International Rugby

[john e]

I'm the first to admit I don't know much about Rugby,
But I can tell one thing, this England team is not winning the World Cup

[paul_e]

Oh look we bring on loads of sarries players and suddenly we're playing the same shit that Sarries do.

[taylorsworkrate]

I'm the first to admit I don't know much about Rugby,
But I can tell one thing, this England team is not winning the World Cup

We'll do well to get out of the group on this evidence

[paul_e]

I'm the first to admit I don't know much about Rugby,
But I can tell one thing, this England team is not winning the World Cup

We'll do well to get out of the group on this evidence

That was true the moment Burrell, Cipriani and Kvesic were sent home, left us with no impact at inside centre, no spark of brilliance at 10 or 15 and no one willing to get in the thick of it and be a bastard on the floor.

[john e]

Some of those Fiji players are absolutely enormous

[paul_e]

Some of those Fiji players are absolutely enormous

which is why we're looking good now, they're fucked.

[john e]

Some of those Fiji players are absolutely enormous

which is why we're looking good now, they're fucked.

We have picked it up a bit late on

[Exeter 77]

Far too many turnovers and handling errors but that last gasp try will ultimately help in the pool placings.

[taylorsworkrate]

Well, that was uninspiring. Hopefully it was just first night nerves, because we were flattered by the scoreline, and we'll struggle to beat Wales or Australia with that level of performance.

[paul_e]

good first 20, shit 45 in the middle and then fitness got us over the line.  Loads of work to do, injuries to Barritt and a hooker in training would be a blessing but it's 5 points against a decent side in the opening game which is often a tricky one for the hosts so I guess job done.

We won't win the world cup, I'm certain of that, but if we get out of the group I'll be happy because it won't be a devastating shame but will probably be enough to see Lancaster get the boot which I see as necessary for us to be the team we can be for the '19 world cup where we should be clear favourites.

[paul_e]

Far too many turnovers and handling errors but that last gasp try will ultimately help in the pool placings.

I'm not fussed about the handling errors, the light rain meant it looked like a good pitch but the ball was a bar of soap.  The turnovers is a massive problem (both the number we concede and the lack of 'wins'), the 2 key players at the breakdown at 7 and your enforcer in the centres.  Whichever of the 2 is nearest should be closing the ball off by getting low and over the top of it as quickly as possible, neither Robshaw or Barritt is able to do that job so we give teams a chance far too often and we don't legally slow their play.  Not only does itlose it ball and stop us winning ball back but it's also at the heart of our indiscipline around halfway, if there's any gaps our only option is to try to kill the ball, refs know it so they watch for it and punish us for everything which puts us on the backfoot as soon as teams start attacking us.

[silhillvilla]

Flat as a pancake .

[Proposition Joe]

We won't win the world cup, I'm certain of that, but if we get out of the group I'll be happy because it won't be a devastating shame but will probably be enough to see Lancaster get the boot which I see as necessary for us to be the team we can be for the '19 world cup where we should be clear favourites.

Which is what we thought when Robinson got the boot.  And Brian Ashton.  And Johnno.

[Exeter 77]

Far too many turnovers and handling errors but that last gasp try will ultimately help in the pool placings.

I'm not fussed about the handling errors, the light rain meant it looked like a good pitch but the ball was a bar of soap.  The turnovers is a massive problem (both the number we concede and the lack of 'wins'), the 2 key players at the breakdown at 7 and your enforcer in the centres.  Whichever of the 2 is nearest should be closing the ball off by getting low and over the top of it as quickly as possible, neither Robshaw or Barritt is able to do that job so we give teams a chance far too often and we don't legally slow their play.  Not only does itlose it ball and stop us winning ball back but it's also at the heart of our indiscipline around halfway, if there's any gaps our only option is to try to kill the ball, refs know it so they watch for it and punish us for everything which puts us on the backfoot as soon as teams start attacking us.

You're right about refs waiting for us to kill the ball and England concede far too many penalties in crucial areas. The number of scrums lost was also a bit worrying. I think though that Fiji will cause Wales, and maybe Australia, a few problems with the size and pace of some of their backs.

[aev]

The breakdown was a mess. If Fiji can turn us over like that, Wales and the Aussies will have a field day.

Must do better.