England vs. New Zealand - Match Thread

[Danno]

Looking at the skill execution shown by Youngs picking up the ball from the time the clip will start on that link I was strongly not reminded of that video on passing technique you sent my way. It's annoying as I know he can get it right, but he tends to do this too often as his default

I've lost track of which thread we're meant to use to slag off Youngs's passing.

I see they also address Which Tyler's idea of combining the names Curry and Underhill. Did you send a letter in, Which?

Isn't it any thread during any year he's selected for the EPS?

[Digby]

Looking at the skill execution shown by Youngs picking up the ball from the time the clip will start on that link I was strongly not reminded of that video on passing technique you sent my way. It's annoying as I know he can get it right, but he tends to do this too often as his default

I've lost track of which thread we're meant to use to slag off Youngs's passing.

I see they also address Which Tyler's idea of combining the names Curry and Underhill. Did you send a letter in, Which?

This is the video link Raggs kindly sent me some while back. Some of you might have seen it, it's 20-30 minuets of Aaron Smith talking about passing and kicking, which I like. -

About 1.30 or 1.40 in Smith is talking about what Youngs does (or doesn't do) in the Rising Sons clip I was talking about earlier, having to create the twist on the ball after picking it up which costs some tiny fraction of a second.

[Epaminondas Pules]

I also can't believe he was actually being serious when he talked about naming his 'finishing XV' first. What a load of nonsense. What if Itoje had played like absolute shit and given away 30 penalties?

Then he’d be able to adapt. Why not emphasise the importance of the subs roles in such a game? Anything that gives you any edge whatsoever is worthwhile when the difference between sides is minimal.

[Which Tyler]

Did someone say Stephen Donald? Please can we give Spencer a shot at goal at some point (preferably not through necessity, and a nice easy conversion for a try between the posts)

Long standing bet?

I may possibly have thought he'd be England's first choice SH by now - as of 4 years ago...
I may possibly have thought he'd be England's go-to long range kicker back then as well...
I may possibly have felt that Eddie was the perfect man to take over after Burt, and make far more of the largely young squad Burt was leaving him, and expected a backlash for this RWC...

I can't possibly comment on the rather lengthy odds I had on an internationally unknown player (and non-FH) scoring from the tee during a RWC final in the aftermath to that same team being knocked out in the pool stages.
I also can't possibly comment that I can't for the life of me remember where I put the slip!
I tend to bet in pints, so it was only a £2 - £2.50 stake. But that would buy me a few rounds at the club on Sunday if it comes through

I've been turning the house upside down.
I cannot find the damned thing anywhere

[Puja]

Long standing bet?

I may possibly have thought he'd be England's first choice SH by now - as of 4 years ago...
I may possibly have thought he'd be England's go-to long range kicker back then as well...
I may possibly have felt that Eddie was the perfect man to take over after Burt, and make far more of the largely young squad Burt was leaving him, and expected a backlash for this RWC...

I can't possibly comment on the rather lengthy odds I had on an internationally unknown player (and non-FH) scoring from the tee during a RWC final in the aftermath to that same team being knocked out in the pool stages.
I also can't possibly comment that I can't for the life of me remember where I put the slip!
I tend to bet in pints, so it was only a £2 - £2.50 stake. But that would buy me a few rounds at the club on Sunday if it comes through

I've been turning the house upside down.
I cannot find the damned thing anywhere

If it helps, I'd say there's practically zero chance of him kicking with Ford, Farrell, and Daly on the pitch. Although he'd be a good option if it went to penalties after extra time. Out of interest, what were the odds?

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

I also can't believe he was actually being serious when he talked about naming his 'finishing XV' first. What a load of nonsense. What if Itoje had played like absolute shit and given away 30 penalties?

Then he’d be able to adapt. Why not emphasise the importance of the subs roles in such a game? Anything that gives you any edge whatsoever is worthwhile when the difference between sides is minimal.

I really don't see how this could give you an edge. It's so transparent.

If you were somehow bouyed by this as a sub, you have to wonder an equal amount how it feels for Ford (for instance) to say 'yes you have the reigns for 55 minutes but then you're off' because Faz is indispensable. You can't even make the 'emptying the tank' argument for a fly-half.

Just seems very strange and gimmicky to me. Our bench seem to be performing very well on the whole though, so who knows, maybe they love it.

[Which Tyler]

If it helps, I'd say there's practically zero chance of him kicking with Ford, Farrell, and Daly on the pitch. Although he'd be a good option if it went to penalties after extra time. Out of interest, what were the odds?

~200:1

And I know it's unlikely now - hell, it was unlikely 4 years ago, before we tried playing Ford and Farrell together, or Daly at all

[Which Tyler]

[Puja]

Puja