RugbyRebels

Mako 7
George 8
Sinckler 8
Itoje 8
Lawes 7
Curry 9
Underhill 8
BillyV 6

Youngs 7
Farrell 7
May 8
Tuilagi 6
Slade 5
Watson 7
Daly 4

LCD 7
Marler 6
Cole 7
Kruis 6
Ludlam 6
Heinz N/A
Ford 7
Joseph N/A

That's a very good England forward performance (BillyV remaining disappointing aside) and it did cover up a couple of issues in the backs. Manu looked stifled at 12 - he's half the player there than he is played wider. Slade was rusty, some good kicking and the one assist for May aside. Daly was very poor, as I mentioned on the match thread - tentative in sweeping behind, crap on the kick chase, and waved bye-bye to Koroibete without touching him twice.

Puja

Unbelievable that we get to this stage without a 12 who is up to scratch.

I'd have Lawes ahead of Itoje but the second row as a unit did lots of tackling.

I can't argue too much with Tuilagi 6, Slade 5 but as a centre pairing they were better than that, covering a huge amount of ground in negatng the opposition's centre-field threat. Their defensive cohesion, linking with Farrell, was better than Ford, Farrell, Tuilagi have been. Regardless of perceived glitches, the team scored 4 tries in a QF - indicating that attacking combinations were at least effective.

Oakboy wrote:I'd have Lawes ahead of Itoje but the second row as a unit did lots of tackling.

I can't argue too much with Tuilagi 6, Slade 5 but as a centre pairing they were better than that, covering a huge amount of ground in negatng the opposition's centre-field threat. Their defensive cohesion, linking with Farrell, was better than Ford, Farrell, Tuilagi have been. Regardless of perceived glitches, the team scored 4 tries in a QF - indicating that attacking combinations were at least effective.

Slade was all over the place. Can’t blame him, he’s hardly played.

Oakboy wrote:I'd have Lawes ahead of Itoje but the second row as a unit did lots of tackling.

I can't argue too much with Tuilagi 6, Slade 5 but as a centre pairing they were better than that, covering a huge amount of ground in negatng the opposition's centre-field threat. Their defensive cohesion, linking with Farrell, was better than Ford, Farrell, Tuilagi have been. Regardless of perceived glitches, the team scored 4 tries in a QF - indicating that attacking combinations were at least effective.

Two of the tries were interceptions and the other two didn't involve the centres in any of the buildup, except as crash ball Manu. I'd also say our midfield defence was more about Australia not really stressing it that hard most of the time. When they were challenged - Petaia's break, Koroibete's try - they didn't look very well connected at all.

Puja

I think that, basically, any combination is better than Farrell at 12.

Missed it- what were our highlights??

Banquo wrote:Missed it- what were our highlights??

The pack carried and defended superbly. It was like the Ireland game in the 6N - just continual bullying of the opposition.

Puja

Just watched Barrett jump and claim a high ball in the middle of his 22 under pressure/contact from an Irish chaser. Of course he claimed the ball, calmly called a mark, and then booted it into touch on half way. We need a player like that.

With the comments about the centres - yeah, could have seen a bit more from them but they did enough.

Puja wrote:

Banquo wrote:Missed it- what were our highlights??

The pack carried and defended superbly. It was like the Ireland game in the 6N - just continual bullying of the opposition.

Puja

Great stuff, assume front 5 went well looking at ratings. Then back row do their stuff. Vunipolae survive?

Banquo wrote:

Puja wrote:

Banquo wrote:Missed it- what were our highlights??

The pack carried and defended superbly. It was like the Ireland game in the 6N - just continual bullying of the opposition.

Puja

Great stuff, assume front 5 went well looking at ratings. Then back row do their stuff. Vunipolae survive?

No injuries, although BillyV was still underwhelming. Curry was deservedly MotM with some superb tackling and turnovers.

Puja

1-8 were very good, i thought. Our best players were in the forwards where Curry was outstanding. He is growing into a very high class player.
Outside of that, the 2 wings looked lively in a backline that rarely showed much cohesiveness.

Banquo wrote:Missed it- what were our highlights??

Good England under Eddie rugby. Controlled the game, kicked the ball for territory, big d and then took our chances. It was also classic Eddie that Daly looked like a fish out of water.

Banquo wrote:Missed it- what were our highlights??

JJ came on and turned things around

p/d wrote:

Banquo wrote:Missed it- what were our highlights??

JJ came on and turned things around

The joke that never started giving.

Thought Billy went fine myself. He didn't make any huge carries because Aus were terrified of him. That terror lead straight to the Sink score.

Puja wrote:

Banquo wrote:Missed it- what were our highlights??

The pack carried and defended superbly. It was like the Ireland game in the 6N - just continual bullying of the opposition.

Puja

Given we looked better ball in hand we can only be grateful the pack and Farrell decided we should spend our time tackling

Raggs wrote:Thought Billy went fine myself. He didn't make any huge carries because Aus were terrified of him. That terror lead straight to the Sink score.

Very true actually - Sincklers try was 100% due to the Aussie hooker being terrified of a Billy carry and choosing the wrong option early (and good decision-making and pass from Farrell as well, credit where credit's due).

Puja

Digby wrote:

Puja wrote:

Banquo wrote:Missed it- what were our highlights??

The pack carried and defended superbly. It was like the Ireland game in the 6N - just continual bullying of the opposition.

Puja

Given we looked better ball in hand we can only be grateful the pack and Farrell decided we should spend our time tackling

Remarkable stats given the scoreline and who won.

Banquo wrote:

Digby wrote:

Puja wrote:
The pack carried and defended superbly. It was like the Ireland game in the 6N - just continual bullying of the opposition.

Puja

Given we looked better ball in hand we can only be grateful the pack and Farrell decided we should spend our time tackling

Remarkable stats given the scoreline and who won.

I was asked after the game if we'd been able to generate quick scrum ball would we have tried to do more, or different? And for mine we'd have done the same, for reasons I don't quite understand, thought at this point I'm at the very least not allowed to drive

Some of our scrums were uber solid but under Eddie (of the rapid fire Japan scrum fame) we take an age to move it, preferring to see if we can get a pen cos we're, y'know, Eng and Eddie's never had that before. Except when he wuz with SA. I don't get it, we've got Billy V and we won't let him pick up and charge. Unless it's in our 22 of course.