NZ vs England - round 2

[Scrumhead]

Good point. Depends what we’re missing though. Freeman would be a better option defensively, but if it’s the playmaking/counter attacking element, then Marcus might be better.

Either way, I hope Steward makes it a moot point by putting in a barnstorming performance.

He’s put in some very good performances for England in the past and I’m optimistic that he will respond really well to this opportunity.

I just hope that the plan is to have Steward adapt to our new style rather than reverting to the old one to suit him.

[Mikey Brown]

As long as we don't see him trying too hard to be Furbank, yeah. I feel like he was generally one of our best attacking weapons for a large portion of his caps, but that was in a much more direct running role than Furbank's trademark jinking, linking, bouncing-the-ball-off-his-face sort of stuff.

I feel like Freeman hasn't played 15 in quite a while now and would be more in the Steward mould than Furbank, at least in comparison to Smith. I'd like to see Freeman take a stab at running the 13 channel when we inevitably go 20 points up. How hard can it even be? Slade is just charging around missing tackles like some kind of Owen Farrell.

13. Freeman 15. Steward would remove a significant amount of our accuracy in moving the ball around though.

[Mellsblue]

I’ve been very impressed with Furbank, I thought he was another Goode and wasn’t sure he’d be able to step up, but I’m not exactly gutted to have Steward in place. He’s not go the vision/handling of Furbank but I think people have gone a bit OTT on his (lack of) attacking play.

I feel like a lot of his games have been during a pretty duff period of attack (or even attempting to attack) by both England and Leicester.

Was Furbank coming in during the 6 nations the catalyst for England or was that just a selection that lined up with a general change of ethos?

I’m sure he’ll be grand.

100% agree. Re. your question, my take is that it’s closer to the latter. However, Furbank’s skill set aligns better to the type of game we’re developing.

Yep, almost certainly the latter but I think Furbank makes it work a whole lot better than Steward would, hence Selectoral Brilliance made the change. I wonder if Carpenter would get the nod if it were an easier task than the ABs in Dunedin.

[twitchy]

Furbank out crocked, Steward in.



Hope he finds that attacking game.

Huge loss.

[Mellsblue]

One thing that is being missed, and really shouldn’t be due to it’s importance in the psychological battle, is how badly we’re are now outmatched in the ‘tache battle as well as the mullet battle.

[FKAS]

I’ve been very impressed with Furbank, I thought he was another Goode and wasn’t sure he’d be able to step up, but I’m not exactly gutted to have Steward in place. He’s not go the vision/handling of Furbank but I think people have gone a bit OTT on his (lack of) attacking play.

I feel like a lot of his games have been during a pretty duff period of attack (or even attempting to attack) by both England and Leicester.

Was Furbank coming in during the 6 nations the catalyst for England or was that just a selection that lined up with a general change of ethos?

I’m sure he’ll be grand.

100% agree. Re. your question, my take is that it’s closer to the latter. However, Furbank’s skill set aligns better to the type of game we’re developing.

Yep, almost certainly the latter but I think Furbank makes it work a whole lot better than Steward would, hence Selectoral Brilliance made the change. I wonder if Carpenter would get the nod if it were an easier task than the ABs in Dunedin.

Not sure Carpenter adds more playmaking or counter attacking skills than Steward though. He adds a bit more pace but that's about it.

I'm not adverse to slotting Marcus in at 15 if we need to. He spends our defensive sets sat in the backfield with the fullback when at 10 anyway. It would just be him and Fin in the backfield as opposed to Marcus and Furbank. We know he can bring something in attack as well.

[FKAS]

I’ve been very impressed with Furbank, I thought he was another Goode and wasn’t sure he’d be able to step up, but I’m not exactly gutted to have Steward in place. He’s not go the vision/handling of Furbank but I think people have gone a bit OTT on his (lack of) attacking play.

I feel like a lot of his games have been during a pretty duff period of attack (or even attempting to attack) by both England and Leicester.

Was Furbank coming in during the 6 nations the catalyst for England or was that just a selection that lined up with a general change of ethos?

I’m sure he’ll be grand.

I don’t love this idea, but if it’s really not working we could bring Fin Smith on at 10 and shift Marcus to 15.

Freeman to 15 and Sleightholme to wing is surely preferable to Smith at 15?

Freeman, Sleightholme and IFW does leave us a bit short on kicking options in the backfield and doesn't add much to the playmaking counter attack game.

[Oakboy]

Do Sleightholme and Roebuck play at FB for their clubs? I'd really like extra cover from a competent FB/wing - at least in the squad. I'd much prefer such an animal on the bench to avoid wasting Marcus at FB should Steward get injured. In fact, should that happen in the early minutes, I'd move Slade there and risk Freeman at OC. In the last 20, Fin at 10 and Marcus at FB is just about OK.

[Scrumhead]

Slade actually looked quite good at 15 when he covered there a few times but it’s not really something I want to see other than in an emergency.

As long as picking Steward doesn’t mean we’re abandoning our recent game plan to kick, kick and kick some more, I think he’s a very decent replacement to bring in.

It’s quite weird to me that no-one’s really been that panicked about Baxter starting on his second cap, yet we’re actively discussing contingency plans for a guy who has mostly done very well for England,

[Mikey Brown]

I liked Slade at 15 too, but that was like 5 years ago wasn't it? Smith has played full games there recetnly and seems to drop back for the odd 20 minutes for Quins now too. We also have another young fly-half that we're keen to give some exposure anyway.

Roebuck seems like he would be able to play there but can't remember ever seeing him wear 15.

[Timbo]

One thing that is being missed, and really shouldn’t be due to it’s importance in the psychological battle, is how badly we’re are now outmatched in the ‘tache battle as well as the mullet battle.

They’ve lost Perenara, so they’re a mullet shy in fairness. A little bit as you were I guess. But then with Marler’s magnificent facial hair gone to be replaced by a loosehead who hasn’t even started shaving yet. Yeah, not good.

[p/d]

Steward will be absolutely perfect for the current game plan. The guy is a hell of a threat coming into the line, and can be just as good from deep.

Slade is a spent force in attack.

Steward for 12

[FKAS]

https://archive.ph/4IbDH

Charlie Morgan's take.

[Mellsblue]

Steward will be absolutely perfect for the current game plan. The guy is a hell of a threat coming into the line, and can be just as good from deep.

Slade is a spent force in attack.

Steward for 12

fkas, give p/d his phone back.

[FKAS]

Steward will be absolutely perfect for the current game plan. The guy is a hell of a threat coming into the line, and can be just as good from deep.

Slade is a spent force in attack.

Steward for 12

fkas, give p/d his phone back.

Nah, I'm not a big Steward for 12 advocate. Not me.

[Banquo]

Steward will be absolutely perfect for the current game plan. The guy is a hell of a threat coming into the line, and can be just as good from deep.

Slade is a spent force in attack.

Steward for 12

Lawrence to 13

[p/d]

Steward will be absolutely perfect for the current game plan. The guy is a hell of a threat coming into the line, and can be just as good from deep.

Slade is a spent force in attack.

Steward for 12

fkas, give p/d his phone back.

[FKAS]

If not in the UK try NZR+ you can watch the game for free on there territory dependent.

[Adam_P]

Not a great first touch for Steward

[Mikey Brown]

What a start.

[R3dders]

After all the overanalysis of the scrum over the past week, it turns out that will Stuart is just a tub of lard as we all suspected.

[FKAS]

Not a great first touch for Steward

Looks like someone who hasn't played in a while. The dummy in the 22 was the right call but then needs to throw the pass to Smith as he's in space.

[Mikey Brown]

And what a finish!

[Mellsblue]

God bless Birmingham Aston University. What a kick from Smith.

[FKAS]

Even the Kiwi commentators are enjoying that one. Lovely weighted kick off a nice pre planned multi phase move.