[RWC2019][Pool C] Round 1 - England vs. Tonga (22/09/2019)

[MarkyH]

Yep, quite possibly our strongest team we can put out and I like it.

Tonga should be easily beat, but they are capable of producing moments, and they will be up for it now they've had some time together and its a World Cup. We've got enough power, enough nous and enough ability to get the ball to the pace in the back 3.

I'm so excited.

 

[Gena_ZA]

This England team can go a long way in the World Cup.
This is simply a strong squad with a good management structure.
Should they not loose their heads in the bigger games I can see them pushing for a final spot

 

[Goodey]

That’s the only logical explanation, but I’ve long held the view that logic has left the building.

I know Manu breaks easily, but 2 13s on the bench is a bit much.....

It’s the opener and “only” Tonga, but let’s not beat around the bush. If we’ve got any pretensions of winning this thing, nothing less than an outright thumping will do. And that includes not reducing to a complete shambles when the bench comes on.

Eh, I will roll my eyes if there's doomsaying because we didn't beat Tonga hard enough. In 2007 we were ratshit in the pool stages and then were only the width of Mark Cueto's boot from the trophy. In 2011 we belted the minnows and it didn't do any good.

 

[MarkyH]

Don't mind 2 13s. Slade will cover FB, JJ the wings. It's just to get them up to speed. We don't need specialists, especially when the 13s on the bench are top class

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Don't mind 2 13s. Slade will cover FB, JJ the wings. It's just to get them up to speed. We don't need specialists, especially when the 13s on the bench are top class

With Watson and Daly on the pitch you have two full backs anyway, so if Daly got subbed, I would expect Watson shift to 15. Ford to come off in the second half and shift Farrell to 10 and Tuilagi to 12. JJ or Slade to 13, which is why it is a bit strange to have two 13s on the bench and surprised Joe C is not in the 23 shirt. Can only think Jones considers JJ as wing cover.

 

[Which Tyler]

JJ has started wing before, at international level, and done recently. He's fine as cover.
I'd LIKE to see us replace both centres, Slade at IC and JJ at OC, outside Ford and run riot in the last 20 - saving Farrell to start against the US, with JJ at OC and Slade/Francis starting IC and bench

 

[MarkyH]

With Watson and Daly on the pitch you have two full backs anyway, so if Daly got subbed, I would expect Watson shift to 15. Ford to come off in the second half and shift Farrell to 10 and Tuilagi to 12. JJ or Slade to 13, which is why it is a bit strange to have two 13s on the bench and surprised Joe C is not in the 23 shirt. Can only think Jones considers JJ as wing cover.

Both JJ and Slade need to get match time after knocks. I'd like to see Joe C in 23, but I totally get why not. It's more about match fitness than tactics. We should be doing ok when they come on...

 

[TommiG88]

Both JJ and Slade need to get match time after knocks. I'd like to see Joe C in 23, but I totally get why not. It's more about match fitness than tactics. We should be doing ok when they come on...

I think Eddie wants the team to go out and lay down a marker.

 

[spartan32]

Strong team. It will be interesting to see how and when the subs are deployed. I would imagine EJ wanted the lads to bury the Tongans in the first half and then get the subs on early. That way we can make a big statement and also rest up/protect our big assets like Manu and Faz. A centre pairing of Slade and JJ could be pretty lethal, especially with May/Watson/Daly still on the pitch. Crazy amount of speed and some seriously good hands between them all.

I just hope we hold our structure and don’t get sucked into the mad and broken style of play the Islanders revel in. We need to control how the game is played and keep it at our pace and in our style.

This WC has a good feel about it generally so looking forward to a feast of quality rugby from all concerned.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Without doubt the fastest England team ever

Chasing kicks is going to be a strong suit - over to Ford and Faz to put the ball in the right place.

To make the most of our sprinters ball in hand Youngs needs to come over all decisive and Manu’s peripheral vision and passing / offloading need to be spot on.

I really think Youngs is going to be a barometer for team fortunes. If he goes well then we can be a handful for anyone, but if he doesn’t then we could be pretty ordinary.

In the 95 semi we had some serious gas outside Morris and Andrew - Carling, Guscott, a couple of Underwoods and Catt. And look what happened there......

Pack wasn’t over pacy, mind. Leonard, Moore, Ubogu, Johnson, Bayfield and the beautifully balanced back row of Rodber, Clarke & Richards. Some serious units there!

 

[Stuey89]

Who’s the better winger.. May or Watson?

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Chasing kicks is going to be a strong suit - over to Ford and Faz to put the ball in the right place.

To make the most of our sprinters ball in hand Youngs needs to come over all decisive and Manu’s peripheral vision and passing / offloading need to be spot on.

I really think Youngs is going to be a barometer for team fortunes. If he goes well then we can be a handful for anyone, but if he doesn’t then we could be pretty ordinary.

In the 95 semi we had some serious gas outside Morris and Andrew - Carling, Guscott, a couple of Underwoods and Catt. And look what happened there......

Pack wasn’t over pacy, mind. Leonard, Moore, Ubogu, Johnson, Bayfield and the beautifully balanced back row of Rodber, Clarke & Richards. Some serious units there!

I am old enough to remember that semi and that was a grand slam winning England team That year. But looking back that back row was very unbalanced - pretty much played 3 8s/6s, which was why England were crying out for a Neil Back at 7 even back then. Ubogu was very small for a tight head prop and got mashed by Dowd.

playing Tony Underwood, who was 5 foot 9 and 12 stone opposite Jonah, 6 foot 5, 19 stone and could run the 100 in less than 11 seconds, well that was just a disaster waiting to happen. Catt getting run over by Jonah will forever be burned in my memory.

 

[MarkyH]

Chasing kicks is going to be a strong suit - over to Ford and Faz to put the ball in the right place.

To make the most of our sprinters ball in hand Youngs needs to come over all decisive and Manu’s peripheral vision and passing / offloading need to be spot on.

I really think Youngs is going to be a barometer for team fortunes. If he goes well then we can be a handful for anyone, but if he doesn’t then we could be pretty ordinary.

In the 95 semi we had some serious gas outside Morris and Andrew - Carling, Guscott, a couple of Underwoods and Catt. And look what happened there......

Pack wasn’t over pacy, mind. Leonard, Moore, Ubogu, Johnson, Bayfield and the beautifully balanced back row of Rodber, Clarke & Richards. Some serious units there!

I loved that 95 England team, Guscott and the Underwoods were so exciting, and Richards was immense. The 95 RWC was my first RWC I really got. So many legends we have lost too Chester, Jonah, Joost But what a tournament it was.

 

[BPM]

Strong team. It will be interesting to see how and when the subs are deployed. I would imagine EJ wanted the lads to bury the Tongans in the first half and then get the subs on early. That way we can make a big statement and also rest up/protect our big assets like Manu and Faz. A centre pairing of Slade and JJ could be pretty lethal, especially with May/Watson/Daly still on the pitch. Crazy amount of speed and some seriously good hands between them all.

I just hope we hold our structure and don’t get sucked into the mad and broken style of play the Islanders revel in. We need to control how the game is played and keep it at our pace and in our style.

This WC has a good feel about it generally so looking forward to a feast of quality rugby from all concerned.

Yep. That’s more or less my thinking.

Looking at how Tonga defended against NZ, there was a huge amount of space out wide. I can see May, Daly and Watson getting a lot of space.

As Old Hooker says, a good kicking game from Ford/Farrell should see us get a lot of change.

 

[spartan32]

Who’s the better winger.. May or Watson?

Not sure you can pick between them. May is faster, Watson stronger and arguably more versatile as you would risk May at FB where as Watson can play there, however May is marginally more dangerous in attack, but Watson better in defence. I’d say they’re pretty balanced.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Eh, I will roll my eyes if there's doomsaying because we didn't beat Tonga hard enough. In 2007 we were ratshit in the pool stages and then were only the width of Mark Cueto's boot from the trophy. In 2011 we belted the minnows and it didn't do any good.

Point taken, but it’s all about developing a ruthless and relentless mindset.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Who’s the better winger.. May or Watson?

Not much between them,

I'd say fully on form and fit and firing etc. IMO it's May, but Watson is more consistent with his form.

 

[MarkyH]

David Halaifonua is going to have a tough day at FB that's for sure. He's the only Coventry Rugby player at the WC Hopefully he can help Tonga cause an upset later in the stage

 

[BPM]

Not much between them,

I'd say fully on form and fit and firing etc. IMO it's May, but Watson is more consistent with his form.

I’m not sure you can qualify that statement based upon on the last couple of years. May has been consistently excellent, Watson has been consistently injured.

Either way, I agree that there’s not much to choose between them and May is marginally better at the moment.

Watson is probably the more natural athlete, but a lot of articles I have read say that May is the player most dedicated to improving himself, making trips to athletics facilities in the off-season to improve his pace etc.

 

[Every Time Ref]

On another note. How could a game of rugby gone so wrong as to end up with a hooker at 15?! That’s just perverse!

I know the thread has moved on somewhat but I too really need to hear this story @Old Hooker

Eh, I will roll my eyes if there's doomsaying because we didn't beat Tonga hard enough. In 2007 we were ratshit in the pool stages and then were only the width of Mark Cueto's boot from the trophy. In 2011 we belted the minnows and it didn't do any good.

Do you remember in 2015 where everyone was saying the All Blacks looked a bit average in the Pool stages?