[RWC2019][Semi-Final 1] England vs. New Zealand (26/10/2019)

[TRF_Olyy]

Kruis should be starting, but other than that now complaints (presuming Nowell isn't fit, if he were then I'd have JJ/Nowell bench)

ENGLAND STARTING XV
15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 37 caps)
14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 40 caps)
13 Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 38 caps)
12 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 77 caps) C
11 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 50 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 63 caps)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 93 caps)
1 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 56 caps)
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 43 caps)
3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 29 caps)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 32 caps)
5 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 79 caps)
6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 17 caps)
7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 49 caps)

Finishers
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 19 caps)
17 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 66 caps)
18 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 93 caps)
19 George Kruis (Saracens, 39 caps)
20 Mark Wilson (Sale Sharks 16 caps)
21 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 8 caps)
22 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 25 caps)
23 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 45 caps)

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

You could tell that from a photo?? I know a picture tells a thousand words, but I don't see him celebrating...

Yes he smiled, but then again most of us do when a picture is being taken. That's just common courtesy to make the picture look better. Unless that picture is taken completely out of context, and they were all doing the Mr. Roboto dance when the picture was taken.

Like I'm not arguing that Pepper feels like he's celebrating but the facts of the situation around him are pretty stark - he's in a situation where others are celebrating the victory and the role of *that elbow* in the victory and he's mimicking them.

You say common courtesy but the only thing relevant for officials is they remain perceived as separate and neutral in all contexts. And it's not really that hard.The only thing he needs to do is not make the elbow gesture which could be seen as "rubbing it in" (and clearly the FRU have taken it that way) then this probably spills over into being fine.

 

[Goodey]

If you're Cokanasiga or McConnachie you've got to be wondering what you're doing here?

Other than that, I've no beef. Kruis is a better scrummager than Lawes but not significantly better at the lineout afaic.

 

[MarkyH]

If you're Cokanasiga or McConnachie you've got to be wondering what you're doing here?

Other than that, I've no beef. Kruis is a better scrummager than Lawes but not significantly better at the lineout afaic.

I think players 29, 30, 31 in the squad knew they weren't guaranteed starters. Same as other squads.

They have good attitudes, no dramas, no problems.

 

[ncurd]

If you're Cokanasiga or McConnachie you've got to be wondering what you're doing here?

Other than that, I've no beef. Kruis is a better scrummager than Lawes but not significantly better at the lineout afaic.

They only ever went as injury cover everyone else clearly above them in pecking order.

We are told Kruis is the lineout guru but clearly EJ thinks Lawes brings something else but I don't know what it is apart the odd highlight reel tackle. Donesbt matter that much in grand scheme.

 

[spartan32]

Happy enough with that side. Lawes was to be expected. He's much more of an enforcer around the pitch than Kruiz and he's a tall lad who works well in the line.

no surprise that there's no space for Big Joe or McChonnicie, and I guess Nowell just isn't cooked enough, although JJ deserves the bench spot at the very least and Watson has also earned that start.

we've set ourselves up for some serious rugby to be played. Now we just need to live up to the line up. Proper pumped for this!!!

 

[ncurd]

So our only two worries are, will Youngs be good? is Daly so bad it will cost us the match?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

They only ever went as injury cover everyone else clearly above them in pecking order.

Take your point, but I thought Joe was going to be our secret weapon. I know he's a work in progress, but disappointed not to have seen more of him.

I think Barrett at 6 is a v smart selection from Hansen. They'll lose a little in general play, but not much, and it puts massive pressure on our line out and Lawes in particular. The ABs won't have forgotten that they beat Itoje in the line out last time, Curry's done well but is now up against 2 full time jumpers and bigger men in the back row.

Mo'unga's going to be putting a lot of boot to ball. Either targeting Daly or for territory knowing that their line out can challenge our ball every time.

 

[spartan32]

T

So our only two worries are, will Youngs be good? is Daly so bad it will cost us the match?

hats probably fair. When Young's does have a good game it can really lift England.

daly is going to be tested to breaking. He must know that and needs the game of his life.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Yeah Kruis for Lawes would be my only quibble. Good to see Wilson back on the bench.

 

[Which Tyler]

Ford in, Slade out.

Wilson in place of Ludlam on the bench.

Happy with both of those. Harsh on Ludlam, but Wilson is simply better at this point in time. Slade could even consider himself lucky to make the bench in lieu of a genuine winger given his form.
Anything else is marginal.

I still worry about Daly at the back; but have been resigned to it for a while. "If Only" Watson had been fit when Brown was finally dropped. Oh Well

 

[Grizwald]

I thought Kruis would have came in. He's the lineout caller/guru but at least Lawes hasn't been put at 6. Line out is going to be under real pressure with 3 locks in the AB pack.

 

[sigesige00]

Kruis should be starting, but other than that now complaints (presuming Nowell isn't fit, if he were then I'd have JJ/Nowell bench)

ENGLAND STARTING XV
15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 37 caps)
14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 40 caps)
13 Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 38 caps)
12 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 77 caps) C
11 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 50 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 63 caps)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 93 caps)
1 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 56 caps)
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 43 caps)
3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 29 caps)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 32 caps)
5 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 79 caps)
6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 17 caps)
7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 49 caps)

Finishers
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 19 caps)
17 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 66 caps)
18 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 93 caps)
19 George Kruis (Saracens, 39 caps)
20 Mark Wilson (Sale Sharks 16 caps)
21 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 8 caps)
22 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 25 caps)
23 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 45 caps)

I have heard of "Finishers" for the first time.
By the way, is there no English internatinals in French clubs or Super Rugby?

 

[spartan32]

On the Daly 15 front, Jones must realise that there is a defensive issue there, and that NZ will look to target Daly. That being the case he's smart enough to have some kind of plan to deal with it. I don't think Daly is that bad under the high ball, and as long as Watson and or May drop back with the ball and run interference he should be well enough covered. On the plus side his kick returns are massive and he can put the ABs well back in their own 22 if given half the chance.

The bigger issue is if they run at him. We've all seen him skinned by the simplest of one on ones. He's certainly no Brown when it comes to that situation.

However maybe we are worrying too much. Every team so far has struggled to put any try's over us, due to the team defensive effort. And Daly is pretty handy in the attacking line. Let's just hope that for any points he bleeds, he makes them back in attack.

 

[spartan32]

I have heard of "Finishers" for the first time.
By the way, is there no English internatinals in French clubs or Super Rugby?

Nope. We have a selection policy that only players from the Prem are eligible unless in exceptional circumstances. Hence whey the likes of Cips turned down lucrative contracts abroad for a shot at the England squad

 

[Lé Ddanno]

If you're Cokanasiga or McConnachie you've got to be wondering what you're doing here?

Waiting for one of the other wingers to get injured, maybe Nowell. Wake up.

 

[Which Tyler]

Waiting for one of the other wingers to get injured, maybe Nowell. Wake up.

Given that Nowell's yet to be fit - they didn't have to wait long

 

[Goodey]

Waiting for one of the other wingers to get injured, maybe Nowell. Wake up.

That's my point, Nowell has been injured and they still can't make the 23

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Tongue was almost poking right through my cheek - I don't understand why Nowell is there, as much as I rate him

 

[McTallshort]

Kruis should be starting, but other than that now complaints (presuming Nowell isn't fit, if he were then I'd have JJ/Nowell bench)

ENGLAND STARTING XV
15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 37 caps)
14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 40 caps)
13 Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 38 caps)
12 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 77 caps) C
11 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 50 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 63 caps)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 93 caps)
1 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 56 caps)
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 43 caps)
3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 29 caps)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 32 caps)
5 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 79 caps)
6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 17 caps)
7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 49 caps)

Finishers
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 19 caps)
17 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 66 caps)
18 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 93 caps)
19 George Kruis (Saracens, 39 caps)
20 Mark Wilson (Sale Sharks 16 caps)
21 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 8 caps)
22 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 25 caps)
23 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 45 caps)

Given Nowell is injured its a good side. Shame we didnt see more of Genge this world cup. Guessing he will get a run out when we play Wales next Friday...