Summer Rugby Union Internationals
Discussion
That was a great match with a great result, you never want to lose but daft as it may sound that was probably the best result. If an England team that short of players had beaten the ABs at Eden Park it would have been huge, but as it is they know they are good, they know they can win, but they won't get over themselves because of it.
The matches that matter are still over a year away and they are looking good. Speaking as a man with tickets arranged for the final, they'd better be there!
The matches that matter are still over a year away and they are looking good. Speaking as a man with tickets arranged for the final, they'd better be there!
So people, with the premiership finalists coming back in next week who'd you drop?
The stand ins generally had very good games but.
Lawes comes back in for me (Parling played very well), as does Wood, Care for Youngs-I wasn't impressed with Youngs and him loosing the ball ultimately led to the NZ try.
I reckon we do need a play maker at 12 rather than 2 lumps, MT had a decent enough game today made allot of meters but fell off a couple of tackles a bit too easy which suggest his technique needs work. Eastmond showed potential today, I think Burrell has enough of this in the bank lark that Lancaster talks about to get a start. Until injuries came along Lancaster seemed to like the MT, BB partnership.
Brown had an iffy day by his very high standards, I don't want to see Ash the splash back in the England team for the foreseeable future, May looks like a rabbit caught in between the headlights at times but also made some good running, looks like he needs to back himself and clam down a bit IMO. Yarde was a bit naïve at times.
8. Morgan had a stormer today, I reckon Billy V will start next week but Morgan IMO has the better skill set than Billy V at the moment-controls the ball at the base of the scrum very well, he's not just a wrecking ball and got a decent turn of pace and feet for a big lump. Regardless nice to see two very good 8's in the team rather than relying on utility back rowers.
10. Farrell will come back in, those who post regularly on the 6N forum etc will know I've never been his biggest fan, however he's beginning to show signs that he will improve and become a more rounded 10. Burns apart from the rest of his game Burns tackling was superb today and for me showed that if he can bring his domestic form up next season offers a more rounded 10 than Farrell IMO.
NZ lacked allot of intensity at the breakdown for most of the game surely this will be highlighted, but from what I saw today there's a opportunity to win it in the forwards. Saying all that Today might have been the closest margin of defeat in the series, NZ are notoriously slow starters, recently Ire and Fra spring to mind and will improve, but so should England........
The stand ins generally had very good games but.
Lawes comes back in for me (Parling played very well), as does Wood, Care for Youngs-I wasn't impressed with Youngs and him loosing the ball ultimately led to the NZ try.
I reckon we do need a play maker at 12 rather than 2 lumps, MT had a decent enough game today made allot of meters but fell off a couple of tackles a bit too easy which suggest his technique needs work. Eastmond showed potential today, I think Burrell has enough of this in the bank lark that Lancaster talks about to get a start. Until injuries came along Lancaster seemed to like the MT, BB partnership.
Brown had an iffy day by his very high standards, I don't want to see Ash the splash back in the England team for the foreseeable future, May looks like a rabbit caught in between the headlights at times but also made some good running, looks like he needs to back himself and clam down a bit IMO. Yarde was a bit naïve at times.
8. Morgan had a stormer today, I reckon Billy V will start next week but Morgan IMO has the better skill set than Billy V at the moment-controls the ball at the base of the scrum very well, he's not just a wrecking ball and got a decent turn of pace and feet for a big lump. Regardless nice to see two very good 8's in the team rather than relying on utility back rowers.
10. Farrell will come back in, those who post regularly on the 6N forum etc will know I've never been his biggest fan, however he's beginning to show signs that he will improve and become a more rounded 10. Burns apart from the rest of his game Burns tackling was superb today and for me showed that if he can bring his domestic form up next season offers a more rounded 10 than Farrell IMO.
NZ lacked allot of intensity at the breakdown for most of the game surely this will be highlighted, but from what I saw today there's a opportunity to win it in the forwards. Saying all that Today might have been the closest margin of defeat in the series, NZ are notoriously slow starters, recently Ire and Fra spring to mind and will improve, but so should England........
a311 said:
So people, with the premiership finalists coming back in next week who'd you drop?
The stand ins generally had very good games but.
Lawes comes back in for me (Parling played very well), as does Wood, Care for Youngs-I wasn't impressed with Youngs and him loosing the ball ultimately led to the NZ try.
I agreeThe stand ins generally had very good games but.
Lawes comes back in for me (Parling played very well), as does Wood, Care for Youngs-I wasn't impressed with Youngs and him loosing the ball ultimately led to the NZ try.
a311 said:
I reckon we do need a play maker at 12 rather than 2 lumps, MT had a decent enough game today made allot of meters but fell off a couple of tackles a bit too easy which suggest his technique needs work. Eastmond showed potential today, I think Burrell has enough of this in the bank lark that Lancaster talks about to get a start. Until injuries came along Lancaster seemed to like the MT, BB partnership.
I'd get Billy 36 in therea311 said:
Brown had an iffy day by his very high standards, I don't want to see Ash the splash back in the England team for the foreseeable future, May looks like a rabbit caught in between the headlights at times but also made some good running, looks like he needs to back himself and clam down a bit IMO. Yarde was a bit naïve at times.
8. Morgan had a stormer today, I reckon Billy V will start next week but Morgan IMO has the better skill set than Billy V at the moment-controls the ball at the base of the scrum very well, he's not just a wrecking ball and got a decent turn of pace and feet for a big lump. Regardless nice to see two very good 8's in the team rather than relying on utility back rowers.
I like Morgan, I've rated him a number of times he's come on and he was good today, but so is Billy V, if you want one on the pitch and one on the bench they are a good combination8. Morgan had a stormer today, I reckon Billy V will start next week but Morgan IMO has the better skill set than Billy V at the moment-controls the ball at the base of the scrum very well, he's not just a wrecking ball and got a decent turn of pace and feet for a big lump. Regardless nice to see two very good 8's in the team rather than relying on utility back rowers.
a311 said:
10. Farrell will come back in, those who post regularly on the 6N forum etc will know I've never been his biggest fan, however he's beginning to show signs that he will improve and become a more rounded 10. Burns apart from the rest of his game Burns tackling was superb today and for me showed that if he can bring his domestic form up next season offers a more rounded 10 than Farrell IMO.
I'm not his biggest fan, that doesn't mean he shouldn't be picked but I don't have him as the great that some commentators seem to have him - at least not yet.a311 said:
NZ lacked allot of intensity at the breakdown for most of the game surely this will be highlighted, but from what I saw today there's a opportunity to win it in the forwards. Saying all that Today might have been the closest margin of defeat in the series, NZ are notoriously slow starters, recently Ire and Fra spring to mind and will improve, but so should England........
It will be interesting.a311 said:
Forgot to mention Webber at Hooker. Good game and his arrows were very straight at the lineout. Hartley will come back in if fit but good to know we have what seems a dependable lineout operator in reserve.
Webber had a great game. Think about Tom Youngs who came on for Hartley against the All Blacks in November and France in Paris in February and threw terribly, arguably blowing the last chances in the game to win the game and score in their 22. The guy had an awesome debut, as did several other players. Lancaster will hurt from today's result, but must be smiling inside thinking of the talent that has shown themselves today.Lawes, Hartley and Wood will definitely come in....Morgan/Billy V is a really hard one. I reckon Morgan gets the nod.
I think the half back's get changed but I have no clue what he'll do about the midfield. They looked a decent combination today....ask very different questions in defence. Billy 36 is a better " all round" player but Eastmond asked questions of New Zealand and that would create room for people elsewhere on the pitch next weekend. Tuilagi went very well today but Burrell looked born to it in the 6N.
May had his best game in an England shirt today.
As ever the England midfield is the headache for the selectors!
One thing is for sure....New Zealand will be a much better side next weekend
I think the half back's get changed but I have no clue what he'll do about the midfield. They looked a decent combination today....ask very different questions in defence. Billy 36 is a better " all round" player but Eastmond asked questions of New Zealand and that would create room for people elsewhere on the pitch next weekend. Tuilagi went very well today but Burrell looked born to it in the 6N.
May had his best game in an England shirt today.
As ever the England midfield is the headache for the selectors!
One thing is for sure....New Zealand will be a much better side next weekend
Cheib said:
One thing is for sure....New Zealand will be a much better side next weekend
I certainly hope so! They threw away plenty of opportunities and just lost their flow with your lads slowing things down all the time.Good to see Kaino hasn't forgotten how to tackle hard after his time away though.
Edited by GravelBen on Sunday 8th June 06:14
GravelBen said:
They threw away plenty of opportunities and just lost their flow with your lads slowing things down all the time.
Because NZ never slow things down do they ? Did you miss Nonu getting warned twice for slowing down 22yard kick off's ? He actually caught the fEdited by GravelBen on Sunday 8th June 06:14
king ball once when it was being thrown to the England kicker!
Manu on the wing has some good sense to it in that it brings Burrel in and allows Twelvetrees to pair up and play a second distributor role. but he will be easier to keep out of the game which will please the ABs. He's going to have a lot of running to do to pop up in the 9,10,12 channel as well as cover back for kicks etc. I expecr he's up for a busy workout.
I am looking forward to seeing how England's running patterns and set moves work out with this back line. Has a lot o potential.
The scrum looks great to me. Saturday should be a great contest.
I am looking forward to seeing how England's running patterns and set moves work out with this back line. Has a lot o potential.
The scrum looks great to me. Saturday should be a great contest.
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff