RugbyRebels

England women can pick a proper 7. They're still getting dicked in the backrow but at least the girls are trying to play the game.

scuzzaman wrote:I listened to the BBC commentary.

Two, they thought the ref had a wonderful game. (ahem!)

NZ worthy winners, but I thought the ref let their supporting players dive over the ball at the rucks in the second half. A penalty or two might have evened things up.

Puja wrote:

loudnconfident wrote:Just caught it on catch-up. Great to watch, tough match and good handling in those conditions. I know this board has long bemoaned the lack of "proper" No 7s in the senior men's game. Perhaps we could co-opt Marlie Packer?

The women's team has always seemed to have a proper no 7 that I wish the men's could poach - Alphonsi, Fisher, Packer.

Puja

Agreed, imo Marlie Packer is a demonstrably far more instinctive and effective openside for the England woman's side than either Haskell or Robshaw have ever been for the mens' side

loudnconfident wrote: NZ worthy winners, but I thought the ref let their supporting players dive over the ball at the rucks in the second half. A penalty or two might have evened things up.

The new ruck laws seem to be quite helpful at identifying players going off their feet. I have a feeling the WRWC weren't using them. Now I'm thinking, they definitely weren't because they were still kicking through the ruck.
Why are the new ruck laws helpful ?...give me a minute to gather my train of thought......because it extends the amount of time the defenders have to get their hands on the ball.