OK folks, what did you make of the weekends games?
For me the best by far was Wales - South Africa, it looked like a terrific atmosphere, a very moving last post and best of all no bloody opera singers doing the anthem. Opera has its place but IT IS NOT ON THE RUGBY FIELD!!! It was great to hear proper fan sung anthems and I'm hoping this will be taken up elsewhere, especially Twickenham
As to the game it was a great physical contest, South Africa were just so clinical when their chances came. I thought Louw's carding was bit harsh, and was disappointed by some of the actions of teh two scrums - Alain Rolland can be a bit picky at times, but he was pretty fair in this match. Some bad injuries for Wales and the Springboks seemes to target North preventing him getting up a head of steam - as other sides did last autumn.
I didn't see Scotland - Japan or Italy - Australia but it sounds like Australia wobbled a bit at first before coming back with a very decent performance and piling on the points - not something its easy to do against the Italians on their home turf any more. Scotland seemed to have been decent but I imagine they'll miss Visser very badly.
So to England, almsot the wrong board but a real game of two halves, brilliant for the first 40 mins, pretty terrible for teh second 40. Hartley was excellent and looks like a real leader - the classic sergeant major to Robshaw's officer. If England can get some consistency going they'll be really good, but I can't work out what Lancaster said at half time for them to be so bad, some of the second half passing would have embarassed a pub side. PS - although the opera singers were hot and wearing not much clothing THEY HAVE TO GO!
Ireland - Samoa seemed an oddly lacklustre affair, with both sides seemingly well below their cutting edges, Samoa obvioulsy haven't played together often and Ireland seemed off the pace though equally several players were missing
Finally then there was France - New Zealand, again I didn't see this one, but from reports in the New Zealand herald the All Blacks were a little lucky and had to withstand a French assault at the end with Les Bleus held up over the line and unlucky not to get something from the game. Whether this is a one off or heralds the start of a French comeback or an All Black tailing off remains to be seen
What are your thoughts?
Weekend review
posted on 11/11/13
Ok..... I saw the England, Wales and France matches.
In the England game I thought we played very well first half and won the match very early. I agree Hartley was great, as was 36 and Brown again. I thought for the very small amount of game time he had Morgan was also outstanding and deserving of a spot in the XV next week. We also should appreciate that it was an under-strength England side as I would suggest Corbs, Cole, Youngs (B), Manu, Wade and Yarde should all be in the team. It isn't the disaster that the press are making out.
As for Wales I think they can hold their heads high, SA are a brilliant team and I don't see anyone in the NH beating them this tour. They really hurt Wales early and I think the injuries had a big impact in the result. That said, Wales did very well to make a decent game of it and better than I thought it would after 20min.
France played superb. They can be such a joy to watch sometimes and should really have won this weekend. They bullied NZ and should have made much more of the breaks and chances they created. Piutau won the game, he pretty much put 14 points on the board and that is the difference. It was also awesome to see Cory Jane back, one of my favourite players. I still am not sure whether Ben Smith is the long term successor to Conrad at OC, to me he is the best fullback in the world and should be played in his position. I really doubt we can beat them but I just hope we really get aggressive and take it to them.
It also should be said that the two scrum halves of Aaron Smith and Fourie du Preez were absolute quality, as with most of their team-mates, I wish they were English
posted on 11/11/13
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posted on 12/11/13
That should be a good game I think Ding, aside from the England game Australia have been going really well. 50 points on Argentina and Italy away and a close defeat with three tries in NZ. Pretty impressive.
posted on 12/11/13
So Corbs is out, as is Mako which means Marler and Mullan on bench. Backline will be same again with the possibility of Flood in for Farrell (no chance) or Youngs for Dickson.
Hardly our first choice and my optimism is leaving me now.
posted on 13/11/13
Yeah, we seem to be losing players left, right and centre - quite literally with Wade and Yarde out for the All Blacks and Tuilagi possibly missing the Six Nations
Marler seemed good against Argentina and he must know that this is his chance, with Vunipola and Corbisiero ahead of him he'll not get many to show what he can do. Its disappointing that Corbisiero seems to be racking up the injuries just like Andrew Sheridan did
I think Ben Youngs should be fit, so hopefully he'll play, but it doesn't sound desperately dynamic. Still its only the All Blacks, greatest side in the world, winning record against every rugby nation on earth who Scotland and Ireland have never beaten, who Wales last beat the year Hillary & Tensing climbed Everest, reigning World Champions who have only lost once in 2 years including home and away wins against the second best side on earth two year in a row - it'll be a cakewalk, we could even play Tait and Cipriani!
posted on 13/11/13
So whats the prognosis gents? Personally considering the last meeting between these two i was expecting the AB's to be fairly fired up. Even full strength i was not expecting England to get very close. But now, i don't know could be a bad day. But that said, the fringe players have something to prove and maybe they play harder and better in order to do just that
posted on 13/11/13
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posted on 13/11/13
I was actually optimistic Ding about the game, but we lost our best players (in my mind).
As for the AB's they have a few issues too. They have nobody to replace Conrad Smith so they are playing the best fullback in the world at OC. Piutau, as brilliant as he was last week, could be nervous if we can put pressure on him. I really like Aaron Smith, his pass is exceptional, but if Lawes can get hold of him he won't like it. The key is our forwards imposing our game on them, and we can't kick to them in space. Our kick chase needs to be superb.
Wade and Yarde missing is a huge loss to the backs, as is Tuilagi because he left a big impression last year. I hope Ben Youngs starts and Morgan too, his performance for 20min was outstanding.
It's a huge game, to me it is bigger than Cardiff. If, and as SARS says it is one almighty if, we can beat NZ again at home it really becomes a place teams will fear. That is what we need heading to 2015. I'm just gutted injuries hurt our chances.
posted on 14/11/13
I feel your pain on the Injuries. It's very frustrating. We went the whole season last year with 50% of the full irish team and the results show it. Same with Leinster. I have to say that the way to beat the ABs to my mind has always been beating them on the ground at the breakdown. I think if you can do that they get rattled.
And ye. another win!!! Back to Back in twickers!!!
Christ on a bike. That would be a statement
posted on 14/11/13
What about you Ding, what are your thoughts on Ireland - Australia, the Aussies have been blowing hot and cold and Ireland are a bit of an unknown quantity, all of which means pretty much any result is possible - sounds quiet exciting - for the neutral or pseudo-neutral in my case