England v New Zealand match thread

[quinsforever]

First topic message reminder :

2.30pm at Twickenham on Saturday.

Betfair has england 5:1 against. Sounds about right to me.

Are NZ wearing black this time? I hope so. don't think France or anyone else found the Haka quite the same performed in what looked like white gym T-shirts.

My prediction, fwiw (and i know that's not much), NZ to win by 6, england to dominate at scrums, lineouts 50:50, 60% possession England but Joubert tough (but predictable and consistent) on holding on means isolated possession gives NZ the scoring edge from penalties, and NZ classically more clinical with open/broken field possession.

Really looking forwards to it though.

Anyone going?

[Nachos Jones]

Owen Farrell has to start controlling the backs better, the AB's are rocked so he needs to be getting them to run better lines.

[mystiroakey]

BULLS

[nathan]

Unlucky there Hartley, he tripped over an all black rolling out of the ruck.

[Breadvan]

Starting off poorly but we've done quite well. Oh for a dynamic 13...

[Geordie]

We could have done without a halftime...god I hope we don't do what we did last week and stutter out for the second half...

[Heaf]

I'm a bit behind with the game on recording - why the scrum free kick that led to the ABs 2nd try? OK it moved a bit when they engaged which it always does but it was steady and ready for the put-in when Joubert free-kicked England … and I see the ABs are still managing to fall (or dive) on the wrong side of every ruck by grabbing an England player and then falling over ...

[nathan]

We need to be scoring more points whilst there a man down.

[TJ]

Scrum free kick was for early shove

[nathan]

I'm a bit behind with the game on recording - why the scrum free kick that led to the ABs 2nd try?  OK it moved a bit when they engaged which it always does but it was steady and ready for the put-in when Joubert free-kicked England … and I see the ABs are still managing to fall (or dive) on the wrong side of every ruck by grabbing an England player and then falling over ...

I think England were pushing early

[Scrumpy]

Great effort from the forwards, but our backs are poor at going forward.

Hang in there lads

[Taylorman]

Taylorman, cant you at least give a little credit to a young England pack showing a lot of Character and really taking it to the AB's?

We all know our backs are a major concern...hopefully they are working on that...

Yep. Just did. ABs need to tidy up more. Too loose around the breakdowns though due to England's hassling.
England not great with ball in hand but as a unit slowing the game down well enough.
We just need to up the tempo...get it wide and get them the easy way. ABs had 14 last few mins so can't expect much during that period.

[nathan]

As mentioned earlier, we're missing Manu.

[Nachos Jones]

I know that Farrell's kicking is important but I would have Flood at 10 for the second half, I think he offers better attacking options and has better control of his backs than Farrell.

[EnglishReign]

We'd have them running scared with Tuilagi and Wade in the mix. Fantastic intensity so far, come on!

[Rugby Fan]

It would have been a big call, but we might have thought about going for another attacking lineout when Read got his yellow card. He's been a menace at our mauls and we might have managed a try in his absence.

Mind you, Robshaw would never have heard the end of it if we'd come away with nothing.

[nathan]

Wonder if that was our 40 minute performance.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Frustrating from a NZ perspective. Great start and then England has fought their way back into this match to their credit. NZ getting caned in the penalty count and just haven't had the ball and are in the wrong part of the park.

The second half they have to react better because when they've had the ball running at the backs, they've looked dangerous. England have got back into this game through their forwards. Their backs are far less convincing and the 10, 12, 13 axis are not working at all.

Certainly no need to panic. Hansen will remind them of what they have to do and that is have the ball at the right end of the park. Read will come on with three minutes into the second half and let's see who can impose themselves on the opposition in the second half. A game of contrasts but it's showing good mettle from England and frustration creeping into NZ's game. They need more discipline and composure and I have every confidence they can strike a couple of times through the backs because England have looked shaky through there. They have looked far more convincing with their pack and that is where we have to take the game away from them.

[Rugby Fan]

Wonder if that was our 40 minute performance.

We only put in 20. We might have another 20 in the tank...

[Geordie]

Not sure Wade would make any difference mate. Ashton hasn't had any chance so Wade wouldn't have either.
Lets keep this tempo and physicality going...don't let it drop!

[Taylorman]

England try simply wasn't one so england continue getting soft tries.Robson touched the ball from an offside pos. Though defence of it was slack. Reads yellow was due England not being picked up when mess am was over the ball.count yourselves lucky england. Jouberts got your back.

[nathan]

England try simply wasn't one so england continue getting soft tries.Robson touched the ball from an offside pos. Though defence of it was slack. Reads yellow was due England not being picked up when mess am was over the ball.count yourselves lucky england. Jouberts got your back.

 

[nathan]

Wonder what bomber will do with the subs. Hope we don't get them en mass.

[EnglishReign]

Haha, how was it not a try? And you've been infringing all game as per.

[Cowshot]

Couldn't really have hoped for much more from the first half all things taken into account. We're closer than I thought we'd be and in with a genuine chance of winning this having played ourselves back into the game. But lordy we really have to stitch two decent halves together for the first time this series if we are to do it.

Much, much better than I feared and the light of hope is getting brighter!  

[Rugby Fan]

Woodward says it's England forwards vs NZ backs. Recommends England keep it with the forwards in the second half.

[Heaf]

I'm a bit behind with the game on recording - why the scrum free kick that led to the ABs 2nd try?  OK it moved a bit when they engaged which it always does but it was steady and ready for the put-in when Joubert free-kicked England … and I see the ABs are still managing to fall (or dive) on the wrong side of every ruck by grabbing an England player and then falling over ...

I think England were pushing early

Harsh - I think it moved a bit on the engage and then was stationary - if it was still going forwards then maybe but I think it was steady and Joubert should have allowed the put it …

Also the rolling maul on 20 mins looked like it was going over until it was clearly pulled down by Read

[kiakahaaotearoa]

They were unlucky through the first call though Tman. England should've been given the benefit of the doubt as the attacking team when they were short and then driven over the ground.

I agree Messam was competing and England were holding on before Read came in from the side. Done now so no point in looking back on it. Got to focus on getting the basics right, sorting out the breakdown and getting the ball and attacking those backs out wide.

[Poorfour]

England comfortably ahead on setpiece bit will need to control possession in second half to have a hope

[Rugby Fan]

...Robson touched the ball from an offside pos.

Bobby or Bryan?

[Geordie]

Taylorman, please don't start that...

Look its a fascinating game of different styled teams. Just enjoy it...

[Cowshot]

Oh, and Taylorman, the commentators I'm listening to are giving Joubert grief for failing to pick up AB infringements in the scrum. So maybe you need to open the other eye.  

[Taylorman]

Yep agree kia. Hansen will be livid about the territory. England have turned back what looked a bit if a shelling earlier. First 15 minutes will be key

[Cowshot]

Oh, and Marler going very well. Delighted to see it. Know he's good in the loose but wasn't sure he was quite there yet in the tight, but going well by the sound of it.

[EnglishReign]

Yeah, I'll retract that comment if we can just enjoy the game without beer fuelled accusations!

[nathan]

Yep agree kia. Hansen will be livid about the territory. England have turned back what looked a bit if a shelling earlier. First 15 minutes will be key

I expect the all blacks to come out firing too.

[EnglishReign]

England need that first pen (or better) against 14 men.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

The kickoffs have been disappointing. We've gone long to no result. We need to be more attacking and contest the ball.

But this is great for us. England are not giving up and there's nothing in this game. It felt a bit flat two tries up strangely. Now we're being worked hard for the win and that's great.

[Taylorman]

Oh, and Taylorman, the commentators I'm listening to are giving Joubert grief for failing to pick up AB infringements in the scrum. So maybe you need to open the other eye.  

Not Barnes by any chance us it?

No worries. ABs should have this regardless. Need to be at the other end.

[Geordie]

This next 10-15 is going to be huge

[Geordie]

Great scrum....

[nathan]

3 points during the sin bin period?

[Taylorman]

Here we go...

[Geordie]

You whinge about our backs taylorman...but don't forget scrums are part of rugby aswell!

Please don't be so one eyed mate...

[nathan]

Ab soooo slow at rolling away.

[nathan]

Without fail, there is always an all black taking up space on the wrong side of a ruck.

[mystiroakey]

That is a waste. All over them and just conceade possesion easily.

I think the lads have to just believe and trust(which in fairness they could be!!) that they are better

[Geordie]

Aaahhh Ashton man!!! He did great looking for work then poor decision to kick..

[Cowshot]

Oh my. Come on lads!  

[mystiroakey]

BILLY V!!! What !

[Taylorman]

You whinge about our backs taylorman...but don't forget scrums are part of rugby aswell!

Please don't be so one eyed mate...

Gee that was a while ago. Scrappy match.
Mike brown was excellent there. Best English back by a mile.

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