Australia vs England - Third Test

[Skalyba]

that was appalling. Compare to the game before and there was a world of difference - zero ambition and poor skills. saved by bosh defence and hard graft.

[loudnconfident]

Kerevi not happy with Player of the Series award... Understandably

[fivepointer]

That was a dogged defensive effort in the 2nd half. Lawes grew into the game and bench made an impact.

Overall winning 2-1 from 0-1 is a good effort. JVP put down a big marker.

[Raggs]

Kerevi not happy with Player of the Series award... Understandably

It was Korobete wasn't it?

[twitchy]

I enjoyed that. Saturday mid/late morning is actually a good time for rugby on tv.

[Scrumhead]

A win is a win and at least we didn’t fold in the last 10 for the second week.
A lot of the newer lads showed up well- JVP, Chessum, Freeman. Isiekwe looked good too. Steward was outstanding both sides of the ball, Genge and Stuart went well, as did Billy and Courtney.
Our midfield and wide defence needs a rethink imo- easy yards even putting the try to one side.

Yep. I agree with all of the above and while it’s a less important point, I think it was good to show we can win without Itoje and Curry.

Definitely positives to take away.

On the negative side of the ledger, Care has probably played his way out of the squad again and Porter showed why picking him over Marchant was a baffling (and shit) call.

Hopefully we see more of JvP and can develop a bit more ball-in-hand.

[Mellsblue]

I enjoyed that. Saturday mid/late morning is actually a good time for rugby on tv.

Legitimate excuse to start drinking before midday?

[Mellsblue]

Very underwhelming, and there are some serious issues, but a series win is a series win.
Plus points are Stuart proving to be a good international, Steward making big strides (no pun intend) in attack, Billy back to/near his best, JVP and Freeman looking to the manor born and Arundell getting some minutes under his belt.

[Oakboy]

I suppose there are a few marginal gains.

Chessum and Isiekwe have shown Jones that Ewels is not needed.

Willis must be considered first in line to back up Curry.

Lawes demonstrated how to communicate with the ref and should stay as captain. His hold on the 6 shirt is fixed.

[Banquo]

So I think we have our starting pack sorted now, as long as Hill can stop being a dick. We have our starting 9 too, and we have Freeman and Steward somewhere in the squad. For me midfield and wings are still up for grabs, and a lot of the bench. I’d have Willis and Chessum somewhere about. No idea what to do with the gaps in the backs, except that Marchant should be starting.

[Mellsblue]

Part of me would love to see Jones tell Lawes to bulk up or lose his place, move him back to lock and run Curry and Willis on the flanks*.
It obvs won’t happen and I’m not sure we’ll ever get the backs playing well enough, and therefore wide enough, for a two 7 set-up to work but if you don’t have dreams…

*if we could find a no8 called Port then the dream would be complete.

[p/d]

Still need a second row beast

[Scrumhead]

We can’t pick someone that doesn’t exist though.

[p/d]

We can’t pick someone that doesn’t exist though.

I think I would have named a player if I thought we could.

Doesn’t change the fact that we still need more in the engine room alongside Itoje

[p/d]

Very underwhelming, and there are some serious issues, but a series win is a series win.
Plus points are Stuart proving to be a good international, Steward making big strides (no pun intend) in attack, Billy back to/near his best, JVP and Freeman looking to the manor born and Arundell getting some minutes under his belt.

Stuart rated 5 by the DM…..

[Mellsblue]

Very underwhelming, and there are some serious issues, but a series win is a series win.
Plus points are Stuart proving to be a good international, Steward making big strides (no pun intend) in attack, Billy back to/near his best, JVP and Freeman looking to the manor born and Arundell getting some minutes under his belt.

Stuart rated 5 by the DM…..

Thank you for confirming my thoughts

[Banquo]

Very underwhelming, and there are some serious issues, but a series win is a series win.
Plus points are Stuart proving to be a good international, Steward making big strides (no pun intend) in attack, Billy back to/near his best, JVP and Freeman looking to the manor born and Arundell getting some minutes under his belt.

Stuart rated 5 by the DM…..

Whaaaat!

[Banquo]

Still need a second row beast

I reckon Hill could do that if he had a brain. Ribbans might be yer man, but he has back problems

[p/d]

Very underwhelming, and there are some serious issues, but a series win is a series win.
Plus points are Stuart proving to be a good international, Steward making big strides (no pun intend) in attack, Billy back to/near his best, JVP and Freeman looking to the manor born and Arundell getting some minutes under his belt.

Stuart rated 5 by the DM…..

Thank you for confirming my thoughts

Got owned by the gentleman’s evening footwear… apparently

[p/d]

Still need a second row beast

I reckon Hill could do that if he had a brain. Ribbans might be yer man, but he has back problems

Hill could be, but as you say.
Does make me wonder what Eddie see’s in Charlie boy that some of us struggle to appreciate

[Mellsblue]

Still need a second row beast

I reckon Hill could do that if he had a brain. Ribbans might be yer man, but he has back problems

Hill could be, but as you say.
Does make me wonder what Eddie see’s in Charlie boy that some of us struggle to appreciate

Good leader and a solid player with no flashy skills or qualities. He’d have 13 of them if he could.

[Which Tyler]

So I think we have our starting pack sorted now, as long as Hill can stop being a dick. We have our starting 9 too, and we have Freeman and Steward somewhere in the squad. For me midfield and wings are still up for grabs, and a lot of the bench. I’d have Willis and Chessum somewhere about. No idea what to do with the gaps in the backs, except that Marchant should be starting.

Not sure if JVP keeps the shirt when Quirke is fit and first choice (especially playing alongside Ford) but he's the man in possession for now.

RWC tomorrow, then 10. Ford 12. Farrell 13. Machant 22. Tuilagi

RWC in a year's time, then 10. Smith/Ford/Farrell 12. Farrell/Kelly/Ojomo 13. Marchant/Tuilagi/NotPorter


Back 3 are currently Steward and Freeman, with 1 of May, Cokanasiga, Nowell with Arundel and Radwan leading the charge behind them. But then wing is also the easiest slot for a bolter to find a place; I also wouldn't completely rule out the likes of Malins/Losowski as a utility back

[32nd Man]

Regardless of who is playing well and who isn’t… it’s all a huge step down on NZ v Ireland.

There were massive chunks of the first half and a decent amount of the second where it would have been believable that it was the amateur version of the game that was played by those two.

[Mellsblue]

Regardless of who is playing well and who isn’t… it’s all a huge step down on NZ v Ireland.

There were massive chunks of the first half and a decent amount of the second where it would have been believable that it was the amateur version of the game that was played by those two.

Even if we agreed about today, over the three matches NZ v Ire was of significantly higher quality.
Apart from Sam Cane who I assume has the same agent or quality of kompromat as Fazlet.

[Raggs]

Thought Hill went well overall this tour. No brainless penalties in terms of play, now to just tell him to stop being brainless in terms of niggle. Lawes keeps improving at 6, his shirt to lose. JVP mostly very good. Steward is a superbly reassuring player to have. Thought Freeman went very well too. As always Nowell went well, he's the 13 we need. Shame he plays wing.