Englands Tour of NZ - The Politics

by Geordie Mon 24 Feb 2014, 12:41 pm

First topic message reminder :

This thread has become a political thread so we'll make it that.

by mystiroakey Tue 01 Apr 2014, 10:07 pm

GloriousEmpire wrote:My predictions are rarely wrong - infuriatingly so, I believe. As I recall it I copped a ban to prevent me going 100% by some who find the accuracy of my views exhausting.

by Hood83 Tue 01 Apr 2014, 10:12 pm

GloriousEmpire wrote:My predictions are rarely wrong - infuriatingly so, I believe. As I recall it I copped a ban to prevent me going 100% by some who find the accuracy of my views exhausting.

Is that England won't get within 30 in any of the tests? Sportsman's bet on that?

by ChequeredJersey Tue 01 Apr 2014, 11:09 pm

GE, you are hilarious. Would genuinely be a much more dull site without your crazy shenanigans and ridiculous statements and attempts to backtrack Hug

by ChequeredJersey Tue 01 Apr 2014, 11:11 pm

I think we will win a test, lose one comfortably and be close as can be to winning a third. And I too am rarely wrong Smile

by Taylorman Wed 02 Apr 2014, 2:55 am

Can see a 20 something. Two I agree will be close-ish. 1-10 to AB's in both but perhaps a close one to England.

Can't see any 30's, unless the first test side is bereft of confidence due to the England finalists passing the buck.

Are England supporters checking out the form of our AB's in the sxv? Although the sides are up and down, some individuals are really firing, Kaino one who seems to have started where he left off. To have Messam, Luatua and Kaino as 6 options will see us well for injuries at least.

Barrett and Cruden are making sure the 10 role will be ok, and out wide the Ben Smiths, Saveas, Piataus are running strong.

Our Crusaders contingent are struggling, Read limped off, Mccaw is injured and DC wont be playing. Dagg is so so, so it could be a Nonu, C Smith, Savea and Piautau on the wings with Ben Smith at Fullback- not shabby at all.

7, lock and hooker we might need a bit more work with though...

by **Rugby Fan** Wed 02 Apr 2014, 4:30 am

Taylorman wrote:Can see a 20 something. Two I agree will be close-ish. 1-10 to AB's in both but perhaps a close one to England.

Can't see any 30's, unless the first test side is bereft of confidence due to the England finalists passing the buck.

I don't think many, if any, England supporters expect us to be 30 points worse than the All Blacks. Then again, none of us expected Wales to score so freely against us last year. The team hasn't looked so helpless in a match since the Millenium Stadium, which is heartening. Then again, I'm not convinced that we understand the reasons for that capitulation enough to avoid a repetition.

At one stage in the Autumn, it looked like New Zealand were on their way to running up a big score against us. We finally got back in the match, almost enough to nick it, but we shouldn't forget we let the All Blacks run rampant in the first place. It's encouraging that we can recover, but giving away a big initial lead could well be a recipe for going down to a heavy defeat, especially if we don't slot penalties to keep even slightly in touch.

When England beat New Zealand the games are usually close on the scoreboard, so we are never out of contention, or else we've built up a lead early. In my memory, we've got away from New Zealand on three occasions. In 1997, we ran up a healthy score only to see NZ come back to claim a draw (a few minutes more play could easily have seen them win). November 2002 felt a bit like 2012, except an All Blacks late revival made it more of a nail-biter. 2012 was the only win I can recall watching the latter stages feeling we were in no danger of losing.

by GloriousEmpire Wed 02 Apr 2014, 7:34 am

ChequeredJersey wrote:GE, you are hilarious. Would genuinely be a much more dull site without your crazy shenanigans and ridiculous statements and attempts to backtrack

Who's back tracking? I fully believe the margin will be 30 or greater.

The thing I look forward to most is the way Lancaster and Robshaw will try to spin I as a positive thing.

That of course, and the distraction of the inevitable attempt to vilify an All Black and the assault on Maori culture that inevitably accompany an England tour.

by GloriousEmpire Wed 02 Apr 2014, 8:14 am

And whomever reported that - let's wait for the tour and if it *doesnt* happen, I'll gladly admit I was wrong and leave the site forever. But as ever, I stand by my prediction.

by Cyril Wed 02 Apr 2014, 8:20 am

I would imagine that the person who reported your post probably was more interested by this bit.

[quote="GloriousEmpire"]

ChequeredJersey wrote:That of course, and the distraction of the inevitable attempt to vilify an All Black and the assault on Maori culture that inevitably accompany an England tour.

Anyway, it's fair enough if you think NZ will beat England by that margin but do you have to post the above? That's what gets you in trouble and ruins what is a good thread.

by Breadvan Wed 02 Apr 2014, 9:05 am

Cyril wrote:I would imagine that the person who reported your post probably was more interested by this bit.

GloriousEmpire wrote:
ChequeredJersey wrote:That of course, and the distraction of the inevitable attempt to vilify an All Black and the assault on Maori culture that inevitably accompany an England tour.

Anyway, it's fair enough if you think NZ will beat England by that margin but do you have to post the above? That's what gets you in trouble and ruins what is a good thread.

Ok then, enlighten us How is this going to happen or has ever happened? Headscratch

by **Biltong** Wed 02 Apr 2014, 9:24 am

GloriusEmpire wrote:That of course, and the distraction of the inevitable attempt to vilify an All Black and the assault on Maori culture that inevitably accompany an England tour.

Hinting and suggesting England fans might be Xenophobic in any way is looking for trouble.

by kiakahaaotearoa Wed 02 Apr 2014, 9:27 am

You're quite right Rugby Fan. We've never been able to post a cricket score against England. Even in 95 when Lomu went loco England still managed to sneak in a few consolation points at the end when NZ started thinking about the final because the damage had been done.

But usually the scores are frustratingly close. Which makes GE's prediction all the bolder. France had a similar problem last year in their tour and their decidedly B team unit actually put in their best performance against NZ and the score was quite close. Fofana proved a handful in the first game and they weren't handicapped by the likes of Michalak in the backline. The second test was a complete shut out and was a tactical victory more than anything as well as a great defensive display and the third was patchy but safe enough. A 3-0 series win but not by any means the thumping that scoreline suggests. Certainly nowhere near the 60 - 0 humiliation of Ireland.

England won't allow the game to open up like the first and third tests against Ireland. The weather might also prove a handicap towards running rugby and night games mean even on a clear night handling can be tricky with the amount of dew on the grounds.

So it seems unlikely NZ will rack up a 30 point leeway against England in any of the matches. Don't get me wrong, I'd be happy to be proved wrong. But I don't see that kind of scoreline happening in any of the games. 20 points in the first or second games perhaps and even then. But in the words of Team America at 1:25 on this video filmed on a potato:

by beshocked Wed 02 Apr 2014, 9:36 am

Read that Will Fraser should be back in two weeks - with the lack of strength in depth at 7, he could feature if he shows good form late in the season.

After watching the AP on the weekend, I must say Ford at 10 vs NZ would greatly worry me. Teams have worked how to get at Bath - target Ford.

Ford did make his tackles well but he had constant protection. Ford's composure also abandoned him when he needed it. Missing two penalties, 1 conversion and 2 drop goal attempts and failed to make touch with one penalty.

Ford could well turn out to be an excellent player but NZ away as his first starting cap....

Unfortunately there's a lot of risk with whoever you pick.

Cipriani - Probably in the best form of the contenders but hasn't been training with England, away vs NZ is hardly a nice time to starting trying to bring someone back who has suffered from low confidence when wearing the red rose. Not very experienced at international level either.

Myler - currently injured, 29 and not getting any younger, is he good enough to step up to international level.

Burns - can't get a game for Gloucester, low on confidence.

Even if England considered bring back Flood as a temporary patch up job, he's now become 2nd fiddle to Owen Williams at Tigers.

by kiakahaaotearoa Wed 02 Apr 2014, 9:43 am

There has been a shuffling of responsibilities. Aussie Mclean was defence coach. Shag has now taken on that role as well as the forwards with Mike Cron still as scrum coach. Aussie McLean is now video analysis man. No doubt he will be looking at videos of the AP to see the likely players to run out in the first test.

I wonder if this appointment had anything to do with the lapse in the latter part of the year where NZ seemed to leak a lot of points on the northern tour. The defence was outstanding against France and then it started unravelling a little when things got loose against Australia, tightened up against SA at Eden Park and then deteriorated from Ellis Park onwards.

Will be interesting to see whether Hansen brings in some new ideas or some much needed resolve. Not to mention how much advantage Aussie McLean brings the team in his new role.

by Chjw131 Wed 02 Apr 2014, 12:01 pm

GloriousEmpire wrote:
ChequeredJersey wrote:GE, you are hilarious. Would genuinely be a much more dull site without your crazy shenanigans and ridiculous statements and attempts to backtrack

That of course, and the distraction of the inevitable attempt to vilify an All Black and the assault on Maori culture that inevitably accompany an England tour.

That's an appalling accusation in a time when cultural sensitivity is so important. It's the most abhorrent comment I have encountered on this forum and frankly, you should be ashamed of yourself.

How is this sort of comment permitted here?!

by beshocked Wed 02 Apr 2014, 12:31 pm

Glorious empire I didn't realise dwarf throwing was Maori culture. Whistle

Still waiting for an apology from Umaga and his partner in crime, Mealamu for spear tackling BOD.

by GloriousEmpire Wed 02 Apr 2014, 1:47 pm

Calm down guys, I was referring to this:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/04/maori-king-snubs-prince-william

by GloriousEmpire Wed 02 Apr 2014, 5:52 pm

Honestly. Knowing irony will only work if you guys make a bit of an effort to keep up with current affairs.

by HammerofThunor Wed 02 Apr 2014, 6:25 pm

GloriousEmpire wrote:Calm down guys, I was referring to this:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/04/maori-king-snubs-prince-william

Doesn't that state that the King is annoyed with a faceless New Zealand government official who 'told' him he he 90 minutes. If having an English tour causes New Zealand to make an "assault on Maori culture" then perhaps we shouldn't tour there.

by mystiroakey Wed 02 Apr 2014, 7:40 pm

GloriousEmpire wrote:And whomever reported that - let's wait for the tour and if it *doesnt* happen, I'll gladly admit I was wrong and leave the site forever. But as ever, I stand by my prediction.

Wooooo hang on there lad. You are good value. Your 3 30 or plus wins are for me a 100/1 shot at best. So lets get real you got no chance. But you don't have to leave over it mate!!

by GloriousEmpire Wed 02 Apr 2014, 8:29 pm

I stand by it. 30 point spread and a brazen frustrated pitiful barrel scraping transparently diversionary media fuelled assault on an All Blacks legend.

Toys will be thrown from cots, all decorum will be lost, referees will be called into question and the RFU will take its ball and go home in a sulk.

It will be more childish than a kindergarten for the learning impaired after too much sugar and a week of disrupted sleep.

by Taylorman Wed 02 Apr 2014, 8:33 pm

Rugby Fan wrote:
Taylorman wrote:Can see a 20 something. Two I agree will be close-ish. 1-10 to AB's in both but perhaps a close one to England.

Can't see any 30's, unless the first test side is bereft of confidence due to the England finalists passing the buck.

I don't think many, if any, England supporters expect us to be 30 points worse than the All Blacks. Then again, none of us expected Wales to score so freely against us last year. The team hasn't looked so helpless in a match since the Millenium Stadium, which is heartening. Then again, I'm not convinced that we understand the reasons for that capitulation enough to avoid a repetition.

At one stage in the Autumn, it looked like New Zealand were on their way to running up a big score against us. We finally got back in the match, almost enough to nick it, but we shouldn't forget we let the All Blacks run rampant in the first place. It's encouraging that we can recover, but giving away a big initial lead could well be a recipe for going down to a heavy defeat, especially if we don't slot penalties to keep even slightly in touch.

When England beat New Zealand the games are usually close on the scoreboard, so we are never out of contention, or else we've built up a lead early. In my memory, we've got away from New Zealand on three occasions. In 1997, we ran up a healthy score only to see NZ come back to claim a draw (a few minutes more play could easily have seen them win). November 2002 felt a bit like 2012, except an All Blacks late revival made it more of a nail-biter. 2012 was the only win I can recall watching the latter stages feeling we were in no danger of losing.

The issue for me is we never get to play the NH sides when we are at our peak period in the season. That period is after the June series and before the AI's. That's when we get the big results versus Oz and SA who we have beaten 10.5 out of the last 11.

We need the June series to kick start the side- not having played together since November, and for a side that depends heavily on key combinations working to play the high tempo game, that's important. By the time of the AI's we have had to get up and beat SA, Oz and Argie over 3 continents, so we are not at our best then either- and we often having guys like Conrad Smith out at that time doing their thing. The side that beat France, and the side that won the 4 AI matches would not have beaten all the RC sides without a loss.

Personally, I think the first test is the best chance to upset- not because England are without players, but more because the AB's are not really a good side until they've played together. Thats why the 3rd test will be the hardest- The AB's will get stronger through the series that the England side, whereas the first test presents the opportunity for an ambush, whether we like it or not.

by kingelderfield Wed 02 Apr 2014, 8:48 pm

GE you do make me laugh, so I thank you for that.

If you've read my posts on this thread you'd know I've consistently warned against any false expectation and am grounded by the simple realities of the task ahead;

Season ending fatigue,
Fixture schedule balls up,
Naive coaching panel and,
Realistic appreciation of the abilities, strengths weaknesses of our players.

30 plus wins.....I would be disappointed if that were the case...let’s see how you guys fare over the intervening SXV games? A little fatigue and injury might still come your way...though I'd happily swap coaches.

by HammerofThunor Wed 02 Apr 2014, 9:13 pm

GloriousEmpire wrote:I stand by it. 30 point spread and a brazen frustrated pitiful barrel scraping transparently diversionary media fuelled assault on an All Blacks legend.

Toys will be thrown from cots, all decorum will be lost, referees will be called into question and the RFU will take its ball and go home in a sulk.

It will be more childish than a kindergarten for the learning impaired after too much sugar and a week of disrupted sleep.

So is that a single 30 point difference victory you need or 3? And when you say leave to do you mean actually leave or will you come back with another account 'pretend' for a bit and then just revert to usual?

Just want to check out the conditions of you disappearance to see if you follow through (if needed of course).

by mystiroakey Wed 02 Apr 2014, 9:52 pm

"So is that a single 30 point difference victory you need or 3? "

yep i thought the same thing- GE has changed the goal posts.. He is now trying to say 30 over 3 games rather than a minimum of 30 per game as he originally implied.

by Taylorman Wed 02 Apr 2014, 11:24 pm

Thing is no one in their wildest dreams would have predicted 60-0 versus Ireland two years ago (though some might now here in the luxury of hindsight) and England have lost by nearly 30 in the last 12 months or so.

But they're better now you could say?

Coming of a win versus the ABs a couple of months earlier compared to a loss the last time around 'could' but does not necessarily suggest otherwise.

So GE's speculation might seem over the top (or just perhaps the way he 'communicates it') but if you consider that the AB's have 3 goes at racking up a 30 point win against the last side they lost to...well I've certainly seen worse scenarios than that come true.

by kingelderfield Thu 03 Apr 2014, 7:38 am

The thing is win or lose, -30 or +30, the point is as much as we're geographically poles apart, our two games are equally poles apart. It’s as if we're playing two separate games, which in effect we are. If you seriously consider the completely opposite Union/Club provincial/club competition structures and the influence of the 'commercial imperative' which is relegation, then you would have to conclude that the North has still a long way to go before a balanced equation can be measured.

Too much Rugby in the North? I fully expect that over time the home and away club fixtures will be dropped and a shorter more dynamic game will emerge. The NFL has proven that less is more and I hope that one day that will be the case. Only then will both hemispheres be playing the same game.

by No 7&1/2 Thu 03 Apr 2014, 8:46 am

30 points over 3 games is very possible, especially given the possible teams for the 1st game. I'd be very surprised to see 1 singular loss by 30 points. Will be good to see Tuilagi strolling through NZ tackles again though Very Happy

by GloriousEmpire Thu 03 Apr 2014, 8:58 am

Huh?

by ChequeredJersey Thu 03 Apr 2014, 9:05 am

I think he's referring to this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLgRjaWS__w

by beshocked Thu 03 Apr 2014, 9:25 am

Taylorman wrote:
Rugby Fan wrote:
Taylorman wrote:Can see a 20 something. Two I agree will be close-ish. 1-10 to AB's in both but perhaps a close one to England.

Can't see any 30's, unless the first test side is bereft of confidence due to the England finalists passing the buck.

I don't think many, if any, England supporters expect us to be 30 points worse than the All Blacks. Then again, none of us expected Wales to score so freely against us last year. The team hasn't looked so helpless in a match since the Millenium Stadium, which is heartening. Then again, I'm not convinced that we understand the reasons for that capitulation enough to avoid a repetition.

At one stage in the Autumn, it looked like New Zealand were on their way to running up a big score against us. We finally got back in the match, almost enough to nick it, but we shouldn't forget we let the All Blacks run rampant in the first place. It's encouraging that we can recover, but giving away a big initial lead could well be a recipe for going down to a heavy defeat, especially if we don't slot penalties to keep even slightly in touch.

When England beat New Zealand the games are usually close on the scoreboard, so we are never out of contention, or else we've built up a lead early. In my memory, we've got away from New Zealand on three occasions. In 1997, we ran up a healthy score only to see NZ come back to claim a draw (a few minutes more play could easily have seen them win). November 2002 felt a bit like 2012, except an All Blacks late revival made it more of a nail-biter. 2012 was the only win I can recall watching the latter stages feeling we were in no danger of losing.

The issue for me is we never get to play the NH sides when we are at our peak period in the season. That period is after the June series and before the AI's. That's when we get the big results versus Oz and SA who we have beaten 10.5 out of the last 11.

We need the June series to kick start the side- not having played together since November, and for a side that depends heavily on key combinations working to play the high tempo game, that's important. By the time of the AI's we have had to get up and beat SA, Oz and Argie over 3 continents, so we are not at our best then either- and we often having guys like Conrad Smith out at that time doing their thing. The side that beat France, and the side that won the 4 AI matches would not have beaten all the RC sides without a loss.

Personally, I think the first test is the best chance to upset- not because England are without players, but more because the AB's are not really a good side until they've played together. Thats why the 3rd test will be the hardest- The AB's will get stronger through the series that the England side, whereas the first test presents the opportunity for an ambush, whether we like it or not.

Taylorman I don't think playing NH sides in general has caused you enough problems to warrant you playing us during your period period.

First test - opportunity for an ambush? Not a chance.

It's hardly advantageous for England to play against the best side in the world, away from home missing important players in the 1st test at the end of our season.

by ChequeredJersey Thu 03 Apr 2014, 9:27 am

Depends who makes the final, Beshocked. Could be Bath - Sale in theory then we'd be laughing!

by ChequeredJersey Thu 03 Apr 2014, 9:28 am

Oh, except then we have no TH unless Cole is fit...

by HammerofThunor Thu 03 Apr 2014, 10:21 am

Taylorman, do the NH ever play the SH teams in their peak period? That's reserved for the 6 nations, in the same way yours is for the Championship. You want the primary annual comp moved to the end of the season or as a warm up competition?

Edit: isn't the World Cup in you peak part of the season? It's in a terrible place for use.

by kiakahaaotearoa Thu 03 Apr 2014, 10:44 am

Our peak is in August RF. The RWC is at least a level playing field for everyone in that it doesn't suit anyone.

by Poorfour Thu 03 Apr 2014, 12:13 pm

ChequeredJersey wrote:Oh, except then we have no TH unless Cole is fit...

I'm pretty sure Cole is out til next season. Who's next in line after Thomas? It was due to be Collier but he's unlikely to be back until next season (and I think the same goes for Cole)... so then our options are Doran-Jones, Sinckler (who's in his rookie season but ahead of PDJ at Quins) or, erm, call Matt Stevens back for a last hurrah. Which other up-and-coming EQP tight heads are out there?

by GloriousEmpire Thu 03 Apr 2014, 12:24 pm

Interesting to see the All Blacks change up gears on their analysis of other teams.

I think the last two seasons showed the effects of dropping the flu time analysis programme. Occasionally the All Blacks were caught out by things which should have been obvious. Great to see there are systems in place to change the systems in place.

by GloriousEmpire Thu 03 Apr 2014, 12:26 pm

This is why I'm predicting a 30+ margin.

I think England have brought a new game plan in the last three years and that other teams (except France in the last 15 this 6N) have failed to read it and adapt. I'm pretty sure Hansen will be all over it this time after seeing it twice first hand already.

I think The All Blacks coaches are superior and the players more adaptable. I think England will come to a gun fight with a rusty axe.

Blown apart in game one - blame it on missing players, fail to change, get blown apart again in game two, then lose all confidence, thrash desperately around trying to change and come under the crippling spotlight of the rabid English press.

I expect a few career casualities. Probably Robshaw, probably Farrell.

by No 7&1/2 Thu 03 Apr 2014, 12:51 pm

You need to up your standard again GE. Bit too obvious.

by mystiroakey Thu 03 Apr 2014, 1:01 pm

It just doesn't work any more does it.

Maybe he does need new pastures..

by Poorfour Thu 03 Apr 2014, 1:18 pm

So let's get this straight, GE.

You believe that Stuart Lancaster, a man who has stuck to his gameplan throughout the past two years even when facing heavy criticism, will abandon it after the second test because of two losses to New Zealand, in New Zealand, one of them with a depleted squad?

That Farrell and Robshaw, who have thus far had the backing of Lancaster and his coaches regardless of heavy criticism and England's losses, whose personal performances have (check the stats) been both high quality and remarkably consistent regardless of how the results have gone, and who are the two players for whom England have no obvious replacement, will see the end of their international careers as a result of the tour?

That England, who have conceded an average of 16 points per game since Lancaster (and Farrell Snr) took over, have had an average losing margin of 8 points (vs an average winning margin of 16), have only conceded 30+ points in 3 matches out of 27, and have only lost by more than 9 points once [1], are not only going to concede more than 30 points, but lose by a margin of more than 30 points and do so three times in a row?

And that the crucial difference that will enable the All Blacks to reduce England to tissue paper is superior video analysis?

Breathtaking.

[1] and that with help from Mr Walsh's debatable interpretation of the scrum.

by ChequeredJersey Thu 03 Apr 2014, 2:41 pm

GloriousEmpire wrote:This is why I'm predicting a 30+ margin.

I think England have brought a new game plan in the last three years and that other teams (except France in the last 15 this 6N) have failed to read it and adapt. I'm pretty sure Hansen will be all over it this time after seeing it twice first hand already.

I think The All Blacks coaches are superior and the players more adaptable. I think England will come to a gun fight with a rusty axe.

Blown apart in game one - blame it on missing players, fail to change, get blown apart again in game two, then lose all confidence, thrash desperately around trying to change and come under the crippling spotlight of the rabid English press.

I expect a few career casualities. Probably Robshaw, probably Farrell.

You're so cute

by ChequeredJersey Thu 03 Apr 2014, 2:43 pm

We will win a game in NZ, and I wager that even if we did lose a game 30-0, Kiwi heads would be more likely to roll than English ones when we do that

by lostinwales Thu 03 Apr 2014, 2:43 pm

I dont know if the current England will win in AB land (I dont expect them to), but their current offensive defense style of play puts pressure on any opposition.

by ChequeredJersey Thu 03 Apr 2014, 2:44 pm

In fact, your over the top bravado is quite flattering, GE. Try and be less emotional like Taylorman, it's far more effective

by kiakahaaotearoa Thu 03 Apr 2014, 3:00 pm

ChequeredJersey wrote:We will win a game in NZ, and I wager that even if we did lose a game 30-0, Kiwi heads would be more likely to roll than English ones when we do that

Are you including the Crusaders match in your carefully worded wager? Or a game of forcing back or some non-related rugby game? Did you have that one drafted up by a lawyer CJ? Wink

by GloriousEmpire Thu 03 Apr 2014, 3:43 pm

Poorfour wrote:So let's get this straight, GE.

You believe that Stuart Lancaster, a man who has stuck to his gameplan throughout the past two years even when facing heavy criticism, will abandon it after the second test because of two losses to New Zealand, in New Zealand, one of them with a depleted squad?

That Farrell and Robshaw, who have thus far had the backing of Lancaster and his coaches regardless of heavy criticism and England's losses, whose personal performances have (check the stats) been both high quality and remarkably consistent regardless of how the results have gone, and who are the two players for whom England have no obvious replacement, will see the end of their international careers as a result of the tour?

That England, who have conceded an average of 16 points per game since Lancaster (and Farrell Snr) took over, have had an average losing margin of 8 points (vs an average winning margin of 16), have only conceded 30+ points in 3 matches out of 27, and have only lost by more than 9 points once [1], are not only going to concede more than 30 points, but lose by a margin of more than 30 points and do so three times in a row?

And that the crucial difference that will enable the All Blacks to reduce England to tissue paper is superior video analysis?

Breathtaking.

[1] and that with help from Mr Walsh's debatable interpretation of the scrum.

Pretty much yes - Just like the ashes tour. Yep. Let me jog your memory. Imperial England swaggered down with fan fare and pomp declaring themselves the worlds best and contemplating how they'd teach the colonials a lesson. And ended up as a humiliated shambles of a side after a few short weeks.

It won't be all about analysis, no, already said the players and coaches were better. But analysis will certainly be one facet.

by Cyril Thu 03 Apr 2014, 3:55 pm

I think GE needs another rest from here.

He's jumped the shark.

by No 7&1/2 Thu 03 Apr 2014, 3:59 pm

I was going to say that was a better effort Cyril; though I guess that does say he's fallen away from his peak.

And GEs more Potsy than the Fonz.

by Cyril Thu 03 Apr 2014, 4:05 pm

No 7&1/2 wrote:I was going to say that was a better effort Cyril; though I guess that does say he's fallen away from his peak.

And GEs more Potsy than the Fonz.

He used to have a bit of humour about him but now it's just snide xenophobia and spiteful pops at England. It's a bit boring.

by Sponsored content