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It's a bit of both. The set piece was ok(ish) but none of the forwards seemed to want to take the ball in to contact (and who can blame them against Fiji!). The forwards were more often than not stood flat and static and then just shipped the ball on to the next in line, rather than go forwards. Not putting and phases together and getting turned over every two seconds made the game open and loose. So Ford perhaps didn't control things well but I think a lot of it was to do with how the pack played too.
Ford is a bit hot and cold. He was poor vs France (to be fair most were) and poor against Fiji. Doesn't make him a shit player though 😛 When he finds his flow, he's exemplary but when he's cold, he's not great at all. Farrell has earned a start through merit.
Bb and SB though. Please let it be untrue. Watson and may might need to play in their track suits!!
Australia licking their lips now. How many broken after this game? 🙂
I think Ford is a better player and could take England further than Farrel. This world cup is maybe a year too soon for Ford though. I dont think either would mean losing to Wales. It will be won and lost ip front. If Wales win their lineouts and dont implode in the scrum and can defend the mauls they have a chance. Burgess and Barritt would mean you could have Carter at 10 and your backs wont create much. Still have pace in the back 3 to do damage if the pack dominates though.
I expect Joseph will play though.
DD indeed. The game will be brutally physical.
The set piece was ok(ish) but none of the forwards seemed to want to take the ball in to contact (and who can blame them against Fiji!).
Me! You are confusing Fiji with Samoa and esp Tonga. Fiji have the rep for trying to play rugby.
Is there maybe a case of England looking to cancel out the Welsh midfield there? Barrett is a defensive player and along with Burgess is probably there to slow down Dr Chin. Hope it isn't raining on Sat as the England wingers will be very cold.
BBC reporting JJ is out with SB in, BB at 13 and OF in for GF.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/34324696
Don't know whether it's a mahoosive bluff or not, but it does seem strange for Lancaster to be trying something newish for such a big game.
I swear if they knew their best side, they really would be world beaters,
Yeah you're right. It'll be won and lost up front. If England get turned over as much as they did against Fiji then Wales will have a great chance.
SL doesn't know who his first choice FH is and it does nothing for the confidence of Ford to earn his spot throughout the 6N and then have it taken away on the back of an average performance by the whole side against Fiji.
Me! You are confusing Fiji with Samoa and esp Tonga.
No doubt taking the ball straight in to Fiji and building the phases is the best tactic but there are some big dudes in that team 😆 That was more what I meant
but it does seem strange for Lancaster to be trying something newish for such a big game.
Have you not been following English selection policies (or lack of them) for the last 4 years then??? 😯
not been following English selection policies (or lack of them) for the last 4 years then???
Well, yes, obvs. Hence my following comment. But this centre partnership is untried isn't it?
I am suprised that they didn't recall the Wererabbit,Wood was gash on Friday and they are seriously out-speed and brained in the back row. Horsing the ball up the pitch is all well and good if you can force turnovers,but if England don't completly mash the Welsh in the set piece then the Welsh back row will force turnovers themselves.At least they have abandoned the attempt to suggest that there is a plan b. Pity it took Lancaster till a vital group game to admit it.
T minus 4.5ish Hours duckie. 🙂
I'm sure in the last thread I said I'd bet anything on a Burgess start in the world cup. I thought he'd be next to Tuilagi but I'm not at all surprised by this.
If Ford's not playing, there's no point in JJ anyway, so lets not worry about that. Backrow is going to get a shoeing, and due to that (and the terrible scrum / dodgy lineout) I'd predict a Wales win.
At least Lancaster may have to do one after the world cup...
ue to that (and the terrible scrum / dodgy lineout) I'd predict a Wales win.
But then you are playing wales. The team who invented the not competing on own throw tactic!!!
Looking foward to seeing Pocock play 8 tonight. Fascinated to see how it goes.
STV Player installed on school computer DD...S2 class watching an educational DVD DD...S3 class doing timed past paper questions DD.
do you have to install a player, can you not just watch through the website?
So predictions for today?
Free fondle for closest! (Counting on you here duckers) 😉
Scotland by 10
Australia by 30
France by 45+
Re the player, think it's better to have the player if on a phone or tablet. Webshite works fine for through a pc/laptop.
Hooper and Pocock together with the back line Aus have 😯 if those two can't get turnovers and quick ball then no one can
I have no idea how Scotland are going to do. Actually getting quite nervous about it. Supposedly been promising so much for such a long time would be nice if they actually delivered.
Scotland by 15,Japan leading with 30 to go then tire.
Oz by 25.
France by 25.
I would like to donate the prize to charity.
Japan by 5, Scotland to lead at 1/2 time, but the crowd to bring Japan into it with 10 to go.
Aus by 30, their backline looks awesome, and if the forwards are firing on all cylinders they'll have a decent base to work from.
France by a Cricket scoreline.
No need for a prize, I can fondle myself.
Non transferable I'm afraid. 🙂
Scotland by 20, Oz by 35 and France by 20.
Bloody standing room only on train to Cardiff. Back ache already 🙁
Trains all round the South West were a joke on Saturday with the midday kick off in Glos and then a 2.30 in Cardiff. Have a good time at the StagnHennium!
Butchered that right on half time,should have kept it tight and got another 3 points,but I will take that.The Japanese look tired; I guess we are going to find out of they really are the fittest team in the WC.
That chance could come back and haunt Scotland. I hope not though. Japan are great to watch.
Thats more like it! Lamont for being an "old man" is fair covering the ground.
EDIT; line out,kick off...
Tiredness showing IMHO
Bonus point would be a "bonus"
Goromaru making early bid for player of the tournament.
Well done Scotland. Good performance.
England need some bulk in the second row, Parling and Lawes are too lightweight and I suspect are part of the reason Cole was struggling in the scrum. Bring in Launchbury for Parling and you'll find the scrum is better and he does more round the park. With Wood, Morgan and Robshaw in the back row you've still got plenty of lineout options
Burgess was a given as soon as JJ was out, Farrell is a bigger call but he has been playing very well of late and Ford seems a tad off song.
Oh, and Hooper and Pocock in the back row has potential to be a brilliant combo, that'll be very interesting to see.
Hang on, whop is the Japanese scrum half? The sub, wearing 22, he's got one of the best passes I've seen in a long time, fast, flat, it's like a fly half's dream.
Probably the most complete performance by any of the tier 1 teams so far. Looking forward to Fiji/Aus, but I suspect the quick turnaround will hurt Fiji, as it will Wales after England.
+1Well done Scotland. Good performance.
Played solidly, and showed good patience in the first half I thought.
Well played Scotland.
Backs, and back row, looked pretty useful.
(Japan too, tbh, good match)
tinybits - MemberWhy is it that all teams seem to now think that they have to win a penalty at each scrum, rather then just re start, tie in the fatties and get the damn ball out.
Missed the Ireland Canada game?
Ball came out clean from every scrum.
For Canada, it was a case of very quick strike/feed and straight out the back.
For Ireland, there was a little squeeze to commit the opponents back row, then ease the pressure and let the ball out for the backs to use.
12 scrums, no penalties.
Even the two where the ref signaled penalty "advantage", they still used the ball and ran it instead.
Bit of a difference in class, but both sides committted to using the scrum as a platform for the backs to run the ball.
Aus definitely after a bonus point.
So, about the Aussie weakness in the pack ..........they are looking very good.
I didn't think Fiji played quite as well as last week and sometimes looked a bit resigned, yet Aus cam at them pretty hard and faile do the bonus point, or scoreline to equal England. Perhaps we - I - as an observer underestimate how hard Fiji are making it for the other teams.
Advantage England in this group now, as long as this untested back line holds our Stuart keeps his job. Barnes is pretty scathing on Sky sports and reckons its completely the wrong decision - perhaps there's a method in playing Farrell more and resting George before next weeks game again Aus, but I do think he should have recalled Slade. This will show us weather the faith in Burgess abiliity is true, as we see him get more time on the pitch against fresh opposition.
Ball came out clean from every scrum.
For Canada, it was a case of very quick strike/feed and straight out the back.
For Ireland, there was a little squeeze to commit the opponents back row, then ease the pressure and let the ball out for the backs to use.12 scrums, no penalties.
Even the two where the ref signaled penalty "advantage", they still used the ball and ran it instead.
Bit of a difference in class, but both sides committted to using the scrum as a platform for the backs to run the ball.
*Tears of joy here!*
That's how it should work, and there's no reason it shouldn't! Lovely.
Well as someone else mentioned, England have somehow managed to make a world class pack somehow very weak of late.....as much as I think that he's a tit, we really are missing Hartley.
They'd better start showing some form pretty quickly though as a team sheet that contains
10: Farrell
12: Burgess
13: Variety
**** me!! An average inside centre at 10, a flanker/RL player at 12 and a defensive lump of an inside centre at 13 😯 are we really playing that against Wales?!?!? If Wales weren't so depleted and out of form I'd be predicting an absolute smashing!!!
Why arecWales out of form. Last game for the first choicers was a tidy away win in Dublin against a fairly strong Ireland.
In many ways, it is a team especially for Wales. Their main channel would have been at the 10. Defending with Farrell Burgess and Barritt nullifies that. I think England have decided the best way to beat Wales is defend hard and kick your points. That's Farrells game.
The lack of BP could really hurt Aus from today's game. They looked nailed on, but seemed to flag.
who was England's 10 Dan last time England beat Wales? Can't see the ball getting out to England's wings. If England loose at least May can get blamed for it on here as usual. 🙂
In many ways, it is a team especially for Wales. Their main channel would have been at the 10. Defending with Farrell Burgess and Barritt nullifies that. I think England have decided the best way to beat Wales is defend hard and kick your points. [b]That's Farrells game[/b].
Very good point, well made.
Agreed, but Ford was on good form last year, and Farrell injured. I actually think Farrell linked well when he came on against Fiji, and in the first France game.
Wasn't expecting Romania to be this good! To last out until half an hour before conceding a try is pretty impressive!
I actually think Farrell linked well when he came on against Fiji, and in the first France game.
He did. Some people just become too entrenched and don't like the whole "play on form" thing.
n many ways, it is a team especially for Wales. Their main channel would have been at the 10. Defending with Farrell Burgess and Barritt nullifies that.
This may be true, but if England have real aspirationsxat this world cup then they should be trying to play their own game especially v teams like Wales. They are hardly the all blacks.
I have to say i don't get all the Farrell Hate stuff. He has played well over the last few years in some big games against the SH teams.
Im sure I will get struck down by lightning, but I think he kicks goals as well as Wilkinson, kicks better out of hand, runs better, passes as well, and tackles as well.
SMITE HIM LORD!
Anyway bollocks to England. COME ON WALES!
No, England aren't the AB's, and despite what ejects like Stephen Jones/Stuart Barnes may write in the press, if we try to be they will massacre us.
If you offered me:
1. Play great attacking rugby, but lose a thrilling game to Wales by a point, or,
2. Grind out a 1 point slugfest
I'd take 2 every time. Game by game. Do you remember 2007? We were awful all tournament, but got to the final and should have won.
If the Romanians had some half backs they'd be quite dangerous.
Interesting to see Percy from The Green Mile playing at 7 for Australia. Gamekeeper turned poacher no less.
Farrell hate 🙂
Well he had a long spell where his place kicking % went a bit iffy, has no distribution skills, has a temper, is petulant.... But he can tackle and kick for territory well which is safe enough for SL. I don't hate him but he's not a patch on sir Johnny 😉
I remember it well. We did win. Mark Cueto sneaked in a try right on the line. It had to go the TMO but it was so clearly a try I switched off and went out and celebrated.Do you remember 2007? We were awful all tournament, but got to the final and should have won
Sir Johnny was a metronomic goal kicker, which was exactly what England under Woodward needed. He was never a back line igniter though.
And do you remember our first game against SA in 2007. We were lucky to score nil that game!
There seems to be this belief that we need to beat everyone else, and do it the right way, in our media. I could pretty much write every Stephen Jones article on England before kick off each match 'if this was the All-Blacks England would have lost" no matter who the opposition.
Pretty clear what sort of game England intend to play against Wales, I think the rise tinted definition is tight and controlled. Ford is a much better player than Farrel works totally one dimensional. You can't possibly compare Farrell's kicking to Wilkinsons, Farrel is a reliable-ish short range kicker. H/P and Wilkinson are more comparable.
Gutted for Japan who just ran out of puff, 4 days not enough to recover from such a Herculean effort.
Not sure we should have won the 2007, we where under pressure and playing catch up. The try/no-try was a big moment but I felt we couldn't have too many complaints.
So is the Wales game about style or the result?
Australia looked amazing at times against Fiji, whereas we looked turgid. Yet we have a bonus point and they don't. Results, points, wins, not glitz. Sort out the scrum, defend the channel with your life, kick territory, take the points, qualify. Stop trying to please Stuart Barnes.
Gutted for Japan who just ran out of puff, 4 days not enough to recover from such a Herculean effort.
You would be,see also Samoa and the USA in the next few days,who will also run out of steam,be cheated by the ref/irb scheduling etc.
In other news I see those cheating AB's are at it again! Brodie Retallick got Mariano Garlarza banned till November by putting his eye into Garlarza's fingers. Usual NZ bias shown;12 weeks for the Argentinian and NOTHING for the perpetrator.
I dont think Aus looked that great. True they run some pretty patterns in the backs but the hookers chucking was poor and they have very littlw grunt in the pack for making hard yards
They obviously watched the eng/Fiji game though - 2 catch/drive tries looked very simple. Scrum very solid against Fiji, who troubled England, although the feeding was a joke!!
Chatting about rwc so far with mates. Especially the seemingly great play from "lesser" nations. Think its because they play rugby and the tier one teams actually now play some bastardised version, which is predictable to each other.
Also, re the smaller rugby nations, they only have to play 4 games, so that is how they are approaching it. Makes it much more fun to watch than boring penalty fests.
I was sat watching it all last night thinking how shite modern rugby is. Bish bash bosh and repeat. I am not enjoying it really. I will be gripped for the welsh games but other than that I dont really care.
Rugbys problem has always been points available for minor technical infringements, so teams play for it. I would go 2 pts for a pen, 10 for a try, with more sin bins for cynical play.
So it'll be Dr Chin against the Mutant Burgess in the midfield. There will be some sore bodies come Sunday morning, TBH I'd be surprised if both 10's see out the game. Gatland had better be booking Mr Miyagi for the half time rub down.
Team: Mike Brown; Anthony Watson, Brad Barritt, Sam Burgess, Jonny May, Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Courtney Lawes, Tom Wood, Chris Robshaw, Billy Vunipola.Replacements: Rob Webber, Mako Vunipola, Kieran Brookes, Joe Launchbury, James Haskell, Richard Wigglesworth, George Ford, Alex Goode.
bbc
Billy in at 8 too.
JJ's injured, my arse.
It's a bluff and he'll be back next week.
It's what Sam was brought to Union for.
And do you remember our first game against SA in 2007. We were lucky to score nil that game!
I was there for that and the accuracy of the kicking from hand was incredible. I think the furthest I saw a player shift was 3 steps to get underneath the kick. Other than that for 80mins Eng kicked the ball to the FB, wings and back row in turn. It wasn't even catching practice as you pretty much knew who would get it and that the chase would be at least 10 yards off.
JJ's injured, my arse.
It's a bluff and he'll be back next week.
It's what Sam was brought to Union for.
I've heard this from elsewhere.
TBH I'd be surprised if both 10's see out the game.
Ford is on the bench, being saved for injury to Farell & the Aus game IMO and not "demoted" as reported by some pundits.
Personally I now see this as previously described; Defend and Kick. Although this time around we do have an decent attacking back three should it get loose in the second half.
It shows respect to Wales back line, lets hope we pull it off and Burgess shows us the talent we've been promised.
That's a lovely stadium you boys have down in Cardiff. Sat behind the posts with brilliant view except Fiji failed to cross the line right in front of us.
Mixed match that ebbed and flowed. The gulf was obvious in terms of consistency of play. Aus defence in midfield was well organised and highly effective. Gittau (?) put in three monster tackles on much, muich bigger oppo/. Fiji's overreliance on bounce-passes was a bit odd 😉
I was with Aussies but supporting Fiji like 99% of the rest of the stadium. Made for a really fun atmosphere. The Aussies were genuinely shocked by the support for Fiji and were totally drowned out which is unusual.
I hate "Swing Low" Bllx but the irony of having that belted out at Cardiff made us smile!!!
Lots of bish, bash, bosh coming on Saturday by the looks of things....
Only complaint were the trains 😉
dantsw13 - Member
Rugbys problem has always been points available for minor technical infringements, so teams play for it. I would go 2 pts for a pen, 10 for a try, with more sin bins for cynical play
The Welsh premiership is experimenting with 6 pts for a try, 2 for any kick, this season.
Sin bins were introduced to combat technical infringements iirc, rather than foul play. The irony is that we're told that the refs are supposed to be targeting things like chop tackles and neck rolls (guaranteed card apparently) and then completely ignore or miss them. I've seen a neck roll in every game, with an especially nasty one in the Aus-Fiji game which was replayed a couple of times being ignored by all officials. As far as I remember nobody has been carded for it?
What's the point in making these announcements? (The same goes for targetting straight put ins, rolling on the floor, etc, etc, ad infintum.. 🙄 )
Billy v playing better than morgan at the moment. If the selections for eng dont get them the win Lancaster will look daft!
WALES TEAM TO PLAY ENGLAND:
Liam Williams, George North, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, Hallam Amos, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies, Gethin Jenkins, Scott Baldwin, Tomas Francis, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (Capt), Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Ken Owens, Aaron Jarvis, Samson Lee, Luke Charteris, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, Alex Cuthbert.
Suprised Owens and Charteris not starting. Worried about having no loosehead cover on the bench. Other than that its as expected.