Rugby Union 2013-14

[PaulWinch again]

Our defence is all over the place, complete shambles.

[paul_e]

Tomkins will get another 80minutes to show he's nothing like good enough to play test rugby, yay.

I give up trying to understand his thought processes in selecting a backline, by chance injuries and Lions call ups forced him to play a progressive backline in the summer and we were great to watch and had skill and flair all across the park, with a full compliment to choose from he's gone back to safety first and picked another incredibly forward-centric side.  We have an excellent pack, everyone can see that but the backs are probably the weakest in the 6N at the moment, which is poor given the options we have.

He only needed 11 of them to give the ball away in their 22 with numbers with him, hes pretty anonymous right now.

The tactics are totally wrong here.

[PaulWinch again]

That was definitely a try, shocking from TMO.

[PaulWinch again]

Try get in.

[paul_e]

Brilliant work from Tom wood to get the ball back in for Launchbury to score.

The one before was shocking from the officials, definite try.

[PaulWinch again]

Yep it was, NZ are giving away a lot of pens.

[PaulWinch again]

Points for nothing, terrible from Twelvetrees.

[PaulWinch again]

Off you go Kieran.

[PaulWinch again]

Fucking hell Tomkins doesn't appear to be able to catch the ball.

[paul_e]

Good to see Joubert punishing NZ for killing the ball at the breakdown, which has been the cornerstone of their game for years.  Tomkins is a liability, he's provided nothing for 2 games and now is actively breaking our continuity.

[PaulWinch again]

16-20 at half time, England have done very very well to fight back here.

[paul_e]

Lawes and Launchbury is the best lock partnership in the world, both have been exceptional today.

Wood and Vunipola are phenomenal in the back row, Robshaw has also played well but he's just not at their level.

Front row has been solid.

Dickson has been superb, directed the packs brilliantly, kept the ball moving and, importantly, has made sure Joubert sees all the niggly shit from NZ.

Outside that there's been some flashes of quality from Foden and Brown but little else.  Farrell has had one of those frustrating games where he's been good with the boot from set play but he's just killing all the threat outside.  Tomkins has been a complete car crash and Ashton has had nothing to work with which leaves him being judged on his defence, which will never end well.

[PaulWinch again]

Tomkins is offering nothing in defence or attack, we should have had another centre option on the bench.

[cheltenhamlion]

Considering they play together at club level, Tomkins and Farrell look like they havent met before.

We causing them allsorts of trouble up front mind.

[PaulWinch again]

Good play by Ashton.