Rugby Union (was 2014-15, now an ongoing thread)

[paul_e]

Piss poor in the second half, we've offered nothing at all. What does Farrell have to do to be substituted? Yes we're battered by injuries, but the second half hasn't been good enough.

Whilst his dad is the backs coach I think Farrell is safely starting every game he wants to, despite the fact that he's 3rd or 4th choice on form, taking off Eastmond to accommodate him in the centre is just a massive slap in the face.

[PaulWinch again]

Robshaw has lost it completely here again going for scrums.

[PaulWinch again]

Oh well one more play.

[PaulWinch again]

Score make that closer than it was, we were rubbish in the second half and got it tactically completely wrong.

[paul_e]

people will point to us being 3 points short but in truth that 2nd half was fucking disgraceful by the half backs, farrell was awful in the 2nd half and if there's any justice he should start another game this autumn, in reality he'll play against SA and Oz and then they'll throw a token start to Ford in the Samoa game.

[PaulWinch again]

Half backs were awful in the second half, but the whole game plan fell apart. I like Eastmond in the centre but Barritt offers nothing.

[PaulWinch again]

Pressure's on for next week now with Ireland beating South Africa.

[Jon Crofts]

Just back from Twickenham, very disappointing second half especially after Robsahaw had Mcraw in his pocket all the first half.
That said the refereeing was shocking, Nigel Owens was a disgrace, every decision was against England, their first try was a yard short as was their third, their second was a forwad pass, clearly the IRB had told Owens  to make decisions rather than rely on TMO, he was a fucking joke and ruined the game second half.

[lovejoy]

....and what does McCaw have to do to get a card? The bloke is a brilliant player and a cheat.

[OzVilla]

"Hands off Black seven" must be the most over used refereeing phrase of the last decade.

The rugby equivelent of Alan Shearer.

[UK Redsox]

Just back from Twickenham, very disappointing second half especially after Robsahaw had Mcraw in his pocket all the first half.
That said the refereeing was shocking, Nigel Owens was a disgrace, every decision was against England, their first try was a yard short as was their third, their second was a forwad pass, clearly the IRB had told Owens  to make decisions rather than rely on TMO, he was a fucking joke and ruined the game second half.

There was nothing wrong with the third try. The line that the ball was a "yard short" off was some advertising markings (the TMO apologised to the Ref for holding the game up to check when there was no need to look). The ball was grounded well over the try line.

However, I'm with you on the first. I'm still not sure that the ball touched the line.

[PaulWinch again]

Looking past the decisions my frustration was with the second half, our intensity dropped off badly. We also don't learn how to be clinical. Although that might be impacted by our injuries. Positives -

- Eastmond looked good
- May showed that international X factor
- our line out was excellent
- first half was good

negatives -

- second half we were poor
- tactically the half backs kicking was woeful
- there is a massive blind spot when it comes to Farrell

[Jon Crofts]

Paul I'm with you re the second half, our kicking was woefully inept, that said NZs kicking wasn't great either, failing to find touch and out on the full in the first half. 
We kicked away good possession and territory too many times in the second half.

Positives were deg=finitely in the line out and our scrum was getting on top as the game progressed, I never saw it pushed back all game, even through a haze of Guinness.

Next week is the one to win, we haven't beaten SA since 2003 and that needs changing next Saturday.

[PaulWinch again]

We really do need to win next Saturday, especially with Ireland winning yesterday.

[Jon Crofts]

We could do with battering the convicts as well, good psychological boost ahead of the RWC when we play them first in the pool stage.