International Rugby

[aev]

We probably needed to beat Australia to win the group before yesterday, and nothing has really changed.

The discipline, lack of turnovers at the breakdown is something that bothers me, and I think it is a mistake to not pick our best players. All the other nations will pick players playing overseas, and not sure it seems to be hampering them. Putting Armitage into the back row would in my opinion improve our team significantly. Too late now though.....

Oh yeah, and those clock watching subs are also odd, there is no pragmatism.

[paul_e]

It was a problem with the execution, leading to us not putting them away when on top. Felt like I'd been mugged on the train back.

at least 100% correct, we should've been 15-20 points ahead on the hour, we'd dominated the scrum, had great success from the lineout and had loads of possession, but too often we kicked it away or played for a penalty so we could get the easy 3 points which meant tthe indiscipline at the back gave them the opportunity to keep in touch.  If you dominate a side for that long but only have a 4 point lead with 15minutes left you're inviting them to throw everything at you.

[PaulWinch again]

This weekend England are going to have to get everything absolutely spot on. Also in spite of the Aussies recent improvements in the scrum we need to dominate that area to stand any chance.

[PaulWinch again]

Billy V out of World Cup replaced with Easter. In some ways that's a real blow, but in some respects I think a wily experienced head is something we'll need against Australia. We need a cool head on the pitch when the going gets tough.

[paul_e]

Billy V out of World Cup replaced with Easter. In some ways that's a real blow, but in some respects I think a wily experienced head is something we'll need against Australia. We need a cool head on the pitch when the going gets tough.

It's a massive blow, he was at the heart of everything we did well in the first 2 games.

[PaulWinch again]

I'd be tempted to start with Easter, as I think Morgan offers more impact off the bench.

[UK Redsox]

A bloke at work went to the Aus v Uru game.

He was describing his view and saying that he was in amongst the Aussie squad members and their families.

I said that that must be close to my ST seat. He showed me his ticket. It wasn't just close to my seat, it was my seat

[DaveD]

That's funny.

OT : Reminds me of the time I was chatting to a girl I worked with in central London and discovered she lived in the same Docklands flat I had rented twenty years earlier.

[paul_e]

I see the circling of the wagons is in full effect with England, including a few gems from Richard "I don't quite know why I'm here" Wigglesworth - http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/29/richard-wigglesworth-will-carling-england-stuart-lancaster

Specifically about Will Carling:

“But if he doesn’t know and hasn’t played the game for how long and hasn’t been involved in professional rugby for how long, let’s have a meaningful discussion about his knowledge, about what he knows about the game. He is there to further his own career and good luck to him.”

I've never particularly liked wigglesworth, but the arrogance in that statement is enough to push me into actively disliking him. The comments he's responding to are here - http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/will-carling-criticises-england-s-classroom-orientated-environment-1.2369747

All seems fairly legitimate to me and largely mirrors my own opinions on the selection and coaching issues.

[paul_e]

Looking at the BBC news feed about the rugby I spotted this one from Monday:

Former England player Paul Ackford said: "England have come to resemble their head coach's image: wholesome, compassionate, likeable, but - sadly - toothless."

I'd just pop "and predictable" at the end and that sums it up.  I'm still pissed off about Saturday, I really need to let it go now but I have too many welsh people as friends.

[DaveD]

I'm still pissed off about Saturday, I really need to let it go now but I have too many welsh people as friends.

Imagine being there and sat between two Welshmen. I may need therapy for years to come...

[ADVILLAFAN]

On the bright side it's only rugby 

[PaulWinch again]

Time to move on, we fucked up last week and we need to make amends this week. Should we win I think there's a good chance Wales are going out. Now that would be funny.

[JD]

Beat the Aussies and it will all be forgotten. Lose and f&*k it it's only Rugby.

[PaulWinch again]

It's a shame Fiji's two key players are out today, it would be great if they could beat Wales. Other than England's performance at the weekend it also annoys me that Wales are being lauded. They only won, because we completely lost our gameplan.