Rugby Union 2013-14

[PaulWinch again]

He was excellent.

[villan1975]

And Chris robshaw just gets better and better. Looking at the (very many) positives just how good is our strength in depth? Without a one-sided referee and a full squad we would have won here convincingly. After a nervy start Brown looked good and Tuilangi very dangerous. How many times did my break the gain line? A bit more luck and composure we'd have scored 3 or 4 tries.

Robshaw is approaching the levels that McCaw was at 3 or 4 years ago. All bodes well for the world cup.

[villan1975]

Burns' and Cipriani's job is to keep that level of performance now and put real pressure on.

Thought Burns played very well apart from his restarts which were way too long and handed possession back and enabled the AB's to keep the pressure on.

[UK Redsox]

How did Ben Morgan play? I'm not really a rugby fan, but he's my next door neighbour!

He made one great break from the base of a scrum on England's line that set up a period of dominance.

Not many international players started their at Dursley

[onje_villa]

We almost have too many similar level FHs now you can add Slade to the mix also, he was excellent against the Baa-Baas.

Not convinced by May at all, I have to say, what happened to Nowell? Seemed to really have what it takes when watching him in the 6 nations. Our back row were excellent today, NZ well below par. Also agree that McCaw was anonymous.

[paul_e]

We almost have too many similar level FHs now you can add Slade to the mix also, he was excellent against the Baa-Baas.

Not convinced by May at all, I have to say, what happened to Nowell? Seemed to really have what it takes when watching him in the 6 nations. Our back row were excellent today, NZ well below par. Also agree that McCaw was anonymous.

Nowell is on the very long list of injuries for this tour.

McCaw was average because we were beating them at the breakdown, they pretty much sacrificed attempting to win it in the tight to pack the fringes so we couldn't use the big forwards to bash through, we should get used to teams doing that against us.

[JD]

I think McCaw is past it to ne honest. He has been injured and has recently just got back playing for The Crusaders but has looked a yard off the pace. The biggest loss for the AB's is Kieran Read, he is the main man now.

The ref was shocking with his decision making and certainly seemed to favour the AB's. Even AB fans I have spoken to today thought he was inconsistent at best and biased at worst. 

[peter w]

What was the NZ reaction to England JD?

[onje_villa]

I was impressed with Morgan and Haskell too but I'm surprised they got so much joy to be honest - I don't think that reflects too well on NZ. I was very impressed with Kaino though he is a brick wall.

[paul_e]

As I said, we did as well as we did because they didn't compete the breakdown, they just fanned out and then slowed it down when there was a hint of a turnover.  It meant We had a lot of chances to pick and go but generally running at numbers.  Where Haskell in particular got joy was missed tackles, which NZ will be concerned by, Manu strolled through a few times as well.  Morgan only really had 1 break from the back of a scrum, which led to the great break by Eastmond.

We also offloaded pretty well and the struggled to stay with us.  Given that's a particular strength of Burrell and something Ashton at his best will profit from I suspect they'll be the first 2 changes on the teamsheet.

[PaulWinch again]

I truly believe that we can reach the heights of 2003 again and go on to create an on-going great side this time.

[JD]

What was the NZ reaction to England JD?

Good reaction Pete, full of praise for England. Hansen had already said they shouldn't be underestimated and I think most over here are praising their effort and can see that England have some strength in depth. New Zealand see England as the big threat for the next World Cup.
Most press were saying that it was good to have a tight and close test match and are looking forward to the Dunners test, especially as England have up to 16 players that didn't play last Saturday that could come in. 

[PaulWinch again]

I hope we don't end up putting Tuilagi on the wing, he either starts in the centres or he's on the bench for me.

[paul_e]

I hope we don't end up putting Tuilagi on the wing, he either starts in the centres or he's on the bench for me.

I agree, this is the sort of thinking that led to Mike Brown on the wing, which was a massive mistake.

Burrell and Manu to start in the centres for me.  Care and Farrell 9-10, Ashton, Brown and Yarde at the back.  The bench is tough though, Dickson as 9 then either 12trees or Cipriani to cover 10 and 12 and Foden to cover the back 3.

The pack pretty much picks itself depending on the fitness of a few of them, basically what we had in the 6N

[PaulWinch again]

Yep I agree, no square pegs in round holes.