England vs Australia - 09/11/24

[Reiser99]

Smith making some poor decisions now. Agree that England are looking sluggish.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

CCS and Earl both really poor on defence there

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Sua'ali'i just taking the ****

 

[big ginger 8]

What were those comments before the match about Sua'ali'i?

 

[TommiG88]

We do not look like a team

 

[TRF_Olyy]

What were those comments before the match about Sua'ali'i?

Don't think people realise just how good NRL players are

 

[TopTen2003]

England a little bit rigid and predictable which is why the Aussie sharpness has had success.

England need the front 5 to simplify their game for ten minutes here and make the Aussies defend phases - so little continuity and the Aussies are very comfortable on the counter here.

 

[Saintjay]

People saying Suaalil going to struggle starting in union. Everyone forgot he's starting against England.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Genuinely think this is a coaching issue though

Its mixed messaging tbh, smith goes from being told to do a faz impression to opening it up to keeping it tight again on a half by half basis. No wonder it is all over the place when one weeks the attack is allowed to go and the next its kick everything

Maybe but I think international 10s have to do both, SA aside, and plotting the team through a game is the most important aspect. Marcus Smith controls and uses space incredibly well but it's not always there at this level. Like, 9 times out of 10 I'd take a Dmac performance last night where he didn't create much but kept NZ in all the right places over M Smith having world class contributions but floating in and out of the game. I think F Smith offers loads on attack but will always be making contributing to make life easier for his team.

Definitely an element of personal stylistic preference there but unless M Smith proves me wrong or F Smith comes in and nothing changes I can't see my opinion changing. Fwiw, Crowley has the exact same problem and isn't as good a player but we don't have the player to replace him ready just yet.

 

[BrokenWing]

This is so stodgy

 

[Reiser99]

England gone back to conservative 1 man forward runners and then box kicking hoping to win the kick. So negative.

 

[TopTen2003]

Don't think people realise just how good NRL players are

Completely agree- I've been waiting for the Aussies to send some serious £££ to nab some quality NRL into Union and relight their fire- looks like they've found their first one that's for sure.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Wish we had JVP on the bench,
Randall will inject pace but don't think he can control a game at international level

 

[TommiG88]

Can we lose Borthwick please?

 

[jordiev]

Don't think people realise just how good NRL players are

If aus didnt battle with the nrl and afl for players they would be legitimately insane with the atheltes they have. If this aus team had nathan cleary would be terrifying

 

[Jimbo]

Is it just me or are England really missing someone like underhill who puts in huge shots and swings momentum.

 

[TopTen2003]

That's a beautiful try- just watch the subtlety of the ball carry like in the phase before it goes wide to the corner- English defence is expecting straight lines and being caught out.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Foot in touch.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Borthwick out?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It's 2024 and they can't time code the angles to check when his foot is in touch and when the ball is down