Rugby Union Autumn Internationals
Discussion
Scoreline flattered England but if NZ had played that way - percentage rugby to the conditions for 70 mins, then do all the glory stuff in the last 10 - then everyone would be purring about the performance.
England very lucky not to have more points scored against them but I think all the decisions were correct. As others have said, Hooper plays right on the edges and if he gets pinged now and then he can't complain. To be fair he was very stoic in the post match interview. Would have loved to have seen Cheika interviewed though!
England very lucky not to have more points scored against them but I think all the decisions were correct. As others have said, Hooper plays right on the edges and if he gets pinged now and then he can't complain. To be fair he was very stoic in the post match interview. Would have loved to have seen Cheika interviewed though!
PhilboSE said:
Scoreline flattered England but if NZ had played that way - percentage rugby to the conditions for 70 mins, then do all the glory stuff in the last 10 - then everyone would be purring about the performance.
TBH that was a 'last 10' AB performance, play until the last minute and grab the chances when they present themselves Let's not forget this is the side that's only just beaten the AB's so there is vredit to England there (yes they were lucky - but you make your luck!)irocfan said:
TBH that was a 'last 10' AB performance, play until the last minute and grab the chances when they present themselves Let's not forget this is the side that's only just beaten the AB's so there is vredit to England there (yes they were lucky - but you make your luck!)
I'd agree with that. The first try epitomised the difference between the sides, the Australian gave up thinking the ball would go in to touch but we didn't, reacted first and scored. We played more to the conditions and made less mistakes and ultimately were fitter as the Aussies crumbled. Both Aussie tries were rightly disallowed although the second was a bit harsh. Great atmosphere at Twickenham today after last week's library.
I'm happy with the decision on the second disallowed try. At this level no player is accidentally interfering with play. That was deliberate. It was clever as well. With slightly less contact it might have gone the other way,
The Wallabies fell apart at the end.
Launchbury played well throughout and he was chivying all the time.
I've always reckoned Itoje had it in him to be great but he still makes silly mistakes. I know all flankers play close to the laws, but his errors of judgement are rather obvious at times. He's got to be a bit more circumspect. Mind you, he made himself a bit of a pain to the other side today. Overall it was a good performance.
I think the Australians will be a wee bit upset with all that possession and so few points.
I enjoyed the match, although the errors were disappointing. The conditions looked terrible and both sides struggled with them, but still . . .
The Wallabies fell apart at the end.
Launchbury played well throughout and he was chivying all the time.
I've always reckoned Itoje had it in him to be great but he still makes silly mistakes. I know all flankers play close to the laws, but his errors of judgement are rather obvious at times. He's got to be a bit more circumspect. Mind you, he made himself a bit of a pain to the other side today. Overall it was a good performance.
I think the Australians will be a wee bit upset with all that possession and so few points.
I enjoyed the match, although the errors were disappointing. The conditions looked terrible and both sides struggled with them, but still . . .
Derek Smith said:
I'm happy with the decision on the second disallowed try. At this level no player is accidentally interfering with play. That was deliberate. It was clever as well. With slightly less contact it might have gone the other way,
The Wallabies fell apart at the end.
Launchbury played well throughout and he was chivying all the time.
I've always reckoned Itoje had it in him to be great but he still makes silly mistakes. I know all flankers play close to the laws, but his errors of judgement are rather obvious at times. He's got to be a bit more circumspect. Mind you, he made himself a bit of a pain to the other side today. Overall it was a good performance.
I think the Australians will be a wee bit upset with all that possession and so few points.
I enjoyed the match, although the errors were disappointing. The conditions looked terrible and both sides struggled with them, but still . . .
I'm happy with the decision on the first one being disallowed as well The Wallabies fell apart at the end.
Launchbury played well throughout and he was chivying all the time.
I've always reckoned Itoje had it in him to be great but he still makes silly mistakes. I know all flankers play close to the laws, but his errors of judgement are rather obvious at times. He's got to be a bit more circumspect. Mind you, he made himself a bit of a pain to the other side today. Overall it was a good performance.
I think the Australians will be a wee bit upset with all that possession and so few points.
I enjoyed the match, although the errors were disappointing. The conditions looked terrible and both sides struggled with them, but still . . .
- Hooper was offside, and by remaining offside he was in a position to score, if he had followed the laws to become onside then he would not have been in a position to score. Clearly the try had to be disallowed.
Has England ever scored three tries in 10 mins before? It was remarkable.
Edited to add: I've just seen the highlights again and I reckon I was a bit harsh on Itoje. Two penalties, one in a dangerous position, was poor, but he played very well otherwise. He dominated the lineout, and when the ball was thrown in by the Aussies it avoided him by some distance each time. It must be irritating for him to be on the bench at the start. In most other teams he'd be a shoe-in.
Edited to add: I've just seen the highlights again and I reckon I was a bit harsh on Itoje. Two penalties, one in a dangerous position, was poor, but he played very well otherwise. He dominated the lineout, and when the ball was thrown in by the Aussies it avoided him by some distance each time. It must be irritating for him to be on the bench at the start. In most other teams he'd be a shoe-in.
Edited by Derek Smith on Sunday 19th November 08:12
When I listened to Jones talking about Itoje being on the bench it made sense. I get the impression that he is so enthused about playing that he needs protecting from himself, if that makes sense. I reckon that after playing a match he'd go off and play for the 2nd 15 if asked.
He is inclined to the odd error but they are getting fewer. I think he's learning from old heads but the way he dominates some of the tight stuff, particularly malls from lineouts, is mightily impressive from a guy of his age and experience.
He is inclined to the odd error but they are getting fewer. I think he's learning from old heads but the way he dominates some of the tight stuff, particularly malls from lineouts, is mightily impressive from a guy of his age and experience.
Itoje's so ridiculously capable I'd be giving him the game time to work on his discipline. Hard to fault Jones' approach though given the results he's getting.
I couldn't strongly disagree with many of the ref's decisions yesterday, but it was remarkable how many close decisions there were and that they all seemed to fall our way. I can't recall a game quite like it in that respect.
I couldn't strongly disagree with many of the ref's decisions yesterday, but it was remarkable how many close decisions there were and that they all seemed to fall our way. I can't recall a game quite like it in that respect.
silverthorn2151 said:
When I listened to Jones talking about Itoje being on the bench it made sense. I get the impression that he is so enthused about playing that he needs protecting from himself, if that makes sense. I reckon that after playing a match he'd go off and play for the 2nd 15 if asked.
He is inclined to the odd error but they are getting fewer. I think he's learning from old heads but the way he dominates some of the tight stuff, particularly malls from lineouts, is mightily impressive from a guy of his age and experience.
I agree. I think I perhaps expect too much from him, given that he's so good. He is still learning. Imagine coming onto the pitch and seeing him as your opposite number. He is inclined to the odd error but they are getting fewer. I think he's learning from old heads but the way he dominates some of the tight stuff, particularly malls from lineouts, is mightily impressive from a guy of his age and experience.
It must be daunting enough to see him on the bench.
Welshbeef said:
Wales were really really poor - again.
The problem is the lack of strength in depth. They seem never to be able to field a full side with a decent bench. Their problems would appear to be self-inflicted, at least for internationals. I can understand the desire for a high level of player in the national game, but it comes at a cost, one that many people might think is rather too expensive. 60 caps and no wildcard - that's beating yourself up.
From a selfish point of view - half Irish/English - I miss the Wales of old. But if that's what the WRFU want then so be it I suppose. The team almost picks itself.
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff