[2014 EOYT] England vs New Zealand

[Peat]

No, that's about right. Brown's the only guy who I'd consider putting ahead of his opposite number.

I think Lawes and Marler would do as well if dropped into the NZ set-up as their opposite numbers do, maybe Care. Maaaaybe Wilson... not sure... think I've exhausted the possibilities there tbh.

 

[welshglory]

Marker is superior to Crockett and Hartley is pretty evenly matched with Coles

 

[Every Time Ref]

The front row as a unit probably shade it purely on scrummaging but once you factor in the loose work the ABs take it...Wilson drags the average down somewhat!

 

[Darwin]

As an (undoubtedly biased) New Zealand fan the only English player I would definitely rate over his direct AB's counter-part would be Mike Brown (and only then because we chose the wrong player at fullback..... bloody Dagg..... / end rant). England would certainly match the AB's in the front row too. Crockett has been solid this year, but he's hardly outstanding - I just haven't seen enough of Marler to comment on whether he is better or not. I would have rated Hartley ahead of Coles at the start of this season but Coles has been a bit of a revelation for us this year. On the TH side Franks has been solid, but hardly spectacular for the last few seasons. I'm just glad that England are missing Cole and (especially) Corbisiero as they would have a clear advantage in the front row if they were both playing IMO.

 

[Mikel92]

I know some of you guys don't like Dagg, but he hasn't been THAT awful in the last few outings. Believe me, as a Crusaders fan I know his form can get shonky. But the last few test matches (granted, an easy one against the USA) his running game has picked up a lot and the boot is world class. Having said that, I will contradict myself a bit and recognize that Brown is the better player.

Agreed that our front row, 1 to 3, haven't set the world on fire. Individually there's talent of course, especially with Coles. I'd be putting in extra work in training around line-outs and rolling mauls. So how is David Attwood with line out ball?

 

[TheSaffycen]

I know some of you guys don't like Dagg, but he hasn't been THAT awful in the last few outings. Believe me, as a Crusaders fan I know his form can get shonky. But the last few test matches (granted, an easy one against the USA) his running game has picked up a lot and the boot is world class. Having said that, I will contradict myself a bit and recognize that Brown is the better player.

Agreed that our front row, 1 to 3, haven't set the world on fire. Individually there's talent of course, especially with Coles. I'd be putting in extra work in training around line-outs and rolling mauls. So how is David Attwood with line out ball?

Dave Attwood is a very good lineout general. Very good at stopping mauls from the other team, just a really big powerful guy.

 

[chippieolamus]

As an (undoubtedly biased) New Zealand fan the only English player I would definitely rate over his direct AB's counter-part would be Mike Brown (and only then because we chose the wrong player at fullback..... bloody Dagg..... / end rant). England would certainly match the AB's in the front row too. Crockett has been solid this year, but he's hardly outstanding - I just haven't seen enough of Marler to comment on whether he is better or not. I would have rated Hartley ahead of Coles at the start of this season but Coles has been a bit of a revelation for us this year. On the TH side Franks has been solid, but hardly spectacular for the last few seasons. I'm just glad that England are missing Cole and (especially) Corbisiero as they would have a clear advantage in the front row if they were both playing IMO.

Yep, I don't think some fans realise what a difference Corbs makes. Marler's good, but Corbs is the best scrummaging LH in the world in my eyes, plus he's a great carrier. I just wish he could go for a season without getting injured...

 

[Kapa O Pango]

ABs by 10, ENG by 3.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Random thought to start the day: I think we might see a few cross-field kicks or even just high-bombs to Roko.

 

[Darwin]

Random thought to start the day: I think we might see a few cross-field kicks or even just high-bombs to Roko.

Can he catch them? (I've never seen him play so have no idea what he is like in this department)

 

[goodNumber10]

Random thought to start the day: I think we might see a few cross-field kicks or even just high-bombs to Roko.

Think they've openly said they do that no?

He has an awful kicking game so it's likely that's the side they'll pressure.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Can he catch them? (I've never seen him play so have no idea what he is like in this department)

He's alright in the air, not a notable talent of his IMO, but Farrell has mentioned his skill/"bravery" in the air whenever he's talked about him.

Think they've openly said they do that no?

He has an awful kicking game so it's likely that's the side they'll pressure.

I mean from England - as an attacking tactic.

 

[McTallshort]

Hope the lad doesnt have a mare, watched him carve the Navy up a few years ago at the annual **** up/game with the Army. Anyone know what Nowell has done wrong?

 

[goodNumber10]

He's alright in the air, not a notable talent of his IMO, but Farrell has mentioned his skill/"bravery" in the air whenever he's talked about him.



I mean from England - as an attacking tactic.

yeah, maybe... it's not really something i have great confidence in - our air game, but could be a good weapon against Savea.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I wouldn't have any particular confidence in it - I may be reading too much into Farrell's comments, it just struck me as weird, as his work in the air isn't something I would have singled out as a strength of his.

Nowell hasn't done anything wrong, he's just been injured and Roko has played very well.

 

[goodNumber10]

@ratsapprentice

what's the weather like there mate? I know it was supposed to rain, but i just woke up and i's a glorious day here in France, am hoping the same there.

 

[Darwin]

yeah, maybe... it's not really something i have great confidence in - our air game, but could be a good weapon against Savea.

Savea is pretty strong in the air these days, so I would be surprised if England have much success putting high balls in his direction.

 

[Flyingdolphins]

Roko needs to work on his kicking but from the games I've seen he's only kicked one time against Saracens which was short. It wasn't awefull as in led to conceding a try. The rest of the time he's just run with the ball even from his own 22. As for catching high kicks he's actually proven to be solid. He jumps with his foot leading to cover his body, eyes on ball and catch it every time.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Weather seems OK at the moment, pretty mild... sun's out but I think it will probably be overcast in a couple of hours.
The frost that was hanging around a couple of days ago seems to have gone away, can't see the conditions been too relevant as long as the rain holds off.

It's true that Roko barely ever kicks - I don't remember the kicks he has made though, which is a good sign... they aren't terrible.

 

[Patchey]

Yeah, the weather in London is pretty good for rugby tbh. A little blustery but certainly not the rain storm forecast a few days ago.

I'm not sure what I think about today. Since 2012 I have had an endless optimism whenever we play NZ. I think the game will be won or lost in the centres.

How does SBW perform against Tier 1 opposition? How do Eastmond-Barrittt work in defense? Can Eastmond play as well outside Farrell as he does outside Ford?

My head says that NZ will edge these battles and edge the game. Heart still says England. Because I'm a sucker like that.

To echo a sentiment from quite a few of the papers this week. We can't 'win' the World Cup this Autumn but we can damn well lose it.