SF1 - Match Thread - ENGLAND v NEW ZEALAND - 26/10/19 - K/O 09:00 BST (PART 2)

by Guest Fri 25 Oct 2019, 2:08 pm

First topic message reminder :

Because everyone else is getting a bit excited and the first thread is going to spill over during the match.

ENGLAND

Team:Daly; Watson, Tuilagi, Farrell (capt), May; Ford, Youngs; M Vunipola, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Lawes, Curry, Underhill, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Marler, Cole, Kruis, Wilson, Heinz, Slade, Joseph.

NEW ZEALAND

Team: Beauden Barrett; Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, George Bridge; Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, Kieran Read (capt).

Replacements: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett.

Venue: Yokohama
Referee: Nigel Owens
AR1: Romain Poite
AR2: Pascal Gauzere
TMO: Marius Joncker

by mikey_dragon Sat 26 Oct 2019, 1:25 pm

Yeah I was thinking that Shifty, I wouldn’t want to be playing NZ next week! It’s up to Wales to save rugby by making the final Wink

.

by TightHEAD Sat 26 Oct 2019, 1:36 pm

So angry we gifted them 7 points! mad

by Rinsure Sat 26 Oct 2019, 1:47 pm

Gifted is right. I think it was the first lineout post-substitutions, and Kruis was brought on to shore up the lineout... Most frustrating.

by Rinsure Sat 26 Oct 2019, 1:51 pm

The more I watch it, the more the TMO call on Youngs' try annoys me. I'm sure you can probably find something wrong with every maul if you look hard enough!

by Brendan Sat 26 Oct 2019, 1:56 pm

Well done England

If Wales win tomorrow the 6N Eng v Wal threads will be tame by comparison to what we would get in the next week.

by lostinwales Sat 26 Oct 2019, 1:56 pm

Rinsure wrote:The more I watch it, the more the TMO call on Youngs' try annoys me. I'm sure you can probably find something wrong with every maul if you look hard enough!

Yes. Very marginal, and did not effect the try itself in the way that Curry's obstruction did for Underhill.

What is worth pointing out is that both the non tries were very soft. NZ were napping at times and had to rely on the officials to keep the score even that close.

Watching the game now (just too nervous to watch it live). I know Tuilagi didn't get much opportunity ball in hand but very noticable how NZ really didn't want to take him on in attack. He's a player who has an aura around him these days and just has to be on the pitch to have an impact.

by lostinwales Sat 26 Oct 2019, 2:00 pm

Worth adding. Ford was almost faultless, and ripping the ball of the NZ prop early on was fun. May was struggling with speed but positionally and in the air was really good. Watson was terrific.

It just never looked like NZ would actually ever score. They didn't even get a penalty chance.

by Rinsure Sat 26 Oct 2019, 2:02 pm

lostinwales wrote:Worth adding. Ford was almost faultless, and ripping the ball of the NZ prop early on was fun. May was struggling with speed but positionally and in the air was really good. Watson was terrific.

It just never looked like NZ would actually ever score. They didn't even get a penalty chance.

Yeah, enjoyed that rip on their tight head. Great. Ford *has* to start next week.

by Collapse2005 Sat 26 Oct 2019, 2:10 pm

Rinsure wrote:The more I watch it, the more the TMO call on Youngs' try annoys me. I'm sure you can probably find something wrong with every maul if you look hard enough!

Think world rugby really need to look at the SH TMOs. Dont think they can be trusted to be impartial.

by TightHEAD Sat 26 Oct 2019, 2:10 pm

Rinsure wrote:The more I watch it, the more the TMO call on Youngs' try annoys me. I'm sure you can probably find something wrong with every maul if you look hard enough!

Owens should have made his own call, it wasn't clear who's hand it was! The ball wasn't dropped. It should have been s try

by Heaf Sat 26 Oct 2019, 2:24 pm

Another not clear and obvious one from a SH TMO denies England a try v NZ when the on-field decision is try ... luckily this one didn't cost the match.

And what about that crazy call from the Kiwi TMO in the England v Oz match - the most obvious forward pass called as OK to give Oz a try (luckily overruled by the ref) ... think the SH TMOs need to go back to ref school.

by alfie Sat 26 Oct 2019, 2:31 pm

Taylorman wrote:
The Oracle wrote:
Taylorman wrote:
The Oracle wrote:Very disappointed with New Zealand. Created absolutely nothing this game. Their only points have been gifted, pretty much like an own goal in football. Are these the world champions?

Not for much longer they’re not. Completely lacking the intensity of England.

Looking forward to the humility I’ve heard so much about.

If this thread is anything I don’t think we’ll see it.

Yeah, humility from you would be fantastic. I seem remember excuses in the past about NZ being undercooked due to the pools being so easy. Gonna blame that again this time?

Nope, England too good, Jones knows his stuff, two semi wins as head coach over the ABs.

Well done England, congrats to their fans, and to the ones who aren’t their fans, temporarily.

NZ will suck it up, take a break, get a new coach, new captain, and be back next year. We’ve already started with young players being ushered in this year.

End of an era. We move on, been a great run.

Unfortunately they have to play 3 vs 4 at some point. Perhaps a wind down for Hansen and a Read.

England too good. Will win this.

Sincere thanks , Taylorman

Leaving aside all the banter ; you are a true Rugby fan...and an honest one . NZ will be back.

by hugehandoff Sat 26 Oct 2019, 2:46 pm

First of all a few words on New Zealand who have been superb champions for a long time. They have always been a side I love watching as a neutral because they play the game in a positive attacking manner. Their basic skill set is second to none and allied with their offloading game they are a joy to watch. I wish their retiring players and coaches all the best for the future. They have achieved so much and deserve huge respect.

But 3 RWCs in a row would have been plain greedy and it is great for the game that we will now have a different winner.

England today were awesome and the score did not reflect their dominance at all. A few chances left out there, 1 dodgy TMO call and several forward passes allowed to go meant it was nervier than it needed to be. But our boys played a superb match and their physicality was supreme.

I will be cheering on Wales tomorrow and hope you ensure a northern hemisphere final albeit after a nerve shredding period of extra time!

by majesticimperialman Sat 26 Oct 2019, 2:56 pm

Old Man wrote:
majesticimperialman wrote:Did i miss it or did they not interview Kieran Read after the game?

yes they did.

I have just watched the end of the game, and i cannot see Kieran Read being interviewed.

They interviewed Owen farrell, Steve Hanson, Eddie Jones be no Kieran Read.

How weird.

by Heaf Sat 26 Oct 2019, 2:59 pm

I didn't see him either - maybe ITV had an ad break when he was on?

by Exiledinborders Sat 26 Oct 2019, 3:06 pm

Rinsure wrote:The more I watch it, the more the TMO call on Youngs' try annoys me. I'm sure you can probably find something wrong with every maul if you look hard enough!

I agree. The rule should be that the TMO can intervene only if asked by the ref or if there is serious foul play. In addition refs should not be allowed to refer after they have made a decision because they see something (other than foul play) on the big screen.

by Heaf Sat 26 Oct 2019, 3:09 pm

I think they just need to stick to what I thought the protocol was - ie it has to be clear and obvious to question an on-field decision

by Old Man Sat 26 Oct 2019, 3:19 pm

Collapse2005 wrote:
Rinsure wrote:The more I watch it, the more the TMO call on Youngs' try annoys me. I'm sure you can probably find something wrong with every maul if you look hard enough!

Think world rugby really need to look at the SH TMOs. Dont think they can be trusted to be impartial.

Knock ons are knock ons, if you lose the ball and the player in front catches it, it is a knock, whether in a maul, an outhouse, hen house or broken play.

by Barney McGrew did it Sat 26 Oct 2019, 3:29 pm

No too shabby England – will have to raise their game next week tho. Pity we didn’t nil NZ, a little clumsy there. And I don’t mind the 2 disallowed tries, didn’t really need those extra 14 points (or even the 7 we so gracefully presented them with). Mind you I’ve never seen so many forward passes – they obviously don’t matter any more.

Too many excellent England performances to list them all, particularly the players facing some questions such as Ford & Daley, who were great. I thought roadrunner was struggling a bit with his hammy all through the game – he gave up an outside break option early on that he would normally scamper over. But Ben Y just isn’t up to the standard of the rest of the team, and Slade was so so.

by Barney McGrew did it Sat 26 Oct 2019, 3:32 pm

And what on earth does poor old Underhill have to do to be given a try against the ABs?

by Guest Sat 26 Oct 2019, 3:33 pm

WHAT

A

GAME

by Soul Requiem Sat 26 Oct 2019, 3:40 pm

Old Man wrote:
Collapse2005 wrote:
Rinsure wrote:The more I watch it, the more the TMO call on Youngs' try annoys me. I'm sure you can probably find something wrong with every maul if you look hard enough!

Think world rugby really need to look at the SH TMOs. Dont think they can be trusted to be impartial.

Knock ons are knock ons, if you lose the ball and the player in front catches it, it is a knock, whether in a maul, an outhouse, hen house or broken play.

The ball never loses contact with his hand that's the issue.

by Old Man Sat 26 Oct 2019, 3:40 pm

Barney McGrew did it wrote:No too shabby England – will have to raise their game next week tho. Pity we didn’t nil NZ, a little clumsy there. And I don’t mind the 2 disallowed tries, didn’t really need those extra 14 points (or even the 7 we so gracefully presented them with)

Oh so gracious.

by Old Man Sat 26 Oct 2019, 3:41 pm

Soul Requiem wrote:
Old Man wrote:
Collapse2005 wrote:
Rinsure wrote:The more I watch it, the more the TMO call on Youngs' try annoys me. I'm sure you can probably find something wrong with every maul if you look hard enough!

Think world rugby really need to look at the SH TMOs. Dont think they can be trusted to be impartial.

Knock ons are knock ons, if you lose the ball and the player in front catches it, it is a knock, whether in a maul, an outhouse, hen house or broken play.

The ball never loses contact with his hand that's the issue.

We will have to agree to disagree.

by lostinwales Sat 26 Oct 2019, 3:44 pm

Miaow

Any comments on the England outside centre? Just wondering if you thought his defense was good enough for the position.

by Old Man Sat 26 Oct 2019, 3:56 pm

Just want to say, that was a seriously good performance by England, the All Black forwards was comprehensively beaten, I know some will suggest England should have had a bigger lead at halftime, but the scoreboard is only one aspect of the match.

The physicality, control and accuracy of England was impressive to say the least.

Whilst the score never seemed to run away from New Zealand, it could have been much worse.

This performance trumps what Australia did to New Zealand in Perth this RC.

Based on this performance England are most assuredly the favourites to win the WWE.

by Guest Sat 26 Oct 2019, 3:59 pm

Few things from me:

- England had 20 'missed' points. 2 dodgy disallowed tries, 3 missed kicks (think that's right? 2 pens one drop?). Add in the 'own goal' try that didn't really come from pressure and that's an extra 27 points between the teams that were quite obviously 'there'. Make no mistake, this was a hammering. I feel the maul penalty was ripped forward so should have stood, and the crossing was wrong, so even discounting the kicks, this 'could' have been 33-7 and it would not have flattered England.

- Despite some pre-match crowing, what this shows - as it has in the last 4 years - is that any top team can get up and put a performance in and do a job on most or any other. NZ last week reminded me of the Australian team in the second Lions test in 2013 - too much emotion, too much focus on winning and putting it 'all' in to one game which doesn't win the title. We've seen this time and time again, and I suppose the question is if SA or Wales scrape through, can they turn up and can England produce similarly; or if either team puts in a performance like England, how will that work in the final - it's rare to see two 'complete' performances back to back.

- The trust in youth worked...until it didn't for NZ. Bridge and Reece were ordinary. Both got bumped in to touch a few times, Bridge failed to keep a penalty in field with his toes in touch, neither kicked well, Reece intercepted and then threw it back to Youngs 5m later. Ultimately, that game was something they had never played in before, and you wonder how important a few older heads might have been for NZ with the fine margins. Same goes for Barrett hauled off at HT.

- NZ were weaker than they were 4 years ago, as we all thought. They drew the Lions tour and now they didn't win the RWC. That goes down as a stain on Hansen's record, which is tough considering some of the rugby they play - but they failed to win the two 'big ones' in this last cycle. The worry was always how they performed when teams rocked them, and they've lost/drawn too many games in the last 4 years - to the Lions, Australia, South Africa, and now England - to be able to get away with the plans as they were. They missed the experience, the options, the adaptability, and in the end Kieran Read was probably just over the hill and couldn't lead by example of the field to turn things around, as we saw last year.

- Nige was good until the end - some blatant missed passes - one just before the Whitelock face slap, and then SBW's offload that went almost directly forward. Disappointing to see NZ effectively get away with a few things in the dying moments, but good to see he didn't allow the likes of Whitelock bumping off Youngs way from the ball.

-WHAT. A. GAME. This is what rugby's all about. It wasn't 7s rugby, it was still a great, intriguing, mostly fair contest at set piece; it was aphsyical battle at the breakdown. No game - no reduced format game of Union, or League - can compete with rugby as a spectacle when it's played like this.

- Fair play to England. I'm happy with that result, but more than that I just feel entertained. This was like 4 years' worth of Eddie Jones' plans coming together in one game. NZ barely had a sniff, England mixed it up, they played hard and flat, they moved it wide and fast, they slowed it down and ground it forward, they kicked perfectly. Their decision making was top notch, they didn't try and 'overplay' one of these tactical decisions, they kept mixing it up so as not to allow NZ to settle and line anyone up. But more than that they played what is the essence of the sport - they competed at every single area. That's all you have to do - if you can. Compete at every single element and, unsurprisingly, the opposition will find it hard to execute.

- You look at the heart and effort of English players as well - Farrell and Watson playing half injured, all the 'liability' players like Ford and Tuilagi turning up and largely mitigating their defensive lapses, with their teammates making up for the odd missed or negative tackle. Underhill, Curry, Itoje, Marler from the bench...you could pick anyone really. Everyone turned up. No one underperformed.

- To me, more than just the tactics, England had their emotions and mental state absolutely spot on. They didn't waver, didn't buckle, weren't over amped. You have to give credit to Eddie Jones for that.

What a game, what a win. One of the best games of rugby in the last 4 years. Would have been a 'better' game had NZ showed a bit more - more of the spite and spark and brute force they showed against Ireland last week - but they just couldn't get it going. England never took a backward step or 'allowed' NZ to play - they blitzed them with spot tackles every 3-4 phases all game, they harried them out wide and trusted their inside and backfield defenders to make the hit if their aggressive shot didn't stop the man, which it usually did. As I said, that's how you want to see the game played, and it's the fundamental thing EJ got right - to take England and wash away Lancaster's mistake in demanding things which are not fundamental to rugby. What is fundamental is competition and aggression and that's what England showed for 80 minutes - controlled aggression, controlled dominance.

Too soon to look ahead to next week, but great game. Thoroughly enjoyed that.

by Guest Sat 26 Oct 2019, 4:00 pm

lostinwales wrote:Miaow

Any comments on the England outside centre? Just wondering if you thought his defense was good enough for the position.

He missed a few tackles as expected, didn't he. Inside defence allowed him to mitigate it with intercepts. But Ford was actually lining up quite a lot at 13, if you noticed.

by Soul Requiem Sat 26 Oct 2019, 4:05 pm

When you've got Sam Underhill lingering around everywhere you can get away with a few missed tackles.

by Guest Sat 26 Oct 2019, 4:07 pm

Definitely. Curry and Underhill - wow. Incredible.

by No 7&1/2 Sat 26 Oct 2019, 4:09 pm

1 missed tackle for tuilagi. Cant even remember it tbh.

by lostinwales Sat 26 Oct 2019, 4:12 pm

miaow wrote:
lostinwales wrote:Miaow

Any comments on the England outside centre? Just wondering if you thought his defense was good enough for the position.

He missed a few tackles as expected, didn't he. Inside defence allowed him to mitigate it with intercepts. But Ford was actually lining up quite a lot at 13, if you noticed.

He missed one tackle and made 13 according to the stats. A lot of the hits were seriously hard and at least one was when he tracked back and tackled from behind. I thought it was very noticable that NZ did not try and attack down his channel.

by No 7&1/2 Sat 26 Oct 2019, 4:12 pm

Anxious wait for the players picking up knocks. If it looks like heinz is even doubtful straight away youd imagine jones has to pull the trigger and send for spencer or wigglesworth at the expense who though? May looks like the guy.

by Mr Bounce Sat 26 Oct 2019, 4:15 pm

I have just come back down to Earth. I was expecting England to make mistakes and the ABs to come flooding back with a 2nd half barrage but aside from Savea's poacher's try, it never happened. SO pleased for every player in England's WC Squad. They have all played their part.

Time for the physios to now do their bit, and for the boys and the fans to relax for a bit.

I am looking forward to tomorrow's match with great interest. Whoever wins, I wish them luck. As stated above, I am not sure anyone would want to face a hurting ABs side in the 3rd/4th place play off.

by Guest Sat 26 Oct 2019, 4:16 pm

Remember him being bypassed at least a few times - so it wouldn't go down on the stats as a missed tackle (check them again tomorrow - they get recalibrated/change) - but the noticeable one was out wide, right wing, second half, where he gets done on the inside. Didn't come to anything.

As I said, Ford lined up in the 13 channel defensively fairly often and it worked wonders. Both having him as an attacking pivot, but he also ripped, judo rolled, and just clung on to the attackers to great effect in defence. When it went wider, then that's where Tuilagi's bulk paid dividends as a scramble defender in behind, and I agree he looked good doing that and that NZ didn't make too much headway. But they did get past his vicinity a few times.

Tuilagi used as the crash ball to set up the first try. Very, very similar situation to the Ireland gme in the 6Ns. Poor from NZ not to know what was coming - to keep the ball infield instead of giving them the attacking lineout they wanted - and to fall for the late switch at kickoff, and then it was good execution to execute, and NZ never really got a foothold after that. How different games are when you get a decisive early score - makes you wonder, considering how important those first 2-3 minute tries have been for England (pointed out by me, I hasten to add, to some criticism of English fans as irrelevant...until journalists started talking about them as well), why NZ didn't do their homework and realise that studying the opposition is usually a pretty good idea. Taking a leaf out of the Cheika playbook...?

Again, it felt like NZ got their prep wrong - too much focus on Ireland because they'd lost to them; not enough focus on the wider picture of world rugby and who had beaten Ireland (Wales and England smashed them in the 6Ns). That 1 point win in Twickenham may have been a blessing in disguise for England - not saying NZ underestimated them, but the signs are there that they didn't prepare as comprehensively as they did for the Irish, and no doubt the winning records of both played a key part there.

by Guest Sat 26 Oct 2019, 4:17 pm

Also, thank f that'll be the last of the Kiwi crowing on here from a certain poster - no more SH superiority, no more bull, no more diatribes about 'wait for the WC'. Has to be said, everyone's thinking it.

by majesticimperialman Sat 26 Oct 2019, 4:18 pm

I actualy thought that when Retalick burst through the centre of the England's attack and made the pass to the left wing, NZ was bound to score a try. But how England got back to cover him and force him in to touch.

I think if NZ had scored then it might of been a different result. But full credit to England's defence all through the game .

England are playing better in this rugby world cup then any other England team i can think of for a long, long time.

by Guest Sat 26 Oct 2019, 4:24 pm

majesticimperialman wrote:Like England's responce to the Haka. Doing almost opposite of New Zealand's reverse arrow head.

It had echoes of the 2005 Lions 'response' where BOD threw the grass in the air. I might be wrong, but I believe it's a traditional/respectful way to stand against the haka. Best picture I can find:

SF1 - Match Thread - ENGLAND v NEW ZEALAND - 26/10/19 - K/O 09:00 BST (PART 2) - Page 12 GettyImages-53147067

SF1 - Match Thread - ENGLAND v NEW ZEALAND - 26/10/19 - K/O 09:00 BST (PART 2) - Page 12 GettyImages-53147067

Also not too dissimilar to other formations:

SF1 - Match Thread - ENGLAND v NEW ZEALAND - 26/10/19 - K/O 09:00 BST (PART 2) - Page 12 The_Fiji_cibi_%285190205131%29

SF1 - Match Thread - ENGLAND v NEW ZEALAND - 26/10/19 - K/O 09:00 BST (PART 2) - Page 12 Ad06bcc6-7964-48ec-8bdc-3e3abfd15998_800

by Guest Sat 26 Oct 2019, 4:30 pm

king_carlos wrote:Itoje and Lawes doing incredible work at the line-out.

Don't think I've seen a better lineout display - discounting the try - for years. Borthwick earned his corn today, that's for sure. There was real jeopardy in the dummy runs and jumps. Very very hard to read. Maybe a former second row can help dissect that a bit more but I was in awe of what they were doing at the set piece. Such fine margins yet they got it right each time - and stole lineout ball. All that with 2 jumpers v, supposedly, 4 for NZ. Itoje gets the headlines but Lawes is at least his equal if not better in my opinion.

by lostinwales Sat 26 Oct 2019, 4:38 pm

Looking forward to the final if we have to start with Watson and Daly on the wings and Slade at FB it would not be the end of the world

by TightHEAD Sat 26 Oct 2019, 4:42 pm

Dark times for the all blacks, can't see them winning anything for a few years

by Old Man Sat 26 Oct 2019, 4:44 pm

TightHEAD wrote:Dark times for the all blacks, can't see them winning anything for a few years

And you base that on what?

by lostinwales Sat 26 Oct 2019, 4:51 pm

In one of the Guardian write ups

'Generations from now they will still be talking about some of those tackles. The All Blacks’ grandchildren will still be telling their kids to behave or else Sam Underhill will come and get them. That if they get out of bed he will come flying out the wardrobe with his arms spread wide either side ready to knock them clean off their feet, just like he did Kieran Read.

by Guest Sat 26 Oct 2019, 4:52 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:Mark wilson turniver....thats my boy

Bet that one felt sweet!

by Guest Sat 26 Oct 2019, 4:59 pm

Dirtydave wrote:Congrats to england, never looked anything other than dominant!

Are we witnessing the NH money starting to take control of the international game?

No. Full credit goes to England - Scotland and Ireland have flattered to deceive, and Wales, apart from Gatland and Parkes, are pretty much homegrown.

Credit goes to Eddie Jones and Borthwick and the rest of the coaches and players who've played for the last 4 years - I didn't think EJ would get his team up like he has but he's got it right these last 6 months, starting with that Irish game in Dublin while the groundwork was laid in the autumn campaign. After watching the absolute slugfest on BT Sport last night between Exeter and Bath, you have to say huge credit goes to getting these players up to a standard so far beyond the 'norm' in the domestic game.

by stub Sat 26 Oct 2019, 5:00 pm

Love that quote LIW!

by WELL-PAST-IT Sat 26 Oct 2019, 5:00 pm

Lawes is always the one people don't see doing all the hard hidden work, how you can miss him at 2.01m and 120kg I do not know. Should be first on the team sheet in my opinion unless it is a tactical switch.

Thought Nige got it wrong before he even blew his whistle to start. He was standing so close to Ford that he had to pass it to Farrell to allow the kick to the left.

Too many forward passes and other little infringements for me to call it a good reffing performance, but at least he allowed the game to flow. I do however have the benefit of replays and slow mo.

Have the laws changed with regard to the TMO? I thought they could not interfere unless they were asked by the ref or they thought they had seen foul play.

by TightHEAD Sat 26 Oct 2019, 5:02 pm

Old Man wrote:
TightHEAD wrote:Dark times for the all blacks, can't see them winning anything for a few years

And you base that on what?

They wouldn't have scored had we not made a mistake. They were very average.

by Guest Sat 26 Oct 2019, 5:04 pm

Pal Joey wrote:
WELL-PAST-IT wrote:
Duty281 wrote:One Englishman not happy about this result...Wayne Barnes.

Oh dear, feel sorry for him really, retiring after the tournament.

Still prefer England in the final to Barnsie reffing it, lets hope Owens is excluded as well.

So Garces or Poite?

"I...urrrrr...I do not see..."

SF1 - Match Thread - ENGLAND v NEW ZEALAND - 26/10/19 - K/O 09:00 BST (PART 2) - Page 12 Duffless8

by Rinsure Sat 26 Oct 2019, 5:05 pm

lostinwales wrote:Looking forward to the final if we have to start with Watson and Daly on the wings and Slade at FB it would not be the end of the world

Has Slade ever played FB?

Has Eddie ever given any indication that Daly would play anywhere else?

Cokanasiga and McConnochie are still around, and Nowell must be fittish, for wing duties if May is hamstrung (pardon the pun).

I'd have JC on the bench anyway - was having this discussion earlier. What's the point of two centres on the bench? Slade and JJ are both excellent, but with Faz and Ford on the pitch we don't need 10 cover, and at a push Daly could cover 13, and Watson 15. So, have *one* of Slade or JJ, and Big Joe. Yes, Nowell offers more cover, and he's "nuggety", but JC is a potential game changer.

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