SA vs England 3rd test: Build up, announcements and match thread.

[Biltong]

First topic message reminder :

England

A Goode; C Ashton, J Joseph, M Tuilagi, B Foden; T Flood, D Care; A Corbisiero, D Hartley (capt), D Cole, T Palmer, G Parling, T Johnson, J Haskell, T Waldrom.

Replacements : L Mears, J Marler, M Botha, P Dowson, L Dickson, O Farrell, B Barritt.


Lancaster said: “I am really pleased for Alex [Goode]. He has worked hard in training and has been pushing Mike Brown and Ben Foden close so we are looking forward to him bringing his footballing skills to this Test. Danny Care likewise has bided his time in a very competitive position, knuckled down and deserves his chance, as has James Haskell, who has played this season for the Highlanders at No 7.

“We felt that the pack got some momentum in the second half last week so we have gone for Alex [Corbisiero] and Tom [Palmer], but I am sure Joe Marler and Mo Botha can make an impact from the bench.

“The guys did the shirt proud in Potchefstroom on Tuesday and I have no doubt that the 22 involved on Saturday will rise to this final challenge as we look to end this almost 12-month season on a high.”



South Africa

Gio Aplon, JP Pietersen, Jean de Villiers, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Francois Hougaard; Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Eben Etzebeth, Juandre Kruger, Marcell Coetzee, Jaques Potgieter, Pierre Spies

Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Werner Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Ryan Kankowski, Ruan Pienaar, Elton Jantjies, Bjorn Basson


Looking at this team it loses a lot of physicality.

Comparing a first choice backrow of Schalk Burger, Juan smith and Willem Alberts to Jaque Potgieter, Marcell Coetzee and Pierre Spies it is clear that South Africa will have to play wider and take less contact in the ruck situation, if not England will easily be able to dominate the contest at the breakdown.

Looking at the midfield combination of Frans Steyn and Jean de Villiers compared to Wynand Olivier and Jean de Villiers it will be far inferior due to no creativity at all between the two midfielders, but also no kicking out of hand and defensively Olivier is weak.

Aplon at the back does add some creativity at 15, yet even though he is as gutsy as hell at 75 kg, he will be targeted by big runners.

All in all this will be a litmus test for this Bok team. One I sincerely hope they pass.

Problem is looking at the players out of this match be it injuries weddings etc. not having Coenie Oosthuizen, Andries Bekker, Willem Alberts, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Frans Steyn and Patrick Lambie makes this a decidedly easier test for England.

[Rugby Uberlord]

[mr_stonelea]

So does this mean the bokke are mincers?

Nope, ruffian butchers who likes to mince fresh meat.

more like Dodgy Butchers - who have their meat delivered round the back...

oh no, will I get banned for that? Please don't - i like it here

I apologise

[Rugby Uberlord]

guys, What's the best odds for an England win and who with???

[Biltong]

So does this mean the bokke are mincers?

Nope, ruffian butchers who likes to mince fresh meat.

more like Dodgy Butchers - who have their meat delivered round the back...

oh no, will I get banned for that? Please don't - i like it here

I apologise

[mr_stonelea]

I'll accept the citing and a 2 week ban

[sad_gimp]

Moody saying on twitter that Corbs is out..not seen it confirmed anywhere else though.

[Wydnej]

Corbs out - big bad Joe Marler starting...

[Biltong]

I'll accept the citing and a 2 week ban

Seeing that this is your first offence, the citing has been reduced.

[timhen]

Moody saying on twitter that Corbs is out..not seen it confirmed anywhere else though.

Yeah, was confirmed this morning. Marler starts for Corbs and PDJ on the bench.

http://www.espnscrum.com/england-tour-2012/rugby/story/166027.html

[doctor_grey]

I'm just a bit late getting into the unbearable excitement surrounding the match tomorrow afternoon. Not the most exciting set of English forwards from 4 - 8, is it now?

But I actually like the backs, despite a few guys out of position. I am looking forward to seeing Goode (Alex not Andy) playing, though I still think Foden is the best fullback.

If England get any ball at all, then this backs group might have an idea or two out there.

[nobbled]

Are we going to get murdered at the scrum or nor?

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

Are we going to get murdered at the scrum or nor?

Bettered, not murdered.

[Taylorman]

Right...gonna stick my neck out here. England to do a Lions and take the 10th and final SH/ NH match to win the first and last of the 4 tours.

[Zander]

South Africa are missing some key players, however so are England. This could go either way, although hopefully England's!

[maestegmafia]

Good luck England...!

Hopefully they can win the final test. Just need to get into gear at the start.

It's a good team, Danny Care is a fantastic scrum half, a bit more beef in the experienced Haskell and you Andy Goode gets a much deserved chance at the back.

Not sure why England kept that centre pairing from last week though..?

[ChequeredJersey]

Alex Goode. Andy Goode at FB would be trucking awful

[ChequeredJersey]

Thanks though, I hope we do well and obviously I want Danny to have a good game. He's a great scrum half prone to getting overexcited

[Geordie]

Right...gonna stick my neck out here. England to do a Lions and take the 10th and final SH/ NH match to win the first and last of the 4 tours.

Of the four tours...Scotland are erm...Played 3 won 3 including Australia...whom Wales couldnt beat in 3 attempts....

I think we're gonna be beat again...but i think them missing Alberts is a blow...the guy is just a monster....

We also need to keep a check on Mr Pietersen on the wing...he caused us no end of bother in the last test...

[ChequeredJersey]

I back Foden there

[Zander]

Foden should be solid in defence. He can tackle well and should keep Pietersen quiet.

[SimonofSurrey]

ChequeredJersey,

Had a beer with the Brive team doctor (friend of a friend) just before Fr v Eng this year. He said Andy Goode had a couple of strong games as soon as he got to Brive then never played well for them again. I tried to feign surprise as he had bought me the beer...

[Geordie]

Foden should be solid in defence. He can tackle well and should keep Pietersen quiet.

He didnt in the last test..in fact the full england team couldnt....

[Manu's Boxing Coach]

Foden should be solid in defence. He can tackle well and should keep Pietersen quiet.

He didnt in the last test..in fact the full england team couldnt....

Dont remember Foden missing too many tackles?

[Biltong]

Foden should be solid in defence. He can tackle well and should keep Pietersen quiet.

He didnt in the last test..in fact the full england team couldnt....

Dont remember Foden missing too many tackles?

Foden missed only 1 tackle in the first test, but missed 4 last weekend

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

Foden should be solid in defence. He can tackle well and should keep Pietersen quiet.

He didnt in the last test..in fact the full england team couldnt....

Dont remember Foden missing too many tackles?

Foden missed only 1 tackle in the first test, but missed 4 last weekend

According to espn he missed 1, its robshaw who was the revolving door

[Biltong]

Foden should be solid in defence. He can tackle well and should keep Pietersen quiet.

He didnt in the last test..in fact the full england team couldnt....

Dont remember Foden missing too many tackles?

Foden missed only 1 tackle in the first test, but missed 4 last weekend

According to espn he missed 1, its robshaw who was the revolving door

http://www.rugbystats.com.au/matches/rugby/match16750.html

Espn is very inaccurate

[timhen]

Those stats look pretty iffy on that site biltongbek, no way did both sides miss that many tackles. The numbers look pretty high in all areas of measurement.

[Biltong]

Tinhen, you need to tick the box which gives you details, there it will breakdown each player's ineffective tackles, missed tackles and attempted tackles

[screamingaddabs]

Would anyone be able to message me a link for an online feed of the game if they know of one please?

[Guest]

you have mail screaming

[screamingaddabs]

Thanks dragon

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

Right so thats a different definition to the standard we are used to using, a lot harsher figure. In the context of the game fodens tackling wasnt any worse than most players, and by no means the worst of the team. As we know more often than not he was left out to dry by the SA chaps running right through the england forwards, when you are facing backs running at pace in space its hardly surprising you ship a few tackles.
In general Foden is sound if not spectacular in his tackling and cover. Its certainly not aspect hes seen as weak in.

[timhen]

There's lots of stuff that isn't right there. No way were there only 5 scrum feeds for instance.

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

better than ireland already

[Guest]

better than ireland already

But you're not playing the AB's?

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

crumbs Im beginning to have some belief in england here, hardly scintilating but professional and getting on the board even if flood did miss that one

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

better than ireland already

But you're not playing the AB's?

True but 3:0 against the cook islands would be still better than 0:60 against anyone

[Pal Joey]

early days yet biscuit... give it time mate.

See.. all even at 3 now.

[Guest]

hmmm.. I don't agree, can only compare like for like imo..

3-3

[timhen]

Can we not get into a silly piddling contest about relative home nation performances here, all that matters is how we do against the team in front of us.

[Guest]

sorry timhen... lets just watch this game...

[Guest]

nice try

[Guest]

8-3

[Rory_Gallagher]

Hmm.. good try, but South Africa don't seem that interested here?

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

Danny Care doing hjis best ben youngs impersonation. Ridiculous percentage of Englands tries have come from the half backs since Lancaster took charge.

[Guest]

just missed con

[KickAndChase]

Hey lads, just tuned in for that try. Care & Youngs are great at the little quick tap penalties!

Been looking forward to this one.

Good luck to England

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

hmmm.. I don't agree, can only compare like for like imo..

3-3

Youre right, its not fair to compare england against a shower of poo like ireland

[timhen]

No worries mate, wasn't having a go at you.

Good opportunism by Care there, though I'm surprised the Boks didn't stop him.

[Hood83]

Farrell on...sigh...here we go.

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