[2014 EOYT] England vs New Zealand

[nzlizard]

I think English rugby has had a shift to a more attacking style over the last few years, while it is not the same as some of the SH teams it has certainly made them more exciting to watch.

Going are the days when they drudge it up through the forwards and then kick and chase, certainly more back play is creeping into the game.

 

[Draggs]

You're kidding me right? I just go on and say to all to stop wrecking threads with personal junk and now this happens.
I do not care if somebody insulted you, called your mother fat, etc, keep it off the board and deal with it via PM, or send in a report.

 

[Jbobo]

On sky sport news they are saying Julien Savea is danger . I'm sure this comes as a huge surprise to Stuart Lancaster !! Haha

Agreed. With this new information England by 50+

 

[goodNumber10]

You're kidding me right? I just go on and say to all to stop wrecking threads with personal junk and now this happens.
I do not care if somebody insulted you, called your mother fat, etc, keep it off the board and deal with it via PM, or send in a report.

***Reports Draggs for derailing already derailed thread with admin/mod stuff***

 

[admartian]

I don't get this. I feel the backline operates far better with Cruden there. I feel like the Chiefs backline has been better than the Hurricanes over the past few seasons too which has a fair bit to do with the 10's. Barrett is obviously faster and is a better chance to make a break for himself, but I haven't seen him spark the rest of the backs all that often.

Maybe you're right - Cruden does lead a safe backline. But I feel it isn't as exciting. BUt yeah, perceptions.

wait and see I guess. Looking at how WC finals games play out I think having NZ's best goal kicker in the mix is a smart option.

Absolutely this.

Cruden is no Lord Beaver though......

FTFY

Roko marking Savea, this is going to be interesting to watch.

Wait, when is this happening?

]I think English rugby has had a shift to a more attacking style over the last few years, [/B]while it is not the same as some of the SH teams it has certainly made them more exciting to watch.

Going are the days when they drudge it up through the forwards and then kick and chase, certainly more back play is creeping into the game.

Agreed. Definitely a lot more fluid in style.

I assume the ABs side will be named in a few hours, so us kiwis should have something to talk about then. I for one plan to complain vociferously about the inclusion of Israel Dagg at fullback.....

I'm not looking forward to it. I mean by all accounts we have weak players and are not Fijian enough.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

In the news last night they mentioned that Sam Cane had a back complaint so is unlikely to play this week's match. It will be interesting to see whether they use Messam or Vito on the bench.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

On sky sport news they are saying Julien Savea is danger . I'm sure this comes as a huge surprise to Stuart Lancaster !! Haha

I thought you said "in danger", as in he's an injury concern, and got really happy for a moment

 

[Maverick1987]

I thought you said "in danger", as in he's an injury concern, and got really happy for a moment

Lol sorry dude !

 

[Darwin]

I thought you said "in danger", as in he's an injury concern, and got really happy for a moment

Don't be afraid of Savea. He will be brutal, but you will learn to enjoy it

Disappointing to hear Cane is in doubt - he has been outstanding almost every time he has come off the bench for the AB's this season is my opinion. I imagine Messam will take his spot on the bench if he is out injured, but personally I would (just) prefer Vito.

 

[Horacito]

I'm expecting pretty much everything from this match, all my support to the english, I expect it to be a tremendous shock to rugby world, the brits able to beat every single (few) weak spot of the AB's and leave them apparently out of answers, so they can come back even more extraordinary and eager for revenge and perform the best rugby in history only to fall beaten by France by one and a half points.

I'm also expecting the "they allways come outside" I hear every year, but this time I will also read it

 

[j'nuh]

:lol: bwahaha !!! I don't think your team is exciting and it's PANIC MODE !! I'm immediately uncultured, the biggest fool, an idiot, dirty, an evil Frenchman with dubious ideas...you guys are fkng insane !!!! I DON'T REALLY LIKE YOUR FRIGGIN TEAM !! suuuuuue me !! the sensitivity level is off the CHARTS.

You're playing the racism card?

You make dig after dig after dig after dig at everything English, and seem to enjoy winding up the English people on this forum.

You'll say that you're just joking and that I'm being a "typically overly-sensitive Englishman" (like you've said in the past, something about English people not being able to take jokes). But you're so obviously not joking, because you never make any of these kinds of jokes towards any other nation. You direct all of your put-downs towards the English on here.

It's just getting really tiring and frustrating. Racist in a subtle enough way that you're not going to get into any serious trouble over it, but enough to make your point. I can normally just ignore it, but then to have the nerve to insinuate racism on someone else. Really?

 

[Mikel92]

Hey fellas. New member to this site, and a Kiwi! Just thought I'd throw my two cents in. The All Blacks team I'd be inclined to start would like like this...

1) Crockett
2) Coles
3) O. Franks
4) Retallick
5) Whitelock
6) Kaino
7) McCaw
8) Read
9) Smith
10) Cruden
11) Savea
12) SBW (or Fekitoa if SBW isn't fit)
13) Smith
14) Smith
15) Dagg

Pretty much full strength with a couple of debatable selections. I do feel with the English we will need a powerful forward pack, because they do have plenty of grunt up front. For that reason I've gone with Kaino who commands a more physical presence with his powerful/driving tackles. Good excuse to give Messam a slight rest, although would be good to have him on the bench. With Jane out I think Ben Smith is a safe choice, usually beats the first tackler and has a range of skills. Personally I feel like Williams is too good to leave sitting on the bench, but all depends on the injury he picked up. Would only start Cruden if Carter is unfit.

Think even with injuries the English will still be a force. I'm predicting an All Blacks win, but not a thumping. By the same token, it should (I hope) be more comfortable than the win in Brisbane. Just a pitty that some of the English journos (well one. and it's the same guy who went into the ABs hotel room last time) are piping up again with the usual fluff.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Hey fellas. New member to this site, and a Kiwi! Just thought I'd throw my two cents in. The All Blacks team I'd be inclined to start would like like this...

1) Crockett
2) Coles
3) O. Franks
4) Retallick
5) Whitelock
6) Kaino
7) McCaw
8) Read
9) Smith
10) Cruden
11) Savea
12) SBW (or Fekitoa if SBW isn't fit)
13) Smith
14) Smith
15) Dagg

Pretty much full strength with a couple of debatable selections. I do feel with the English we will need a powerful forward pack, because they do have plenty of grunt up front. For that reason I've gone with Kaino who commands a more physical presence with his powerful/driving tackles. Good excuse to give Messam a slight rest, although would be good to have him on the bench. With Jane out I think Ben Smith is a safe choice, usually beats the first tackler and has a range of skills. Personally I feel like Williams is too good to leave sitting on the bench, but all depends on the injury he picked up. Would only start Cruden if Carter is unfit.

Think even with injuries the English will still be a force. I'm predicting an All Blacks win, but not a thumping. By the same token, it should (I hope) be more comfortable than the win in Brisbane. Just a pitty that some of the English journos (well one. and it's the same guy who went into the ABs hotel room last time) are piping up again with the usual fluff.

You better watch yourself there, boy. Around here, Ben Smith is God.

But yeah, that's pretty much the team I think we're all expecting - it's getting all a bit 'ho hum' now, predicting the team for the big games (i.e. most of them).

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

1) Crockett
2) Coles
3) O. Franks
4) Retallick
5) Whitelock
6) Kaino
7) McCaw
8) Read
9) Smith
10) Cruden
11) Savea
12) SBW (or Fekitoa if SBW isn't fit)
13) Smith
14) Smith
15) Dagg

NZ are now officially worse than the Welsh for name diversity. Alternatively this has happened:

 

[Mikel92]

You better watch yourself there, boy. Around here, Ben Smith is God.

But yeah, that's pretty much the team I think we're all expecting - it's getting all a bit 'ho hum' now, predicting the team for the big games (i.e. most of them).

Think Ben Smith is still an excellent player, not quite the form of 2013. Not sure really, I don't think it matters dramatically who you put in that particular position, as long as they have some experience under their belt and have been there before.

 

[admartian]

Hey fellas. New member to this site, and a Kiwi! Just thought I'd throw my two cents in. The All Blacks team I'd be inclined to start would like like this...

1) Crockett
2) Coles
3) O. Franks
4) Retallick
5) Whitelock
6) Kaino
7) McCaw
8) Read
9) Smith
10) Cruden
11) Savea
12) SBW (or Fekitoa if SBW isn't fit)
13) Smith
14) Smith
15) Dagg

Pretty much full strength with a couple of debatable selections. I do feel with the English we will need a powerful forward pack, because they do have plenty of grunt up front. For that reason I've gone with Kaino who commands a more physical presence with his powerful/driving tackles. Good excuse to give Messam a slight rest, although would be good to have him on the bench. With Jane out I think Ben Smith is a safe choice, usually beats the first tackler and has a range of skills. Personally I feel like Williams is too good to leave sitting on the bench, but all depends on the injury he picked up. Would only start Cruden if Carter is unfit.

Think even with injuries the English will still be a force. I'm predicting an All Blacks win, but not a thumping. By the same token, it should (I hope) be more comfortable than the win in Brisbane. Just a pitty that some of the English journos (well one. and it's the same guy who went into the ABs hotel room last time) are piping up again with the usual fluff.

WELCOME!

NZ are now officially worse than the Welsh for name diversity. Alternatively this has happened:

I'd argue at least 2 of the 3 Smiths are of deity status.

 

[Kapa O Pango]

ALL BLACKS TEAM NAMED TO FACE ENGLAND!

Experience rules supreme | What do you think?

Starting XV:
1. Wyatt Crockett (33)
2. Dane Coles (24)
3. Owen Franks (65)
4. Brodie Retallick (34)
5. Samuel Whitelock (60)
6. Jerome Kaino (54)
7. Richie McCaw - captain (134)
8. Kieran Read (70)
9. Aaron Smith (36)
10. Aaron Cruden (36)
11. Julian Savea (30)
12. Sonny Bill Williams (20)
13. Conrad Smith (83)
14. Ben Smith (35)
15. Israel Dagg (45)
Reserves:
16. Keven Mealamu (121)
17. Ben Franks (39)
18. Charlie Faumuina (24)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (5)
20. Liam Messam (37)
21. TJ Perenara (8)
22. Beauden Barrett (26)
23. Ryan Crotty (10)

Join the discussion tonight on ‪#‎SKYRUGBY‬ ENGAGE
8:30pm LIVE on SKY Sport 1.
Photo: www.photosport.co.nz | All Blacks | Come With Us.

 

[Peat]

Well, ********.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Good to SBW in the team.

 

[Mikel92]

Think you could say that's almost full strength. The only missing piece would be a fit Dan Carter.

Will be interesting to see how the coaches persist with SBW on this tour. Establish him as the first choice 12, or reintroduce Ma'a Nonu in the last two games? Then there's Crotty. Hmm, many options. Better get through this match first!