EOYT: England vs South Africa, 24/11/2012

[Surefire]

Did not see the match, just followed it in the bbc. Just saw Robshaw's comments on that last penalty, and did not seem to unreasonable. He expected to get the ball back, SA were giving away penalties, so he thought
a. They get another penalty shot. Or
b. They get a chance at a drop goal.

He also stated that they were getting out of their own territory well. Now because I did not see the game cannot really comment. However these seem like fair statements and I hate to see the guy get ripped apart.

 

[smb64]

I get that but today with under 2 minutes left and trailing by 4 why go for 3 when you can have a real go for the 5 or 7 pointer? Its not about playing the game the right way its about making calls that, ultimately, cost you a win

Yeah true I do agree. Just imagine the effect on Robshaw though - He takes a ballsy call against Aus that almost paid off, out of nowhere people and press are massively criticizing him and even calling into question his place in the team! And this is the man that up until then had had large support from fans and even the press. Is it really a surprise he made that call today?

 

[TRF_heineken]

Etzebeth trying to twist Tom Woods head off in that maul.

He's really doing his best to fill the void left by Botha and Burger, by acting an absolute dick.

Can you blame him? he was watching Twilight: Breaking Dawn part 2 yesterday, and you guys are so bloody pale...

That try of Willem Alberts was justice for all the shitty calls that Nigel Owens made today!!

Suck it up England

 

[Big Ewis]

Crap game, crap performance by both teams, and the ref was utter ****.

Thought Lambie did alright though.

yeh, no offense to either team but that was FKN BORING AS HELL.
England especially looked clueless on attack (first half at least, didn't bother continuing), they looked a lot more dangerous against Australia last week.

 

[smb64]

yeh, no offense to either team but that was FKN BORING AS HELL.
England especially looked clueless on attack (first half at least, didn't bother continuing), they looked a lot more dangerous against Australia last week.

What'd you expect, did you happen to notice it was absolutely bucketing it down?

 

[SelimNiai]

Yeah true I do agree. Just imagine the effect on Robshaw though - He takes a ballsy call against Aus that almost paid off, out of nowhere people and press are massively criticizing him and even calling into question his place in the team! And this is the man that up until then had had large support from fans and even the press. Is it really a surprise he made that call today?

To an extent no it isnt a surprise but all these professional sportsmen say they dont pay attention to the media, if he was so easily pressured by the press then maybe he isn't cut out for captaincy at all.

On the one hand I agree with you.

On the other, if Robshaw said "Look, what I was really thinking is we can't buy a try to save our lives but have a fantastic kicker", I'd find it extremely difficult to argue with his logic. So...

I'd far rather attention was paid to the massive mess that is England's backline. Nevermind Robshaw, it's Farrell snr and Catt that have the real explaining to do if you ask me.

Totally, England with Barrit and Tuilagi is like us with North and Cuthbert, its all a bit gung-ho and all too predictable. If you play Tuilagi then you need someone like Joseph to add balance in the centres. Add to that the fact that Tuilagi is far better at the direct running than Brad then it makes no sense playing both

 

[Peat]

I get that but today with under 2 minutes left and trailing by 4 why go for 3 when you can have a real go for the 5 or 7 pointer? Its not about playing the game the right way its about making calls that, ultimately, cost you a win

On the one hand I agree with you.

On the other, if Robshaw said "Look, what I was really thinking is we can't buy a try to save our lives but have a fantastic kicker", I'd find it extremely difficult to argue with his logic. So...

I'd far rather attention was paid to the massive mess that is England's backline. Nevermind Robshaw, it's Farrell snr and Catt that have the real explaining to do if you ask me.

 

[smb64]

I'm just going to go back to watching F1 - less stressful

 

[Wilko's left boot]

I'm just going to go back to watching F1 - less stressful

I'll be considering chess after that match.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

England are very unlucky not to have won. SA was utter shite and a few more calls going England's way should have been enough to pull through for a win.

I ccan't wait for SR for the likes of Vermaak, Reinach and Van Zyl to show HM what we are missing at 9 ATM as that (along with JdV at 12 and boy are there a few younguns gunning for that jersey!) is our main problem ATM.

 

[Peat]

Totally, England with Barrit and Tuilagi is like us with North and Cuthbert, its all a bit gung-ho and all too predictable. If you play Tuilagi then you need someone like Joseph to add balance in the centres. Add to that the fact that Tuilagi is far better at the direct running than Brad then it makes no sense playing both

It's not even that. Everything was so flat with no runners from depth at all. Just a bunch of guys stood still in a line waiting for the ball so they could recycle. Unbelievably shunt. You could enter a time machine and bring back any backs you want and they'd still look crap if they tried playing like that. I can coach backs better than that.

 

[SomeOke]

Horrible weather, boring match.
At least least we finished this awkward re-building season with a shred of dignity.

 

[racingmetrofan]

Watching the Wales game has made me realize how stupidly little pace England had onto the ball.

It seems that a flat defense like SA and Aus played against us completely confounds us... I guess that is what we get having 2 forwards as head coach and a league player as our current back coach.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

England are very unlucky not to have won. SA was utter shite and a few more calls going England's way should have been enough to pull through for a win.

I ccan't wait for SR for the likes of Vermaak, Reinach and Van Zyl to show HM what we are missing at 9 ATM as that (along with JdV at 12 and boy are there a few younguns gunning for that jersey!) is our main problem ATM.

Agreed. We played so **** poor again this tour. Lambie was good though. The few times he actually got the ball (Pienaar only passes short to the forwards) he did good things with the ball. Tactical kicking, chips that got us close to the try-line and he was perfect with the boot. Still, he needs to get the ball more from the base of the ruck.

Meyer needs to realize a player needs more than 10 minutes to show what they can do. Every time subs are either unused or brought on with mere minutes to go.

We won 3, but could have easily lost all matches as well. I am happy with the defense. We conceded just 1 try in 3 matches, but I am furious at the lack of ball the outside backs got. It took Juan de Jongh 30 minutes to get his hands on the ball and the only reason Pietersen got his hands on the ball was when he got it directly from Lambie. Our inside center Jean de Villiers is the main culprit for our backline being invisible.

There's some young guys waiting to show what they can do. Van Zyl and Reinach at scrum-half will be pushing for the 9-jersey. Pienaar has gone from decent to slow, dumb and predictable. In the center-department we have Whitehead, Steyn, Serfontein and Venter who will be eyeing the 12-jersey for the Boks.

All in all, good results (3 wins) but I am not happy with the way we got the wins. Positives from the tour:

- Lambie at fly-half made most of his opportunity and there's no reason for him to be dropped
- Louw and Coetzee together on the field are the perfect flanker-combo. If only Coetzee could get a starting berth and Alberts coming off the bench
- Line-outs. Everyone thought we would struggle with Bakkies and Matfield no longer available, but we have stolen several line-outs in each of the matches played this year. Alberts, Etzebeth and Kruger all beat their opponents in the jumping-battle for the ball this month.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Ugh. I didn't enjoy that one bit. Our coaching set-up needs to take a long hard look at itself. I'm with Peat - we're so badly coached(mainly the backs). I don't have a problem with Lancaster apart from a few selection issues, but I have a major issue with Mike Catt and Andy Farrel.

Players who need to be dropped because of their performances: Ben Youngs, Chris Ashton, Mouritz Botha, Toby Flood
Players who need to be dropped because their role in the team isn't working: Brad Barritt

 

[Big Ewis]

SA really missed Habana this tour didn't they...he can inject such pace and play with ball in hand by himself into the team, into the match...
I wish they'd show a better form very soon...not impressive these past few mths to say the least...

 

[Draggs]

England are very unlucky not to have won. SA was utter shite and a few more calls going England's way should have been enough to pull through for a win.

I ccan't wait for SR for the likes of Vermaak, Reinach and Van Zyl to show HM what we are missing at 9 ATM as that (along with JdV at 12 and boy are there a few younguns gunning for that jersey!) is our main problem ATM.

Groom as well, you have a good lad there. New scrum half and inside centre are a must.
Kirchner was good, solid, no complaints. Lambie trying to figure out what he can do, no reason to drop him, as Eze said.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Only a year ago SA were marvelling at how great Hougard was and the obvious replacement to du Preez...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

If you think Lambie was good then you're really looking at him through shark tinted glasses.
If Steyn had played like lambie you'd be tearing your hair out. He was adequate at best.

Sent from my HTC Incredible S using Tapatalk 2

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Well, he got the ball a couple of times and the only bad thing he did was when he was tackled in the second half (after Pienaar passes in the tackle).

Lambie is more versatile and consistent than Steyn. I am not saying he was playing out of his skin or had a magnificent day, but he has been the best fly-half this year in the Bok team.