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Australia change both props. Slipper & Kepu start, with Sio not even making the bench.
McMahon replaces injured Pocock.
Come on Wales!! 3 mins to go... 😯
ABs for 2nd Test:
1. Joe Moody, 2. Dane Coles , 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brodie Retallick , 5. Samuel Whitelock , 6. Jerome Kaino , 7. Sam Cane, 8. Kieran Read (c), 9. Aaron Smith , 10. Aaron Cruden , 11. Waisake Naholo, 12. Ryan Crotty , 13. Malakai Fekitoa , 14. Ben Smith , 15. Israel DaggReplacements : 16. Nathan Harris , 17. Wyatt Crockett , 18. Charlie Faumuina, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu , 20. Ardie Savea , 21. TJ Perenara , 22. Beauden Barrett , 23. Seta Tamanivalu
Dagg in for Savea with Ben Smith moving to the right wing and Whitelock in for Romano.
Argh! Pen on 79and a half mins... baby blacks nick it by 1 point 😥 (scored by Beauden Barrett's baby brother!)
Gutted! Just tuned in in time to see Wales lose.
Would've like to have seen NZ dumped out too.....
Takes something [i]very[/i] special to beat the Baby Blacks. 🙂
So the AB are out! Eng, Ire, Arg &SA in semis.
Wales team: Rhys Patchell,, Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Hallam Amos, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Gethin Jenkins, Ken Owens, Samson Lee, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones, Ross Moriarty, Sam Warburton (capt), Taulupe Faletau.Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Rob Evans, Tomas Francis, Bradley Davies, Ellis Jenkins, Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams.
New Zealand team: Israel Dagg; Ben Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Ryan Crotty, Waisake Naholo; Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Kieran Read (capt).
Replacements: Nathan Harris; Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Seta Tamanivalu.
They bring in Dagg we bring in Patchel. ****ing odd that Morgan keeps making squads but clearly isnt trusted. Patchel is a good player but his defence aint great.
They bring in Dagg we bring in Patchel. **** odd that Morgan keeps making squads but clearly isnt trusted
Yeah Dagg has been in excellent form for the Crusaders. Back to his best.
I thought Morgan looked pretty good against the Chiefs and Wales should be looking to attack NZ as much as possible - for which he'd be ideal.
Watching Saxons v SA A. Local ref is appalling. SA try from knock on, eng pinged for perfectly legal rucking, quick tap pen - tacklers no more than 1yd allowed to turnover. Cumulating in Wade being taken out off the ball as he crossed the line. Should have been yellow &PT, but just a pen.
Yep ^ one sided.
Yep ^ one sided.
Well England are 29-26 up after trailing 26-8!
EDIT:
Good win in the end. The Saffas didn't appear to have seen a rolling maul before.....
Note for Jamba - Cipriani controlled it all very well.
I think the comment above was aimed at the ref. The most shocking piece of incompetence was trying to retrospectively award a length-of-the-field try after blowing up for a foot in touch then changing his mindafter play had stopped but the SA player continued !! Luckily the TMO informed him he couldn't do that!!
[i] Local ref is appalling. SA try from knock on, eng pinged for perfectly legal rucking[/i]
Glad it wasn't just me seeing that. What about the maul from a lineout - player (16?) joins back of the ruck, binds, ref taps him on the back and penalises? for what? couldn't work it out!
But yeah, amazing to get a win out of that!
I don't see why 'A' games shouldn't have a competent, neutral ref??
Get in!!!!!
Good to see Wales well in the game. There's always a feeling NZ are about to have a purple 15 min patch.
Thought they were going to after their first try, but Wales have been excellent since then.
Prior to that, how good was Liam W's tackle on Naholo?! Oops they've just collided
Man, what a last couple of mins! Faletau dropped it - and NZ score. Fantastic rugby.
Sorry - wish I'd been wrong.
Liam Williams is awesome 🙂
Come on Wales!
Thought the ref had a decent game. Maybe a yellow for kiwi wing tackling LW in the air, but 50/50 call I think.
Brave stuff from Wales. What a hand off from Davies
Great game.
How Roberts kept going to make that last break.. he played against the Chiefs as well!
Best moment of the game though -
[img] 
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Great game of rugby. Score was a pretty fair reflection of both teams and although Nadolo probably should have been binned it likely wouldn't change the outcome.
Shame it looked like half of the first team had already played this week but you can't fault the effort.
It would be nice if we could manufacture another Liam Williams. Patchell is a million times more use than Anscombe and looked good with ball in hand in the first half. Taking the ball a bit flatter and putting some pace in the attack was a noticeable difference at times. It could be interesting to see him come in at first receiver a bit and interchange with Biggar over time but I guess it is a moot point for when North/ Halfpenny come back. I think Sanjay's tenacity and "nastiness" make him the player he is and that is hard to replicate. Nice to see Mini Jiffy finding a bit of form too actually throwing some nice passes and finishing pretty damn well.
I'm not sure what you could change in the forwards. They seemed to do what you could realistically expect of them but were up against it with so little possession at the start of the second half. A bit of lineout practice and not putting the poor guys out midweek probably isn't a bad start for improvement
Patchel did well under the circumstances I thought. Gives us an extra footballer out wide which is a real positive. Liam Williams defies the laws of physics though, looks like a bandy legged skinny guy but goes into contact like Lomu it makes no sense.
Liam is actually quite a bit bigger *in real life* that his stats and skinny legs would suggest. I think the hard in to contact thing is mainly a blatant disregard for his own well being! Between that and his knackered knees the poor guy probably won't be playing at this level long
I think the hard in to contact thing is mainly a blatant disregard for his own well being!
Indeed, ar one point he took the ball and Naholo and Read were set and waiting for him and he still knocked them back.
Positives for Wales were some of the younger players like Patchel, Amos and Moriarty all holding their own. Faletau was once again brilliant and the game plan has moved forward. NZ just too good though.
What a dodgy pitch... not only the poor grass, but the shitty paint getting all over the players. Bloody ridiculous.
Pitch not fit imho. Grass not rooted into the soil
The novel thing about the pitch is it shows clear dominance in the scrum of England as it is immaculate on their side!
That's entertainment 🙂
Good first 30 minutes for England but undone a little by a poor last 10.
Fortunate to escape after a stupid play by B Vunipola handed the Aussies the ball in our 22 right at the end but a bit of heroic defence (and infringing) kept them out.
[i]poor last 10[/i] - yes, apart from that defence when the half should've been over! Glad it wasn't though, great piece of play followed.
Haskell seems to have got the preemptive biscuits in to the officials before the game too which helps 🙂
Joubert's random ref decision making generator isn't doing my blood pressure any good...
Still, Nick Phipp's random pass generator is certainly keeping England in the game....
Maybe if I was Australian I'd feel different, but I think Joubert's been doing a great job.
England's defence, wow.
Oh bloody bloody! Wwooooo!!
Lovely jubbly
One for the Farrell haters 😉
[i]One for the Farrell haters[/i]
World ****ing class 🙂
How can they pick a man of the match? they were all brilliant.
If you were Australian then I imagine you'd be screaming at the TV for them not kicking points, taking passes straight out of the James Haskell school of catching and chasing the game far more than they needed too rather than controlling a bit more. Joubert was a bit random but England came in with a plan and executed perfectly. Maybe the answer to England's attacking 10 conundrum is Jamie George? 🙂
How can they pick a man of the match?
Exclude Mike Brown and then share it out from there?* 🙂
* If we can't knock Farrell then our second favourite has to take the heat 🙂
That was bloody IMMENSE.
Quality performance, outstanding defence.
Quick thinking on the grubber kick from Jamie George, made that score along with the Lawes break.
Does Dylan have the worst ears in rugby?!?
Number 2 in the World!
I'd like to see Ford off and Burrell back on next week, Goode at 15.
One for the Farrell haters
I still hate him but he played well.
Aussies didn't make their dominance pay. Their half backs were truly dire.
Gutsy win for England. A bit of grit even if there was little style.
Still - 2-0 is something to smile about. Think that puts us up to two in the rankings. 😀
Ears? have you seen Mako's? 😆
Jamie George - the new Stuart Barnes!
I'd like to see Ford off and Burrell back on next week, Goode at 15.
Is this Stuart Lancaster?
Ford was very good and he tackled brilliantly. Particularly when he stopped Folau and smothered the pass with a free man outside who would have scored.
Brown was pish but Goode is no better......
So? you wouldn't. I would! 🙂
Also, Brown wasn't pish, he dropped 2 high catches, but was a massive past of that defence.
So? you wouldn't. I would!
I don't see what the Farrell/Burrell axis could do that it didn't do last week?
I thought the Ford/Farrell pairing worked better last week and worked OK today given that we didn't have the ball too much in the Aussie half.
Also, Brown wasn't pish, he dropped 2 high catches, but was a massive past of that defence
True, he was, but all 15 are supposed to be able to tackle. It's a basic skill of rugby - it's not comparable to a Phil Bennett sidestep.
He was pish because, after being pinned in their own 22 for ages, when England finally snaffled the ball he had the chance to kick downfield, with no Australians back, and he tried running out and just put the pressure back on all over again. Besides, a fullback is meant to catch high balls isn't he? 😉
Brown wasn't great today, in fact he wasn't great last week either. I wish he'd pass, just once a game would be an improvement. Ford was not by any measure brilliant, but he did put some pretty impressive tackles in. Kicking was a bit aimless and he kicked one dead too. The only player who was crap was youngs, just shit. Mako was dead on his feet after 50, they kept him on too long.
We've won these games because Ford is at 10. This series have proven that even below his best form is he is our forst choice 10 by a long way. Barnes pointing out now how important Ford has been.
Naughty Hooper, throwing dirt in Haskell's face
[url= https://mobile.twitter.com/RichLeighPR/status/744118012349919232/video/1 ]Twitter Link[/url]
We've won these games because Ford is at 10.
you really don't understand rugby do you?
I don't even know if you are being intentionally strange, that comment is so absurd. We have won because of the pack and because the defensive system has been impeccable. Even a part time armchair fan who has never played the game should be able to see that.
England with Farrell at 10 are dull and dysfunctional, he started the first test there and we where lucky not to have been dead and buried inside 15 minutes
Everyone on Sky especially Barnes praised Ford's play, I'll take their international expertease over yours Wrecker every single minute of every day.
Farrells future at international level is away from the 10 shirt, same as Mike Catt
Ford is bloody lucky that we don't have loads of good 12's, otherwise he'd be on the bench.
There is a bit of a shortage of *proper* 12's in the NH in general I'd say. The backline today with Watson at 15 and a form winger in his place is as good as it gets for now. A play making 10 with Farrell at 12 (for the sake of kicking points) isn't the worst thing in the world and might even let someone like Slade creep in eventually. If they've managed to protect and carry Ford then it can't be too hard to swap in someone else 🙂
As an aside, if you've ever played centre and been responsible for the goal kicking then you'll appreciate how bloody hard it is to be more exhausted, constantly in the thick of things, shake off the inevitable dead legs, etc compared to 10... and still keep putting the ball over the posts. I am in no way a Farrell fan but that in itself is quite an achievement!
[s]Ford[/s] [b]Farrell[/b] is bloody lucky that we don't have loads of good 12's, otherwise he'd be on the bench.
My thoughts entirely. Farrell needs to think about 15. He has not been first choice at 10 now for nearly 3 years (think thats right, 18 months before RWC swapped back in disastrously during the tournament now back with 12 on his back)
Lets see what happens with the Lions, there must be a decent chance neither he nor even Ford make the tour
Well we saw in the first game who is more likely to be benched didn't we?
Had Burrell been up to spec, ford would have played about 10 minutes and we'd be wondering what the point of the man was. Farrell has been one of the top 3 players on the field for every one of englands games this year. Ford has not.
Farrell is like Biggar in what he brings to a team. Of course everyone wants moar moar moar but he's pretty bloody good at the moment- one of the first down on paper for a Lions Tour is it were happening tomorrow. If not, where are your points coming from? Got to agree with Wrecker on the Burrell comment and there is no way in hell Farrell would ever feature at 15, even for a local pub side!
Currently Farrell is undroppable. He'd get into most teams in the world. It hasn't always been that way, there have been times previously when I thought he should be dropped for Ford. Presently he the the far betetr player but that could well change again if ford gets his shit together. Lots of rumours flying around regarding things at bath which might account for his average (being generous) performance this year.
Go look of the COML forum, the bath fans are unanimous in their assessment of his performances this year being sub par.
Ford has been sub par this year, no doubt, but he's been pretty capable these last two tests.
The pack didn't get on top today but the defense held firm. However, Ford pulled the strings and kicked from hand very effectively too.
He is still the best 10. If Farrell was so great then he'd be there and they'd have Slade or someone at 12.
Youngs had one of those games he frequently has when the pressure is really on - totally sh*t. Fortunately, Phipps was worse and Foley not much better.
wrecker - Member
Currently Farrell is undroppable.
That's surely indisputable? Noticeable that Ford also seems to be improving whilst on tour - perhaps being away from a toxic club environment is helping?
Today was very much a victory for the forwards and the defence and whilst I don't wish to take anything away from a great team effort both the conditions and the ref helped. Saying that, EJ is a great tactician and maybe he'd have had a different game plan (or even team) for different conditions.
We still seemed to overrun the ball on the odd (once, twice?) occasion we passed the ball down the line; surely a top 5 international backline shouldn't keep making this schoolboy error? Agree with the general comments on Brown - you can't fault him for effort but he missed a couple of high balls, is generally half a yard too slow and virtually never passes; great D though which is maybe why he's still there?
The issue is that Farrell has to play, and ford is a nicer option at 10 than burrell is at 12 (which was the original preference) so in he goes. Slade hasn't enough experience at 12 for Jones to throw into these games, but when he has, then we'll see what happens. If Baxter plays Slade at 10, what with Devoto arriving at chiefs then Fords place could really be in danger. Early days for henry but I think he is (or has the potential to be) one of the most talented english players we have had in years.
Whilst we're bitching about ford vs farrell, it was nice to see that they are still such good mates. They had a big old cuddle at the end of that game.
Strong rumours that ford jnr caught ford snr hiding his sausage in one of the female club staff.
Yes Yes Yes (just seen it).
Apart from the comments above, the best bit about this team is how they adapted to the Aus attack. No same 'ol same 'ol as per the last regime. Good players playing good rugby.
I did think we lacked attack, but obviously Eddie knows how the team will win a particular kind of match better than I do, and the players aren't that different from previous, so he must be a fairly decent coach eh.
The issue is that Farrell has to play
Indeed. That's it. Right there.
As rugby moves towards NFL style substitutions maybe at some point in the future a bloke will run on, kick it and run off again......
What a difference 40 minutes makes. Was looking like a cricket score for Ireland at one stage but what a heartbreaking end
Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu reckons England should duck out of the third test and hop over the Tasman Sea to play the ABs next weekend.
I'd like to have seen that.
They should have put in a caveat that if both series were 2-0 then they could swap opponents. Australia v Wales and NZ v England would be a lot more interesting than another win for NZ and a dead rubber (whatever anyone says) in the Cook Cup.
I really want to see the new look gnarly england play SA. I wanna see itoge vs etzebeth.
at times like this its always interesting to see how the media down-under react: Here is the headline from the Sydney Morning Herald.
[url= http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/australia-rugby/eddie-jones-england-break-wallabies-fans-hearts-to-claim-famous-test-series-win-20160618-gpmcfk.html ]Eddie came, Eddie saw, Eddie conquered! [/url]
and this article [url= http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/australia-rugby/not-even-sherlock-holmes-could-solve-the-mystery-of-wallabies-v-england-rugby-union-tests-20160616-gpl1i8.html ]"Rugby league is a simple game played by simple people. Rugby union is a complex game played by w------."[/url]
Does make me smile when they get a little riled!
At times it can be a great feeling listen to Aussie's commentating on their defeat... Must have something to do with having to endure it as an Englishman for so long.
But the biggest positive was the completely contrasting styles of the 2 games. Good teams win in their own style, great teams win. Having the confidence to be able to swap or change tactics depending on what you face is brilliant.
Regardless of the series being over there is everything to play for - 3-0 is something the Aussies don't want to to let happen, hopefully a better pitch and my Saturday night is sorted
And a final point discipline, other England sides would have gifted penalties away that would have negated all of their hard work.
Deadslow- love the second article, God they are whinging. I did like the bit about Nsw winning a minimum of 10 of the last 10 league cups, maybe more!
Maths isn't a strong suit either
By SMH standards, those articles strike me as being quite impressed by what we achieved, and more down on their own teams.
Bit of good news
Shame Toulon won - they could have flown him out for the 3rd test otherwise....
Shame Toulon won - they could have flown him out for the 3rd test otherwise....
They could anyway. Toulon owner would blow a gasket mind. 1/2ps "delay" in getting fit was tactical though I reckon.