[November Tests 2016 EOYT] England vs. Fiji (19/11/2016)

[Peat]

I like how every time I publicly proclaim faith in an England coach, they go and destroy it. The idea of returning to Alex Goode is pretty rancid.

More experimentation would have been nice but I think giving the team more time together and making it hard to get in has something to be said for it.

 

[FLOBALOB]

This is what has me worried, I get the impression Roko is going to feel he has to play an absolute blinder or will be dropped again and will try to force things, that rarely has a good outcome. If the rest of the team struggles for whatever reason it is even worse and 1 mistake by Roko could see his head drop as he sees his England chances gone forever. I feel too much pressure is being applied because of him being consistently overlooked.

Blimey mate you make him sound like a 17 year old virgin making his debut against NZ, not a 30 year old seasoned player, cum soldier playing in the second best team in the world against fiji. If hes as fragile as you're suggesting ,International rugby isnt for him . He should be thankful Yarde had first dobbins last week and showed he wasnt up to it (again).
As chances go it, couldn't be better.

 

[Every Time Ref]

He actually did make his debut against NZ and did pretty well...I know what he's getting at though, this does unbelievably feel like potential last chance saloon for him

 

[Which Tyler]

Blimey mate you make him sound like a 17 year old virgin making his debut against NZ, not a 30 year old seasoned player, cum soldier playing in the second best team in the world against fiji.

 

[RedruthRFC]

Blimey mate you make him sound like a 17 year old virgin making his debut against NZ, not a 30 year old seasoned player, cum soldier playing in the second best team in the world against fiji. If hes as fragile as you're suggesting ,International rugby isnt for him . He should be thankful Yarde had first dobbins last week and showed he wasnt up to it (again).
As chances go it, couldn't be better.

I wish I hadn't Googled this!

Having (apparently) shed his V-Plates, had a go in a tank and having been on the planet for 13 years longer might make a player winning their second cap after only four years of professional rugby better equipped to deal with the pressure described, but not immune to it IMO.

 

[FLOBALOB]

He actually did make his debut against NZ and did pretty well...I know what he's getting at though, this does unbelievably feel like potential last chance saloon for him

was he a virgin at the time tho?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I take offense to all this virgin talk, we can do everything just........ I mean they can do everything just as well.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Blimey mate you make him sound like a 17 year old virgin making his debut against NZ, not a 30 year old seasoned player, cum soldier playing in the second best team in the world against fiji. If hes as fragile as you're suggesting ,International rugby isnt for him . He should be thankful Yarde had first dobbins last week and showed he wasnt up to it (again).
As chances go it, couldn't be better.

When you think someone is looking for just any excuse to drop you again whilst simultaneously expecting something excellent, it does put pressure on a player. I think that if Roko doesn't play an absolute blinder or if he makes even one noticeable mistake, that's his chances with England gone for good.

 

[TheSaffycen]

I agree, it's exactly the same as that sock under your bed

 

[Every Time Ref]

I wish I hadn't Googled this!

Having (apparently) shed his V-Plates, had a go in a tank and having been on the planet for 13 years longer might make a player winning their second cap after only four years of professional rugby better equipped to deal with the pressure described, but not immune to it IMO.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/quote/349469.html

 

[FLOBALOB]

I wish I hadn't Googled this!

Having (apparently) shed his V-Plates, had a go in a tank and having been on the planet for 13 years longer might make a player winning their second cap after only four years of professional rugby better equipped to deal with the pressure described, but not immune to it IMO.

 

[spartan32]

So the team announcement delayed due to injury. Some trickery from EJ or an actual problem? Apparently both Billy and Hughes have problems, as does Daly. If all are out I assume Slade gets benched for Daly. Then Harrison for Hughes and Beaumont for Billy? Then I have no idea what the forwards bench would be. I guess Wood, or Wood starts again and Harrison benches? Throws up some interesting questions. IMO EJ is playing silly buggers.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

May and Vunipola apparently the injured ones.

Expect Brown and Goode to be wing and full back

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

So the team announcement delayed due to injury. Some trickery from EJ or an actual problem? Apparently both Billy and Hughes have problems, as does Daly. If all are out I assume Slade gets benched for Daly. Then Harrison for Hughes and Beaumont for Billy? Then I have no idea what the forwards bench would be. I guess Wood, or Wood starts again and Harrison benches? Throws up some interesting questions. IMO EJ is playing silly buggers.

I heard it was May and Brown with issues, not Daly. For Hughes and Billy I'm expecting a back row of:
6. Robshaw
7. Harrison
8. Morgan

20. Wood

For May and Brown:
11. Daly
13. Joseph
14. Roko
15. Goode

22. Slade
23. Te'o

Or if it's just Daly then:
13. JJ

22. Te'o
23. Goode

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

So it is Daly, May, Hughes and Vunipola with the question marks.

 

[spartan32]

So it is Daly, May, Hughes and Vunipola with the question marks.

That's what's being reported by the BBC. Interesting to hear someone else mention Brown and May. Could be issues all over the place. Not really worried though. As long as we can field a strong set piece then we can just grind Fiji down.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Not heard Brown being named as one.

 

[spartan32]

Think browns just being rested. Looks like Goode was always going to get a start. Still unsure why EJ is persevering with him. He's clearly not in favour and never seems to transfer AP ability to test rugby. Surely time to bring through some new blood? Maybe he's just a stop gap while someone else is being groomed for Browns throne?

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

As if we needed more injuries... This is getting beyond a joke, wtf are they doing to these players?

 

[Every Time Ref]

As if we needed more injuries... This is getting beyond a joke, wtf are they doing to these players?

Yeah I'm starting to wonder if it's more than coincidence