1st Test - an incremental approach

[Raggs]

One of those where if he gets his aim right, it's a great choice, and even though Brown had some space to run into, the right option, but when it goes wrong, all everyone can see is Brown with a bit of space for him to run slowly into.

[Digby]

Minute 27

England win the scrum, Ford puts in a nice kick between the left wing and fullback which sees SA collect 15m or so infield just outside their 22

[Digby]

One of those where if he gets his aim right, it's a great choice, and even though Brown had some space to run into, the right option, but when it goes wrong, all everyone can see is Brown with a bit of space for him to run slowly into.

Daly's kick?

I'm fine with the option, but the execution was pish

[Raggs]

One of those where if he gets his aim right, it's a great choice, and even though Brown had some space to run into, the right option, but when it goes wrong, all everyone can see is Brown with a bit of space for him to run slowly into.

Daly's kick?

I'm fine with the option, but the execution was pish

Yep, got the feeling he hadn't adapted to the thinner air, got it right later in the match though.

[Digby]

Minute 28

The two SA wingers have a bit of a moment, I think it's Green 11 who gathers the ball and he wants to run/pass not kick bu Green 14 refuses to make another couple of steps back to make himself a passing option for Green 11, that delays the pass and Brown is able to easily tackle his opposite number. If Green 14 hadn't been a lazy bastard he'd have had a 1 on 1 with Brown going forwards with lots of space either side.

SA are able to recycle and head left/open, Green 6 faced with options of passing or taking contact throws the ball somewhere on the ground behind him, it's not what NZ would recognise as keeping the ball alive. Green 12 collects the loose ball and gets taken down by George

SA make some ground going right when Brown slips off a tackle, Isiekwe covers back and makes the tackle for him, SA set up another play heading back left

[Digby]

One of those where if he gets his aim right, it's a great choice, and even though Brown had some space to run into, the right option, but when it goes wrong, all everyone can see is Brown with a bit of space for him to run slowly into.

Daly's kick?

I'm fine with the option, but the execution was pish

Yep, got the feeling he hadn't adapted to the thinner air, got it right later in the match though.

He's also not a byword for accurate kicking, powerful, but not precise

[Digby]

Just an observation, when watching the match I swear on a number of occasions I noted Isiekwe running out of the line a number of times in defence, but I don't think I've commented such on this thread yet. Perhaps I judged him too harshly, or maybe I've just noticed other things, but he's starting to run out of time to make mistakes is my thinking as we head into

Minute 29

SA run left again, Green 11 has faster footwork than Tom Curry but doesn't do more than make the defence drift before throwing an awful pass (probably forwards) out to Green 8 on the wing, Green 8 makes a few metres in contact. SA come back right and get to the fringe of our defence but Daly makes the tackle and then good work over the ball from Mako and then Brown forces a turnover around 7m from our line

Youngs' clearing box kick is again heading up to halfway, but again stays infield. Pollard runs it back with no options to pass so puts his head down and bumps Slade, Isiekwe covers and makes the tackle. Ball goes left to Green 7 who's tackled by Curry

[Raggs]

Think with Isiekwe it was less about mistakes made (the two failed clearouts occurred in the 3rd and 11th minutes), and more about the lack of work in the breakdown at least. Only Billy V made less rucks than Isiekwe in the time he was on the pitch, and that's probably because he was the guy carrying the restarts back.

[Digby]

Minute 30

Aha, Faf breaks off the ruck going right and Isiekwe has opened a hole by running out the line. Faf gets the ball to De Allende, and Slade moves in quickly to tackle De Allende's shadow leaving Green 12 free to send the ball out to Green 14, Green 14 kicks ahead, but Daly is there to touch down for the drop out, what could possibly go wrong?

[Digby]

Think with Isiekwe it was less about mistakes made (the two failed clearouts occurred in the 3rd and 11th minutes), and more about the lack of work in the breakdown at least. Only Billy V made less rucks than Isiekwe in the time he was on the pitch, and that's probably because he was the guy carrying the restarts back.

Sometimes the ball just doesn't come to where you are of course. That said Eddie will have access to the GPS data, though for another that said Eddie would also have known his normal stats before selecting him in the first place

[Digby]

Minute 31

Pollard adds the extras

(I'm still stuck on a triple error from England of Isiekwe running out the line, Slade tackling thin air and Daly clean missing the ball, I thought SA were giving up soft scores but as a team effort this even surpasses Itoje's idiocy)

England restart a little to the left of centre, Green 5 takes the ball just outside the 22

[Mellsblue]

Think with Isiekwe it was less about mistakes made (the two failed clearouts occurred in the 3rd and 11th minutes), and more about the lack of work in the breakdown at least. Only Billy V made less rucks than Isiekwe in the time he was on the pitch, and that's probably because he was the guy carrying the restarts back.

Sometimes the ball just doesn't come to where you are of course. That said Eddie will have access to the GPS data, though for another that said Eddie would also have known his normal stats before selecting him in the first place

There’s also that, from what I remember from what Diggers’ has written, he’s already made two covering tackles when the first man has missed......it's not all about hitting rucks. As for GPS data, it may show that he has fallen off a cliff as altitude takes its toll. It does effect individuals differently regardless of relative fitness levels. If the data shows that then Jones doesn’t really have a choice.

[Digby]

Minute 32

Faf kicks clear, Green 14 blatantly runs a block on Daly as he gets at least a metre further forward to the ball bouncing and is stood blocking Daly but as Slade can gather the bouncing ball there's little difference in outcome. Youngs sends the ball right and England's backrow make a few metre with a mini maul , it's right again and Sinckler receives the ball from Ford allowing him to target Green 8, Green 8 goes back in contact but keeps a good body shape, just about makes a release and is straight back onto the ball. George can't shift Vermeulen quickly enough and Vermeulen forces another pen for holding on

[Digby]

Think with Isiekwe it was less about mistakes made (the two failed clearouts occurred in the 3rd and 11th minutes), and more about the lack of work in the breakdown at least. Only Billy V made less rucks than Isiekwe in the time he was on the pitch, and that's probably because he was the guy carrying the restarts back.

Sometimes the ball just doesn't come to where you are of course. That said Eddie will have access to the GPS data, though for another that said Eddie would also have known his normal stats before selecting him in the first place

There’s also that, from what I remember from what Diggers’ has written, he’s already made two covering tackles when the first man has missed......it's not all about hitting rucks. As for GPS data, it may show that he has fallen off a cliff as altitude takes its toll. It does effect individuals differently regardless of relative fitness levels. If the data shows that then Jones doesn’t really have a choice.

He was basically the man there for both of those covering tackles, the 2nd especially he didn't have to work for


Edit - And Jones does have a choice, he can ask if the player has a problem, he can ask if he's just unsure about the altitude and is trying to pace himself. Or he can simply send on a message Isiekwe needs to empty the tank

[Raggs]

Sometimes the ball just doesn't come to where you are of course. That said Eddie will have access to the GPS data, though for another that said Eddie would also have known his normal stats before selecting him in the first place

There’s also that, from what I remember from what Diggers’ has written, he’s already made two covering tackles when the first man has missed......it's not all about hitting rucks. As for GPS data, it may show that he has fallen off a cliff as altitude takes its toll. It does effect individuals differently regardless of relative fitness levels. If the data shows that then Jones doesn’t really have a choice.

He was basically the man there for both of those covering tackles, the 2nd especially he didn't have to work for


Edit - And Jones does have a choice, he can ask if the player has a problem, he can ask if he's just unsure about the altitude and is trying to pace himself. Or he can simply send on a message Isiekwe needs to empty the tank

How likely is it that Isiekwe would tell the truth and say "Yes boss, I'm fecked." as oppose to "Nah, just got winded in tackle, I'll be right in 30 seconds etc".

[Digby]

There’s also that, from what I remember from what Diggers’ has written, he’s already made two covering tackles when the first man has missed......it's not all about hitting rucks. As for GPS data, it may show that he has fallen off a cliff as altitude takes its toll. It does effect individuals differently regardless of relative fitness levels. If the data shows that then Jones doesn’t really have a choice.

He was basically the man there for both of those covering tackles, the 2nd especially he didn't have to work for


Edit - And Jones does have a choice, he can ask if the player has a problem, he can ask if he's just unsure about the altitude and is trying to pace himself. Or he can simply send on a message Isiekwe needs to empty the tank

How likely is it that Isiekwe would tell the truth and say "Yes boss, I'm fecked." as oppose to "Nah, just got winded in tackle, I'll be right in 30 seconds etc".

You've at least given the player a chance, if the player isn't honest you can then speak to him about how that doesn't help the team or the future selection of the player.

[Raggs]

He was basically the man there for both of those covering tackles, the 2nd especially he didn't have to work for


Edit - And Jones does have a choice, he can ask if the player has a problem, he can ask if he's just unsure about the altitude and is trying to pace himself. Or he can simply send on a message Isiekwe needs to empty the tank

How likely is it that Isiekwe would tell the truth and say "Yes boss, I'm fecked." as oppose to "Nah, just got winded in tackle, I'll be right in 30 seconds etc".

You've at least given the player a chance, if the player isn't honest you can then speak to him about how that doesn't help the team or the future selection of the player.

Do we know that Eddie didn't send on such a message/question?

[Mellsblue]

Sometimes the ball just doesn't come to where you are of course. That said Eddie will have access to the GPS data, though for another that said Eddie would also have known his normal stats before selecting him in the first place

There’s also that, from what I remember from what Diggers’ has written, he’s already made two covering tackles when the first man has missed......it's not all about hitting rucks. As for GPS data, it may show that he has fallen off a cliff as altitude takes its toll. It does effect individuals differently regardless of relative fitness levels. If the data shows that then Jones doesn’t really have a choice.

He was basically the man there for both of those covering tackles, the 2nd especially he didn't have to work for


Edit - And Jones does have a choice, he can ask if the player has a problem, he can ask if he's just unsure about the altitude and is trying to pace himself. Or he can simply send on a message Isiekwe needs to empty the tank

Reading back through your breakdown - you live by the bored you die by the bored - there are quite a few notable intervention by him and interventions that are energy consuming. Cover tackles, kick chase, speed off the line (whether with positive or negative effect), he seems very involved for the first half hour.
As for my GPS data point, the expert I read said 20 mins is the key point for hitting the wall. As Isiekwe isn’t pulled until 36 mins they have a good quarter of an hour to watch the data.

[Digby]

Minute 33

SA win the lineout despite a decent contest from Isiekwe, SA head left and the quickly switch to coming back right. Faf is able to almost find a gap owing in part to there being a line, and there being Isiekwe who is stood on his lonesome again (some astute chap has already observed Isiekwe kept not being in the line, I agree with him it was an issue)

When SA switch direction it's Faz btw who's pointing and communicating. Sadly despite England even shouting about the change of direction Green 5 clearly has no idea and accidentally puts himself in the England line blocking Itoje, not the first time a Saffer lock has ended up an unintentional blocker, I'm sure they sent flowers as an apology post match. Anyway Faz slips past Isiekwe before Sinckler and then Isiekwe recover to get him down, Faf gets the ball away to Green 5 who is brought down by Itoje, the Saffer players arriving first to the ball are Green 4, 7 and 2 and oddly none of them collect the ball for a cheeky pick and go or drive even though the only guard is Ford. SA go left twice to no great effect, though Slade will need to do better in contact if he's going to stay at 13, and then come back right, in a new piece of commentary for the thread I'm going to note Isiekwe has come up out of the line (I honestly hadn't remembered they were this closely grouped when saying a while back I hadn't noticed him doing it), Green 7 shows some good footwork and eludes Isiekwe and also slips past Maro who's trying to cover and actually goes to ground under Sinckler, sometimes when you use 3 players to make 1 tackle you can see a defence struggle. Green 8 makes a pick and go, he's hit by Mako who does start the use the arm once the chop tackle has taken effect

[Digby]

How likely is it that Isiekwe would tell the truth and say "Yes boss, I'm fecked." as oppose to "Nah, just got winded in tackle, I'll be right in 30 seconds etc".

You've at least given the player a chance, if the player isn't honest you can then speak to him about how that doesn't help the team or the future selection of the player.

Do we know that Eddie didn't send on such a message/question?

Sadly I don't speak Australian, so no

[Digby]

There’s also that, from what I remember from what Diggers’ has written, he’s already made two covering tackles when the first man has missed......it's not all about hitting rucks. As for GPS data, it may show that he has fallen off a cliff as altitude takes its toll. It does effect individuals differently regardless of relative fitness levels. If the data shows that then Jones doesn’t really have a choice.

He was basically the man there for both of those covering tackles, the 2nd especially he didn't have to work for


Edit - And Jones does have a choice, he can ask if the player has a problem, he can ask if he's just unsure about the altitude and is trying to pace himself. Or he can simply send on a message Isiekwe needs to empty the tank

Reading back through your breakdown - you live by the bored you die by the bored - there are quite a few notable intervention by him and interventions that are energy consuming. Cover tackles, kick chase, speed off the line (whether with positive or negative effect), he seems very involved for the first half hour.
As for my GPS data point, the expert I read said 20 mins is the key point for hitting the wall. As Isiekwe isn’t pulled until 36 mins they have a good quarter of an hour to watch the data.

He's still appearing to show good movement and bounce time, so I think it's a combo of ruck work and stepping out of the line and missing tackles that's seen him removed. It is harsh, plenty of England forwards fail to clear properly, and Farrell got made captain for running out of the line and missing tackles with aggressive intent.

[Mellsblue]

He was basically the man there for both of those covering tackles, the 2nd especially he didn't have to work for


Edit - And Jones does have a choice, he can ask if the player has a problem, he can ask if he's just unsure about the altitude and is trying to pace himself. Or he can simply send on a message Isiekwe needs to empty the tank

Reading back through your breakdown - you live by the bored you die by the bored - there are quite a few notable intervention by him and interventions that are energy consuming. Cover tackles, kick chase, speed off the line (whether with positive or negative effect), he seems very involved for the first half hour.
As for my GPS data point, the expert I read said 20 mins is the key point for hitting the wall. As Isiekwe isn’t pulled until 36 mins they have a good quarter of an hour to watch the data.

He's still appearing to show good movement and bounce time, so I think it's a combo of ruck work and stepping out of the line and missing tackles that's seen him removed. It is harsh, plenty of England forwards fail to clear properly, and Farrell got made captain for running out of the line and missing tackles with aggressive intent.

Thanks. I thought both with my impressions at the time and then reading this tome I was missing why he was pulled. If it’s a case of poor defensive work, and he’s ignored a warning, then fair enough. If it’s for ruck work then, based on my one viewing of the game, I think it’s harsh in comparison to others.

[Banquo]

He was basically the man there for both of those covering tackles, the 2nd especially he didn't have to work for


Edit - And Jones does have a choice, he can ask if the player has a problem, he can ask if he's just unsure about the altitude and is trying to pace himself. Or he can simply send on a message Isiekwe needs to empty the tank

Reading back through your breakdown - you live by the bored you die by the bored - there are quite a few notable intervention by him and interventions that are energy consuming. Cover tackles, kick chase, speed off the line (whether with positive or negative effect), he seems very involved for the first half hour.
As for my GPS data point, the expert I read said 20 mins is the key point for hitting the wall. As Isiekwe isn’t pulled until 36 mins they have a good quarter of an hour to watch the data.

He's still appearing to show good movement and bounce time, so I think it's a combo of ruck work and stepping out of the line and missing tackles that's seen him removed. It is harsh, plenty of England forwards fail to clear properly, and Farrell got made captain for running out of the line and missing tackles with aggressive intent.

doubling down on double standards

[Digby]

Minute 34

SA make a play to the middle nicely splitting the field. But it's a 3 second ruck and SA put in 3 to our 2, with the 9 then passing we should at least match up in defence even with a sweeper in behind. In the event Robshaw isn't working hard enough as he stops on the near side of the ruck when there are players behind him who can drop in there and he needs to keep working across. As it ends up we've got Robshaw, Sinckler and Isiekew covering 3m on the near side of the ruck they're attending and none of them are working around (and it should be Robshaw who is putting in the effort and just isn't given his role and where he is)

SA now have us stressed as they go right, and then very unluckily for SA Green 12 accidentally gets in the way of Curry meaning our already stressed defence to the right as we look is under even more pressure, again I'm sure that's accidental from Green, they are proving very unlucky with their block, with another nation you'd almost think it deliberate.

Slade and May are left with 4 players to mark and have Daly behind them. May makes a mistake in joining Slade in the tackle, still more so as it's WLR and he's easily able to get the ball away under pressure and is just waiting to see how many players will be attracted to the ball. The ball from WLR goes wide from WLR to 11 on the wing and then back inside to Green 14 to beat Daly.

It's a nice score from SA, no monumental fecks ups from England this time but simply put we're not willing (or able) to work hard enough.

[Digby]

Reading back through your breakdown - you live by the bored you die by the bored - there are quite a few notable intervention by him and interventions that are energy consuming. Cover tackles, kick chase, speed off the line (whether with positive or negative effect), he seems very involved for the first half hour.
As for my GPS data point, the expert I read said 20 mins is the key point for hitting the wall. As Isiekwe isn’t pulled until 36 mins they have a good quarter of an hour to watch the data.

He's still appearing to show good movement and bounce time, so I think it's a combo of ruck work and stepping out of the line and missing tackles that's seen him removed. It is harsh, plenty of England forwards fail to clear properly, and Farrell got made captain for running out of the line and missing tackles with aggressive intent.

doubling down on double standards

Maybe Isiekwe didn't miss tackles with aggressive intent, and then didn't glare at team mates when he got back up for not covering for his cock up