England vs. New Zealand - Match Thread

[Digby]

We have played well, but we've also left points out there

[Scrumhead]

Delighted to be 10-0 up
Worried it should be double that, and may well need to have been.

NZ aren't playing great, but that's because we've forced them to try too much. They'll tighten up for the second half.

Also concerned that Youngs is having a poor day, and Farrell can barely walk...

Agreed. We’re ahead in pretty much every facet of the game, but 10 points isn’t enough of a buffer.

[Oakboy]

Farrell has had 3 or 4 half-break chances but simply lacks the pace to take them. I doubt he'll get more now that Youngs is back in dithering mode. Replacement tactics by Jones will be interesting.

[Digby]

Tbh 20 points ahead wouldn't feel like enough of a buffer

[Banquo]

We have played well, but we've also left points out there

Yep, two or three poor bits of composure - the iceman prominent in that . Though he was actually making yards ironically.

Our play shows good variety, bar overdoing the kicking still. Only a couple of kicks too many, but still too many.

We need to stop the kiwi forwards offloading, it’s hurt us at least twice.

[Hooky]

Fucking hell England. Different gravy.

[Stom]

Farrell has had 3 or 4 half-break chances but simply lacks the pace to take them. I doubt he'll get more now that Youngs is back in dithering mode. Replacement tactics by Jones will be interesting.

TBF, they are a) half breaks and b) as a 12 it's not really his role to turn it into a full break but to create the space for the other backs. If it wasn't for some handling errors, we'd be saying he's had a very good game today. He's done his job well, outside of 3 mistakes on attack and a couple of iffy tackles that weren't punished because of excellent covering by Watson and someone else (can't remember).

We're also lucky NZ have selected the midfield they've selected. I just don't think Goodhue is particularly good.

We all know NZ kick away ball if they don't have a real opportunity after x phases. We're just forcing that kick earlier and earlier. Very very good work in and around the ruck.

[Beasties]

Tbh 20 points ahead wouldn't feel like enough of a buffer

10 points will concentrate the mind more than 20 points would though. Game is a long long way from won.

[Banquo]

Farrell has had 3 or 4 half-break chances but simply lacks the pace to take them. I doubt he'll get more now that Youngs is back in dithering mode. Replacement tactics by Jones will be interesting.

TBF, they are a) half breaks and b) as a 12 it's not really his role to turn it into a full break but to create the space for the other backs. If it wasn't for some handling errors, we'd be saying he's had a very good game today. He's done his job well, outside of 3 mistakes on attack and a couple of iffy tackles that weren't punished because of excellent covering by Watson and someone else (can't remember).

We're also lucky NZ have selected the midfield they've selected. I just don't think Goodhue is particularly good.

We all know NZ kick away ball if they don't have a real opportunity after x phases. We're just forcing that kick earlier and earlier. Very very good work in and around the ruck.

Lol- so he’s done his job well bar 5 or 6 errors. You are right though, he’s initially shown up well in attack, but then fckd it up.

[Adam_P]

I'm still trying to figure out how Scott Barrett, running a diagonal line, managed to catch May. May carrying a tight hammy from last week?

[Banquo]

Raining, boo

[Oakboy]

Farrell has had 3 or 4 half-break chances but simply lacks the pace to take them. I doubt he'll get more now that Youngs is back in dithering mode. Replacement tactics by Jones will be interesting.

TBF, they are a) half breaks and b) as a 12 it's not really his role to turn it into a full break but to create the space for the other backs. If it wasn't for some handling errors, we'd be saying he's had a very good game today. He's done his job well, outside of 3 mistakes on attack and a couple of iffy tackles that weren't punished because of excellent covering by Watson and someone else (can't remember).

We're also lucky NZ have selected the midfield they've selected. I just don't think Goodhue is particularly good.

We all know NZ kick away ball if they don't have a real opportunity after x phases. We're just forcing that kick earlier and earlier. Very very good work in and around the ruck.

I think any 12 should be able to beat the first tackler occasionally!

[Digby]

We have played well, but we've also left points out there

Yep, two or three poor bits of composure - the iceman prominent in that . Though he was actually making yards ironically.

Our play shows good variety, bar overdoing the kicking still. Only a couple of kicks too many, but still too many.

We need to stop the kiwi forwards offloading, it’s hurt us at least twice.

Very impressed with the scrum, wondering how many lineout calls we have left

[Stom]

We have played well, but we've also left points out there

Yep, two or three poor bits of composure - the iceman prominent in that . Though he was actually making yards ironically.

Our play shows good variety, bar overdoing the kicking still. Only a couple of kicks too many, but still too many.

We need to stop the kiwi forwards offloading, it’s hurt us at least twice.

I think we mainly need to stop them getting to those little runs in midfield that they support so well. We're putting a lot of store in our first up tacklers, and when they miss one, we suddenly give up ground. When one of those chasers is Farrell, you always run the risk he'll miss it and they'll get away.

That's what happened on the Retallick break: someone made the tackle on Goodhue and someone else stepped in to finish it without wrapping the ball. So suddenly there were 2 defenders out of the game and he got the offload away.

It's those little decisions. Rather have Goodhue make a mini-break there rather than sacrifice a defender.

[Which Tyler]

Squeeky-bum time x2..
off to Hosp. for uncomfortable camera work..
(All ok when I leave the contest..don't disappoint please!)

FB_IMG_1572080740196.jpg

[Stom]

Farrell has had 3 or 4 half-break chances but simply lacks the pace to take them. I doubt he'll get more now that Youngs is back in dithering mode. Replacement tactics by Jones will be interesting.

TBF, they are a) half breaks and b) as a 12 it's not really his role to turn it into a full break but to create the space for the other backs. If it wasn't for some handling errors, we'd be saying he's had a very good game today. He's done his job well, outside of 3 mistakes on attack and a couple of iffy tackles that weren't punished because of excellent covering by Watson and someone else (can't remember).

We're also lucky NZ have selected the midfield they've selected. I just don't think Goodhue is particularly good.

We all know NZ kick away ball if they don't have a real opportunity after x phases. We're just forcing that kick earlier and earlier. Very very good work in and around the ruck.

I think any 12 should be able to beat the first tackler occasionally!

Well, he was half-beating him. But ALB is a good defender.

[Banquo]

Youngs got away with a terrible terrible kick there. Faz isn’t fit

[Banquo]

Stop fckin kicking it

[Which Tyler]

Wtf was that from youngs?

[Freddo]

Farrell and May both struggling here. Maro!

[Freddo]

I love you Ben Youngs

[Tigersman]

Bloody Ben Youngs eh

[Banquo]

Always said Youngs was awesome. Could be ruled out

[Beasties]

Lol, Youngs lulling everyone into a false sense of security, us included.

[Danno]

Amazing block by Nige to gift that to Ben