England v New Zealand - 2 November 2024

[Rugbyfan564]

No Underhill? No Finn and a 6/2 split on the bench with no centre or wing cover? Wish we had Chessum at 19 not sold on BCurry at 20(above other options as in a back)

Also Slade I expected at 23, not starting.

Underhill being left out was obvious once he didn't get a contract and therefore is not seen as a core player despite playing so much recently

 

[Geordie]

Underhill is obviously a great tackler, but I find him a bit too one dimensional for international standard. We are stacked at back row as well so the competition is tough.

Underhills power is a point of difference aswell....but I do wonder if they see the same defensive power and physicality in CCS...but who can offer a far more destructive carrying option aswell.

I'm still convinced Chessum was being marked for the 6 spot.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

It's the first time the Curry twins are both in the same England 23.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

It's the first time the Curry twins are both in the same England 23.

We will find out if there really are twins or they are just one person masquerading as two people lol

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

T Curry is totally a reputational pick, Spencer doesn't really fit with our new style and Slade can't be properly fit. Otherwise, apart from always considering Cole a starter the starting XV is OK (ignoring the multitude of VCs…..don't backs need leadership too?).

Don't like the bench, it's not exactly the bomb squad, is it? And got to be question marks against Ford's match fitness / form.

It's inevitable that:

Earl will be playing 12 within the first 10 minutes.

One of Ford or Slade will suffer a recurrence of their recent problems

Dombrandt coming on will be the trigger for M Smith to either be subbed or moved to FB.

Umbro can share the blame. Really don't like the stripy trim.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

T Curry is totally a reputational pick, Spencer doesn't really fit with our new style and Slade can't be properly fit. Otherwise, apart from always considering Cole a starter the starting XV is OK (ignoring the multitude of VCs…..don't backs need leadership too?).

Don't like the bench, it's not exactly the bomb squad, is it? And got to be question marks against Ford's match fitness / form.

It's inevitable that:

Earl will be playing 12 within the first 10 minutes.

One of Ford or Slade will suffer a recurrence of their recent problems

Dombrandt coming on will be the trigger for M Smith to either be subbed or moved to FB.

Umbro can share the blame. Really don't like the stripy trim.

Slade's injury was a shoulder surgey caused by an injury he played with for months which normally means fitness returns quickly than if it was a different type of injury. Ford feels more likely to get injured again.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Slade's injury was a shoulder surgey caused by an injury he played with for months which normally means fitness returns quickly than if it was a different type of injury. Ford feels more likely to get injured again.

Yep, but he's still been rushed back. 54 minutes against a weakened Quins is no preparation for internationals.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Yep, but he's still been rushed back. 54 minutes against a weakened Quins is no preparation for internationals.

Its a very strange decision. Why not give Lozowski a go if you are looking for a ballplaying outside centre.

 

[Geordie]

Its a very strange decision. Why not give Lozowski a go if you are looking for a ballplaying outside centre.

I don't see them as the same type of players.

Lozowski would come in at 12.
Slade is a playmaker but I see him as the defensive leader in that backline....and his kicking is also crucial with Waboso and Freeman not registered as top class in those areas....just yet.

Our centre combo is England's biggest problem at the moment....

 

[OllyM97]

Predicting a win against New Zealand is a rare thing but I like our chances this weekend. England by 3-5 points. We need to win a close game against a top side before narrow defeats become a habit.

 

[IT157]

Predicting a win against New Zealand is a rare thing but I like our chances this weekend. England by 3-5 points. We need to win a close game against a top side before narrow defeats become a habit.

I'm still annoyed we didn't win one down in New Zealand.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

I don't see them as the same type of players.

Lozowski would come in at 12.
Slade is a playmaker but I see him as the defensive leader in that backline....and his kicking is also crucial with Waboso and Freeman not registered as top class in those areas....just yet.

Our centre combo is England's biggest problem at the moment....

Lozowski plays outside centre for Saracens. Surely you aren't suggesting that a player will play one position for his club and then get picked in a different position for England?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Still don't get the early announcement thing. I mean the ABs could have guessed a lot of that team but even so they now have a couple of days to do their final prep in the knowledge of exactly what they'll be facing. Might only be a small advantage but why give it away when you don't need to?

Perhaps especially odd given the 9 situation and the different styles of the various candidates.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Still don't get the early announcement thing. I mean the ABs could have guessed a lot of that team but even so they now have a couple of days to do their final prep in the knowledge of exactly what they'll be facing. Might only be a small advantage but why give it away when you don't need to?

Perhaps especially odd given the 9 situation and the different styles of the various candidates.

It's such an odd thing. It also adds to the chances someone drops out injured or ill requiring a change.

 

[Geordie]

Lozowski plays outside centre for Saracens. Surely you aren't suggesting that a player will play one position for his club and then get picked in a different position for England?

Wouldn't dream if it lol...

Exeter have missed Slade badly...but is he fit for England v NZ is another matter. Surely not for 80 mins. So I can see Freeman moving to 13 at some stage this game. Which will be interesting to see.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Reading variously that Underhill wasn't picked as SB doesn't think he's had enough game time (one rule for one…..) which is seemingly a direct quote and in the Times going more down the route of others are better jacklers more suited to our faster game. Whatever, Underhill has proven time and again that he can influence games and he must feeling pretty p*ssed off that he can't get into the 23 given who else has been selected, plus Chessum was seemingly Plan A for 6. Allied to the lack of a central contract, plus being canned from the original RWC squad he must be thinking about his future now. Would be bloody careless to unnecessarily lose a player of his calibre and impact.

Will Spencer be our lucky charm? 5 of his 6 appearances have been losses and the other might as well have been - the 38-38 draw with Scotland.

SB making a bit of noise about Slade being fitter than he's ever been. Bit of a difference between gym / track and match fitness and sharpness Steve.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Its such a weird team when you look at it.

he talks so much fluff, like the sales thing is ****** and he is prob basing it on one metric


With Felix Jones gone and it being a 6:2 split no way we are going to try and attack NZ

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Reading variously that Underhill wasn't picked as SB doesn't think he's had enough game time (one rule for one…..) which is seemingly a direct quote and in the Times going more down the route of others are better jacklers more suited to our faster game. Whatever, Underhill has proven time and again that he can influence games and he must feeling pretty p*ssed off that he can't get into the 23 given who else has been selected, plus Chessum was seemingly Plan A for 6. Allied to the lack of a central contract, plus being canned from the original RWC squad he must be thinking about his future now. Would be bloody careless to unnecessarily lose a player of his calibre and impact.

Will Spencer be our lucky charm? 5 of his 6 appearances have been losses and the other might as well have been - the 38-38 draw with Scotland.

SB making a bit of noise about Slade being fitter than he's ever been. Bit of a difference between gym / track and match fitness and sharpness Steve.

That's basically a cover story for Borthwick because he can't exactly come out and say I don't really rate Underhill and don't see him as a major part of our short term future despite playing him so much recently.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Through of course Slade has also gone from being dropped for the World Cup (With some of the reporting suggesting his attitude wasn't liked by Borthwick) to becoming a core player again.

 

[West Country Wail]

I wonder if we will see the balls to the wall blitz as in summer or a calmer version of it