International Rugby

[cdbearsfan]

Scotland are quite an exciting side but we're never gonna win anything conceding at least thirty points every game.

[paul_e]

Scotland are quite an exciting side but we're never gonna win anything conceding at least thirty points every game.

Got a couple of very kind decisions as well, I'm far from convinced the 4th try was grounded and I have no idea why it didn't get checked a lot more.

[nigel]

Here’s an interesting piece.
I missed this and a mate bought it up later.
Watched it a couple of times and can’t see what Sheehan did

“ The try by Josh van der Flier against Australia was not converted due to a ruling by the television match official. The official ruled that the try was ruled out by a block on Valentini after Sheehan's block on Valentini. This ruling was made after Sheehan took out a potential tackler, which was a decision that could have led to a conversion attempt. The decision was made to maintain the integrity of the match and ensure that the try was not ruled out due to a player's actions or decisions.
RugbyPass”

[paul_e]

I have no idea what the comment is about but the big disallowed one halfway through the 2nd half (that Sheehan scored, they converted and then it got disallowed) is absolutely the correct decision. I actually think there were 2 offenses ands they just punished the more clear of the 2. Basically as it came round there were 3 players in front of Sheehan which was fine as they were bound but as soon as they lose their bind they have to re-enter play from behind the back foot. Beirne doesn't do that and just stumbles into the defender in front of him which puts him offside.

If that one doesn't get given then slightly earlier there's a clear break between the 17 and the other 3 and whilst he does try to stop and get out of the way I think he's close enough that he'd also be considered obstructing play.

[Dave Summers]

Most damningly, Jamie George later conceded that Borthwick’s side slipped behind the tactical curve and were simply ill-equipped to keep the ball in hand for multiple phases because they had prioritised other areas in training”

Came across the above quote on Twitter which, if true, absolutely beggars belief but at the sand time knowing Borthwick, probably doesn’t.

The difference in basic skills on Saturday was as wide as the Atlantic. If that quote is true, then there’s no excuse for not removing the head coach right away.

[Dave Summers]

Amazing how our esteemed head coach can leave the form player of the last 3 months on the replacements bench for Saturday.

Genuinely, if it means he goes, hope Fiji turn us over and we can start over

[paul_e]

Nothing in that Jamie George quote is surprising. Anyone watching the game can see that they haven't trained on the basics. The argument is always that you should be able to do that as a professional but that ignores the fact that knowing how other people play is massively important.

If you ignore it you lose all the creativity and flare because players aren't used to each other, and that's exactly what you see from England.

Add to that the over reliance on the boot and the stupid decisions in the back 3 and you get the complete mess where every try relies on raw power or individual brilliance.

Final point bringing in Cunningham South to replace Murley when Hendy is right there having just dominated his 2nd final in 3 seasons is just the worst kind of conservative cowardice.

[Dave Summers]

Don’t get me started on his choices at 15. I like Marcus, a lot, but like a number of players over the years, Huw Davies, Stuart Barnes, Danny Cipriani (especially Danny Cipriani) English rugby’s natural conservatism is scared of these maverick like talents and don’t know how best to use them. I fear Marcus will end up the same way and it seems obvious for reasons I can’t fathom, that Hendy is not trusted by SB. I’d even accept Carpenter as at least he’s a 15 because Marcus is never a choice against the top teams in that position. 23 yes, 15 no.

With the George comment I can only imagine how frustrated Lee Blackett currently is.

[Dave Summers]

Well as expected England are running away with it and are going to win handily. We’re learning the square root of eff all though and this victory probably cements Borthwick in the job until the end of the year at least.

[cdbearsfan]

The whole thing seems utterly pointless if Fiji aren't going to play matches in Fiji.

[Gareth]

Well as expected England are running away with it and are going to win handily. We’re learning the square root of eff all though and this victory probably cements Borthwick in the job until the end of the year at least.

Yep Dave, this is a victory that feels like a defeat because that hopeless coach will stay in charge

[Dave Summers]

The whole thing seems utterly pointless if Fiji aren't going to play matches in Fiji.

It leaves a nasty taste, but I think there are a couple of valid reasons as to why they’re not in Suva instead of Liverpool today. Firstly Fiji will make more money playing here which will I believe help build a stadium. Their players are also based in Europe so again, probably easier all round.

Secondly the distances between Australasia to SA and Argentina and Fiji and Japan are huge, it’s not like the teams up here being within a maximum of a 2 hour flight?

That all said, I don’t know why Ireland couldn’t go from Australia to Japan and then to NZ?

[nigel]

Have to say Hollie Davidson is a brilliant ref

And as pundits go Maggie Alphonsi is pretty good