Second Test

[Mellsblue]

He's also unlikely to start once Kruitoje are back in form and that's an issue.

That is an issue, but if Hartley can be picked as capt despite being nowhere near good enough then you could make room for Launch. Personally, I’d start him even if all were fit but Jones sees it differently.

I would agree but Hartley is proving more of a loss on the playing front than I thought he would.

I wouldn’t say Hartley is a loss. More that George isn’t as big a step up as hoped, but then he’s played a solid two years of rugby without a proper break.

[Banquo]

Daly?

Captaining from wing or 15 is very tricky, especially with state of discipline in this mob. Maybe if he is playing 13. Has he any previous in captaincy?

Launchbury or Itoje for me - might help calm Maro down.

[Banquo]

Guys who come across as good leaders also aren't getting picked. Is Shields that much better than Slater for example?

Yes, I'd say so.

[Banquo]

I wouldn’t be against Launch, even with no idea if he’s really up to it, he’s just a really good player and not a cunt. What a high bar we’ve set.

That made me lol and, sadly, it’s also true.

He's also unlikely to start once Kruitoje are back in form and that's an issue.

You think Kruis would be picked ahead of Launchbury and Lawes? Think he'd have to have a pretty dramatic return to form. Mind, if the lawes at 6 continues......

[Raggs]

How different would the game have been if Motsert had got a yellow card and England awarded a penalty try, to bring it to 20-19 at 57 minutes in?

EDIT - And why wasn't Farrell next to him watching the replay?He didn't even mention the fact it was illegal play that knocked the ball out of Shields hands.

[Puja]

Daly?

Captaining from wing or 15 is very tricky, especially with state of discipline in this mob. Maybe if he is playing 13. Has he any previous in captaincy?

Launchbury or Itoje for me - might help calm Maro down.

I'd be in favour of Itoje - for me the stupid play and penalties are frustration and trying to do too much to change the match on his own. Giving him a hand on the tiller could help with that.

Puja

[Beasties]

Guys who come across as good leaders also aren't getting picked. Is Shields that much better than Slater for example?

Yes, I'd say so.

Of course you then have the problem that Shields would be replacing Robshaw in the starting 15, and Robshaw isn't one of those exhibiting no leadership to start with. So you're no further ahead really. Unless you play Robshaw at 7.

I'll get me coat.

[morepork]

Daly?

Captaining from wing or 15 is very tricky, especially with state of discipline in this mob. Maybe if he is playing 13. Has he any previous in captaincy?

Launchbury or Itoje for me - might help calm Maro down.

I'd be in favour of Itoje - for me the stupid play and penalties are frustration and trying to do too much to change the match on his own. Giving him a hand on the tiller could help with that.

Puja

I don't think Shouty MacShoutshout would be a wise choice for Capitan.

[Peat]

*looks at the ruck marks* Am I being harsh to ask what the purpose of Sinckler is again?

[Raggs]

*looks at the ruck marks* Am I being harsh to ask what the purpose of Sinckler is again?

He's the one we all wanted starting when we looked at Cole's ruck marks...

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah I’m a massive fan but I can’t recall many consistent 80 minute performances from him. Fantastic option to have from the bench and that is how I’d use him.

I don’t know that Cole’s breakdown contributions were the main reason anybody wanted that swap made were they?

[Banquo]

Guys who come across as good leaders also aren't getting picked. Is Shields that much better than Slater for example?

Yes, I'd say so.

Of course you then have the problem that Shields would be replacing Robshaw in the starting 15, and Robshaw isn't one of those exhibiting no leadership to start with. So you're no further ahead really. Unless you play Robshaw at 7.

I'll get me coat.

Robshaw has unfortunately been shyte for the last two games. But the question was Shields v Slater, not Shields v Robshaw....

[Banquo]

Yeah I’m a massive fan but I can’t recall many consistent 80 minute performances from him. Fantastic option to have from the bench and that is how I’d use him.

I don’t know that Cole’s breakdown contributions were the main reason anybody wanted that swap made were they?

Partly, and that's because they have dropped off a cliff of late.

[Mellsblue]

Yeah I’m a massive fan but I can’t recall many consistent 80 minute performances from him. Fantastic option to have from the bench and that is how I’d use him.

I don’t know that Cole’s breakdown contributions were the main reason anybody wanted that swap made were they?

From what I remember we wanted a better carrier. Sinckler has been rank average this tour. For now, he’s definitely an impact replacement (what they used to call a finisher).

[Puja]

Captaining from wing or 15 is very tricky, especially with state of discipline in this mob. Maybe if he is playing 13. Has he any previous in captaincy?

Launchbury or Itoje for me - might help calm Maro down.

I'd be in favour of Itoje - for me the stupid play and penalties are frustration and trying to do too much to change the match on his own. Giving him a hand on the tiller could help with that.

Puja

I don't think Shouty MacShoutshout would be a wise choice for Capitan.

When he's been captain for Sarries, England A, and England U20s, he's done a very good job with referee wrangling as well as decision-making. I think the shouting's the effect of Eddie's proclamations that he wants us to be nastier.

Puja

[fivepointer]

https://www.crashballrugby.com/articles/june-18th-2018

Some good stuff here with lots of video. Reviewing the performance but pointing to areas that need improvement.

[Stom]

https://www.crashballrugby.com/articles/june-18th-2018

Some good stuff here with lots of video. Reviewing the performance but pointing to areas that need improvement.

I've only managed the beginning, but that physicality bit seems to be more about tackle technique...

[richy678]

Ive just been watching the second test .
Ive just watched the first bok try.

Beast picks and goes through the middle of a ruck on about half way.
No guards or safteys, no one at home, makes 30/40m/

From the next ruck, England scrambling back.
A poor uncontrolled delivery (a chuck out the back to no one, bounces)

Vermulen picks up the loose ball unchallenged (ball is out so no offside)
He then runs past/through about 4 English players.

Very poor defence by England - ok they had been stressed before Beasts run, but defence had just dissolved.

I shouted at the telly - very very poor

[Raggs]

Farrell was at guard but decided it was more important to shove the nearby bok.

[p/d]

Farrell was at guard but decided it was more important to shove the nearby bok.

I believe the shove was a reminder to the Boks that England were “trying to play rugby”

[Raggs]

Farrell was at guard but decided it was more important to shove the nearby bok.

I believe the shove was a reminder to the Boks that England were “trying to play rugby”

Was that the line he used after taking faf out slightly late and high?

[Danno]

I think it was (even more ironically) after the two minutes of handbags