England vs Argentina - Revenge of the Crappy Away Kit?

[Epaminondas Pules]

Your main concern should probably be “Smart” Eddie trolling the Pumas’ scrum in a press conference. Muppet.

Its only like Creevy saying England are boring.

[Mikey Brown]

...anyway.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-world ... d-unleash/

LOL (?)

Jack Nowell finally found his new role "as a specialist pick-and-goer"? I guess if nobody can catch it does sort of make sense to just pick it up off the floor and run with it.

I have visions of him doing the Worm from every breakdown now. Still doesn't explain why we've stuck with him.

I think you've answered your own question there. Watson, May, Cokansiga and McConnochie are all rapid but they haven't got that wriggley, pick-and-go game that sets Nowell apart.

[Banquo]

Your main concern should probably be “Smart” Eddie trolling the Pumas’ scrum in a press conference. Muppet.

Its only like Creevy saying England are boring.

He's been benched for that heresy.

In general terms, coaches are better steering clear of any form of wind-up.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Your main concern should probably be “Smart” Eddie trolling the Pumas’ scrum in a press conference. Muppet.

Its only like Creevy saying England are boring.

He's been benched for that heresy.

In general terms, coaches are better steering clear of any form of wind-up.

Yep, and players. It's generally counterintuitive. I don't see the point. Is anyone really stupid enough to react these days?

[Banquo]

Its only like Creevy saying England are boring.

He's been benched for that heresy.

In general terms, coaches are better steering clear of any form of wind-up.

Yep, and players. It's generally counterintuitive. I don't see the point. Is anyone really stupid enough to react these days?

Counter-productive? I don't think teams need extra motivation v England generally, but why give any ammo at all. Especially to chippy bu55ers

[Puja]

Your main concern should probably be “Smart” Eddie trolling the Pumas’ scrum in a press conference. Muppet.

https://amp.rugbypass.com/news/they-hav ... ssion=true

These are the only quotes I could see in that article. Probably the least controversial things eddie has ever said.


“It’s a part of the Argentinian culture. Like anything in life you can have dormant periods but when it’s a fabric of your rugby it’s quite easy to reignite,” Jones said.

“Mario Ledesma (the Argentina coach) has done that particularly well. It’ll be a massive test on Saturday."


“They haven’t scrummed against us yet and we believe our scrum can be a real weapon for us, so hang on to your seats.

“They’re an interesting team, a strong team. We know that Argentina are at their best at World Cups. We respect them very greatly.”

Agreed with twitchy - there's nothing there that suggests goading or trolling. If anything, he's been overpolite to their scrum.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

He's been benched for that heresy.

In general terms, coaches are better steering clear of any form of wind-up.

Yep, and players. It's generally counterintuitive. I don't see the point. Is anyone really stupid enough to react these days?

Counter-productive? I don't think teams need extra motivation v England generally, but why give any ammo at all. Especially to chippy bu55ers

I imagine if they weren't already at maximum motivation this will have done the trick.

[francoisfou]

The Argentina team to play England:

E Boffelli; M Moroni, M Orlando, J de la Fuente, S Carreras; B Urdapilleta, T Cubelli; N Tetaz Chaparro, J Montoya, J Figallo, GP Pagadizabal, T Lavanini, P Matera (capt), M Kremer, JO Desio. Replacements: A Creevy, M Vivas, S Medrano, M Alemanno, T Lezana, F Ezcurra, L Mensa, B Delguy.

How many of these players would get close to a place in the England team? Maybe Figallo, Lavanini, Matera?
Surely England will win quite comfortably ....... won't they?

[Scrumhead]

https://amp.rugbypass.com/news/they-hav ... ssion=true

These are the only quotes I could see in that article. Probably the least controversial things eddie has ever said.


“It’s a part of the Argentinian culture. Like anything in life you can have dormant periods but when it’s a fabric of your rugby it’s quite easy to reignite,” Jones said.

“Mario Ledesma (the Argentina coach) has done that particularly well. It’ll be a massive test on Saturday."


“They haven’t scrummed against us yet and we believe our scrum can be a real weapon for us, so hang on to your seats.

“They’re an interesting team, a strong team. We know that Argentina are at their best at World Cups. We respect them very greatly.”

Agreed with twitchy - there's nothing there that suggests goading or trolling. If anything, he's been overpolite to their scrum.

Puja

Me too. I don’t see where he’s trolled them at all TBH.

He specifically said they’re a ‘strong team’ and ‘we respect them very greatly’ and that Mario Ledesma has done a great job with their scrum. Hardly inflammatory.

[Puja]

The Argentina team to play England:

E Boffelli; M Moroni, M Orlando, J de la Fuente, S Carreras; B Urdapilleta, T Cubelli; N Tetaz Chaparro, J Montoya, J Figallo, GP Pagadizabal, T Lavanini, P Matera (capt), M Kremer, JO Desio. Replacements: A Creevy, M Vivas, S Medrano, M Alemanno, T Lezana, F Ezcurra, L Mensa, B Delguy.

How many of these players would get close to a place in the England team? Maybe Figallo, Lavanini, Matera?
Surely England will win quite comfortably ....... won't they?

It's crazier when you look at the players left in Europe - Bosch (F, not M), Galarza, Isa, Cordero, Imhoff. In a sane world, most of those would be starting, or at least in the XXIII.

In terms of the selected players who would get in our XXIII, I'd take Figallo over Cole, Matera over Ludlam, Cubelli over Youngs and maybe Boffelli over Daly. No-one else.

Puja

[Danno]

It's crazier when you look at the players left in Europe - Bosch (F, not M), Galarza, Isa, Cordero, Imhoff. In a sane world, most of those would be starting, or at least in the XXIII.

In terms of the selected players who would get in our XXIII, I'd take Figallo over Cole, Matera over Ludlam, Cubelli over Youngs and maybe Boffelli over Daly. No-one else.

Puja

I don't know that I'd replace Ludlam. Objectively, you're right of course, but he looks like he's having an absolute blast playing in this tournament so far and I'm vicariously enjoying that.

[Oakboy]

So, how many games has Daly had at FB? Is it Jones being stubborn or what? Remember, he had Brown on the wing to start with.

If Daly now looked the part, nobody could argue BUT, before the change, Daly was arguably one of the best wingers in world rugby. Now, the poor sap looks ordinary.

What really bugs me most is that the trio of Watson, May and Daly should be a world class back three unit - IF Watson and Daly changed shirts. Now, thanks to Jones, Daly is the weak link. Before the pissing about, he was the strongest of the three.

[fivepointer]

The Argentina team to play England:

E Boffelli; M Moroni, M Orlando, J de la Fuente, S Carreras; B Urdapilleta, T Cubelli; N Tetaz Chaparro, J Montoya, J Figallo, GP Pagadizabal, T Lavanini, P Matera (capt), M Kremer, JO Desio. Replacements: A Creevy, M Vivas, S Medrano, M Alemanno, T Lezana, F Ezcurra, L Mensa, B Delguy.

How many of these players would get close to a place in the England team? Maybe Figallo, Lavanini, Matera?
Surely England will win quite comfortably ....... won't they?

There are some very good players in that team and overall Argentina are a tough, durable side well capable of making life very difficult for us.
But their record over the last 2 years is pretty woeful.
2 wins in 2018 (out of 12 games) and only 1 win this year (out of 7). And that was against Tonga. Now they do play SA,NZ and Aus a lot so arent getting many easy games, but the win ratio is low.
England should be favourites and expected to win by at least 10 pts.

[Puja]

It's crazier when you look at the players left in Europe - Bosch (F, not M), Galarza, Isa, Cordero, Imhoff. In a sane world, most of those would be starting, or at least in the XXIII.

In terms of the selected players who would get in our XXIII, I'd take Figallo over Cole, Matera over Ludlam, Cubelli over Youngs and maybe Boffelli over Daly. No-one else.

Puja

I don't know that I'd replace Ludlam. Objectively, you're right of course, but he looks like he's having an absolute blast playing in this tournament so far and I'm vicariously enjoying that.

Fair comment - I was thinking about objective quality in a combined XXIII. If we were to be talking about swapping someone in this RWC squad as things stand, I'd only have Cubelli for Youngs.

We criticise Eddie a lot, but his plan of filling the fringes with young talent that's happy to be there, rather than old talent that's irked about not starting, appear to be going quite well. Ludlam, Singleton, McConnochie, and Heinz all appear to be positive influences on the squad and one can't say our campaign is materially worse off so far for not having Robshaw, Hartley, Brown and Care instead.

Of course, that's assuming we don't get too many injuries...

Puja

[Renniks]

We criticise Eddie a lot, but his plan of filling the fringes with young talent that's happy to be there, rather than old talent that's irked about not starting, appear to be going quite well. ……… Heinz …………

Puja

Hahhaha

[Mellsblue]

Ludlam, Singleton, McConnochie, and Heinz all appear to be positive influences on the squad
Puja

What makes you say this?

[Puja]

Ludlam, Singleton, McConnochie, and Heinz all appear to be positive influences on the squad
Puja

What makes you say this?

Mostly by extrapolating the general good mood of the squad shown on the Rising Sons videos. Obviously, they're a carefully curated media series designed to show England at their best, but there certainly doesn't appear to be any tension in the camp.

Puja

[Digby]

There surely will be tension in camp. I've never known any side not carry a chunk of it, partly the pressure of the event in this situation and the time in camp/away from home, partly competition for places, partly some players/coaches are different personalities that don't quite mesh, and partly some players/coaches are just arses

[Spiffy]

The Argentina team to play England:

E Boffelli; M Moroni, M Orlando, J de la Fuente, S Carreras; B Urdapilleta, T Cubelli; N Tetaz Chaparro, J Montoya, J Figallo, GP Pagadizabal, T Lavanini, P Matera (capt), M Kremer, JO Desio. Replacements: A Creevy, M Vivas, S Medrano, M Alemanno, T Lezana, F Ezcurra, L Mensa, B Delguy.

How many of these players would get close to a place in the England team? Maybe Figallo, Lavanini, Matera?
Surely England will win quite comfortably ....... won't they?

It doesn't work that way. It's how they play as a team on the day. I'd say that Argie threequarter line is underrated and Bofelli on form is as good as any FB. Very good backrow too. They really should have beaten France. Could be a tough game for England.

[francoisfou]

The Argentina team to play England:

E Boffelli; M Moroni, M Orlando, J de la Fuente, S Carreras; B Urdapilleta, T Cubelli; N Tetaz Chaparro, J Montoya, J Figallo, GP Pagadizabal, T Lavanini, P Matera (capt), M Kremer, JO Desio. Replacements: A Creevy, M Vivas, S Medrano, M Alemanno, T Lezana, F Ezcurra, L Mensa, B Delguy.

How many of these players would get close to a place in the England team? Maybe Figallo, Lavanini, Matera?
Surely England will win quite comfortably ....... won't they?

It doesn't work that way. It's how they play as a team on the day. I'd say that Argie threequarter line is underrated and Bofelli on form is as good as any FB. Very good backrow too. They really should have beaten France. Could be a tough game for England.

Agree, but I was just asking a hypothetical question for your opinions of which Argie players - if any, who are of the same level as the English XV.
From what I've heard, second-row Lavanini can be a handful and plays with a physicality similar to Etzebeth.

[Puja]

The Argentina team to play England:

E Boffelli; M Moroni, M Orlando, J de la Fuente, S Carreras; B Urdapilleta, T Cubelli; N Tetaz Chaparro, J Montoya, J Figallo, GP Pagadizabal, T Lavanini, P Matera (capt), M Kremer, JO Desio. Replacements: A Creevy, M Vivas, S Medrano, M Alemanno, T Lezana, F Ezcurra, L Mensa, B Delguy.

How many of these players would get close to a place in the England team? Maybe Figallo, Lavanini, Matera?
Surely England will win quite comfortably ....... won't they?

It doesn't work that way. It's how they play as a team on the day. I'd say that Argie threequarter line is underrated and Bofelli on form is as good as any FB. Very good backrow too. They really should have beaten France. Could be a tough game for England.

Agree, but I was just asking a hypothetical question for your opinions of which Argie players - if any, who are of the same level as the English XV.
From what I've heard, second-row Lavanini can be a handful and plays with a physicality similar to Etzebeth.

Lavanini's a bit of a thug sometimes - he is a good player, but not one I'd swap for any of our four second rows.

Puja

[Banquo]

The Argentina team to play England:

E Boffelli; M Moroni, M Orlando, J de la Fuente, S Carreras; B Urdapilleta, T Cubelli; N Tetaz Chaparro, J Montoya, J Figallo, GP Pagadizabal, T Lavanini, P Matera (capt), M Kremer, JO Desio. Replacements: A Creevy, M Vivas, S Medrano, M Alemanno, T Lezana, F Ezcurra, L Mensa, B Delguy.

How many of these players would get close to a place in the England team? Maybe Figallo, Lavanini, Matera?
Surely England will win quite comfortably ....... won't they?

It doesn't work that way. It's how they play as a team on the day. I'd say that Argie threequarter line is underrated and Bofelli on form is as good as any FB. Very good backrow too. They really should have beaten France. Could be a tough game for England.

If we take it lightly, we could get a big shock. They are capable of playing some good rugby, despite leaving 5 excellent players out.

[Oakboy]

It doesn't work that way. It's how they play as a team on the day. I'd say that Argie threequarter line is underrated and Bofelli on form is as good as any FB. Very good backrow too. They really should have beaten France. Could be a tough game for England.

Agree, but I was just asking a hypothetical question for your opinions of which Argie players - if any, who are of the same level as the English XV.
From what I've heard, second-row Lavanini can be a handful and plays with a physicality similar to Etzebeth.

Lavanini's a bit of a thug sometimes - he is a good player, but not one I'd swap for any of our four second rows.

Puja

Is Lavanini the scrote that tried to dislocate Hughes's knee by an off-the-ball tackle from the side? If so, he should still be banned.

[Puja]

Agree, but I was just asking a hypothetical question for your opinions of which Argie players - if any, who are of the same level as the English XV.
From what I've heard, second-row Lavanini can be a handful and plays with a physicality similar to Etzebeth.

Lavanini's a bit of a thug sometimes - he is a good player, but not one I'd swap for any of our four second rows.

Puja

Is Lavanini the scrote that tried to dislocate Hughes's knee by an off-the-ball tackle from the side? If so, he should still be banned.

I don't recall whether that was him, but it doesn't sound drastically off-brand. I am told that he's calmed down a bit in recent years, which is why I'm not as annoyed about him joining Leicester.

Puja

[Raggs]

Yes he did. Hughes was at the back of a long maul. Lavanini just came right round the side charged and hit him in the side of the knee. Not sure he even got carded.