[November Tests 2016 EOYT] England vs. South Africa (12/11/2016)

[Vieux Talonneur]

Expected Team

1. Vunipola
2. Hartley (c)
3. Cole
4. Launchbury
5. Lawes
6. Robshaw
7. Wood
8. Vunipola
9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Farrell
13. Joseph
14. Yarde
15. Brown

16. George
17. Marler
18. Sinckler
19. Attwood
20. Hughes
21. Care/Beaumont
22. Te'o/Care
23. Daly

Don't understand the Roko thing but EJ has clearly seen something he doesn't like. If he can't get in now with Watson and Nowell out then his chance will be gone. Unless EJ is planning to experiment over the series, which I doubt.

On paper the replacement forwards carry some serious firepower.

 

[TheOvalBall]

They only gave Lambie the captaincy because Strauss didn't play. Strauss will be back to lead the team against England. It doesn't mean that Lambie might not play at all. He can slot in at Fullback too, or the bench.

But his kicking was dreadful against the Baabaas.

I'm a big fan of Lambie. I hope he plays. He just needs game time. He's still a bit rusty.

 

[unrated]

I actually think AC is seriously considering Lambie as the long term captain. He is good enough to stay in the team, just needs to get injuries sorted out. When Pollard comes back and Lambie is palying well then Pollard can play centre.
Jantjies had his chance. Morne had his chance now lets see what Lambie can do. Im fairly confident he is going to have a great tour. He always plays well for the few games a year that he is not injured.

 

[Peat]

Let them write their predictions. I don't care.

What will they say when we miraculously win??

We really do have a chance at winning this match, even if we may not be properly coached (which I think will be different in comparison with the RC, solely based on the inclusion of JP Ferreira and Franco Smith).

We have the players. Beast, Strauss, Etzebeth, Alberts, Lambie, Habana, Le Roux, JPP have all played against England before at Twickenham, and have walked away winners.

Coaching at the moment feels like its going to be the difference. Jones vs Coetzee feels like our best match up, although who knows how it plays out with all the extra coaches and so on.

Talent wise I think its fairly even. We have home advantage and the belief of a winning run, you've got everything to play for and the belief of a strong record against us. I feel like its fairly 50-50 before you take into account the coaches. This is assuming Jones is the coach most of England think he is.

Shame I'll be in the air for this one.

 

[saulan]

I actually fly into London on Saturday morning, but won't be attending the match. Any advice for a good place to catch the match (for a guy who will be wearing a Springbok jersey)?

 

[NickBD]

Most papers reporting Elliot Daly to start for England in place of Jonathan Joseph against South Africa.

 

[ncurd]

:wall:

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Most papers reporting Elliot Daly to start for England in place of Jonathan Joseph against South Africa.

Really? Any real reason for it or substance in it?

 

[ncurd]

I wonder where EJ is on in the Haskscale right now, we know Lancaster broke it with the Wales game last year.

However this decision and the Roko one perplexes me a lot I'll give him 1 for Roko and 0.5 for this (if true). Of course Saturday will really show us.

I'm getting that feeling I did before that Wales game that we should win but the decision making (and injuries) is making me far less confident than I should be.

 

[NickBD]

Really? Any real reason for it or substance in it?

In Telegraph - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-un...-for-england-in-place-of-jonathan-joseph-aga/

It does say in that story JJ has been struggling recently with a groin injury.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I wonder where EJ is on in the Haskscale right now, we know Lancaster broke it with the Wales game last year.

However this decision and the Roko one perplexes me a lot I'll give him 1 for Roko and 0.5 for this (if true). Of course Saturday will really show us.

I'm getting that feeling I did before that Wales game that we should win but the decision making (and injuries) is making me far less confident than I should be.

Jones has made the right calls on all of his picks and benches so far.

I'm Jones we trust, we all thought picking Haskell was terrible and Farrell at 12 but look what Jones has done.

 

[ncurd]

Jones has made the right calls on all of his picks and benches so far.

I'm Jones we trust, we all thought picking Haskell was terrible and Farrell at 12 but look what Jones has done.

I think the jury was out on Farrell at 12, I know some decried it but honestly what other choice was there (like playing Wood this time). The brief time Burrell shut everyone up though, I think it was more people wanted him at 10 though rather than not wanting him 12. Fair point with Haskell though, I'm still baffled how he doesn't want to even put Roko on the bench....

 

[Bada-Bing!]

So, Jones was BSing on Harrison being first in line to play 7? I can see why not to trust everything he says now.

 

[Peat]

I'm now trying to read through the various morasses of threads to see what we actually thought. We're a bloody mouthy bunch, give us that at least...

 

[spartan32]

So now no JJ. Well that's gotta be injury, surely. It will be good to see Daly get a full run out, he's a handy player, but that can't be tactical?!

This game is going to be very interesting. But one thing I can say for sure. What the world doesn't need right now is Another loathed outsider winning something . So come on England. Let's put a smile back on people's faces.

 

[Every Time Ref]

I've been vocally pro-JJ on the Joseph-Daly debate, but having said that if it is an injury change then we could do worse. On Premiership form (which doesn't necessarily mean much) he offers a bit more in attack, but I do think he gives up a fair amount in defence. If it's a tactical change, I'm still not convinced

 

[Lé Ddanno]

I actually fly into London on Saturday morning, but won't be attending the match. Any advice for a good place to catch the match (for a guy who will be wearing a Springbok jersey)?

Pretty much anywhere, we're an accommodating bunch in rugby (association rules football, not so much). Having said that if you don't have company I'd head towards Twickenham and hit the pubs nearby. If you want Saffa company there'll be plenty.
Alternatively, I'm getting together with a couple of mates to watch the game in a relatively quiet spot (Clerkenwell) and you're very welcome to join.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Earlsfield / Wimbledon are Saffa areas, Wimbledon's not a great socialising area but Wandsworth / Earlsfield has a few good pubs - there's a place called GJs with a big screen and I think a good Saffa contingent

 

[BakkiesBokke]

I actually fly into London on Saturday morning, but won't be attending the match. Any advice for a good place to catch the match (for a guy who will be wearing a Springbok jersey)?

The Bok Bar

https://goo.gl/maps/GmuK6dyGpxH2

I've been to this place. Was pretty good. *Edit* - posted the correct Bok Bar

I agree that you can find anywhere as people are very friendly - the main problem is that for some reason, many pubs will be showing football matches!

I'm in the UK at the moment, although moving back to SA shortly. In my opinion, SA expats have been reducing in number in the last year or two, with dozens of my friends returning home. That said, you will still find loads of Saffers around on match days.

You might find a rugby orientated pub near the ground for a less partisan, more mixed atmosphere - will try and find the one I've been to.

 

[RedruthRFC]

I agree that you can find anywhere as people are very friendly - the main problem is that for some reason, many pubs will be showing football matches!

Not at that time on a Saturday, they stopped Saturday afternoon games from being broadcast years ago when attendances started to wane. That's not to say that they will be showing rugby, I would certainly seek out a known rugby pub or confirm that the game will be shown ahead of time.