posted Jun 19, 2008

I think most people must have been watching a different game to me. The England forwards started maginificently - driving NZ off the ball, and were much more dynamic and aggressive in the loose than I have ever seen. This was a much, much better forward performance than any in the six nations or world cup, as for once the obsession with control and technique came second to agression. They were outscrummaged which is a worry, but 4 of that pack can carry us through to 2011.
However until we have the ability to score without needing 75 phases we will struggle against southern hemispere teams.

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posted Jun 19, 2008

I think I too was watching a different game.
The first two tries in the second half were dubious at best. The first was a result of a forward pass (quality break though) and the second should have been an England scrum after a New Zealand knock on (courtesy of Charlie Hodgson's one tackle of the game).
The better team obviously won and the English backs were woeful but we played a lot better than most people are giving us credit for.
Man for man New Zealand are awesome and if they ever get a decent coach then God save us all.

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posted Jun 19, 2008

The England forwards' 1st twenty minutes should give the team some heart. They looked aggressive, cohesive and looked the goods. The lineout stole 7 from the All Blacks and the restarts were predominantly in England's favour. Psychologically I suspect England was expecting to do better in the scrum. Sheridan wasn't in the ascendancy over Somerville, a prop who hasn't made the run-on team for some time.
The problem I see is that really the All Black's didn't play particularly well and there are so many obvious areas to improve whereas I'm not sure that is possible from this England team.
One thing in England's favour is Graham Henry's compulsive meddling with the team. We've been trying to get a 12/13 combination that functions well for 2 years. When one does what does he do? Hasn't learned.
My pick is NZ by 15 as the messing with the backline will reduce its effectiveness over a possibly tighter England back defensive effort, counterbalanced by an improvement in the All Black forward at lineout and in generally less rustiness.
Cheers

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posted Jun 19, 2008

I hate to be so blunt and maybe even really annoying, but why was Hodgson playing in the first place. And was anyone really that suprised with his performance. It's not like he's ever really done anything amazing in an England shirt anyway. Yes hes good for sale, but not for england.
Picking Noon at 12 is probably the best option. Yes, he has the creativity of a glass of water, but his defence is really what England needed. Its also good to see Varndell get a go. I would love to see him burn Muliaina like Ojo did before. England will lose, but I am looking forward to the Churchill Cup where the real talent is, and then the Autumn tests. Maybe then with MJ actualy present eng will do a bit better.

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posted Jun 19, 2008

Hodgson has proved now that he is not up for international duty, i dont doubt he is a quality GP fly half but international rugby is a huge step up. If we have to have a third choice fly half (as that is wat Hodgson is) then why not lamb?

i dont think for a second that lamb would of stopped nonu, the mans a tank, but he offers more then Hodgson does in attack.

we must feel sorry for floody tho, il stick my neck out and say that Flood couldnt of stopped Nonu either but more importantly he's an inside centre. he played fly half twice for england? (dont kno exactly) and now were expecting him to don the number 10 shirt against the AB. I wish him the best of luck, and i may be wrong, if leicester have signed him as competition wiv goode for the 10 shirt then he surely must offer the position somthing...

and what of our new centre parternship? its interesting and i honestly cant make up my mind. i think we need to build a centre partnership and not just chop and change, while Noon is whithout a doubt solid defensivly i think a gr8 blance is Barkley inside and Tindall outside, superb in defence and strong in attack. there gd ball carriers and if dey dnt break thru a defensive line they will make valuable yards ova the gain line. importantly they will play together at glaws this season (with lamb - another reason why he should be third choice fly half).

but are barkley and tindall the future? should we look towards a young centre parterneship such as:

10. Cipriani
12. Flutey
13. Gereghty

thats just an idea so plze dnt crucify me 4 putting it out der. im aware ther are ova young centre's. Hipkiss, Allen, Tait, Bell, even James Simpson Daniel!

a huge positive is are new back row, Haskell, Rees and Narroway. fantastic.

com'on england, just do us proud.

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posted Jun 19, 2008

What if Carter, Nonu etc steam past Flood, Noon and Tindall with the same ease that they did Hodgson, does that mean he too will be thrown onto the scrap heap.... what happens if the same happens later in the year to Cipriani... scrap heap for him aswell?

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posted Jun 19, 2008

no of course not, players have to have time to stake their claim. but this is not Hodgson's first or second cap, he's had the opporunitys and cannot show the form he does in GP wether he finds himself up against Nonu or not

i do agree with your general point tho that england seem to scrap players on single mistakes all to often

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posted Jun 19, 2008

"What if Carter, Nonu etc steam past Flood, Noon and Tindall with the same ease that they did Hodgson, does that mean he too will be thrown onto the scrap heap.... what happens if the same happens later in the year to Cipriani... scrap heap for him aswell?"

Can you please try to keep the tone of malicious glee out of your posts just once in a while, porridge?

These are the players we've got and we'll just have to figure out who's going to make the best job of it. If you've got any better or more constructive suggestions then maybe you should put them forward.

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posted Jun 20, 2008

It's back to the old routine. Trundle in the forwards and try to stop them in the backs.Little creativity left without Hodgson and Barkley.Points win games not a negative defensive attitude, but where are they going to be scored? The AB's are likely to have a field day. With nothing to fear from England's attack they will take even more successful risks.We could be in for a roasting.

RA never did the unexpected as a player, he should get back 'upstairs' ASAP

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posted Jun 20, 2008

"i do agree with your general point tho that england seem to scrap players on single mistakes all to often"

Yes to a point, unless their name is Balshaw or Wilkinson...

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