[2018 November Tests] England vs Japan (17/11/18)

[Nubiwan]

"black 20 offside" = muff touch judge.

 

[TommiG88]

Maybe it was different on t.v but itoje didn't look MoM. Winning line outs against Japan ain't saying much.

I watched on my TV, and I called him as motm. He had an all round good game and was by far our best forward.

 

[Chief Pete]

The biggest thing I took from that game is I'd love to see Japan in the 6N, trying to play from all over the park, naive at times but highly entertaining....

And I know they'll never be in, wishful thinking on my part only....

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

That was a slightly surreal experience watching the extended highlights. Leitch repeatedly gouging the defence from the wing.

Tamura seriously needs to work on his up & unders. Japan could finish anything from second (if the humidity is oppressive) to fourth in their RWC group on the showings in the Autumn tests so far.

EJ will get pelters. He could have played conservative, used his pack and control territory, but then he'd have learnt nothing. Today he learnt, don't try and take Japan on in a super loose game.

 

[Pom in Exile]

Maybe it was different on t.v but itoje didn't look MoM. Winning line outs against Japan ain't saying much.

Thought he was really good around the park and his carrying was important, he was one of the only forwards I can think of that actually broke the gain line consistently. That needs to be the standard for him moving forward.

 

[ratsapprentice]

They broke the gainline fairly easily for most of the game - they just didn't really do much with it once that happened.

I don't know that any English player had a game that warranted a MOM award. It wasn't dire, by any means, but it's hard to pick out a particularly outstanding performance.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Joe C was probably my MOTM. Did everything that was asked of him, and I don't remember him ******* up. Took his try well and was involved in the first.

 

[Nudger]

My take from the game
Moon Hartley and the sink have to start
Wilso not an international 7 underhill is
Lawes underhill Wilson start
Farrell teo Slade
May (my choice jc) but probably nowel Daley
Second row unchanged

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Only watched this late last night.

Japan were great to watch and should be given more exposure at this level.

Very ordinary from Eng and some badly failed auditions. I guess we were always likely to pull away in the second half, but Faz makes such a difference, we need more with his mindset and attitude. He's the de facto leader of this team whether he wears the armband or not.

Big Joe went well although I thought he was out of position in defence a couple of times. He can bring a huge amount to the party, I hope he gets the chance again next week. Underhill again made a difference.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Although JC played well he looks really slow. If people are concerned about Nowels pace then the same must apply to JC.

I was hammered after a day in Franklin's gardens though so might be remembering nonsense!

 

[ratsapprentice]

Although JC played well he looks really slow. If people are concerned about Nowels pace then the same must apply to JC.

I was hammered after a day in Franklin's gardens though so might be remembering nonsense!

He has the fastest top speed of any Bath player - including Watson.

 

[Pom in Exile]

My take from the game
Moon Hartley and the sink have to start
Graham not an international 7 underhill is
Lawes underhill Wilson start
Farrell teo Slade
May (my choice jc) but probably nowel Daley
Second row unchanged

Graham?

 

[Nudger]

Graham?

Wilson thanks

 

[Chief Pete]

I think Nowell hasn't been the same player since the Lions tour personally he's still quality but not at the level he was, his lack of pace gets highlighted at least once every game now, pre Lions tour Nowell was the best wing in the prem IMO, his performance against Bath at the Rec is still one of the best individual performances I've ever seen and there were more that season but ever since Ione ran over the top of him for 80mins on that tour he hasn't been the same...

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

He has the fastest top speed of any Bath player - including Watson.

I blame alcohol for seeing JC as slow

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

don't let the Ireland win get in the way of celebrating that this is the first time that England has beaten Japan in England!!!!

 

[ratsapprentice]

I think he still has to work on his stamina - he does seem to tire a bit after repeated sprints, but his top speed is very good for a guy his size.

 

[Which Tyler]

I think he still has to work on his stamina - he does seem to tire a bit after repeated sprints, but his top speed is very good for a guy his size.

That's fair

 

[FLOBALOB]

I think Nowell hasn't been the same player since the Lions tour personally he's still quality but not at the level he was, his lack of pace gets highlighted at least once every game now, pre Lions tour Nowell was the best wing in the prem IMO, his performance against Bath at the Rec is still one of the best individual performances I've ever seen and there were more that season but ever since Ione ran over the top of him for 80mins on that tour he hasn't been the same...

I,m quite surprise that a few on here have already written him off as a 13 based on playing there for only half an hour yesterday ,almost entirely on the back foot and where he put in a good defensive shift (T 8-0). It was a shame he couldn't spend the whole game there to show his attacking prowess too. I hope he gets another chance there (maybe from 23) next week.

 

[Chief Pete]

I,m quite surprise that a few on here have already written him off as a 13 based on playing there for only half an hour yesterday ,almost entirely on the back foot and where he put in a good defensive shift (T 8-0). It was a shame he couldn't spend the whole game there to show his attacking prowess too. I hope he gets another chance there (maybe from 23) next week.

I agree it would be nice to see him given a full test at 13 it would hide his biggest weakness while accentuating his positives, I love Nowell but sadly he's too slow to play wing against the better tier 1 teams, and given the options coming through he'll most likely not get in anyway, can see 3 of May, Watson, Cokansiga and Daly making up our back three for the next couple of years, not written him off by a long stretch, just saying it as I see it....