martinspoonboy1
Bench Player
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2012
- Messages
- 503
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Quick run down of the starters from what I remember/ general thoughts on the starters:
Mako - Carried well as always, with a couple of notable tackle breaking bursts. Overall the scrum is still a concern, although I can't remember him specifically giving away any pens on his side. Obstruction led to Hartely's try being ruled out.
Hartley - Solid if not spectacular. Prefer George who has a similarly high alround skill set, but seems to be a bit quicker round the park and more skillful. A fairly easy afternoon for the skipper. Carried okay. Overthrew on a lineout early on, but luckily we regathered. Missed the tackle for Fiji's third try.
Cole - The supposed lynchpin of the scrum. (which was far from convincing) Was lucky to not give away a pen on 30 mins when the touch judge said he had lost his bind. Gives away too many pens in general. He was okay at best.
Launchbury - Good intensity and work rate. Tripled his try tally for England and was solid as a line out jumper. I think he made all of his tackles too. Surely Jones has to find a way of including him in his starting XV. He's not exactly an impact sub. Should Itoje play 6?
Lawes - Was a bit quiet after having a better game last week and again had the tendancy to carry upright. Can't see him making the match day squad when Kruis and Itoje return.
Robshaw - The whole backrow was fairly quiet. Made a good steal at around 20-25 mins. Defending a promising Fiji maul really well just before half time. Tackled hard. Didn't make any notable mistakes.
Harrisson - Some people have been slating him which I think is abit unfair. Made some big hits. Not really a fetcher and I can't remember him making any turnovers, but by no means had a poor game.
B Vunipola - A pretty average game from a guy we're so used to being there or there about in regards to MOTM. Spilt a ball in contact in a very promising position and didn't seem to make as many metres after contact. Contributed to Fiji's third score.
B Youngs - After the heroics of last week it was always going to be hard for Youngs to live up to that. But he was solid. Doesn't seem to be crabbing as much as a few seasons ago (maybe a confidence thing). Distributed well on the whole after quick ball was often generated. Kicking game was solid. As much as I love Danny Care, Young is the in form SH and deserves to stay there for the time being.
Ford - My MOTM. Distribute so well. Took the ball to the line and greated pretty much everything good about England's back play. Controlled the game so so well. What he brings far outweighs his defensive frailties. His partnership with Farell is working really well. The second distributor and kicking option seems to be becoming a common factor among the most successful international teams.
Daly - This guy has some serious class. He looked like an internation winger and took his tries well. I think jones will experiment with him at Centre, Wing and FB and then unfortunately for himslef, have him as a bench utility. Alround very very good.
Farrell - Solid. Was bumped off in a few tackles, including one of Fiji's tries and missed a couple of (difficult) kicks, but overall a good showing. Overall, probably our MVP. If he get's injured it seems like our whole gameplan would have to change.
Jospeh - Seemed to have a point to prove after missing out on selection against the Boks. Danced his way through tackles and looked dangerous with ball in hand. Hopefully Eddie's threat to remove him for Daly will give him the kick up the backside he probably needs. (no more pouring away champagne please Jonathan, this isn't football)
Rokoduguni - The pressure was on, playing against the country of his birth and on the most part he took his chance well. Got MOTM. Looked electric with ball in hand and in my opinion is the most dangerous runner we have, (probably along with Watson). Possibly should have passed after one of his breaks and was caught out position once or twice, but overall a really good performace. Would like to see Roko and May on the wings against Argentina.
Goode - Was alright. . . .
Mako - Carried well as always, with a couple of notable tackle breaking bursts. Overall the scrum is still a concern, although I can't remember him specifically giving away any pens on his side. Obstruction led to Hartely's try being ruled out.
Hartley - Solid if not spectacular. Prefer George who has a similarly high alround skill set, but seems to be a bit quicker round the park and more skillful. A fairly easy afternoon for the skipper. Carried okay. Overthrew on a lineout early on, but luckily we regathered. Missed the tackle for Fiji's third try.
Cole - The supposed lynchpin of the scrum. (which was far from convincing) Was lucky to not give away a pen on 30 mins when the touch judge said he had lost his bind. Gives away too many pens in general. He was okay at best.
Launchbury - Good intensity and work rate. Tripled his try tally for England and was solid as a line out jumper. I think he made all of his tackles too. Surely Jones has to find a way of including him in his starting XV. He's not exactly an impact sub. Should Itoje play 6?
Lawes - Was a bit quiet after having a better game last week and again had the tendancy to carry upright. Can't see him making the match day squad when Kruis and Itoje return.
Robshaw - The whole backrow was fairly quiet. Made a good steal at around 20-25 mins. Defending a promising Fiji maul really well just before half time. Tackled hard. Didn't make any notable mistakes.
Harrisson - Some people have been slating him which I think is abit unfair. Made some big hits. Not really a fetcher and I can't remember him making any turnovers, but by no means had a poor game.
B Vunipola - A pretty average game from a guy we're so used to being there or there about in regards to MOTM. Spilt a ball in contact in a very promising position and didn't seem to make as many metres after contact. Contributed to Fiji's third score.
B Youngs - After the heroics of last week it was always going to be hard for Youngs to live up to that. But he was solid. Doesn't seem to be crabbing as much as a few seasons ago (maybe a confidence thing). Distributed well on the whole after quick ball was often generated. Kicking game was solid. As much as I love Danny Care, Young is the in form SH and deserves to stay there for the time being.
Ford - My MOTM. Distribute so well. Took the ball to the line and greated pretty much everything good about England's back play. Controlled the game so so well. What he brings far outweighs his defensive frailties. His partnership with Farell is working really well. The second distributor and kicking option seems to be becoming a common factor among the most successful international teams.
Daly - This guy has some serious class. He looked like an internation winger and took his tries well. I think jones will experiment with him at Centre, Wing and FB and then unfortunately for himslef, have him as a bench utility. Alround very very good.
Farrell - Solid. Was bumped off in a few tackles, including one of Fiji's tries and missed a couple of (difficult) kicks, but overall a good showing. Overall, probably our MVP. If he get's injured it seems like our whole gameplan would have to change.
Jospeh - Seemed to have a point to prove after missing out on selection against the Boks. Danced his way through tackles and looked dangerous with ball in hand. Hopefully Eddie's threat to remove him for Daly will give him the kick up the backside he probably needs. (no more pouring away champagne please Jonathan, this isn't football)
Rokoduguni - The pressure was on, playing against the country of his birth and on the most part he took his chance well. Got MOTM. Looked electric with ball in hand and in my opinion is the most dangerous runner we have, (probably along with Watson). Possibly should have passed after one of his breaks and was caught out position once or twice, but overall a really good performace. Would like to see Roko and May on the wings against Argentina.
Goode - Was alright. . . .
