England vs New Zealand - World Ranked #2 vs World Ranked #1

[richy678]

Ben Nutley will have to play bloody well for Coventry to get a chance with England.

And stop wearing the hideous pastel pink boots he had on last week.

[richy678]

NZ have named same team as last week, but Savea at 7, S Barrett at 6 (“Barvea”, obvs), S Cane to the bench, Todd out with injury, Tuipulotu on the bench.

Interesting. 4 locks. Hmm.

Is this the equivalent of Eddie picking Lawes at 6? Or is Kane so likely to be outplayed by Curry and Underhill that you might just as well go for size and power?

[Puja]

Farrell back at 12

That is phenomenal news if true.

Not sure what to make of NZ picking Barrett at 6. I mentioned on the SHMB that our experiences of locks at 6 are universally horrible and so that's colouring my opinion, but it feels like that's leaving the ruck area very exposed to Curry and Underhill. Although we are going to have to win our lineouts with 2.5 jumpers against their 5 options. What's the opinion?

Puja

[Doorzetbornandbred]

Farrell back at 12

That is phenomenal news if true.

Not sure what to make of NZ picking Barrett at 6. I mentioned on the SHMB that our experiences of locks at 6 are universally horrible and so that's colouring my opinion, but it feels like that's leaving the ruck area very exposed to Curry and Underhill. Although we are going to have to win our lineouts with 2.5 jumpers against their 5 options. What's the opinion?

Puja

Barrett can genuinely play 6, AB's are going to play with 2 2 2 2 across the paddock, you go by their 4 mantras OGL (Over Gain Line), KBA (Keep Ball Alive), TQB (Top Quality Ball), LQB (Lightning Quick Ball). They have a pack full of players capable of strong carries, support and offloading combine that with good clean ball very quickly and oppos are screwed. The props are carrying a lot more than they have in years. Having said that this is gonna be like the ROAR(just for you Morepork) with two big stags going for it on Saturday, maybe this should have been the final...

[morepork]

The roar Doorz, the roar.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

The roar Doorz, the roar.

its just rutting season over here never heard anyone call it the the Roar but just for you and to make you all misty eyed I'll edit my post.

[Oakboy]

Farrell back at 12

That is phenomenal news if true.

Not sure what to make of NZ picking Barrett at 6. I mentioned on the SHMB that our experiences of locks at 6 are universally horrible and so that's colouring my opinion, but it feels like that's leaving the ruck area very exposed to Curry and Underhill. Although we are going to have to win our lineouts with 2.5 jumpers against their 5 options. What's the opinion?

Puja

I disagree. Farrell at 12 harms our chances of winning.

[Mellsblue]

Farrell back at 12

That is phenomenal news if true.

Not sure what to make of NZ picking Barrett at 6. I mentioned on the SHMB that our experiences of locks at 6 are universally horrible and so that's colouring my opinion, but it feels like that's leaving the ruck area very exposed to Curry and Underhill. Although we are going to have to win our lineouts with 2.5 jumpers against their 5 options. What's the opinion?

Puja

Barrett can genuinely play 6, AB's are going to play with 2 2 2 2 across the paddock, you go by their 4 mantras OGL (Over Gain Line), KBA (Keep Ball Alive), TQB (Top Quality Ball), LQB (Lightning Quick Ball). They have a pack full of players capable of strong carries, support and offloading combine that with good clean ball very quickly and oppos are screwed. The props are carrying a lot more than they have in years. Having said that this is gonna be like the ROAR(just for you Morepork) with two big stags going for it on Saturday, maybe this should have been the final...

Going by the amount of moustaches sported they also have LGBT as their fifth mantra.

[jngf]

Farrell back at 12

That is phenomenal news if true.

Not sure what to make of NZ picking Barrett at 6. I mentioned on the SHMB that our experiences of locks at 6 are universally horrible and so that's colouring my opinion, but it feels like that's leaving the ruck area very exposed to Curry and Underhill. Although we are going to have to win our lineouts with 2.5 jumpers against their 5 options. What's the opinion?

Puja

Wilson?

[Mikey Brown]

Wilson hasn’t played. I don’t think it’s tactical but even if it was he now has no gametime at all.

EJ isn’t going to shift on this one, not now anyway. Sorry.

[Puja]

Farrell back at 12

That is phenomenal news if true.

Not sure what to make of NZ picking Barrett at 6. I mentioned on the SHMB that our experiences of locks at 6 are universally horrible and so that's colouring my opinion, but it feels like that's leaving the ruck area very exposed to Curry and Underhill. Although we are going to have to win our lineouts with 2.5 jumpers against their 5 options. What's the opinion?

Puja

I disagree. Farrell at 12 harms our chances of winning.

Even if I agreed with that, it's far outweighed by the positive effect of Ford at 10 and Tuilagi being used in his most effective position.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Ford back at 10, Farrell to 12.
Slade on bench. Wilson in for Ludlam. No other changes.

[Stom]

That is phenomenal news if true.

Not sure what to make of NZ picking Barrett at 6. I mentioned on the SHMB that our experiences of locks at 6 are universally horrible and so that's colouring my opinion, but it feels like that's leaving the ruck area very exposed to Curry and Underhill. Although we are going to have to win our lineouts with 2.5 jumpers against their 5 options. What's the opinion?

Puja

I disagree. Farrell at 12 harms our chances of winning.

Even if I agreed with that, it's far outweighed by the positive effect of Ford at 10 and Tuilagi being used in his most effective position.

Puja

Indeed. Against truly good opposition, we need Ford to pull the strings. Aus were not very good, as shown by our demolition of them.

It's going to be one hell of a game. But interesting that NZ have noticed our potential tactics and taken steps to nullify it. I'd change tack. With our flankers, props, and Itoje, we have the ability to cover a lot of ground. And we all know how Eddie has been keeping us uber fit, so let's test their wingers.

[Beasties]

Ford back at 10, Farrell to 12.
Slade on bench. Wilson in for Ludlam. No other changes.

Is that an opinion FP or what you've heard?

[Puja]

https://www.englandrugby.com/news/artic ... semi-final

England starting XV

15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 37 caps)
14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 40 caps)
13 Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 38 caps)
12 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 77 caps) C
11 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 50 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 63 caps)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 93 caps)

1 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 56 caps)
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 43 caps)
3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 29 caps)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 32 caps)
5 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 79 caps)
6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 17 caps)
7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 49 caps)

Finishers

16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 19 caps)
17 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 66 caps)
18 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 93 caps)
19 George Kruis (Saracens, 39 caps)
20 Mark Wilson (Sale Sharks 16 caps)
21 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 8 caps)
22 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 25 caps)
23 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 45 caps)


While I would have dropped Daly, I understand why we haven't - it is very late for a change. My only quibble is Slade and Joseph on the bench - it should be one or the other and a winger, preferably Cokanasiga. If May goes down, how do we cover that? Or if we need a change to swing the match, what are we going to do with two outside centres?

Puja

[Gloskarlos]

JJ could play wing at a push I’m sure. Worried Daly will be properly shown up, let’s hope this week he’s managed to rectify a few things.

[Beasties]

Surprised at Wilson coming back, not sure I would've done it at this stage though. Maybe Eddie thinks his extra experience will be needed instead of Ludlam's puppydog enthusiasm given it's NZ. JJ can cover wing in a emergency but it's not ideal.

[Gloskarlos]

Think I’d rather have JJ’s defence on the wing against the all blacks than Coka’s, Nowell is still injured, think this is the better option really.

[Mikey Brown]

https://www.englandrugby.com/news/artic ... semi-final

England starting XV

15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 37 caps)
14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 40 caps)
13 Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 38 caps)
12 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 77 caps) C
11 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 50 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 63 caps)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 93 caps)

1 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 56 caps)
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 43 caps)
3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 29 caps)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 32 caps)
5 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 79 caps)
6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 17 caps)
7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 49 caps)

Finishers

16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 19 caps)
17 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 66 caps)
18 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 93 caps)
19 George Kruis (Saracens, 39 caps)
20 Mark Wilson (Sale Sharks 16 caps)
21 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 8 caps)
22 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 25 caps)
23 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 45 caps)


While I would have dropped Daly, I understand why we haven't - it is very late for a change. My only quibble is Slade and Joseph on the bench - it should be one or the other and a winger, preferably Cokanasiga. If May goes down, how do we cover that? Or if we need a change to swing the match, what are we going to do with two outside centres?

Puja

Seems to me EJ's plan is Slade to 15 -> Daly to wing or Slade to centre -> Farrell to fly-half, no?

Sadly, Joseph just seems to be an emergency cover on the bench because JC/RM are rookies and Nowell is injured.

[Puja]

Think I’d rather have JJ’s defence on the wing against the all blacks than Coka’s, Nowell is still injured, think this is the better option really.

Fair point, although I'd rather have a bench to scare people than a bench because we're scared.

Puja

[Banquo]

Nowell? Injured, gosh.

The most interesting change is the kiwi back row.

[Mikey Brown]

Nowell? Injured, gosh.

The most interesting change is the kiwi back row.

It's always the ones you least expect.

[Oakboy]

Surprised at Wilson coming back, not sure I would've done it at this stage though. Maybe Eddie thinks his extra experience will be needed instead of Ludlam's puppydog enthusiasm given it's NZ. JJ can cover wing in a emergency but it's not ideal.

I hope it does not mean that Billy's form/fitness is in question. Otherwise, Wilson for Ludlam is a significant improvement, IMO.

[Oakboy]

Sadly, Joseph just seems to be an emergency cover on the bench because JC/RM are rookies and Nowell is injured.

How can the management justify RM's squad place ahead of a 3rd SH or TH? It seemed questionable before the competition started but now it seems very odd indeed. I'd like the thought of Spencer on the bench (if not in the 9 shirt), for example.

[Mikey Brown]

Yup, totally pointless. I don't think he would have gone were Jones not so deeply in love with Nowell and desperate to have an insurance policy if he wasn't fit enough.

The way it turned out Nowell was barely fit and McConnochie was still basically unneeded.