England v Fiji, 18 September

by **George Carlin** Tue 15 Sep 2015, 10:22 am

First topic message reminder :

England v Fiji, 18 September - Page 11 Englan10

ENGLAND v FIJI
18 September 2015
KO: 20:00 BST
Twickenham, London

Live on ITV and BBC Radio 5 live

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Touch judges: John Lacey (Ireland) & Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

A. Head to Head

5 Played 5
5 Won 0
0 Drawn 0
0 Lost 5
210 Points 83

B. Recent Form

10 November 2012
England 54 - 12 Fiji
Twickenham

20 October 1999
England 45 - 24 Fiji
Twickenham

20 July 1991
Fiji 12 - 28 England
National Stadium, Suva

04 November 1989
England 58 - 23 Fiji
Twickenham

17 June 1988
Fiji 12 - 25 England
National Stadium, Suva

C. Teams

ENGLAND
England v Fiji, 18 September - Page 11 Rosamu10

England v Fiji, 18 September - Page 11 Rosamu10

Mike Brown (Harlequins); Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby); George Ford (Bath Rugby); Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers); Joe Marler (Harlequins), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Geoff Parling (Exeter Chiefs), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), Chris Robshaw (capt, Harlequins), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby).

Replacements: Rob Webber (Bath Rugby), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Sam Burgess (Bath Rugby).

FIJI
England v Fiji, 18 September - Page 11 Nalini10

England v Fiji, 18 September - Page 11 Nalini10

1. Campese Ma’afu
2. Sunia Koto
3. Manasa Saulo
4. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. Dominiko Waqaniburotu
7. Akapusi Qera (Captain)
8. Sakiusa Masi Matadigo

9. Nikola Matawalu
10. Ben Volavola
11. Nemani Nadolo
12. Gabiriele Lovobalavu
13. Vereniki Goneva
14. Waisea Nayacalevu
15. Metuisela Talebula

16. Tuapati Talemaitoga
17. Peni Ravai
18. Isei Colati
19. Tevita Cavubati
20. Peceli Yato
21. Nemia Kenatale
22. Joshua Matavesi
23. Aseli Tikoirotuma

by jamesandimac Sun 20 Sep 2015, 12:37 am

Just finished watching the game again on TV and for what its worth:

1. England back 5 of Launchbury, Lawes, Wood, Robshaw and Vunipola must start against Wales. The balance that they all provide each other is something else. Watching the last 30 mins against Fiji was like seeing Eng Vs Ire last year, with Woodshaw back to their best, Lawes winning turnovers, stealing restarts and making great cover tackles, Launchbury hassling rucks and making big hits, and Vunipola was immense. Biggest positive for me. Fiji were tiring, but that is the formula.

2. Englands front row is under severe pressure, changes are needed. For all Youngs' great work in the loose, his set piece is costing England massively in games and has done for a long time. Cole and Marler looked exposed in the scrum but you don't become poor overnight, having Launchbury and Webber/George in there will make a difference but Mako and Brookes look very powerful off the bench, so much so they could push for a start.

3. Earn the right to go wide England need to use their big carriers through the middle first before just flinging the ball wide. They finally got this as the game wore on and it made such a difference to space out wide. All of a sudden the Joseph, May, Watson and Brown had room and started eating up the yards and beating defenders.

4. The 12 jersey still causes debate. Like it or not there are only 2 12's in Englands squad. I've always thought a Ford Farrell 10 and 12 would work well, but I will hold my hand up and say I was wrong. England need a direct option in midfield, and if you're picking Joseph at 13 you need a lump at 12. Of the 2 options available Burgess offers a hell of a lot more than Barrett. Its just a shame Tuilagi isn't around....

My squad for Wales:

1. Marler
2. Webber
3. Cole
4. Launchbury
5. Lawes
6. Wood
7. Robshaw
8. Vunipola

9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Burgess
13. Joseph
14. Watson
15. Brown

16. George
17. Brookes
18. Vunipola
19. Kruis
20. Haskell
21. Care
22. Farrell
23. Slade

by **George Carlin** Sun 20 Sep 2015, 6:16 am

Paul Cully in the Sydney Morning Herald (as part of a series of brief thoughts about all first round matches to date):

2. England's flaws are not being fixed (1). The image of Friday night, if you can forget the picture of referee Jaco Peyper waiting for his TMO, was Fijian loose-head Campese Ma'afu taunting England No.3 Dan Cole after the Fijians had won a scrum penalty in the 54th minute. It wasn't an isolated incident. England had some good scrums, particularly in the final quarter, but with their starting props on the field they could only trouble the Fijians when Joe Marler was allowed to work an angle in on his opposite. England can forget about winning the World Cup unless they can find a way to power up a scrum that has, at best, been stuck in neutral for a month. The scrum has become like that unpleasant guest at a party. Everyone knows it is casting a shadow over proceedings but the hosts just seem to be hoping it goes away before things get ugly.

3. England's flaws are not being fixed (2). One of the most noticeable things about watching England after a season of Super Rugby is their attitude at the breakdown. On attack, England's support players have a tendency to shorten their steps as they get to the tackle contest, slow down, and stop beside the ball carrier on the deck, acting as static sentinels by the ruck. It's a far less dynamic approach than the southern sides who accelerate into the zone to try to blast over the ball and get the human clutter out of the way. If England play this way against the Wallabies, David Pocock and Scott Fardy (and to a lesser extend Michael Hooper) are going to have a party. England have dilemmas behind the ruck – I'm not sure they really know who their best players are in 9,10 or 12 – but it's not their principal issue.

by **George Carlin** Sun 20 Sep 2015, 6:53 am

https://www.606v2.com/t60615-england-v-wales-26-september

by SecretFly Sun 20 Sep 2015, 9:52 am

England are perhaps doing a bit of a bluff on breakdown issue. If I were Australia I'd simply plan for England to be more explosive there. Don't get caught out 'ball-watching'/game watching and thinking it's all going to stay the same.

by Geordie Sun 20 Sep 2015, 11:41 am

James Mac

Your right when Launchbury and particularly Billy V came on he was outstanding. And the main thing was...he was just hugely physical.

I would go so far as to say IF he's going to persist with Lawes and Parling in the middle (which he shouldn't) then id consider Billy V at 6 and Ben M at 8.

Would be very harsh on Wood who had an excellent game...but it gives you two players who bring that much greater physical edge.

That's one of the reasons I really wanted to see Burgess (yes cue the groans) at 6.

Rugby is still a physical collision sport. You need some tough men in there.

Lancaster may have had some injury issues and form issues which I can accept...but I still think he contingency plans don't have balance.

Anyway rant over. They got the Bonus point win. South Africa have shown its not that easy anymore...and ill be curious to see how Wales go against Uruguay.

Though Ireland showed everyone the way to do it.

by lostinwales Sun 20 Sep 2015, 11:43 am

Wales should smash Uraguay. If North shows any form at all he should do a lot of damage. And yet just because they score a couple of tries suddenly they'll be world beaters again.

by Geordie Sun 20 Sep 2015, 11:52 am

True LIW.

I know we should try to avoid knee jerk reactions etc....but my complaints are the same ones ive been complaining about for several years now.

by **George Carlin** Sun 20 Sep 2015, 11:59 am

Uraguay is the lowest ranked team in this tournaments and many of the players are not full time professionals. I would expect Wales to put between 50 and 70 points on them.

The biggest problem Wales may have is complacency after the game.

by **rodders** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 10:46 am

Amazing that England's last 2 tries were given.

Vainapolo is clearly short of the line - and May getting up after being tacked is a penalty to Fiji.

Given that the ref went back to the TMO on Matawalus finish its amazing Mays actions were missed.

Fiji definitely deserved more from this one.

by lostinwales Mon 21 Sep 2015, 11:05 am

rodders wrote:Amazing that England's last 2 tries were given.

Vainapolo is clearly short of the line - and May getting up after being tacked is a penalty to Fiji.

Given that the ref went back to the TMO on Matawalus finish its amazing Mays actions were missed.

Fiji definitely deserved more from this one.

What did Fiji do to deserve more from this one? They had one missed try which lead to a decent score but at what other time did they actually, remotely, threaten to score another? They played well and caused England all kinds of problems from time to time but for all the muscular charges through midfield and moments of neat handling all they had to show for it was one moment of individual brilliance followed by a messed up England scrum and a very nice chip and catch.

England dominated possession. they ran more with the ball and turned over Fiji more times than the other way around. Yes they gave away more penalties, which is appalling (and maybe suggests, shockingly, that the ref wasn't biased) And they also lost scrums which should mean someone gets strung up, but overall the match was a bit more one sided than it looked at times

by Barney McGrew did it Mon 21 Sep 2015, 11:51 am

rodders wrote:Amazing that England's last 2 tries were given.

Vainapolo is clearly short of the line - and May getting up after being tacked is a penalty to Fiji.

Given that the ref went back to the TMO on Matawalus finish its amazing Mays actions were missed.

Fiji definitely deserved more from this one.

Fiji got the score almost immediately after the May tackle, so I think they were happy with the scrum tbh. And the Vunipola's try was a cert. Fiji got what they scored and deserved it all.

by Heaf Mon 21 Sep 2015, 12:01 pm

rodders wrote:Amazing that England's last 2 tries were given.

Vainapolo is clearly short of the line (no, it was clearly on the line and the TMO agreed) - and May getting up after being tacked is a penalty to Fiji (no it wasn't as he wasn't held).

Given that the ref went back to the TMO on Matawalus finish its amazing Mays actions were missed.

Fiji definitely deserved more from this one.

by englandglory4ever Mon 21 Sep 2015, 12:18 pm

rodders wrote:Amazing that England's last 2 tries were given.

Vainapolo is clearly short of the line - and May getting up after being tacked is a penalty to Fiji.

Given that the ref went back to the TMO on Matawalus finish its amazing Mays actions were missed.

Fiji definitely deserved more from this one.

Still not got over England trouncing Ireland eh? Time is a good healer.

by SecretFly Mon 21 Sep 2015, 12:31 pm

englandglory4ever wrote:
rodders wrote:Amazing that England's last 2 tries were given.

Vainapolo is clearly short of the line - and May getting up after being tacked is a penalty to Fiji.

Given that the ref went back to the TMO on Matawalus finish its amazing Mays actions were missed.

Fiji definitely deserved more from this one.

Still not got over England trouncing Ireland eh? Time is a good healer.

Sure the Irish boys were just over for the craic. The English took it too seriously and killed the party mood. "Be the jeerers! Sure what's all this at all at all?!", says the Irish, "I think the English think the WC has already began. Let's be on our way and leave them to it"

But sure that's how things can sometimes happen when you try to let your hair down in a neighbour's house and he keeps wiping your crumbs off the carpet. Wink

by hugehandoff Mon 21 Sep 2015, 5:09 pm

Total and utter Ballacks!!!!!!

The Fiji back-row forward Dominiko Waqaniburotu has received a one-week ban after being cited for a dangerous tip tackle during the World Cup opener against England.

Waqaniburotu is suspended for Fiji’s second Pool A game against Australia in Cardiff on Wednesday but will be available to face Wales eight days later.

He was cited following the tackle on England’s Jonny May and his case was heard by independent judicial officer Lorne Crerar.

Rugby World Cup Limited said: “The judicial officer considered the incident was more appropriately characterised as a dangerous tackle in breach of Law 10.4(e) rather than 10.4(j). Law 10.4(e) carries lower entry points than Law 10.4(j).

“With respect to the sanction, the offence was deemed to be low-end [which has an entry point of two weeks]. However, taking into account mitigating factors, including his admission and remorse and the absence of aggravating factors, the player was suspended for one week.”

by BamBam Mon 21 Sep 2015, 5:11 pm

I saw a tweet which summed it up

"I've put my toddlers to bed with more force than that"

by beshocked Mon 21 Sep 2015, 5:11 pm

hugehandoff how is it Love sacks?

It was a dangerous challenge. At least a yellow IMO.

by Heaf Mon 21 Sep 2015, 5:17 pm

Although technically it was a tip by the strict definition you could see he put May down gently so a ban seems unwarranted IMO ... good thing it's not England they are playing next or there would be all sorts on here claiming it was a conspiracy to give England an easier match.

by fa0019 Mon 21 Sep 2015, 5:18 pm

Yellow was valid, no further ban needed.

by hugehandoff Mon 21 Sep 2015, 5:18 pm

Agree Heaf...May was put down gently so no need for a ban. The penalty was sufficient.

by Heaf Mon 21 Sep 2015, 5:21 pm

fa0019 wrote:Yellow was valid, no further ban needed.

He didn't get a yellow - do you think that's why they felt the need to give a ban?

by englandglory4ever Mon 21 Sep 2015, 5:24 pm

WRB have a unending drive to get foul play out of the game especially on the big stage where its watched by millions. Woe betide anyone who engages in any sort of foul play in this RWC where injury could ensue. Don't forget that at least one player in every 6Ns game suffers a concussion. This is just one example where the injury reading is uncomfortable for the WRB.

by ChequeredJersey Mon 21 Sep 2015, 6:03 pm

Barney McGrew did it wrote:
rodders wrote:Amazing that England's last 2 tries were given.

Vainapolo is clearly short of the line - and May getting up after being tacked is a penalty to Fiji.

Given that the ref went back to the TMO on Matawalus finish its amazing Mays actions were missed.

Fiji definitely deserved more from this one.

Fiji got the score almost immediately after the May tackle, so I think they were happy with the scrum tbh. And the Vunipola's try was a cert. Fiji got what they scored and deserved it all.

Billy V was clearly, with video evidence, NOT short of the line. You saw about a dozen replays, I don't see how in didn't see it touching the line.

by Hammersmith harrier Mon 21 Sep 2015, 6:06 pm

Does Rodders ever say anything not to denigrate the England team as the Billy V try was clear as day and Jonny May was not held in the build up to the third.

by Pete330v2 Mon 21 Sep 2015, 6:28 pm

Heaf wrote:
fa0019 wrote:Yellow was valid, no further ban needed.

He didn't get a yellow - do you think that's why they felt the need to give a ban?

It wasn't even a tip tackle, the player was lifted above the horizontal but then 'looked after' in his return to upright. I can't see why a penalty was even given let alone a citing which, if held up, will be a mockery

by hugehandoff Mon 21 Sep 2015, 6:30 pm

Pete...that's the point. He has received a 1 week ban. See my earlier post.

by TJ Mon 21 Sep 2015, 6:41 pm

It was a tip tackle. legs above hips = tip tackle in the laws. I thought tho he did enough to put him down safely and the ref agreed but the citing commissioner did not. Marginal call and subjective. Tip a player a yellow is always possible -- the one week ban is in place of the yellow the citing commissioner deemed the right call.

by TJ Mon 21 Sep 2015, 6:43 pm

On the two tries
May - initially I thought he was held but in slow mo you could see that actually he wasn't - the tacklers hand came off his bootlaces as he hit the ground. Right decision

Vunipola - most replays were inconclusive but in one yo could see he just brushed the line. right call

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