General rugby thread

[fathomfive]

It never ceases to amaze me how powerful a minutes silence is from a stadium of such capacity.

[JiggyJaggy]

Agreed. Quite poignant that it was raining. Great start by Underhill. He looks very focussed.

[PhilboSE]

This is unexpected. Like a different team from last week.

[Jonnny]

What a try, forwards and backs as one huge wall of white power.. Mega!

[Adam B]

great so far

why are England so slow to the tackle? They seem to miss lots of opportunities to go for the ball and win a not releasing penalty

[ellroy]

Not a bad show lads, not a bad show. Still plenty of time to go though.

[Adam B]

looking ominous now

[PhilboSE]

NFW was that offiside. But sounds like a Saffer TMO...

[Jonnny]

Not offside imo.

[Jonnny]

Lawes, wtf?! Poor poor play.

[Adam B]

very borderline, got lucky against SA, unlucky there

brainless play there, just keep the ball central and work through phases for a drop goal

[Jonnny]

Could have won that game, Itoje didn't have a good one and Lawes stupid at the end.

[768]

fk's sake.

I didn't see that as offside, Underhill absolutely rinsed Barrett too. Much better rugby from England than I've seen for a while, hopefully it just shows them they can beat anyone and gives them some motivation.

Still can't get over how Jonny May's found a rugby brain.

[Jonnny]

There was a pass on for Jonny May in that lay break through, but as per he didn't use it.

[Black can man]

Not a rugby fan at all but i really enjoyed that.

[JiggyJaggy]

That was not offside. Robbed. Good display though. Underhill Had a blinder

[DocJock]

Agreed, Lawes was behind the rearmost foot as that AB player was not bound on so not part of the ruck.

Awful decision by the TMO.

[PhilboSE]

First 20 minutes was near perfect rugby from England, in their intensity and execution. But they couldn't maintain it and eventually NZ were making yards with every touch and England had run out of ideas just kicking the ball from hand. A game we should have won if we had taken the points on offer, or kept clear heads at the end, or had a TMO worth the name. Hats off to NZ though for coming back, they really are good at that.

[ellroy]

For what it’s worth I think that defeat may be a better result longer term than a close win. That will hurt, the lessons should be easy to learn as a result and some of the newer members of the team are actually growing into the shirt.

More positives than negatives for me.

Really need to see the o/s again. It was very, very close.

[Kermit power]

What on earth is going on with Halfpenny's kicking?!?!?