England vs South Africa 20 / 11 / 2021

[TRF_Olyy]

Well I told you not to worry about Rodd and Blamire...

 

[BPM]

Feels like we got away with that one, but I guess it goes to show how much a bit of ambition can make all the difference. Without those three tries, we wouldn't have been in the game.

I thought we were pretty good in the first half, mostly dominated in the second.

 

[Wasps92]

Only rugby can make you feel like this. Still on cloud nine. Get in England.

 

[JG-21]

After a great game I would love a Malbec Sunday, but a trip to support the Red Roses awaits. Hopefully after a Sale win and one England win, another one awaits.

 

[Ospervat]

Honestly at 18 - 6 (I think pens) in your favour it's hard to make a compelling argument that paints the ref in a bad light for you.

Agreed - 3-1 tries is the score.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

We'll take the win. Any win against the Boks is worth celebrating.

Some good attacking when we got the ball and you can't argue with 3-1 tries.

But that doesn't hide that we got duffed up for most of the second half and that we have some very obvious issues in front 5 and discipline. Also need to keep some context - Boks have been on the road for a long time and missed a couple of very gettable kicks.

May also a concern. And what now for Manu, we've known for years that he's injury prone.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Clearly going for that ball. Marchant lands into his catching arm which he then takes away. Just a contest.

Mate...he tackles a guy in the air wwithou

Fantastic win but for the love of god someone has got to get a grip on our atrocious discipline at some point.

Freddie Steward though, what a find.

We've said this twice a year minimum since 2011..

 

[Ospervat]

....wut?

Perhaps a better way of saying it

Really wish Smith had a bit more rope to display his attacking prowess. It looks / feels as though he's been constrained.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

On a different note, are English forwards generally unfit? It seems we are regularly struggling more than our opposition by the end of the games with the forwards not getting to rucks on time.

 

[Protalus rampart]

That much was only won purely because England had players with the natural ability to break down defences. Think fly-half and the centres are sorted for 2023 now.

 

[Crash Hamster]

Perhaps a better way of saying it

Really wish Smith had a bit more rope to display his attacking prowess. It looks / feels as though he's been constrained.

They've just played that last passage of play again. Smith was everywhere and won the final penalty with a neat half step.

 

[Jimbo]

We'll take the win. Any win against the Boks is worth celebrating.

Some good attacking when we got the ball and you can't argue with 3-1 tries.

But that doesn't hide that we got duffed up for most of the second half and that we have some very obvious issues in front 5 and discipline. Also need to keep some context - Boks have been on the road for a long time and missed a couple of very gettable kicks.

May also a concern. And what now for Manu, we've known for years that he's injury prone.

Manu is a growing concern (outside of Faz) what 12 options are there, wing in general for me is less of a concern as we have a fair few options in waiting.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

On a different note, are English forwards generally unfit? It seems we are regularly struggling more than our opposition by the end of the games with the forwards not getting to rucks on time.

Did look bollocksed at the end - wonder how much of it was down to being outmuscled all the time, though?
Use more energy trying to stop a maul than pushing it etc.

Manu is a growing concern (outside of Faz) what 12 options are there, wing in general for me is less of a concern as we have a fair few options in waiting.

Honestly, after today, Slade should be starting at 12
That's arguably the best he's looked in an England shirt

 

[Ospervat]

They've just played that last passage of play again. Smith was everywhere and won the final penalty with a neat half step.

Good.
My point isn't binomial.
There's a lot of ground between 1 & 0

 

[JG-21]

Honestly, after today, Slade should be starting at 12
That's arguably the best he's looked in an England shirt

I agree, but there's still part of me that wants to see a Manu, Marchant partnership

 

[Jimbo]

Did look bollocksed at the end - wonder how much of it was down to being outmuscled all the time, though?
Use more energy trying to stop a maul than pushing it etc.



Honestly, after today, Slade should be starting at 12
That's arguably the best he's looked in an England shirt

He was good there, still think he best game for England was against Ireland can't remember which one but he scored an intercept, that aside I've never been a huge fan of playing a player anywhere but where they do for club, can't see him playing at 12 for Exe with Devoto and whitten

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I agree, but there's still part of me that wants to see a Manu, Marchant partnership

I think we need to stop relying on Tuilagi being fit, today is yet again proof we just can't. If anything betting he will be injured is the safer bet.

 

[JG-21]

I think we need to stop relying on Tuilagi being fit, today is yet again proof we just can't. If anything betting he will be injured is the safer bet.

Again, I don't disagree at all. But today we had a few good moves off the lineout which were calling out for a big body to crash through the hole, and I just think we need that Tuilagi or Tuliagi-esque prescence. It's a shame Lawrence hasn't quite picked his game up enough yet

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Did look bollocksed at the end - wonder how much of it was down to being outmuscled all the time, though?
Use more energy trying to stop a maul than pushing it etc.



Honestly, after today, Slade should be starting at 12
That's arguably the best he's looked in an England shirt

Slade looked a lot better for having someone with speed outside him.

 

[Geordie]

Again, I don't disagree at all. But today we had a few good moves off the lineout which were calling out for a big body to crash through the hole, and I just think we need that Tuilagi or Tuliagi-esque prescence. It's a shame Lawrence hasn't quite picked his game up enough yet

Lots of whatifs...if Cokasaniga had developed as hoped. If Lawrence had...if Odowgu hadn't got badly injured efc.

De Allande was class today.

But Slade and Marchant could be very interesting