[2015 RWC] Pool A: England vs. Fiji (18/09/2015)

[TRF_Olyy]

Whenever I've watched Matawalu play for his club he's been a crap 9.
He'd be a cracking winger, his acceleration/speed/agility are incredible, but his scrumhalf basics? Not international standard.

Call me arrogant but I'll be shocked if we don't win by 15+.
Fiji just don't have the control from set piece, or half back. I reckon they'll score a try or two, but don't think they'll come close to a win.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Call me arrogant

Arrogant!

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

You are forgetting that all the teams Fiji has beaten, England regularly beat with a high score. England have also never lost to Fiji. I think the lower qualities of Fiji's opposition is distorting how good people think they are. It's like Italy going into the Tier 2 competition in Europe, they would likely beat every team there but still lose the big games.

Boooo! Such an arrogantly sensible post! Way to go bringing a realistic perspective to Fiji's probable chances in ths match. Frankly, I am nauseous. What are your trying to achieve here? It looks to me like you are deliberately trying to kill off any discussion relating to the opening fixture and ruin the lead up for everyone. 0/10 Go troll somewhere else!!!

 

[RedruthRFC]

After watching all of Fiji's games this year, their back line will have the upper hand over the Englands backs. Matawalu at 9 has been outstanding and will be the one to stop. I'm predicting Fiji to win by 2. FIJIS time together and preparation leading in to this RWC has been the key to them playing well as a team.

If you really believe this , you really must put your money where your mouth is. 28/1 is available on Fiji online and you can get Fiji +15 at 11/2 as a saver.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Opening match of the World Cup, in front of a packed stadium...

England to win this by at least 25

 

[RedruthRFC]

You are forgetting that all the teams Fiji has beaten, England regularly beat with a high score. England have also never lost to Fiji. I think the lower qualities of Fiji's opposition is distorting how good people think they are. It's like Italy going into the Tier 2 competition in Europe, they would likely beat every team there but still lose the big games.

Well said. I'm surprised that so many are rating them so highly on the basis that they squeaked by / drawing with other tier 2 nations to win the PNC with their (apparently) star studded squad. These wins (and a draw) came on neutral territory on hard pitches bathed in sunshine. Rolling over England on their home turf (where they have a very good record) on a pitch that is predicted to be rained upon earlier in the day and in the week is a very different proposition.

The logic of "this team beat that team, the other team only drew with that team" doesn't always follow, but must be a pretty good indicator. A misfiring England eased by Samoa 28-9 in the AIs, while Fiji managed a draw and a ten point win against them.

- - - Updated - - -

My point was that Farrell is primarily cover for Ford and Burgess for Barritt but as secondary uses, in the event of the unforeseen (which is what usually actually happens), Farrell can go into the centre and Burgess could play at wing forward. If that happens, we'll already be struggling.

What scenario could see this happen? The only one I can think of is if England suffer a back row injury having already brought Billy Vunipola, Burgess (at 12) and Launchberry (in the second row) on.

 

[LiRFCMatt]

After watching all of Fiji's games this year, their back line will have the upper hand over the Englands backs. Matawalu at 9 has been outstanding and will be the one to stop. I'm predicting Fiji to win by 2. FIJIS time together and preparation leading in to this RWC has been the key to them playing well as a team.

I really don't know what to make of this.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Now obviously It's going to be hugely embarassing if I'm proved wrong, but this is what i think and it's as far as I'm willing to go:

If England are rusty, incredibly nervous, make a lot of mistakes, have a poor set-piece, whilst Fiji play to the best of their ability and get the bounce of the ball....
......then we might only win by 12 - 15.
But that's honestly as far as I'm willing to go.
I reckon England by 21.

...and what's this nonsense about Matawalu?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Only chance of an England loss is if 12 or more of their players get stage fright. Fiji will gift a decent team about 15 points, they'll get a try or two but this has to be England's. As much as I'd love to see a Fijian win England will have this 33-12 is what I predict.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Amazing seeing the amount of hate being spewed against the English on social media in the leadup to this game, quite disgusting actually, a lot of it could be classed as nationalist hatred.

 

[ZeroTwo]

Amazing seeing the amount of hate being spewed against the English on social media in the leadup to this game, quite disgusting actually, a lot of it could be classed as nationalist hatred.

For those of us who don't have social media, fancy posting some examples? Could do with a laugh.

 

[Stumpy]

Amazing seeing the amount of hate being spewed against the English on social media in the leadup to this game, quite disgusting actually, a lot of it could be classed as nationalist hatred.

As a Sarries fan you get used to it. Everyone is always hating on us for some reason or another, you've just got to learn to ignore it.

 

[TommiG88]

Amazing seeing the amount of hate being spewed against the English on social media in the leadup to this game, quite disgusting actually, a lot of it could be classed as nationalist hatred.

I keep away from social media, it's a hate filled world.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Amazing seeing the amount of hate being spewed against the English on social media in the leadup to this game, quite disgusting actually, a lot of it could be classed as nationalist hatred.

Dey hate us,
Coz they aint us

 

[TobesHodges]

Amazing seeing the amount of hate being spewed against the English on social media in the leadup to this game, quite disgusting actually, a lot of it could be classed as nationalist hatred.

They see me rollin..

 

[AzaMatt]

As much as id like a Fiji win to make the pool even more open it just isn't going to happen. England would have to play very badly and Fiji play brilliantly in order to come even close to causing an upset. England
By 15-20 I think

 

[Raggs]

Farrell is a decent defensive 10, though even there he's been looking a bit flakey, there's no way I'd trust him at 12.

 

[chippieolamus]

Those who haven't seen the social media abuse which Olly is referring to - take a glance at some comments on this page https://www.facebook.com/TheRugbyBanterPage?fref=ts

 

[TRF_Olyy]

The worst is whenever anyone dare mention who won in 2003.

"OMG WILL YOU STOP GOING ON ABOUT IT"
"TYPICAL ARROGANT ENGLSH BANGING ON ABOUT 03"
"NEVER HEARD THE END OF THIS LIKE 1966"


It's a world cup, hosted in England - of course the press will talk about England's achievements in the world cup

 

[ncurd]

It was only 12 years ago....it's still a major event for me in my lifetime.

'66 my father barely remembers happening...