[2014 EOYT] England vs New Zealand

[goodNumber10]

isn't Nonu out for the year?


Good team, but i though this thread was about ENGLAND vs the ALL Blacks, not the ALL BLACKS vs England

 

[Mikel92]

Dunno much about England sorry mate, other than they're mince meat

 

[Peat]

Is Messam really you guys' 4th best back row? Always struck me as a little ordinary for an AB back-row. Minor quibble though really...

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Is Messam really you guys' 4th best back row? Always struck me as a little ordinary for an AB back-row. Minor quibble though really...

He's our second best blindside flanker. He's probably a better starter than bench player, but he's performed fairly well for us over the last 18 months. If Sam Cane were fit it's possible he would have been selected, it would really come to do the question of whether McCaw/Cane combo or a Messam/McCaw combo were better. Vito and Luatua are also in the mix, there's really not a whole lot between the four of them. I expect Luatua and Cane to be a good 6/7 combo after the World Cup.

 

[Darwin]

Is Messam really you guys' 4th best back row? Always struck me as a little ordinary for an AB back-row. Minor quibble though really...

Cane has been our preferred bench option this season (and has been very impressive). Messam is a handy option though - he did a good job for us last year when Kaino was out - but he is a step down from our top trio (as most loose-forwards are to be fair....).

 

[Mikel92]

He's our second best blindside flanker. He's probably a better starter than bench player, but he's performed fairly well for us over the last 18 months. If Sam Cane were fit it's possible he would have been selected, it would really come to do the question of whether McCaw/Cane combo or a Messam/McCaw combo were better. Vito and Luatua are also in the mix, there's really not a whole lot between the four of them. I expect Luatua and Cane to be a good 6/7 combo after the World Cup.

Would prefer if they persisted with Todd myself. And he certainly seemed to do well in that Barbarians game. Not sure how their turn overs compare, but Todd certainly has the better attacking game with ball in hand. Then again, I'm a one eyed Cantab so what would I know.

 

[easy2288]

Good selection. I don't see DC in the squad and I can only conclude Management is still not confident on his fitness level yet. So bringing him along for this trip is total waste of resources. They should just left him back home and work more on his fitness. Colin should benefit more from this trip if he was included. What a shame

 

[nzlizard]

Pretty solid team named, gutted about Cane being injured as he would have been good in a game like this.

Crotty is a hard pick over Fekitoa, he is a little more solid perhaps but Fekitoa has the ability to break the game open more.

Please let Cruden have a good day with the kicking, have to admit I was bagging them for taking Carter but in hindsight it was a good call, his kicking last week was super solid and if we can get him match fit again we need the points in the close game.

Although Cruden has a habit of nailing it when the kick is needed.

Is Messam really you guys' 4th best back row? Always struck me as a little ordinary for an AB back-row. Minor quibble though really...

Messam was a lot better last year, in saying that he is underrated for some reason imo.

He is not Kaino thats for sure but most teams would be happy to have him at 6.

 

[Mikel92]

Good selection. I don't see DC in the squad and I can only conclude Management is still not confident on his fitness level yet. So bringing him along for this trip is total waste of resources. They should just left him back home and work more on his fitness. Colin should benefit more from this trip if he was included. What a shame

I agree Slade was unlucky to miss out (as is always the way with New Zealand rugby .. sadly good players have to stay home). But to be fair, Carter was originally fit until he picked up that ****le in Chicago. I'm guessing he may get a start against Scotland or something.

 

[goodNumber10]

Slade has been called up hasn't he?

 

[first5eight]

Solid team that should be able to get the job done. I would've preferred Fekitoa on the bench but they probably want reliable hands to close out the game. I'm quietly picking SBW to have a big impact, I think he could bust the game open running off Crudens short balls. I think it'll be close for long periods but we should get home. Man for man I think we are nearly better in every position so as long as we stick within the structure we should be sweet.

 

[TheSaffycen]

That team. For **** sake.

 

[Jack Reacher]

SBW a surprise. We'll never know how fit Carter actually is but I guess this shows us he's probably not even 90% - or maybe the selectors don't have the same endless love for him anymore?

 

[Patchey]

SBW v Eastmond? Good lord...

I'm not saying Eastmond can't defend. But after having had issues defensively against the All Blacks in the last test, I can see them targeting him early on to see how he copes. SBW opposite him and Savea coming off his wing and crashing through the 12 channel.

I'm scarred.

 

[goodNumber10]

SBW v Eastmond? Good lord...

I'm not saying Eastmond can't defend. But after having had issues defensively against the All Blacks in the last test, I can see them targeting him early on to see how he copes. SBW opposite him and Savea coming off his wing and crashing through the 12 channel.

I'm scarred.

I wouldn't worry about that, SBW isn't really a crash ball merchant, he's got great footwork and stays on his feet - but he's not a bouncing guys off type of runner. So Eastmond will be fine.

I wonder though if we'll actually see a Ford/Farrell/Barritt midfield now the weather is turning bad.

 

[Patchey]

I wouldn't worry about that, SBW isn't really a crash ball merchant, he's got great footwork and stays on his feet - but he's not a bouncing guys off type of runner. So Eastmond will be fine.

I wonder though if we'll actually see a Ford/Farrell/Barritt midfield now the weather is turning bad.

True. But if Eastmond doesn't out SBW hard and fast then it'll be offload central. That's my concern.

Farrell at 12 would certainly shore things up...

 

[first5eight]

True. But if Eastmond doesn't out SBW hard and fast then it'll be offload central. That's my concern.

Farrell at 12 would certainly shore things up...

Exactly. Cruden to SBW, he makes a half break/gets arms free offloads to Savea or Smith steaming through.

 

[goodNumber10]

Exactly. Cruden to SBW, he makes a half break/gets arms free offloads to Savea or Smith steaming through.

It's far more likely Cruden will make the half break inside Farrell and offload to a back row forward. Williams tends to offload on that outside step in the 13/15 channel.

It's very unlikely England will get opened up in the midfield by anything other than a bulldozing smash ball. Eastmond doesn't often get sat down like he did in the 3rd test, and Williams doesn't run those hard lines like Nonu, he's all about footwork - England will not mind that one little bit as Farrell and Robshaw/Wood will be on Eastmonds inside.

 

[Darwin]

I'm surprised to see SBW starting to be honest. He looked sharp versus USA, but he hasn't played much rugby union in the last few years.....

Apart from that the 23 is very predictable... Bloody Israel Dagg....

 

[Patchey]

It's far more likely Cruden will make the half break inside Farrell and offload to a back row forward. Williams tends to offload on that outside step in the 13/15 channel.

It's very unlikely England will get opened up in the midfield by anything other than a bulldozing smash ball. Eastmond doesn't often get sat down like he did in the 3rd test, and Williams doesn't run those hard lines like Nonu, he's all about footwork - England will not mind that one little bit as Farrell and Robshaw/Wood will be on Eastmonds inside.

I still think we'll see NZ test him early on. First set piece, set up so a loose forward or Savea take it off Cruden into Eastmonds channel? I think so.

England team announced. As predicted.