November Internationals: Expectations for your team

[Welsh Exile]

Interesting that you think that Australia will beat Scotland and lose to Wales.

He's been drinking. Starting the weekend early.

 

[General Melchett]

Interesting that you think that Australia will beat Scotland and lose to Wales.

Ordinarily you'd back Schmidt to get the better of Townsend (which he did when he was with Ireland) but does Schmidt have the tools do it with Aus? Has he had enough time to work on his playbook with them? We know he's all about structure and process. I'd have Scotland who are a more settled side as favourites but it wouldn't be a big shock if Aus came away with the win. I'd have more confidence with Franco Smith in charge instead of Townsend tbh who probably should have left after the RWC.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Ordinarily you'd back Schmidt to get the better of Townsend (which he did when he was with Ireland) but does Schmidt have the tools do it with Aus? Has he had enough time to work on his playbook with them? We know he's all about structure and process. I'd have Scotland who are a more settled side as favourites but it wouldn't be a big shock if Aus came away with the win. I'd have more confidence with Franco Smith in charge instead of Townsend tbh who probably should have left after the RWC.

Home advantage I think Scotland win by 5-10 points.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Schmidt is definitely the factor. When we were building with him he'd always target one team and pick them apart meticulously in test series, hoping the systems he built would handle the rest. I think it'll be Scotland this time around based on the teams they're playing and the schedule. I also back him to outclass Townsend in any respect.

Could easily see them doing Wales in too but consistency won't be there yet and Gatland for the first time in his current stint has a bit of confidence to work with from the regions.

Not confident in either prediction but it's how I see it.

He's been drinking. Starting the weekend early.

I wish, have to wait til like 1.30 on Saturday.

 

[TommiG88]

4 wins for England,
4 losses for Scotland
4 wins for Ireland
4 losses for Wales

 

[Welsh Exile]

4 wins for England,
4 losses for Scotland
4 wins for Ireland
4 losses for Wales

Even we might find it hard to lose 4 times when we're only playing 3 games.

 

[General Melchett]

Even we might find it hard to lose 4 times when we're only playing 3 games.

I just assumed the fourth loss was losing all momentum going into the 6N. Or Welsh fans losing the will to live.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I just assumed the fourth loss was losing all momentum going into the 6N. Or Welsh fans losing the will to live.

Losing? That ship has well and truly sailed bud.

 

[TommiG88]

Even we might find it hard to lose 4 times when we're only playing 3 games.

I didn't even check, just didn't want to leave you out

 

[Welsh Exile]

I didn't even check,

I don't think Gatland or anyone in Wales has either. I'm the only one.

 

[General Melchett]

I don't think Gatland or anyone in Wales has either. I'm the only one.

Yeah Gatland has far bigger fish to fry. He's rehearsing the Q&A about the roof being open/closed with his favourite journos.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

USA plays Tonga, Portugal, and Spain.

At best 2-1 at worst 0-3. Ideally we don't t get blown out by Tonga and the Portugal and Spain games are really good tier 2 games.

Slightly concerned that we will lose close games to Portugal and Spain since lack of composure towards the end of the game cost us last qualifying cycle.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Yeah Gatland has far bigger fish to fry. He's rehearsing the Q&A about the roof being open/closed with his favourite journos.

"So what did you think about the performance Mr Gatland?"

"Fantastic, I think it was by far our best roof commentary ever. We had been working hard on it in training and I really thought that shone through with the latest media releases."

 

[AlRums]

Schmidt is definitely the factor. When we were building with him he'd always target one team and pick them apart meticulously in test series, hoping the systems he built would handle the rest. I think it'll be Scotland this time around based on the teams they're playing and the schedule. I also back him to outclass Townsend in any respect.

Could easily see them doing Wales in too but consistency won't be there yet and Gatland for the first time in his current stint has a bit of confidence to work with from the regions.

Not confident in either prediction but it's how I see it.



I wish, have to wait til like 1.30 on Saturday.

I think he targeted England.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think he targeted England.

Yep, targetting Scotland was never really his style in hindsight.

 

[Which Tyler]

2 from 4 would be a disappointing par (much like 3rd/4th in the RWC, 3rd in the 6N and 2 narrow losses in NZ), and would be the full stop at the end of a disappointing year of rugby, with a 50% winning record.
Not enough to be calling for Slightly Baffling's head, but needing a real improvement next year or I will run out of patience fairly soon.

Not going to get 2 from 4, but I'll wait until that's actually confirmed before I call for SB's head - so around this time next week.

Not much cohesion phase to phase, let alone half to half or week to week.
Yeah, there's been a churn of coaches - but that's 100% the HC's responsibility, so doesn't get any leeway from me.

 

[AlRums]

Not going to get 2 from 4, but I'll wait until that's actually confirmed before I call for SB's head - so around this time next week.

Not much cohesion phase to phase, let alone half to half or week to week.
Yeah, there's been a churn of coaches - but that's 100% the HC's responsibility, so doesn't get any leeway from me.

There's not too much shame losing to 2 of the four better ranked teams, but Australia who were ranked 5 places below is a blow.

 

[Saintjay]

Tough one. I think England are on a 50% win ratio since the world cup.

They are something like 2 wins from the last six. I think 3/4 shows improvement. If it's 2/2 I'm not sure where England go. Borthwick has had enough time now.

They need to kick on from France, AB's, SA, coulda, woulda, shoulda loses. England need to show they can beat top teams not only the ability to beat teams below them. Other than the Ireland result of course.

Situation no change for my prediction. Other than it's likely 1/4.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

USA plays Tonga, Portugal, and Spain.

At best 2-1 at worst 0-3. Ideally we don't t get blown out by Tonga and the Portugal and Spain games are really good tier 2 games.

Slightly concerned that we will lose close games to Portugal and Spain since lack of composure towards the end of the game cost us last qualifying cycle.

3-0 so I'm a big dumb dumb

#americaiswinningsgain

 

[AlRums]

Like that see Scotland win 3/4 at least, at bare minimum 2/4

Up to expectations.