International Rugby

[tomd2103]

Indeed Peter, to be fair I said we had to change the way we played and that very clearly happened, that was a much better balance.  To beat teams with that level of quality in you need to control things and to do that you need the right type of players at 8-10.  Today he picked the best 3 in the squad and let them play a more natural game and we looked a far better side for it.  A good performance in the front row and centres helped a lot as well.

I agree with PWA that Watson gave us an extra dimension as well. I missed the first match so no idea how that went but in the week Halfpenny showed just how shit he is so seeing a proper full back performance was good.  Hogg is a funny one, he has some quality but I think there's a lot wrong with his game as well.

Far better performance and result today.  The team is shaping up now and I would expect something like below for next Saturday and the first test:

Halfpenny, North, Te'o, Farrell, Daly, Sexton, Murray, Vunipola, Owens, Furlong, AWJ, Kruis, Stander, Warburton, Faletau

Subs - McGrath, George, Cole, Itoje, O'Brien, Webb, Biggar, Watson

Gatland loves Halfpenny and has played him consistently at full-back when there have been many calls in Wales for him to switch to the wing and Liam Williams play there.  I think it is his defensive game that Gatland rates and of course there is his goal kicking.   

I know it's unlikely to happen but I'd definitely have Itoje in over AWJ. Above anyone in fact. I'd also have Marler in the squad as I think his scrummaging will be key off the bench.

I think the days of it being a XV man game are gone Peter.  The modern day coaches have to now think about how to best utilise the squad of 23 over the full 80.  With all the options they have got, the All Blacks are able to do it and end up blowing teams away in the final stages.  You really want impact players coming on 20-30 minutes out for the final stages.

On a separate note, this is a great effort from England.     

[nigel]

For an inexperienced team we've only conceded 6 penalties, so fat

[nigel]

Touche Solomona

[paul_e]

Solomona makes uo for his start.

[PaulWinch again]

Oh Denny!

[PaulWinch again]

What a match.

[paul_e]

Agree, brilliant game.  Very impressed by curry and francis in particular.

[PaulWinch again]

I thought Slade was magnificent in the second half.

[paul_e]

Slade has class, first half we couldn't get a grip on the game so he never got into things, 2nd half he swapped to 12 until Francis came on and looked better.  Once Francis came on the 10, 12, 13 just worked better because Lozowski really struggled.

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah Lozowski showed glimpses but he struggled to fit into the structure. Slade is someone I'd like to see involved more and more. Denny needs to sort his defence and he'll be a serious asset,

[paul_e]

Indeed Peter, to be fair I said we had to change the way we played and that very clearly happened, that was a much better balance.  To beat teams with that level of quality in you need to control things and to do that you need the right type of players at 8-10.  Today he picked the best 3 in the squad and let them play a more natural game and we looked a far better side for it.  A good performance in the front row and centres helped a lot as well.

I agree with PWA that Watson gave us an extra dimension as well. I missed the first match so no idea how that went but in the week Halfpenny showed just how shit he is so seeing a proper full back performance was good.  Hogg is a funny one, he has some quality but I think there's a lot wrong with his game as well.

Bollocks off you're not claiming any part of this. I, and I alone.

Only just spotted this one.  I think you misunderstand me, I'm shocked that we won because I'd seen nothing to suggest he was planning to play how we did this morning, I was trying to say why I thought you were wrong, I expected 2-3 more matches before he realised that playing like wales+ was fucking stupid.

[paul_e]

Yeah Lozowski showed glimpses but he struggled to fit into the structure. Slade is someone I'd like to see involved more and more. Denny needs to sort his defence and he'll be a serious asset,

I think Jones likes Lozowski but this should be the sign that he's probably not one for now.  He's a great ball carrier and he has a solid skillset but as you say he doesn't 'get' the England structure right now.

I agree on Solomona.  It's basically what I said about him 4-5 months ago when he was scoring for fun for Sale, he's as good a finisher as anyone in the world (as he showed) but his defence is suspect and he's a bit maverick.  I think he'll be a fucking brilliant player for us though.

[JD]

Well i said we'd win.

You did mate and fair play to The Lions, they looked a lot better last night.

[peter w]

Did you see the press conference from the coach and captain - the coach is a gracious loser isn't he? Typical New Zealander when it comes to rugby - lose and it's everyone else's fault.

[JD]

Didn't watch it Pete. The press and everyone else over here are complaining about the ref etc. I'll say something for a lot of NZers, they are very sore losers. I cant imagine how bad the meltdown will be if The Lions do beat the All Blacks.   
They were complaining about the pitch in the cricket when they lost to England earlier in the week, at least Kane Williamson had the grace to admit they were outplayed.