-
Help Support The Rugby Forum :
EOYT: England v Fiji, 10/11/2012
- Thread starter Draggs
- Start date
I'm not sure we watched the same game. Twice Tuilagi fixed both defenders and sent the outside man absolutely free with a pass before the tackle, making good use of the overlap. His first offload created Sharples try. It was everything I'd hope he'd do and much as I rate Joseph, he's going to have to be patient after that.
Solid. Made ground on his carries, continued turning the screw in the scrum. Looking forwards to seeing how he goes against the big boys.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2011
- Messages
- 8,538
- Club or Nation
England were on a hiding to nothing before this game and I would say that this was a competent but distinctly average performance.
The centres showed no real creativity, the scrum had dominance yet failed to capitalise but there were many pluses taking into account the opposition. Tom Youngs slayed his critics with impeccable throwing in, Sharples showed, with his first try, what we have been missing by leaving him and Simpson Daniel out for so long, Goode has a good attacking game, a number of young players were blooded and did not let anyone down and Care showed why he is the No 1 scrum half.
New Zealand and Australia would have put 100 on this Fijian side….England will be judged on the next three weeks not this one but there are good signs!
Fiji, as I have said previously, are a fine attacking side but pretty poor in game management and defensive positioning and execution mainly through lack of rugby 15's history and competition…that being said they did well to keep the incessant battering English forwards out on a number of occasions (when England would have made more of their opportunities by passing out wide).
Wouldn't it be really grand if Fiji got the lion's share of the gate money to enhance their training programmes and finance facilities and coaches as opposed to a possible England return fixture at the end of a tour somewhere else!
The centres showed no real creativity, the scrum had dominance yet failed to capitalise but there were many pluses taking into account the opposition. Tom Youngs slayed his critics with impeccable throwing in, Sharples showed, with his first try, what we have been missing by leaving him and Simpson Daniel out for so long, Goode has a good attacking game, a number of young players were blooded and did not let anyone down and Care showed why he is the No 1 scrum half.
New Zealand and Australia would have put 100 on this Fijian side….England will be judged on the next three weeks not this one but there are good signs!
Fiji, as I have said previously, are a fine attacking side but pretty poor in game management and defensive positioning and execution mainly through lack of rugby 15's history and competition…that being said they did well to keep the incessant battering English forwards out on a number of occasions (when England would have made more of their opportunities by passing out wide).
Wouldn't it be really grand if Fiji got the lion's share of the gate money to enhance their training programmes and finance facilities and coaches as opposed to a possible England return fixture at the end of a tour somewhere else!
racingmetrofan
Academy Player
- Joined
- May 22, 2011
- Messages
- 323
I still dont think Barritt and Tulagi are good enough in the mid field, we need someone creative in there. 12trees or Allen would be perfect.
So so from England against a very poor side. Tom youngs was good, didn't think much of the no 8 though, Waldrum. The passing in the backs has to be sharper, there were too many slow, floaty passes that weren't going straight to a player, so they would have to slow to catch it. I like Tuilagi, he played pretty well, but he has to know when to pass and when to take on his man. Once he gets his options sorted out he will be deadly. Barrit is OK, strong in D, but doesn't seem to offer much in attack. Monye was disappointing. Is obviously quick, but seems to lack power. I think Charlie Sharples and Ashton should be the wings, at least for the next few weeks. I'd like to see Wade get a run though. England should beat Australia, possibly by 15points or more, we are shite at the moment and will be lucky to get more than 1 win on this tour. But I think unless England improve significantly the ABs will give them a bit of hiding and they'll also struggle to beat SA, although that game will be closer.
aucklander
Academy Player
- Joined
- May 11, 2011
- Messages
- 122
- Country Flag
- Club or Nation
Tuilagi vs Nonu. Ouch. A collision to watch.
Fiji only had a few days together before the match, they would have done a lot better if they had proper time to prepare. They started off well in the first 15 mins having all of the possession and territory, they blew two chances to score a try and Talebula missed two penalties, but once England got their game together it was over. It was pretty frustrating to watch Fiji knock the ball on so many times too, and they gave away a lot of penalties. I thought Qera played really well, Matawalu scored the try of the match. If Fiji can sort out the set pieces and handling errors they can be a dangerous team, but they only have a few days to prepare for the Gloucester match, idk if that will be enough to sort this out. Qera could end up playing against them too which would be weird. Fiji have some great players in their team, its just a matter of those players getting good ball from the set pieces. I think they should start Kalou because he's really good in the lineouts, he's better than his brother who started ahead of him against England
Last edited:
Alex Goode
England's best player. Provided a good option as a second receiver and looked like the player Lancaster likes as he plays with his head and has good game management. Stood in for Care when scrum-half was binned and provided, imagination, width and another dimension which we never saw from the backline players before. I expect him to start again. Impressive. 9/10
Charlie Sharples
Scored England's first try when he cut in from the wing, dragging defenders over the line. But even at this level Ashton would of also finished the opportunities provided, but a good game. 7
Manu Tuilagi
The get over the gain line power is just immense, he is just so, so powerful. Brings more then 1 defenders which opens up play for others. It’s a pity he still lacks the overall game of but I expect him to get better. I can see his line running is more intelligent then last year. 8
Brad Barritt
Provided a good defence and I know people say as a centre provides no creativity but let me say that Defence is just as important as attacking ability. With England so hard to get by Barrit is doing England a big favour. The way he organises the defence and people around him is not seen by others. He carried well against a physical Fijian side. Gives an intelligent passing game as well. Deserves to play against Austrailia and I think he will, he done nothing wrong. 7
Ugo Monye
Didn’t get the opportunity’s as sharples and doesn’t have the line running looking for the ball like Ashton has. I can’t see him the future Lancaster is talking about so I don’t expect to see him starting often if at all. 6
Toby Flood
Swapped the first receiver role with Goode so less influential as an individual, but that’s ok as his all round game allows us to use him in other parts. His kicking is good but jury is out if you got Goode playing do you need floods experience? What does he offer more then Farrell? I expect him to remain in the starting line-up as his expernece will be invaluable against the better sides. 6
Danny Care
Not his best of games with a dangerous tackle at the start of the match and diffident at other times. Does put pace on the game with quick free kicks, and has a direct running game which makes him dangerous in the loose, could do better and will have to to keep his place. 5
Joe Marler
Great scrummaging effort which is his forte. Against other world-class props he lacks being as good in open play. He is young and will have to learn how to be better in the loose and get around the park using his intelligence in rucks and the breakdown. 7
Tom Youngs
Great debut, we can see what Rowntree is talking about he is a very powerful scrummager. His hooking maybe needs a little work. Always got above the gain line hit his jumpers all the time. Lacks Dylan Hartleys overall game in open play especially breakdowns/rucks, expect him to get better but Hartley still number 1 (for now).
Dan Cole
One of our key players, how can we do with cole? Scrummaged powerfully and forced a few turnovers. Cole is world-class he can scrummage and is fantastic in open play, particularly at the breakdown/rucks. Won us 2 turnovers. Key player. 8
Tom Palmer
Gave away the game's first penalty and is starting to show worrying form for England. Not firing on all cylinders and seems a bit slow to react. Needs to improve as Joe L, is breathing threatening to start. I can’t see Palmer being part of Lancaster’s long-term future I think he will slowly be phased out of the starting side in the future. 5
Geoff Parling
Organised and called the lineout well. Didn’t notice him much in open play. Needs to offer more in open play to make England world class again, just doing line-outs and not doing anything special in open play isn’t going to work long term against good opposition. 6
Tom Johnson
Good game, has an unbelievable engine, covers so much ground. His intelligence in open play makes a big difference. Is much quicker then people believe. Also and in the breakdown/rucks is a real nuisance to the opposition (just like in SA). I like the lines he runs in open play which enabled him to score. Will need to play really bad to allow anyone else taking the number 6 shirt. He will play against Australia. 7.5
Chris Robshaw
The lion-heart, committed, led from the front, did the dirty work on the floor, carried well. What else can he do? Again one of the highest tackles made in the game where he consistently always is. He is slowly turning into a MJ where the opposition get scared up against him due to his playing ability. 8
Thomas Waldrom
Made some mistakes I think the problem Waldrom has is that he has a better overall game then Morgan BUT Morgan does one or 2 things so much better thats world-class and creates trys/opportunities. His passing needs a little work and positional play is not what Lancaster be hoping for. A real dilemma for Lancaster can Morgan come in to the side yet??? As no doubt the opposition have seen that Waldrom is possible weaklink in the side. A worry. 6
England's best player. Provided a good option as a second receiver and looked like the player Lancaster likes as he plays with his head and has good game management. Stood in for Care when scrum-half was binned and provided, imagination, width and another dimension which we never saw from the backline players before. I expect him to start again. Impressive. 9/10
Charlie Sharples
Scored England's first try when he cut in from the wing, dragging defenders over the line. But even at this level Ashton would of also finished the opportunities provided, but a good game. 7
Manu Tuilagi
The get over the gain line power is just immense, he is just so, so powerful. Brings more then 1 defenders which opens up play for others. It’s a pity he still lacks the overall game of but I expect him to get better. I can see his line running is more intelligent then last year. 8
Brad Barritt
Provided a good defence and I know people say as a centre provides no creativity but let me say that Defence is just as important as attacking ability. With England so hard to get by Barrit is doing England a big favour. The way he organises the defence and people around him is not seen by others. He carried well against a physical Fijian side. Gives an intelligent passing game as well. Deserves to play against Austrailia and I think he will, he done nothing wrong. 7
Ugo Monye
Didn’t get the opportunity’s as sharples and doesn’t have the line running looking for the ball like Ashton has. I can’t see him the future Lancaster is talking about so I don’t expect to see him starting often if at all. 6
Toby Flood
Swapped the first receiver role with Goode so less influential as an individual, but that’s ok as his all round game allows us to use him in other parts. His kicking is good but jury is out if you got Goode playing do you need floods experience? What does he offer more then Farrell? I expect him to remain in the starting line-up as his expernece will be invaluable against the better sides. 6
Danny Care
Not his best of games with a dangerous tackle at the start of the match and diffident at other times. Does put pace on the game with quick free kicks, and has a direct running game which makes him dangerous in the loose, could do better and will have to to keep his place. 5
Joe Marler
Great scrummaging effort which is his forte. Against other world-class props he lacks being as good in open play. He is young and will have to learn how to be better in the loose and get around the park using his intelligence in rucks and the breakdown. 7
Tom Youngs
Great debut, we can see what Rowntree is talking about he is a very powerful scrummager. His hooking maybe needs a little work. Always got above the gain line hit his jumpers all the time. Lacks Dylan Hartleys overall game in open play especially breakdowns/rucks, expect him to get better but Hartley still number 1 (for now).
Dan Cole
One of our key players, how can we do with cole? Scrummaged powerfully and forced a few turnovers. Cole is world-class he can scrummage and is fantastic in open play, particularly at the breakdown/rucks. Won us 2 turnovers. Key player. 8
Tom Palmer
Gave away the game's first penalty and is starting to show worrying form for England. Not firing on all cylinders and seems a bit slow to react. Needs to improve as Joe L, is breathing threatening to start. I can’t see Palmer being part of Lancaster’s long-term future I think he will slowly be phased out of the starting side in the future. 5
Geoff Parling
Organised and called the lineout well. Didn’t notice him much in open play. Needs to offer more in open play to make England world class again, just doing line-outs and not doing anything special in open play isn’t going to work long term against good opposition. 6
Tom Johnson
Good game, has an unbelievable engine, covers so much ground. His intelligence in open play makes a big difference. Is much quicker then people believe. Also and in the breakdown/rucks is a real nuisance to the opposition (just like in SA). I like the lines he runs in open play which enabled him to score. Will need to play really bad to allow anyone else taking the number 6 shirt. He will play against Australia. 7.5
Chris Robshaw
The lion-heart, committed, led from the front, did the dirty work on the floor, carried well. What else can he do? Again one of the highest tackles made in the game where he consistently always is. He is slowly turning into a MJ where the opposition get scared up against him due to his playing ability. 8
Thomas Waldrom
Made some mistakes I think the problem Waldrom has is that he has a better overall game then Morgan BUT Morgan does one or 2 things so much better thats world-class and creates trys/opportunities. His passing needs a little work and positional play is not what Lancaster be hoping for. A real dilemma for Lancaster can Morgan come in to the side yet??? As no doubt the opposition have seen that Waldrom is possible weaklink in the side. A worry. 6
Similar threads
