RugbyRebels

Scrumhead wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 1:27 pm

Stom wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 1:02 pm So, my stream wanted to bore me to death. Gave out at half time and I gave up trying to get it to work, only for England to drastically improve.

On first half showing, we showed all the things that I don't like about SB's England. What changed? And how did the subs perform?

The highlights suggest this was a Ford masterclass, was that the case? Or was there more to it?

In the first half, Argentina came out swinging and we pretty much spent the entire time defending (mostly very well). We also spent about 15mins of the 40 with 14 men, some of it with 13. What were you expecting?

Stom wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 1:35 pm

Scrumhead wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 1:27 pm

Stom wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 1:02 pm So, my stream wanted to bore me to death. Gave out at half time and I gave up trying to get it to work, only for England to drastically improve.

On first half showing, we showed all the things that I don't like about SB's England. What changed? And how did the subs perform?

The highlights suggest this was a Ford masterclass, was that the case? Or was there more to it?

In the first half, Argentina came out swinging and we pretty much spent the entire time defending (mostly very well). We also spent about 15mins of the 40 with 14 men, some of it with 13. What were you expecting?

We were not slow at clearing rucks, but we were slow at getting ball away. Just like most of the rugby we've played.

We did not manage to get the ball through hands with any impact, and our forward carries were ineffective and lacked intrigue - all very telegraphed.

Yes, we were good in defense, and that counts as a big plus, but with the ball in hand, we didn't look likely to do anything except relieve the pressure for a few minutes. Never challenged the Argentine D.

Stom wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 1:35 pm

Scrumhead wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 1:27 pm

Stom wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 1:02 pm So, my stream wanted to bore me to death. Gave out at half time and I gave up trying to get it to work, only for England to drastically improve.

On first half showing, we showed all the things that I don't like about SB's England. What changed? And how did the subs perform?

The highlights suggest this was a Ford masterclass, was that the case? Or was there more to it?

In the first half, Argentina came out swinging and we pretty much spent the entire time defending (mostly very well). We also spent about 15mins of the 40 with 14 men, some of it with 13. What were you expecting?

We were not slow at clearing rucks, but we were slow at getting ball away. Just like most of the rugby we've played.

We did not manage to get the ball through hands with any impact, and our forward carries were ineffective and lacked intrigue - all very telegraphed.

Yes, we were good in defense, and that counts as a big plus, but with the ball in hand, we didn't look likely to do anything except relieve the pressure for a few minutes. Never challenged the Argentine D.

Danno wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 1:41 pm

True. We tore them to shreds in the second half though. Whatever they figured out in the break was the right medicine. I can't say I've seen many England teams do that with such clarity and we didn't stop playing in the last quarter for once. It's worth a watch.

Cameo wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 10:25 am This may be coloured by the fact that I watched the full first 60 mins then only half watched the rest, but I think the thing about England that is scary for opponents is the defence. It seems you have a chance of getting a long range try against them, but if you are stopped, you are back to square one or worse. And they barely seem to give up penalties which is good in itself but also means no free plays.

switchskier wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 2:32 pm Fords not getting much distance on his clearing kicks. Age starting to show or just lack of cohesion with Spencer?.

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 2:49 pm All I’m hearing is defence good = another 30 caps for Slade.

switchskier wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 2:32 pm
Fords not getting much distance on his clearing kicks. Age starting to show or just lack of cohesion with Spencer?.

Scrumhead wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 1:29 pm

Stom wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 1:27 pm

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 1:25 pm We didn't, no. But the media and Borthwick might have.
What we did learn is that the new and newish caps all looked comfortable (or better) at this level - and that's a valuable learning.
We "learned" that Ford and George can adapt what they and their team are doing and deviate from what the whiteboard said in a way that would perplex the iceman player-coach - but that they need a good huddle for minor changes, and a HT talk for more major ones.
We did (hopefully) learn that Borthwick is happy allowing/enabling/encouraging that.

Cool. How was Muir? I thought he looked..meh first half, and as he's not someone I'd have picked, interested to get a different perspective.

He was decent. Not outstanding but perfectly good. A confident debut I’d say.

Banquo wrote: ↑Sat Jul 05, 2025 11:27 pm

Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Sat Jul 05, 2025 11:16 pm

R3dders wrote: ↑Sat Jul 05, 2025 10:56 pm 17 tackles from Atkinson, reckon that gives him a run of games.

Would just love to see another 13 outside him.

I’ll keep banging the drum re Freeman 13. With the excellence of the two wingers tonight plus Murley off the bench plus IFW and Sleightholme missing plus Arundell, Radwan, OHC, Elliott and Brown-Bampoe sat at home, we have to use him there. I think he’d be electric outside Atkinson.

Think we’re starting to build some decent depth. Still not sure at lock, scrum half still an issue and not convinced we’ve landed on full back properly either. Hooker another concern as not convinced by Dan. Overall, starting to look like we might be on to something…

Until and unless he gets a good run for Saints at 13, feels like a pipe dream, much as I think he could do a job there. Plenty have seen and talked about his potential there, and with Dingwall at 12 at club level at least he could thrive…. But it has to happen first

R3dders wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 11:11 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Sat Jul 05, 2025 11:27 pm

Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Sat Jul 05, 2025 11:16 pm

I’ll keep banging the drum re Freeman 13. With the excellence of the two wingers tonight plus Murley off the bench plus IFW and Sleightholme missing plus Arundell, Radwan, OHC, Elliott and Brown-Bampoe sat at home, we have to use him there. I think he’d be electric outside Atkinson.

Think we’re starting to build some decent depth. Still not sure at lock, scrum half still an issue and not convinced we’ve landed on full back properly either. Hooker another concern as not convinced by Dan. Overall, starting to look like we might be on to something…

Until and unless he gets a good run for Saints at 13, feels like a pipe dream, much as I think he could do a job there. Plenty have seen and talked about his potential there, and with Dingwall at 12 at club level at least he could thrive…. But it has to happen first

Not sure. Both earl and Smith have been moved out of their club positions for England. Not to mention ccs.

Puja wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 1:34 am Good news - the dominant 16+ point win has moved us above them in the rankings and, because we're away from home, even if Argentina do the same to us next week, we'll still be fifth, with a good gap over them and Scotland. They've obviously got all of the Rugby Championship to come where it's possible for them to pick up big points, but the chances of us finishing the year behind 2 of Arg/Sco/Aus, and thus slipping out of the top ranking bracket for the RWC draw, are now quite slim.

Puja wrote: ↑Sat Jul 12, 2025 8:54 amScotland lost to Fiji today, which further solidifies our position.