England vs Tonga (06/11)

[ncurd]

Well it didn't help that Smith hasn't trained all week and Quirke and Randall got injured.

Without getting too cocky he should be able to play against Tonga without training and if he's one the bench he has to be fit.

 

[Teddington Logic]

Without getting too cocky he should be able to play against Tonga without training and if he's one the bench he has to be fit.

this

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

To add to this the 7's will often work in tandem with more than just the 6. We were outmuscled in the locks too. I think Itoje is a fine lock but he is on the lighter and more dynamic side. That's not a problem itself but it's no coincidence England worked better with a more heavy duty lock pairing with him (St Kruis). Why Launchbury or Attwood barely got a look in as a pairing with Itoje I can't understand as a few years ago I would have said that would be the best pairing after Kruis. Itoje with Lawes simply lacks the bulk. Underhill can hit like a truck but ultimately it felt like Curry was doing more work putting hits in that took away his ability to jackal, especially as he had bigger players clearing him out.

Ultimately though Curry and Underhill weren't that bad in the final, just not as dominant as they have been other times. Had the team not collectively got butterfingers and Mako Vunipola not been absolutely awful in the scrum, the game would have had a very different feel to it.

I think a more dynamic 8 and a more heavy duty 2nd lock will free Curry and Underhill up to be more of a menace at the breakdown again.

Didn't Launchbury go through a stage of getting injured just before nearly every international break

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Tonga should be with
Tameifuna
Mafi
Vailanu
Timani
Saumaki
Veainu

this weekend

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Tonga eschewing the photoshopped team announcement and going straight for a screenshot of excel

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Didn't Launchbury go through a stage of getting injured just before nearly every international break

I do remember he was unlucky with injuries but pretty sure he was also available other times. Between him, Kruis and Attwood, I'm certain we had times where at least 1 of the more heavy duty locks was available but not selected. Obviously this changed with Attwood and Kruis departing but pretty sure their England chances had reduced prior to that, unless I'm misremembering?

 

[Wasps92]

Fully expect to watching 80 minutes of the leather being booted off the ball again…

Personally I think it's a very disappointing selection and Curry at 8 with Dombrandt on the bench is the cherry on top.

No doubt in my mind Youngs will be the starting 9 at the 6N by the way. We're two years away from a WC for goodness sake.

 

[Geordie]

Fully expect to watching 80 minutes of the leather being booted off the ball again…

Personally I think it's a very disappointing selection and Curry at 8 with Dombrandt on the bench is the cherry on top.

No doubt in my mind Youngs will be the starting 9 at the 6N by the way. We're two years away from a WC for goodness sake.

Whey no. Why would you expect that?

I expect a full managed game. Quick wide play when its on...tactical when its on. 50-22's when they're on.

New Tactics, New Attacking plans..defensive patterns etc. Eddie will want to see evidence of it.

Farrell has also started the season on fire dont forget...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Whey no. Why would you expect that?

I expect a full managed game. Quick wide play when its on...tactical when its on. 50-22's when they're on.

New Tactics, New Attacking plans..defensive patterns etc. Eddie will want to see evidence of it.

Farrell has also started the season on fire dont forget...

5minutes prior to this post:

 

[Geordie]

Ah im just trying to be a bit positive for a change

 

[BrokenWing]

Pace out wide to chase all those box kicks.

 

[will311293]

Whereas this, I agree with entirely.

Yes for sure.

In some ways at the Welsh getting hammered by NZ and the Scots hammering Tonga with a fair few new names, gave them the option to assess players.

Delighted for Steward and Radwan (Smith/Dombrandht) from bench but Martin, Marchant, Chick, Simmonds and Ludlham (who runs like Ardie 'Mad Man' Savea' could use more game time, rather than 2 one off tests vs USA/Canada. If they perform then keep them around the squad and if they play well against Tonga then keep around the squad against and then finally South Africa. We are literally building up in levels (IMHO) of ability/talent so make use of it.

What do we learn from Lawes/Curry/Underhill playing... that they can smash a fairly average Tongan team off the park.

 

[Nudger]

It is a pretty horrible thing to say, but never before have I wanted a couple of injuries/HIA's to happen early in a game before to force EJ's hand

Yep horrible

 

[nh206]

It is a pretty horrible thing to say, but never before have I wanted a couple of injuries/HIA's to happen early in a game before to force EJ's hand

Isn't that how we ended up with Robson at 10?

 

[TobesHodges]

We know Smith has a 'injury', So i get Faz at 10 but I thought we'd see Mitchell and Dombrandt - I think its time to pas the torch on these poistions. I am happy to see Steward, Radwan and Genge - Im an Saints fan and Furbank is not International level yet, i think Lynagh should have got a spot on the bench - but as im going up to watch it tomorrow im also glad to see some of the OG stars out there. MAANNUUU!

 

[Wasps92]

Isn't that how we ended up with Robson at 10?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I thought we'd see Mitchell

I don't think there was any chance of Mitchell starting this game - he would've only been in camp for three training days

 

[Geordie]

I think Quirke might be the main contender for that 9 spot. Just looks a class act and has power aswell. Hes probably the one im most disappointed about being injured / not being in the squad.

 

[TobesHodges]

I guess you could say the same for Andy Uren for the last 2-3 years also, but doesnt get in the squad, never undestood that one..

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Uren looks like a good club level player but nothing more, imo