[2014 Mid-Year Tests] New Zealand vs England (1st Test)

[Bada-Bing!]

Losing by 5 points to the AB 1st team is a disappointment. Can't believe I'm writing that. A marker has been laid down for tests 2 and 3.

 

[Tony Manx]

I think we can safely agree that ALL referees are complete rubbish !!;-)

Have corrected your post!!

 

[Gena_ZA]

AB's far from convincing, but 1st game of the season, should not read to much into this.
Poms probably going to think they are now God's gift to rugby and get beaten convincingly next week

 

[donmcdazzle]

Why is it I didn't hear Liam Messam's name at all during that game?

Cause he was invisible. Except from the time Morgan roasted him down the blind for a 30m run

 

[Kapa O Pango]

In Snakey NZ trust.

 

[McTallshort]

AB's far from convincing, but 1st game of the season, should not read to much into this.
Poms probably going to think they are now God's gift to rugby and get beaten convincingly next week

Yeah yeah yeah

 

[Darwin]

Losing by 5 points to the AB 1st team is a disappointment. Can't believe I'm writing that. A marker has been laid down for tests 2 and 3.

This certainly puts a lot of pressure on the England's selectors! Do the go back to there 1st choice players or do they reward the players that played so well in the 1st test?

 

[austingtir]

Why is it I didn't hear Liam Messam's name at all during that game?

I didnt think he was bad.... made some crucial tackles for us. But when Vito came on it was a bit of a surprise at the difference. Most of the forward subs made a good impact imo.

 

[Big Ewis]

we've seen how NZ lacked Savea's power at the wing. That guy would score out of nowhere for them in Twickers 2012.
And Kaino still carries like a bull, but he's very one-dimensional and lacks the skill and wit of Read.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Murray Mexted on Nigel Owens: "How come you guys rate him so highly?"

 

[Tony Manx]

This certainly puts a lot of pressure on the England's selectors! Do the go back to there 1st choice players or do they reward the players that played so well in the 1st test?

Lancaster will go back to the tried and tested and ignore the players from this match other than where he has no option......would be my guess otherwise why would he look so brilliant by picking Burns ahead of Cips for this one?!

 

[martinspoonboy1]

Exciting times. Completing with the AB's to the last with so many key players missing. To be disappointed really shows how far the team has come under Lancaster. Good show boys!

 

[Darwin]

we've seen how NZ lacked Savea's power at the wing. That guy would score out of nowhere for them in Twickers 2012.
And Kaino still carries like a bull, but he's very one-dimensional and lacks the skill and wit of Read.

That is why he is a 6, not an 8. I think Vito should start at 8 next test (with Kaino at 6), as Kaino is even better playing in the 6 jersey....

 

[austingtir]

I will actually be really disapointed if we dont blow this England side off the park in one of these tests. We were very very poor tonight. We need to dent this teams confidence before next year! If we dont im getting memorys of 2003 coming back to me....

 

[donmcdazzle]

I didnt think he was bad.... made some crucial tackles for us. But when Vito came on it was a bit of a surprise at the difference. Most of the forward subs made a good impact imo.

Mate he was invisible! We need Read back so Kaino can go to 6.

 

[donmcdazzle]

That is why he is a 6, not an 8. I think Vito should start at 8 next test (with Kaino at 6), as Kaino is even better playing in the 6 jersey....

Yeah ah agree with that. Messam just doesn't do it at test level. The difference in power between him and Kaino is huge

 

[austingtir]

That is why he is a 6, not an 8. I think Vito should start at 8 next test (with Kaino at 6), as Kaino is even better playing in the 6 jersey....

I would probably agree with this. Id even put Mccaw at 8 and Whoever is fit out of cane and the saders other 7 on. Or give Veto a chance and if he bombs then he's gone for good imo.

 

[nzlizard]

Thought Messam and Kaino were the pick of the forwards for me, great impact of the bench from Vito. Retallick showed glimpses as well.

Conrad was the best of the backs, great positional play, great defense and just ran well. Quite a few of the backs will really have to reflect on there performances tonight as some really basic errors were present.

England were great, was really impressed with how they fronted up and I still think the drop goal at half time may have cost them as they looked to have us stretched a bit. Can't wait till next weeks game as England will feel some confidence from this performance.

Based on Hansen's facial expressions I think some players gonna get told.

Interesting to see how Aus goes tonight as they picked on form more than past reputations which is what we seemed to do.

 

[Aristodemus]

I thought we played very well, much better than I thought. Handling was a real problem for both sides. Owens made alot of calls against England, could have made all the difference and you don't win in NZ with things like that happening.

 

[austingtir]

Mate he was invisible! We need Read back so Kaino can go to 6.

I'll tell you who was invisible. Woodcock, Retalick and Whitelock... they did NOTHING. (Retalick just got lucky with his run)