International Rugby

[nigel]

Yeah that's pretty much my reaction too, although I thought Haskell, who i've never been a fan of, was having a really good game until his yellow. Care's yellow was harsh, I'm not sure how you roll away when three people immediately dive on top of you.

We're so blessed at lock at the moment, four outstanding players to choose from. Wish we could trade one of them for a proper 7.

Thought the ref was poor today. For me both yellows were harsh.
Haskell was comitted into a tackle. How does an 18 stone chap pull out once committed?  They kept showing a slowed down version which is always going to make it look worse.
Care was unlucky, too.

[peter w]

Nah Haskell was a definite yellow. Thought he played well until he went off and I think it was noticeable that ireland's most successful period came when he went off. As for Care, I don't know, I thought it was a 50/50 decision but he went over the top of the ball purposely to slow it down. Once the penalties given the yellow has to follow.

The rule I think is crazy - other than stuff around the scrum - is the deliberate knock on. Yes, its deliberate because a player is trying to intercept the ball but unless they fly out of the line like a keeper turning the ball around the corner then I think that players should be encouraged to try and snatch the ball. The only 'penalty' should be a knock on and scrum. You may say that it would encourage players to then and deliberately knock it on at the risk of only giving away a scrum, but I'd counter that by saying that early breaks would either see opposition players caught offside or teams would have runners expoliting gaps of early breaks from the opposition.

As for scrums. Why doesn't the clock stop when a scrum is called and only re-ster when the referee says 'engage'?

[Jon Crofts]

Hartleys double movement typified the ridiculous officiating this weekend, Friday night was worse and definitely added to the bore fest that was the Wales France game (mind you Wales deserved nothing for their cynicism and the French are just shit). Haskell's late tackle carried no malice or intent and yet we see the replay over and over again in slow motion.

How about we have a TMO rule that says 3 reviews for foul play and only 1 can be in slow motion.

[Dave Cooper please]

Caught a bit of the England game on the radio yesterday.
They played music after a try.
They can fuck off.

[paul_e]

Hartleys double movement typified the ridiculous officiating this weekend, Friday night was worse and definitely added to the bore fest that was the Wales France game (mind you Wales deserved nothing for their cynicism and the French are just shit). Haskell's late tackle carried no malice or intent and yet we see the replay over and over again in slow motion.

How about we have a TMO rule that says 3 reviews for foul play and only 1 can be in slow motion.

Haskell's yellow wasn't because it was late, it was because it was a shoulder check followed by a feeble attempt to wrap the arm that ended up being around the neck anyway.  Basically he got a yellow for being a lazy fuck with the attempted tackle and it was perfectly legitimate.  Before that I thought he'd been ok but nothing more, I'd say the same about Robshaw as well.  Kruis, Itoje and Billy V were superb and dragged the whole performance of the pack up a level, the latter is comfortably the player of the tournament so far.  In the front row Marler was ok, Hartley was good and Cole got better after a poor start, he still worries me though.

[cheltenhamlion]

Haskell out, Kvesic in.

[paul_e]

During the Wasps game (they were fucking brilliant by the way and Wade made as good try saving tackle as you'll ever see) there was a lot of talk about how to accommodate Hughes when he becomes available in July (He's already stated he wants to represent England is looking forward to it) and the common belief was moving Billy to 6 (sarries have played him there a fair bit as well). With Itoje now in the mix in the 2nd row you've got 3 genuine back row forwards without picking a 7.  That means you can pick based on specialist skills because ball carrying, tackling, etc really aren't things thatyou need to 7 to worry about.  At that point you just pick someone who will annoy the shit out the opposition, slow the ball down and win a few turnovers.  Haskell isn't that player, in the premiership Kvesic and Harrison are the viable options right now and Kvesic is a little ahead so I agree, he needs to be involved.

[PaulWinch again]

Haskell out, Kvesic in.

I'd say Haskell out Clifford in. In the short time he was on the pitch he showed exactly how good he can be as a 7.

[Jon Crofts]

Sounds like Mike Brown may be cited for using his boot on a ball being held onto by an Irish player on the ground not releasing the ball once tackled in a ruck. 

Just seen that Wade tackle, brilliant.   

[nigel]

Sounds like Mike Brown may be cited for using his boot on a ball being held onto by an Irish player on the ground not releasing the ball once tackled in a ruck. 

Just seen that Wade tackle, brilliant.

Yes. I saw that.
Think he'd be unlucky to get a ban as, my view was, an Irish lad  pushed into him to clear him out forcing boot to face.

[paul_e]

Sounds like Mike Brown may be cited for using his boot on a ball being held onto by an Irish player on the ground not releasing the ball once tackled in a ruck. 

Just seen that Wade tackle, brilliant.

Yes. I saw that.
Think he'd be unlucky to get a ban as, my view was, an Irish lad  pushed into him to clear him out forcing boot to face.

I'm not so sure, it was dangerous (and aggressive) enough that I think they may throw a week or 2 at him.  I very nearly wrote this yesterday as part of a 'Brown makes stupid decisions just like Haskell' rant that I decided against.  I think most people on here know my opinion of Mike Brown (and probably think it's incredibly harsh) so I try not to rant too much and he is solid under the high ball, I just think he's an idiot and that slips into his game too easily.  If he was clearly the best option we had in his position I'd be less critical (see my views on Dylan Hartley) but people woith big flaws who I don't see as essential to the squad are liabilities and right now Haskell and Brown are on that list (and Cole is very close to joining them because I'm fed up with him refusing the push straight in the scrum and he's getting penalised for it regularly now).  Youngs is on dangerous ground as well but that's only because Simpson, Chudley and recently Robson (who was immense again today) are all significantly better than him.

[Jon Crofts]

Sounds like Mike Brown may be cited for using his boot on a ball being held onto by an Irish player on the ground not releasing the ball once tackled in a ruck. 

Just seen that Wade tackle, brilliant.

Yes. I saw that.
Think he'd be unlucky to get a ban as, my view was, an Irish lad  pushed into him to clear him out forcing boot to face.

I'm not so sure, it was dangerous (and aggressive) enough that I think they may throw a week or 2 at him.  I very nearly wrote this yesterday as part of a 'Brown makes stupid decisions just like Haskell' rant that I decided against.  I think most people on here know my opinion of Mike Brown (and probably think it's incredibly harsh) so I try not to rant too much and he is solid under the high ball, I just think he's an idiot and that slips into his game too easily.  If he was clearly the best option we had in his position I'd be less critical (see my views on Dylan Hartley) but people woith big flaws who I don't see as essential to the squad are liabilities and right now Haskell and Brown are on that list (and Cole is very close to joining them because I'm fed up with him refusing the push straight in the scrum and he's getting penalised for it regularly now).  Youngs is on dangerous ground as well but that's only because Simpson, Chudley and recently Robson (who was immense again today) are all significantly better than him.

No action to be taken.

[paul_e]

Indeed, I think he's pretty lucky there.

I see Manu and Ewers are added to the training squad.  I hope they don't leapfrog Daly and Kvesic who haven't really been given a chance yet.

[peter w]

If he's fit then I'd start Tuilagi against Wales as they will just try and bulldoze their way through the centres. I doubt he'll offer too much attacking wise in all honesty but his power and strength should be enough to keep Wales at bay and attack them when we do get the ball in open play - which i doubt will be often.

[PaulWinch again]

I think if they develop Manu correctly he could be our version on Nonu, but in saying that I fully acknowledge he needs to improve his passing and vision.