England v South Africa - 16/11/2024 (17.40)

[Derpus]

Apparently the first side to use it was wasps in the early 00s (Shaun Edwards brought it over from League)

So not exactly a new/novel concept

Maybe also because England's best side in recent times used it to pretty good effect (2019 WC).

 

[Which Tyler]

Didnt you lot (or maybe more specifically Sarries) 'pioneer' the tactic?

Wallabies seemed to counter it reasonably well by keeping play tight. Bokkies pretty good at that as it happens.

Wasps under Gatland & Edwards wasn't it?

 

[Derpus]

Wasps under Gatland & Edwards wasn't it?

Guess so - don't get much news from you blokes on the arse end of the planet

 

[TRF_Olyy]

No Ben Curry, Dombrandt still on the bench

 

[Scotty]

View attachment 21530

No Ben Curry, Dombrandt still on the bench

Agreed on Curry for Dombrandt, I'd have had Curry start and Underhill. But either would be better than Dombrandt trying to play a physical game, hope to God he comes on for Earl to leave some physicality out there in the back row.

Roebuck at 23 I get incase Sleightholme is getting found out but I really hope he has a good game i rate him.

Spencer dropped completely is odd.

 

[Which Tyler]

Spencer dropped completely is odd.

"We need a scapegoat, to turn things around, but it might ruin their confidence for the next year or two - we could blame a young guy we want around the squad for 2-6 years, or an old guy who's a stop gap whilst we've had injuries (and is likely a bit harder to take it badly)"

However, it looks very much like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, I don't get why Randall keeps his spot if they're dropping a 9 - we don't play in a style that suits him at all

 

[Reiser99]

What the **** does Dombrandt have that Curry doesn't?

I just can't see us winning with that team, especially once the bench comes on.

 

[Grizwald]

Seems a bit knee jerk from Borthwick IMO. Spencer hasn't really done anything wrong, Van Poortvliet offers a bit more of a running game, Steward straight back in, if it were ******* down I could understand as I see him as a sort of special teams option, he may have more impact since the laws around kicking escorts have changed. Furbank has been quiet but I can only assume he's been following orders. What you get from Steward under the high ball you loose more in lack of speed both side of the balls. Furbank was heavily strapped up during a youtube interview so maybe it's a fitness call. Dombrant on the bench continues to frustrate, Underhill will give stopping power and can't think of a time he's ever let England down. If Borthwick wanted to up the tempo I'd have just started Randall. Continuing with Slade, if I were Alex Lozowski I'd just bugger off and play for Italy.

SA in comparison power in the forwards, speed and guile in the backs.

 

[Flankers' paradise]

What the **** does Dombrandt have that Curry doesn't?

I just can't see us winning with that team, especially once the bench comes on.

dirt on SB... I have no doubt that this Autumn will be worse than the 2022 games that got Jones sacked

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Yay, Underhill!

 

[Grizwald]

Wonder what excuse Borthwick will come out with this week. He's praised the opposition (NZ) who let's face it are far from vintage AB's. He then berated his players from going away from the game plan (Aus). You can call Eddie all you like but at least he was able to own when the responsibility was his.

 

[Reiser99]

So at 60 minutes (barring injuries) we'll have

1. Baxter
2. LCD
3. Cole
4. Itoje
5. Martin (with Isiekwe to come on at 70 minutes)
6. CCS (running out of steam)
7. Earl
8. Dombrandt
9. Randall
10. Ford
11. Freeman
12. Slade
13. Lawrence
14. Roebuck
15. Smith

That pack worries me greatly. The front row is too lightweight or simply old. Martin and CCS will be exhausted. Dombrandt will do bugger all. Randall will not play his natural game. Ford will take all the energy out of the game.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

That's a poor bench. It's also odd that SB seems to drop underhill who can't even make the bench then suddenly brings him back as a starter. We've seen the same with JVP and others. Screams of desperation for someone who doesn't know or have a plan to win the game.

It's also obvious that sleightholme struggled with the blitz (as did a lot of players). Now we've got steward and JVP also new to the blitz England defence which isn't going to be pretty.

I feel so disappointed with England since 2019. I just wonder how many fans we've lost on the way from World Cup finalists to team that can't even beat Scotland/ Australia, creeps past Italy by 3 points and barely beats a terrible wales team.

 

[Saintjay]

No real surprises with the Saints lads (Furbank) We don't necessarily play a D system the same as England want or an attacking style that England want.

Missing potential Lions picks in IFW, Mitchell and T.Curry. It's going to be a long day. Expect us to ship 30-40 but will probably scrape a narrow win for Borths to dine out on till 2027.

 

[Jer1cho]

Unbelievable team we have now. If we click we could run riot here.

 

[IT157]

Presumably Pollard is going to come on when Libbok starts missing all his kicks.

Watch Libbok get 100% conversion rate in this game lol

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

What the **** does Dombrandt have that Curry doesn't?

Telepathic understanding with the replacement fly half?

 

[IT157]

So Ben Curry is the flavour of the month.

When he does get a couple of games starting watch him be mediocre and then have people calling for the next flavour of the month...

 

[IT157]

Rassie sees the Scotland scrum as more of a threat than England's. Which is pretty hilarious considering Scotland brought on Elliot Millar Mills who isn't a first choice prop at Saints.