England vs Australia 19th of Oct, 8.15am GMT

[jngf]

Cool- but as I said, I think we've only ever run that system with the Ford/Faz axis, unless I'm misremembering the 6N with Faz/Manu/Slade?

Think that is the game right there in the back row; whether underhill and Curry can sufficiently neutralise their frankly better oppos, but the front five will help enormously- big role for Itoje and lawes.

Not convinced that their opposite numbers are necessarily better, just different. I'm not crazy about Hooper, but he does allow Pocock to work. Pocock is very very good at what he does, but not much else. If you can't neutralise him, you'll struggle, but given the ref, and how his tournament has gone so far, I think we'll be OK. I guess I might take Hooper over one of our two, but that would be looking at balance. Just waiting on Jack Willis to rightfully take his place though .

Why not crazy about Hooper? For several years he has been one of the world's best 7s, and probably the most consistent. This guy empties the tank every time he plays, punches way above his weigh, has the gas of a centre, is tremendously competitive and is a hard nut. First man on the Oz team sheet for me, including Pocock.

IMO Hooper’s been the best flanker in world rugby since Mccaw retired.He’s got the kind of big carrying game that Mitchell claims Curry has too - though I’m less than convinced on that myself tbh.

Funnily enough though Read and Savea are good at what they do, kiwi back row doesn’t look that imposing compared to illustrious predecessors. Cane looks solid rather than spectacular at 7.

[morepork]

I think appearance has a lot to do with it. Farrell visibly exudes confidence and aggression whereas Ford is a lot more understated. It has nothing to do with their ability, but a lot to do with people’s perceptions IMO.

Yep. And may be he does 'inspire' those around him, is good at rallying the troops and leads by example. He is also a tough feck who doesn't take a backward step, always in the face of the opposition and pissing off the ref.

Jones might just view Ford as a posh boy ................. but then again he did select a Piers, so this view might not hold up.

If Farrell is genuinely picked for his cartoon hard man persona, then your coaches are simpletons.

[Mr Mwenda]

Has Jones commented on selection? I know he likes to take the mickey at press conferences but am wondering if Ford has had a knock in training or aught.

[Puja]

Has Jones commented on selection? I know he likes to take the mickey at press conferences but am wondering if Ford has had a knock in training or aught.

No knock - he's said that he believes that midfield will offer more in attack and defence.

Puja

[Mr Mwenda]

For the aussies?

Tah

[Lizard]

The statistic say that Farrell is about twice as likely to get a yellow card at fly half as he is at centre.

He averages one yellow card every 933 days, or every 26.7 tests (1 every 20.5 at FH). It's been 965 days and 29 tests since his last yellow. So either he's matured, or he is overdue.

[Lizard]

Aus:

15 Beale
14 Hodge
13 Petaia
12 Kerevi
11 Koroibete
10 Leiliifano
9 Genia
8 Naisarani
7 Hooper
6 Pocock
5 Arnold
4 Rodda
3 Alaalatoa
2 Latu
1 Sio

Reserves:
Jordan Uelese
James Slipper
Taniela Tupou
Adam Coleman
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
Nic White
Matt Toomua
James O'Conner

So that's 3 Fijians,3 New Zealanders, 2 Tongans, a Papua New Guinean and a Zimbabwean. Aussie needs to look at its development pathways. I guess the kid Petaia is homegrown, so that's something.

[Mikey Brown]

Never heard of Petaia before. What’s the craic?

[Digby]

Strong running young outside back. Which so far seems about it, he's barely played soup rugby

[Galfon]

It would be good to see Marler, Kruis, Ludlam, Ford and Joseph in this match based on form shown.
Maybe they'll all be on at HT if it goes titzup...
Hand-on-heart, Truth-be-told, Scout's honour, on the pet Hamster's life - what colour shirt would EJ rather see lift 'Bill' in the final, White or Gold ?

[Raggs]

White. I have book doubt about that.

[Lizard]

Never heard of Petaia before. What’s the craic?

19 years old. Scored a try in his first Super Rugby match last year. Scored a try in his first test (Uruguay). Looks like the real thing, but very green.

[Banquo]

Hooper is very good, and as I said, I'd probably take him over Curry or Underhill (not sure which) as a balance issue, but I see him as a very good all rounder, who doesn't really excel anywhere. There's just a number of players I rate higher than him.

Interesting, who?

I think he's excellent over the ball, a terrific support runner, and a very good carrier; his decision making, and he carries a lot of playing responsibility, is also excellent. He's also very resilient, as 92 caps, at the age of 27 kind of testifies- at the same time as fighting off Pocock in the main.

Thing is, I see him as a 6 in a 7s body. So I'd take Curry, Cane and Watson (maybe others) in front of him at 7, and then numerous players at 6 over him.

He's a very good player indeed, I won't argue that, I just think there's better 7s and better 6s, but if he makes the balance right, then I'd pick him ahead of some of those other options.

Again interesting- why a 6 rather than a 7?

[twitchy]

Fun stuff from matt toomua



For those at work:

Manu Tuilagi - Terrible snooker player.

George Ford - Never pays for his own beer.

Ben Youngs - Not the best player in his family, let alone his country.

Dan Cole - No personality.

[Mellsblue]

Ha. Good stuff.

[Danno]

Has Jones commented on selection? I know he likes to take the mickey at press conferences but am wondering if Ford has had a knock in training or aught.

There's a bit in here

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/ ... -world-cup

Basically says Farrell's form is off (I'd argue it's shite) but excuses him on account of being captain. How that leads to moving our best player in the warm ups and group games to the bench so that Farrell can have his pivotal spot escapes me, however.

[Oakboy]

Why not crazy about Hooper? For several years he has been one of the world's best 7s, and probably the most consistent. This guy empties the tank every time he plays, punches way above his weigh, has the gas of a centre, is tremendously competitive and is a hard nut. First man on the Oz team sheet for me, including Pocock.

Hooper is very good, and as I said, I'd probably take him over Curry or Underhill (not sure which) as a balance issue, but I see him as a very good all rounder, who doesn't really excel anywhere. There's just a number of players I rate higher than him.

Interesting, who?

I think he's excellent over the ball, a terrific support runner, and a very good carrier; his decision making, and he carries a lot of playing responsibility, is also excellent. He's also very resilient, as 92 caps, at the age of 27 kind of testifies- at the same time as fighting off Pocock in the main.

Where is Scotland's Ritchie in the ranking? He was by far their best player v Japan. Is he better than Underhill and Curry? He looked it in that game.

[p/d]

Has Jones commented on selection? I know he likes to take the mickey at press conferences but am wondering if Ford has had a knock in training or aught.

There's a bit in here

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/ ... -world-cup

Basically says Farrell's form is off (I'd argue it's shite) but excuses him on account of being captain. How that leads to moving our best player in the warm ups and group games to the bench so that Farrell can have his pivotal spot escapes me, however.

Don't forget we are all obsessed with who is starting, and Owen is a warrior.

[Oakboy]

Has Jones commented on selection? I know he likes to take the mickey at press conferences but am wondering if Ford has had a knock in training or aught.

There's a bit in here

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/ ... -world-cup

Basically says Farrell's form is off (I'd argue it's shite) but excuses him on account of being captain. How that leads to moving our best player in the warm ups and group games to the bench so that Farrell can have his pivotal spot escapes me, however.

Don't forget we are all obsessed with who is starting, and Owen is a warrior.

Prat or genius? Jones has to win the trophy now to avoid being labelled the former.

[Renniks]

He won't be labelled a prat by the media for going with the selections he's made…

And when compared to 2015, and even the 2011 side-show, it can only be looked on as a positive campaign so far…

[Digby]

Owen is a warrior.

As a child he was liable to be found running around the house screaming rugby's a battlefield to the tune of a well known Pat Benetar classic.

[p/d]

And when compared to 2015, and even the 2011 side-show, it can only be looked on as a positive campaign so far…

Really?

[p/d]

Owen is a warrior.

As a child he was liable to be found running around the house screaming rugby's a battlefield to the tune of a well known Pat Benetar classic.

Aahh!!! The lovely Pat. So many teeth for such a wee mouth

[Buggaluggs]

it looks like Petaia's right arm got replaced with someone else's left arm after some sort of terrible accident.

[Spiffy]

He won't be labelled a prat by the media for going with the selections he's made…

And when compared to 2015, and even the 2011 side-show, it can only be looked on as a positive campaign so far…

Some may regard Eddie as a prat anyway, despite the outcome. If Farrell does not perform, Jones will deserve all the flack he gets for dropping Ford, England's best back in the RWC. Ford has every right to feel totally pissed off with his reward for playing some great rugby.

England has had an easy ride so far in this RWC, including a cancelled game against France. They have looked quite good because they have not been really tested. Australia will be a step up and are a pretty good team if they hit top form.

If England should lose, don't depend on the media for an honest assessment, as Faz can do no wrong.