England vs Australia 19th of Oct, 8.15am GMT

[p/d]

As a non Jones fan I have to say I have been impressed with our workmanlike showing during the pool stage. Even if it was a dirge of a game v Argentina. I also think we run the risk of assuming a number of players are better than they actually are, whilst Jones has actually designed a game plan to the teams collective ability.

I'm now off to purchase an 'I Love Eddie' t-shirt

[Raggs]

Kicks may also be done to encourage another defender to drop back. The Kicks themselves may not be effective but they might lead to a more positive result elsewhere.

[Digby]

Kicks may also be done to encourage another defender to drop back. The Kicks themselves may not be effective but they might lead to a more positive result elsewhere.

I'm happy to keep banging the drum that Jones might well have calculated since getting the job taking less contact in the rucks pays off over a series of tournament games (he might even have had it in mind since 2007 being involved with an SA side that kicked a lot) but putting that to one side even though I agree I still think we're missing out not working the shortside more.

I also think we've got some scope to go back in time a little a run a 242, especially if we're willing to to pick Cokanasiga. George and Wilson to attack short with Daly, Tuilagi and Cokanasiga to attack the middle along with Mako and Sinck supported by the locks, Billy and Curry on the open side with May to hand.

My guess is you couldn't ignore Billy, Curry and May wide on the open side, especially with Ford and Farrell to move the ball, which leaves us ideally free to go route one up the middle

[Oakboy]

Over Jones's period in charge, we have not really had too much trouble scoring tries - pretty or not. Our defence has creaked from time to time and we concede more points than we should, for a team set up to defend.

My gut feeling is that we can grind out a win against anyone provided that we do not have a bad day with our strategy of kicking away possession. If that policy goes wrong and a top team really clicks on the counter we just might take a hammering. The worst aspect of that, based on the story so far, is that if the kicking goes wrong we kick more.

[jngf]

Feels like we have to wait ages for this game.

How do you think EJ will deal with the aussies?

Does Jones vary the style of play much, regardless of the opposition?

My thoughts would be that the best way to lose would be to give their backs too much possession but avoiding that would mean changing our normal style of kicking for territorial gain. Stifling the game with multi-phase forward play is the way to start, IMO. Youngs box-kicking everything is not.

I think the Curry/Underhill back row is a deliberate attempt to combat Pooper, so there is that.

I think key to this game is defensive pressure. Their backline, especially the half-backs, have talent, but no consistency - if we push hard on whoever's playing 10, then there will be mistakes.

Puja

Just a bit worried Curry and Underhill together risk being ‘Pooperlite’ - Underhill is a fair approximation to Pocock and Curry to Hooper but at this point ...at least they are not their respective counterpart’s equals imo.
The 6 shirt has become a conundrum and if fit in rank order of who in our squad would be most effective there, as starters against Oz starting with the most effective I’d go for:
1.Wilson
2.Ludlum
3.Underhill
4.Curry

(and my list to start at openside would almost be the reverse - though I still think Underhill has the X factor of physicality compared to the others)

I haven’t mentioned Lawes as I think he’s best viewed as an impact sub for lock or 6 in a game like this imo.

[Mellsblue]

starters against Oz starting with the most effective I’d go for:
1.Wilson.

Love that Banquo agrees with this.

[Hooky]

True, but Genia's a shadow of his former self to the extent that Nic White is being selected ahead of him, they have no idea who's playing fly-half, and their main threat in Beale might be out injured after a big blow to the head today.

Famous last words, but this Australian side does't scare me. Out of the quarter finallists I'd probably choose them to play against (on the basis that the Japanese might have a monumental game in them in front of their crowd).

Puja

They nearly beat Wales playing for just 40 minutes, and that's not. defence that tends to gift points (ignoring Parkes and JD have clearly been playing drunk). I've thought given relative resources available to Australia they've had the best attack going in rugby for a long time, though like Scotland (albeit with rather more talent than Scotland) they can overdo it somewhat. Here's hoping Genia is quiet, or perhaps here's hoping we play as we could/should

Wales still have an inferiority complex to the SH sides. They go in thinking themselves the plucky underdogs against a mighty side, even when the formbook shows that they're superior. They're still relieved to get a win, not expecting one. No-one on this England team has any fear of Australia after the 0-3 tour. Respect, certainly, and they are a dangerous side, but we don't fear them.

Famous. Last. Words.

Puja

As a welshman I think you're spot on actually

[Lizard]

I didn't realise that Australian league coach Ricky Stuart had been a Wallaby (albeit uncapped) before switching back to league in the '80s. I'm still not sure what he's doing in your camp though. Any ideas?

[zer0]

Your match is being officiated by the Unholy Trio of Garces (ref), Poite and Skeen. I'd say God be with you, but even he'll be forsaking this one I think.

[Stom]

Your match is being officiated by the Unholy Trio of Garces (ref), Poite and Skeen. I'd say God be with you, but even he'll be forsaking this one I think.

Oh feck

[Mellsblue]

Ah, well. Might as well just toss a coin and avoid any injuries.

[Beasties]

Oh joy.

[Danno]

Great. All anyone has to do is drop the ball in the first minute, roll the dice at the scrum and hope the penalty goes their way to nail that down for the rest of the match.

[Puja]

On the bright side, this appears made for Uncle Eddie's pre-match shenanigans. Like the "Scrum Straight Joe" thing that the Welsh did last RWC - if we can get it into his head that the Aussies are inveterate cheaters at the scrum before the match has even started, we'll be one foot in the semi-finals.

Puja

[Stom]

On the bright side, this appears made for Uncle Eddie's pre-match shenanigans. Like the "Scrum Straight Joe" thing that the Welsh did last RWC - if we can get it into his head that the Aussies are inveterate cheaters at the scrum before the match has even started, we'll be one foot in the semi-finals.

Puja

The scrums are all about your binding and Slipper slips his.

Slips it all the time.

[Digby]

I didn't realise that Australian league coach Ricky Stuart had been a Wallaby (albeit uncapped) before switching back to league in the '80s. I'm still not sure what he's doing in your camp though. Any ideas?

No idea who he is, but it's not unusual for Eddie to visit other coaches, or to bring other coaches into the England camp.

[Lizard]

For the neutral, I think the most enjoyable part of this game, regardless of the result, will be the post-match interview with the losing coach.

[Which Tyler]

Oh FFS

England:
15-Elliot Daly
14-Anthony Watson
13-Henry Slade
12-Manu Tuilagi
11-Jonny May
10-Owen Farrell (captain)
9-Ben Youngs

8-Billy Vunipola
7-Sam Underhill
6-Tom Curry
5-Courtney Lawes
4-Maro Itoje
3-Kyle Sinckler
2-Jamie George
1-Mako Vunipola

16-Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17-Joe Marler, 18-Dan Cole, 19-George Kruis, 20-Lewis Ludlam
21-Willi Heinz, 22-George Ford, 23-Jonathan Joseph

[Lizard]

I am stunned, stunned I tell you, that Willie Heinz is now a Rugby World Cup play-offs participant.

[MrK]

Oh FFS

England:
15-Elliot Daly
14-Anthony Watson
13-Henry Slade
12-Manu Tuilagi
11-Jonny May
10-Owen Farrell (captain)
9-Ben Youngs

8-Billy Vunipola
7-Sam Underhill
6-Tom Curry
5-Courtney Lawes
4-Maro Itoje
3-Kyle Sinckler
2-Jamie George
1-Mako Vunipola

16-Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17-Joe Marler, 18-Dan Cole, 19-George Kruis, 20-Lewis Ludlam
21-Willi Heinz, 22-George Ford, 23-Jonathan Joseph

Why change Ford from 10?

[Lizard]

Rumour is that 19 year old Jordan Petaia, after 2 caps at wing, will play at 13. This seems a bit silly, but presumably it means Toomua remains at 10. Apparently Old Man Beale will wear 15 and Older Man Genia will wear 9. I hope Cheika picks Two Dads so these guys feel a bit younger.

You should jog this in if the above is true.

[old-n-slo-2nd-row]

Why change Ford from 10?

Why indeed. This is a mad selection.

[Lizard]

Why change Ford from 10?

Why indeed. This is a mad selection.

Saving him for the final, innit?

[Mellsblue]

Remember how well it went when we last dropped Ford at a World Cup. At least we know Slade is in form and fully fit.......

[Stom]

Oh ffs