[2014 EOYT] England vs New Zealand

[Mikel92]

How does SBW perform against Tier 1 opposition?

Generally fine. Some good players do go into their shell against great opposition, but I wouldn't put SBW in that category. He's been in Super rugby finals, World Cup finals, Rugby League finals ... he knows what it's about. Even watching highlights from 2011 (granted, awhile ago) against the Springboks he was still setting up opportunities and creating tries. The only question is, hes not had much rugby, and will he be a tad rusty?

I think questions will be asked of your mid-field and winger. You guys must be concerned about some of the inexperience? Particularly on the bench. If it comes to crunch time and all of the squad need to stand up, would you be confident there? If you can get into our territory and launch some set pieces then that will be danger time for ABs imo. Rolling mauls, line-outs .... possibly scrums, depending what mood Crockett is in!

 

[Patchey]

Generally fine. Some good players do go into their shell against great opposition, but I wouldn't put SBW in that category. He's been in Super rugby finals, World Cup finals, Rugby League finals ... he knows what it's about. Even watching highlights from 2011 (granted, awhile ago) against the Springboks he was still setting up opportunities and creating tries. The only question is, hes not had much rugby, and will he be a tad rusty?

I think questions will be asked of your mid-field and winger. You guys must be concerned about some of the inexperience? Particularly on the bench. If it comes to crunch time and all of the squad need to stand up, would you be confident there? If you can get into our territory and launch some set pieces then that will be danger time for ABs imo. Rolling mauls, line-outs .... possibly scrums, depending what mood Crockett is in!

Ah mate, I was more asking in terms of the point you made about him being rusty. It's all well and good for him to come back from league and dominate against the USA, a team mostly of semi-pro or amateur players. I was more wondering how he'll handle the step up. I'm guessing he's been very sharp in training, as Crotty is in the squad and a sure fire option at 12.

Agreed about the territory point. It's key that we both get and use possession in the ABs half. Maybe a statement of the obvious, but unlike against some other teams, we can't hope to simply out last New Zealand and come on strong in the last twenty to win.

 

[Big Ewis]

ABs by 10, ENG by 3.

:lol:

ayo Aangland




oh God, why Ewis, why ?...

 

[Big Ewis]

ah wait, found cheesier (well, at least cheese-laden)

- Belief comes from not outside, a motivational promotional ad -




Twist that'll FUCCK _ YOUR _ MIND: the hyphens I used there to surround that epic ***le..........in italic...

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Those motivational videos make me cringe. I really wish they would just stop them, same as the stupid videos they do in the intro to games often narrated by Eddie Butler.

 

[j'nuh]

It's one of my big complaints about rugby punditry, it seems they aren't really expected to know much about players certain players.

Making it as a rugby pundit/commentator (any sports punditry for that matter) is more about media presence and being a household name, than it is about knowledge/hard work.

It's why you have regional radio commentators who have worked in the profession for years never getting a break on television, whilst ex-players like O'Driscoll can come straight into the punditry/commentary team upon retirement without undergoing any kind of training or having any kind of experience.

It's funny because the biggest name commentator in the sport, Bill McLaren, worked his way up through the journalism ranks and had years of experience of commentary before working his way onto television. Why do we not have these kind of expectations?

 

[Big Ewis]

Those motivational videos make me cringe. I really wish they would just stop them, same as the stupid videos they do in the intro to games often narrated by Eddie Butler.

I would love love love to make one. For any team, doesn't matter. They give me some money and give me the freedom to do ANYTHING I want...oh goodness...over-the-top is an art, you don't just magically pop one of those out. For a similar Test tour, I'd probably start with:
"when God created the world, *theyyyyy* told you he did it in 6 and rested on the seventh......












*THEY*....were wrong..."

Narrated by Christopher Lee, but an octave lower.

 

[Jaguares]

Who was the genius who scheduled the 2 most important games at the same time?

:%#%#::rahh::devil::ranting::wall::redcard:

 

[Mikel92]

Grass is a bit wet already apparently. Hopefully the rain holds off.

 

[Big Ewis]

Who was the genius who scheduled the 2 most important games at the same time?

:%#%#::rahh::devil::ranting::wall::redcard:

you got your timings wrong. the IRE SA game is 3 hours after the ENG NZ one.

And yaaaall mothafukkizz ready fo disss ?!!! IT'S HERE !!! THE NOVEMBER TOURS ARE HEEEERE !!!! rejoice, awww lawwdyy

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Jeeze,
I bought a 24hr sky sports pass so I could watch this through Sky Now on my PS4, and put it up on HD on my big TV but it just freezes every 90s or so, and you have to quit out and go back.
I'm going to have to end up watching it on the Sky website on my laptop instead - what a waste of £6.


Edit: Seems to have sorted itself now. Guarantee it freezes at a really important part of the game though :lol:

Double edit: Sod it, froze as soon as they walked out onto the pitch, not risking it.

 

[Mikel92]

you got your timings wrong. the IRE SA game is 3 hours after the ENG NZ one.

And yaaaall mothafukkizz ready fo disss ?!!! IT'S HERE !!! THE NOVEMBER TOURS ARE HEEEERE !!!! rejoice, awww lawwdyy

Isn't the Wales/Wallabies game on now as well?

 

[Big Ewis]

Jeeze,
I bought a 24hr sky sports pass so I could watch this through Sky Now on my PS4, and put it up on HD on my big TV but it just freezes every 90s or so, and you have to quit out and go back.
I'm going to have to end up watching it on the Sky website on my laptop instead - what a waste of £6.

I feel for you.

Isn't the Wales/Wallabies game on now as well?

mmmm that I don't know. I don't have an internet connection.

 

[Mikel92]

I feel for you.

View attachment 3452





mmmm that I don't know. I don't have an internet connection.

Would be shi'tty if it was on at the same time. 5 sports channels and I don't see them showing on any
Will be looking forward to this one though!

 

[RyotoTheDragon]

who wants to pm me a link for the this game?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Just saw Ritchie and had a change of heart! Come on Engerland!!!!

 

[Groundhog]

Go on Engerland. Be sound for once.
EDIT: I really hate using these opera singers for National Anthems. How is the crowd supposed to sing along.

 

[Big Ewis]

who wants to pm me a link for the this game?

You're an awfully biased, one-dimensional poster............but I gotcha !

AAAAAH !!! THE GAME IS STARTING !!!!!!!

 

[Mikel92]

Not a bad looking bird doing the English anthem!

 

[big ginger 8]

Surely they could have turned the mics on the haka up a bit?