow carded for "failing in my duty of care", both me and the other player went for the ball, he dived I tried to stab at it caught his head slightly. Ref blew up and I spent 10 minutes on the bench. Yet the same thing happens (in-fact worse lawes was off with concussion) in this match and nothing happens..
Its like the referees don't want to upset the balance of the sport. The all blacks are always getting favours just look at the 2012 final for a prime example.
Soldato
Never said the bitterness was exclusively English...
The ABs are under a lot more scrutiny than any other team when it comes to refereeing decisions, to suggest there is some sort of elaborate IRB conspiracy when it comes to officiating their games is nonsense. The way the laws are applied is always going to be inconsistent and sometimes it goes against you - like the sinbinning Dane Coles against the advice of the TMO. It's just a stick to beat them with (like people moaning about the Haka) because you can't fault their rugby.
As it was, I was happy with the way England played for big parts of the game yesterday. If we can keep relatively injury free and string 80 minutes of that together in the big games next year then we're in a great place.
The ABs are under a lot more scrutiny than any other team when it comes to refereeing decisions, to suggest there is some sort of elaborate IRB conspiracy when it comes to officiating their games is nonsense. The way the laws are applied is always going to be inconsistent and sometimes it goes against you - like the sinbinning Dane Coles against the advice of the TMO. It's just a stick to beat them with (like people moaning about the Haka) because you can't fault their rugby.
As it was, I was happy with the way England played for big parts of the game yesterday. If we can keep relatively injury free and string 80 minutes of that together in the big games next year then we're in a great place.
Soldato
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Ok I've had a think about the England squad and here are my thoughts.
Coaching/selection: they've fallen into the trap of previous England teams, they're picking on reputation not form. Having ushered in a new style and squad they are losing their bottle. The style of play isn't moving forward, players aren't using new tactics or patterns. Still no offloading, still no strategies other than be good. Ireland and Wales have clear strategies and Joe Schmidt in particular is tailoring his to suit each game.
Forwards: the back row balance isn't right. In particular Wood and Robshaw are too similar and the choice 8's offer nothing different either. I think to win a World Cup you need a settled squad but positions need to be up for grabs. One of the flanker positions needs to be available to the form guy and light a fire under the forwards. The rest of the pack is good and a few first choicers are out of contention, generally there is more competition in the tight 5 so fine.
Halfbacks: the decision making here is poor and it is costing games. Scrum half has limited competition but Flyhalf has none. Lancaster practically packed Floods's bags for him with the derisive game time he gave him. If Farrell was the number 1 in the World I'd understand but he is nowhere near. Someone else needs to start at least one match this Autumn.
Centres: loads of competition because no one is performing. England need to settle on a style and stick with a partnership. Farrell might be a better Englnd centre than a Flyhalf, it should be tried seriously. Once a style is decided the players to deliver it pick themselves.
Back Three: One of May and Nowell should always be in they are out and out wingers and experience aside look right. Ashton should be recalled if England ever play an open offloading game, no surprise his stock fell when Flood was defenestrated. Brown is quality but his form is average, this needs to be opened up. Foden is the form 15 and proven international, a little ruthlessness will do wonders.
England aren't in a bad place, they have a good pool of players but no clear goal. The selection where it matters or isn't forced by injury has become moribund, players need to feel a bit more threatened. It's a 4 game series players in key positions should be rotated so they get the chance to play some meaningful game time with the first team. Ford needs a least 2 starts, Youngs needs a game with Farrell and we need to mix up the starting loose forwards Haskell needs his form rewarding.
On othe matters how does Hibbard continue to get away with 50% of his lineouts being uncontestable whetherfr Wales or Gloucster and will any first class referee ever require a straight feed?
Coaching/selection: they've fallen into the trap of previous England teams, they're picking on reputation not form. Having ushered in a new style and squad they are losing their bottle. The style of play isn't moving forward, players aren't using new tactics or patterns. Still no offloading, still no strategies other than be good. Ireland and Wales have clear strategies and Joe Schmidt in particular is tailoring his to suit each game.
Forwards: the back row balance isn't right. In particular Wood and Robshaw are too similar and the choice 8's offer nothing different either. I think to win a World Cup you need a settled squad but positions need to be up for grabs. One of the flanker positions needs to be available to the form guy and light a fire under the forwards. The rest of the pack is good and a few first choicers are out of contention, generally there is more competition in the tight 5 so fine.
Halfbacks: the decision making here is poor and it is costing games. Scrum half has limited competition but Flyhalf has none. Lancaster practically packed Floods's bags for him with the derisive game time he gave him. If Farrell was the number 1 in the World I'd understand but he is nowhere near. Someone else needs to start at least one match this Autumn.
Centres: loads of competition because no one is performing. England need to settle on a style and stick with a partnership. Farrell might be a better Englnd centre than a Flyhalf, it should be tried seriously. Once a style is decided the players to deliver it pick themselves.
Back Three: One of May and Nowell should always be in they are out and out wingers and experience aside look right. Ashton should be recalled if England ever play an open offloading game, no surprise his stock fell when Flood was defenestrated. Brown is quality but his form is average, this needs to be opened up. Foden is the form 15 and proven international, a little ruthlessness will do wonders.
England aren't in a bad place, they have a good pool of players but no clear goal. The selection where it matters or isn't forced by injury has become moribund, players need to feel a bit more threatened. It's a 4 game series players in key positions should be rotated so they get the chance to play some meaningful game time with the first team. Ford needs a least 2 starts, Youngs needs a game with Farrell and we need to mix up the starting loose forwards Haskell needs his form rewarding.
On othe matters how does Hibbard continue to get away with 50% of his lineouts being uncontestable whetherfr Wales or Gloucster and will any first class referee ever require a straight feed?
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Soldato
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Well another weekend of rugby. I can tolerate SL sticking with the same side for this match to test the team but it will be a wasted series if he doesn't shake things up for the last 2 tests.
Apart from Fra vs Aus its not a compelling weekend of games elsewhere. Lets hope for some good rugby though.
Apart from Fra vs Aus its not a compelling weekend of games elsewhere. Lets hope for some good rugby though.
Associate
SS1 by the looks of things. Obviously there is alternate ways to watch which we will not mention
Looking forward to this game, bet England got a right talking to after the 2nd half of the All Blacks game!
Soldato
Disappointing. 
Thought we'd have the better of SA today.
Thought we'd have the better of SA today.
Soldato
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Care and Farrel very stale. Youngs distribution was much sharper. Morgan was fantastic in every element of his game. I feel for May and Watson because they were offered nothing to work with. Brown flattered to deceive great under the high ball but average elsewhere. It was a shame Ford didn't get more time he was under too mich pressure to pull the rabbit out but he played well. Hartley is good but stupid and Wood isn't comfortable enough with ball in hand. England looked good in moments towards the end but still lack a winning style that they can maintain. I expect a ton of changes for next week before a return to the tried and tested team of inches short.
Soldato
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http://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/othe...nbeaten-run-to-12/ar-BBdW1No?ocid=mailsignout
Might just be me, but that seems like one awfully poorly constructed headline for a story.
Does it not suggest the boks have won their last 12 matches, when in reality it means they have beaten England 11 of the last 12 times they played them.
Might just be me, but that seems like one awfully poorly constructed headline for a story.
Does it not suggest the boks have won their last 12 matches, when in reality it means they have beaten England 11 of the last 12 times they played them.