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

[paul_e]

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

Agree with all of those, the Farrell one is the key, add Barritt in the centres and we just don't get the ball to the wings enough, how many times did Rokoduguni touch the ball other than catching NZ kicks?  Did Watson touch the ball?

I'm still really frustrated with the Eastmond substitution, we'd barely touch the ball and kicked away everything we'd had so his solution was to sure up the kicking options, it was straight from the 80s and is the sort of decision which is the difference between NH and SH sides, can you imagine any of the big SH sides making a sub with an eye on winning a couple of penalties to sneak the game?  We really need to learn how to use our outside backs properly and that means picking inside backs who look to get the ball out wide.

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah the frustration is that we looked like we were moving towards that more expansive game a year or so ago, but we seem to have gone backwards.

[paul_e]

I think the 2nd test in NZ has knocked his confidence and he's edging towards safety first.  What makes that such a silly decision is that in the 1st and 3rd tests of that tour we were far more adventurous and pushed them a lot closer.

[PaulWinch again]

Yep in order to challenge NZ you have to attack them.

[aev]

I think with Farrell we may well get to the final but won't win it, but with Ford we might not make the final but if we did we would stand a greater chance of winning it.

Not sure if the above makes sense.....

evrumsfeld

[paul_e]

I understand, Farrell is steady and will kick the points in the tight games but won't create the breaks for tries in those games.  Ford on the other hand will make things happen but has had a few issues with his place kicking.

My thinking is that Ford, Cips, Burns all have the basics to be good kickers they just need the desire to put in the practice to step it up to '90%+ conversion rate' territory.  Farrell doesn't have the basic vision and flair to learn to do the other part of the game so he'll need to do what Myler has done and use experience to bridge that gap.  Unfortunately he barely gets a start at 10 for his club so he's not had the opportunity to do this other than at international level.  For me learning how to play your position properly can't happen at international level when there are 4-5 other candidates for your position.

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah I'd say the minimum requirement should be that if you can't start for your club in a position you shouldn't be considered for England.

[paul_e]

Rokoduguni out, Wood 50/50.  Unlikely to be any changes at 10, 12, 13 as apparently that would be unfair (according to Mike Catt).

In other news Guscott has made it pretty clear that he doesn't see any appeal in Farrell in the centres.

[PaulWinch again]

The only benefit from Farrell in the centres is an extra kicking option. But frankly I'd be unhappy with a centre pairing of Farrell and Barritt. Barritt more than anyone offers nothing for me at international level. Roko being out is a shame.

[paul_e]

Same team aside from Watson in for Roko and Yarde onto the bench.  Given that Eastmond and Wood have both missed some training that's pretty good news, just a shame that they clearly saw Barritt back in the centres as a success, such a shame that Burrell hurt his hand, I really wanted to see Eastmond and Burrell get a few games together before they inevitably bring Manu back in as soon as he's fit.

[PaulWinch again]

Well they've essentially selected the same team, so I guess they have a chance to redeem themselves. It is disappointing that they're continuing with Barritt though. I just hope they see Manu or Burrell as the outside centre options when fit.

[paul_e]

I really excited to see Watson, i just hope they get him some service (roko got fuck all last week).  I've been banging a drum about this kid for about 4-5 years so seeing him start for England is a nice affirmation that I do actually know what I'm on about when I talk about rugby players.  I can see him beign our version of North, big, strong, quick but with great hands, good passing and offloading and a great change of pace and direction that's very difficult to read.  The extra pace at professional level took him a couple of years to adjust to from age level rugby but the whole package is there, I think he'll go on to establish himself in the side and be a key player for the world cup.

[PaulWinch again]

Well let's hope so, I'm hoping he becomes our Savea!

[UK Redsox]

Wasps now own 100% of the Ricoh

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/30056170

Coventry City has last ditch bid for a 50% share turned down

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-city-fcs-ricoh-arena-8108559

[paul_e]

God there's some bitter coventry fans in the comments section of that last link.