England vs New Zealand - 19/11/22

[TommiG88]

And obviously Mako will be getting destroyed in the scrum 2nd half when Genge is taken off at 58th minute after making a game changing line break

 

[Scotty]

Obviously there are things to dislike (no Freeman being the big one) but honestly by EJ standards I'm pretty happy with that.

Coles dropping out completely seems harsh though, I'd have had him over Ribbans.

Honeslty Freeman would add more balance and arguably more deserving on form and position(23/ back 3 cover)

Freeman at 23 and start slade at 13 with Faz benching. And the team is strong and balanced IMO.

Honestly really think Coles should be ahead of Ribbans too as they are both behind Chessum when he returns.

Just do not like Smith Faz Manu, im happy to be proved wrong on this.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

For NZ I suspect we'll see a XV of:

1. De Groot
2. Taylor
3. Lomax
4. Retallick
5. Whitelock
6. Scott Barrett
7. Papalii
8. Savea

9. Smith
10. Mo'unga

11. Clarke
12. Jordie B
13. Rieko
14. Reece
15. Beauden B

If 2019 is anything to go by winning that breakdown battle will be the key.

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14/15 predicted right.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

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From an England perspective, there's quite a lot to like about that too. Foster's insistence to start Taylor over Taukei'aho is pretty mind boggling and we all know what happened last time the ABs opted to play Scott Barrett at 6 against England. Having Frizell on the bench also seems like an unwise choice as that means he'll be coming on at roughly the same time as Slade. He may accidentally mistake Slade's long, slender frame as a woman's and get a red card for punching him in the face.

 

[duncanb]

Uninspiring selection for me in a number of areas.
Mako on bench.
Smith Faz again.
Nowell again.
Simmons in back row.
I can take a loss when we try things but not when it's same old same old.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Pleased to see JVP. Really hope this marks the changing of the guard. Rest of backs fairly uninspiring but at least logical.

Up front it's a bit unconventional to prepare for the ABs with back row / second row starting together as units for the first time in the series but hey.

Bench really does look pretty ordinary though. George, Slade and Stuart have played little or not at all since injury. Willis has seen little recent action for other reasons. Mako and Youngs are well past their best while Porter and Ribbans don't really look as if they have that bit extra the international game needs.

Obviously I want us to win and this is a non vintage ABs team. Nonetheless I think the ABs have turned a bit of a corner and the way they dug themselves out of a hole last week should give them extra confidence.

 

[higgik]

After the rumours during the week of Slade training at 15 and both him and Porter being on the bench I fully expect us to finish this game with 14. Steward 15. Slade.

My hope (/pipe dream) is that this means Slade may come on to fill Farrell's second playmaker role and we could see Tuilagi-Porter in the midfield (with either of Smith or Farrell at 10). Far from perfect but hey, it's 2 centres at centre and a 10 at 10. Combine that with 2 locks at lock and 3 back rowers in the back row and other than Slade and Steward we'd actually have players playing in their positions.

Like this idea with Farrell at 10.
ABs and Sarries play similar with the FB doing the 2nd playmaker role.

 

[ncurd]

Like this idea with Farrell at 10.
ABs and Sarries play similar with the FB doing the 2nd playmaker role.

When has Farrell ever been a playmaker? And current form he's the player where all our attacks go to die.

 

[BPM]

Unusual for two players to reach 100 caps in the same game (Farrell and Retallick).

I am hoping it inspires Farrell to one of his best.

 

[Geordie]

Boring Uninspiring selections in too many positions.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Unusual for two players to reach 100 caps in the same game (Farrell and Retallick).

I am hoping it inspires Farrell to one of his best.

Yep. And whether he's past his best, out of position, teacher's pet or whatever it's still a hell of an achievement worth acknowledging, even if grudgingly.

Will Retallick and Whitelock be the first row to both have 100 caps? How many of those have they played together?

Interesting that Fazlet will be just our third centurion while Retallick will be NZ's 12th. Maybe that's the continuity / experience thing I keep banging on about. The win % for their top 10 is 86% - 89% for all bar Aaron Smith with a measly 84%. I doubt Muliaina (particularly) and Retallick would be too far behind either.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Selection could be worse so not entirely unhappy for once.

Not sure of the Simmonds at 6 plan though, doesn't seem to make sense with Itoje playing their the first two games.

Either way come on England!!!

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Billy Vunipola recalled as England shuffle pack for All Blacks Test

Eddie Jones has recalled Billy Vunipola to the starting lineup for Saturday’s clash with New Zealand as one of three changes to his side

www.theguardian.com

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

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The backrow are all in the wrong positions. Barrett is a lock, Papalii is a 6 and Savea is a 7.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

The backrow are all in the wrong positions. Barrett is a lock, Papalii is a 6 and Savea is a 7.

The Eddie numbers on shirts don't matter mind games have got to them….

 

[BrokenWing]

I'm less than whelmed with that.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

The backrow are all in the wrong positions. Barrett is a lock, Papalii is a 6 and Savea is a 7.

Papali is a 7 for the Blues, Savea has been playing 8 for the Canes regularly now and Barrett was superb at 6 for ABs v the Boks in the RC.

 

[Umaga's Witness]

We needed to start taukeiaho for go forward at the start of the game when defence is tight and not tired

 

[TommiG88]

So Cokanasiga is not fit, but fit enough to be on the bench for bath this weekend …

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Will Retallick and Whitelock be the first row to both have 100 caps? How many of those have they played together?

This will be the 64th time, taking down Botha / Matfield's record.