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

[Leonormous Boozer]

Remember when Retallick called Lawes "Michael Lawes"
#ArrogantAllBlacks

Just seen Haskell's comment on it:
"After that match - which we lost - I walked past Retallick and said: 'Learn our f..... names next time you p....'"

Woulda meant something had they won! I did like Hasks comments on the haka though, if Tindall wasn't such a stain I'd listen to his podcast.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Woulda meant something had they won!

To come within a score with Freddie Burns as starting flyhalf is a moral victory

 

[Cooper]

Remember when Retallick called Lawes "Michael Lawes"
#ArrogantAllBlacks

Just seen Haskell's comment on it:
"After that match - which we lost - I walked past Retallick and said: 'Learn our f..... names next time you p....'"


Love a bit of bants in the pre-match build up

Great stuff from Brodie haha! Funny the English lads got so triggered over a 'slip of the tongue'.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Great stuff from Brodie haha! Funny the English lads got so triggered over a 'slip of the tongue'.

I'm not sure they know there is a well known bloke in NZ called Michael Laws (and why would they), but it makes the slip less egregious than if Brodie had just randomly called him any old name.

 

[Cooper]

I'm not sure they know there is a well known bloke in NZ called Michael Laws (and why would they), but it makes the slip less egregious than if Brodie had just randomly called him any old name.

Exactly, the name Lawes is so synonymous with Michael in New Zealand I've had to catch myself from calling Courtney, Michael quite often. Brodie clearly meant no offense and it was purely accidental. But hey, it clearly bothered them and worked to our advantage funnily enough, seems to still be a talking point today.

 

[Goodey]

The memorable thing for me was that he was asked to name any member of the England squad and 'Michael Lawes' was genuinely his best attempt at naming anyone.

Retallick had played England in 2012 so you'd think he'd know a few. Guess he doesn't listen much in tactics talk

 

[Cooper]

The memorable thing for me was that he was asked to name any member of the England squad and 'Michael Lawes' was genuinely his best attempt at naming anyone.

Retallick had played England in 2012 so you'd think he'd know a few. Guess he doesn't listen much in tactics talk

Truth be told, there is a lack of coverage of NH rugby in New Zealand. The time zone is a huge problem and that's just one factor. The 6 Nations and all the pro leagues are also only available on the Rugby Channel, which you need Sky TV for, which is expensive enough without purchasing the Rugby Channel which is largely pointless for NZ fans, because all the Super Games, Mitre 10 games and NZ internationals are played on the regular Sky Sport. That's why you will find most New Zelanders ignorant to NH rugby, simply just lack of coverage.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

I think the ABs are so focused on what they do rather than the opposition. Of course if England can win on Saturday they'll take notice and more so than the line of Faz and Manu.

 

[Cooper]

I think the ABs are so focused on what they do rather than the opposition. Of course if England can win on Saturday they'll take notice and more so than the line of Faz and Manu.

The Lions series was great getting to know the players for the general public of NZ. I touched on it earlier, NH teams don't come out frequently enough either. Only for a 3 match test series in the mid year once every blue moon and usually without their star players because of club commitments or they're on holiday. So again, lack of exposure the best NH players.

 

[Hydraulxx]

TBH in SA we got good coverage for the NH leagues and even then most people don't really watch it. People don't really enjoy watching the NH teams slug it out over here. Like for me i only knew 2 or 3 english players before this world cup started as i only watched when there was nothing else on to watch

 

[Goodey]

Truth be told, there is a lack of coverage of NH rugby in New Zealand. The time zone is a huge problem and that's just one factor. The 6 Nations and all the pro leagues are also only available on the Rugby Channel, which you need Sky TV for, which is expensive enough without purchasing the Rugby Channel which is largely pointless for NZ fans, because all the Super Games, Mitre 10 games and NZ internationals are played on the regular Sky Sport. That's why you will find most New Zelanders ignorant to NH rugby, simply just lack of coverage.

I mean, most people in England can't name a member of the rugby team either, at least not since Wilkinson retired. Bit of a difference between what's expected of your average punter and your starting lock forward, isn't there?

Going into a series knowing nothing about the opposition seems like a good way to hinder yourselves as a pro team, so I don't really believe the all blacks think like that.

 

[Kapa O Pango]

Barrettception will be unleashed on Saturday again.

 

[RugbyTackle91]

Truth be told, there is a lack of coverage of NH rugby in New Zealand. The time zone is a huge problem and that's just one factor. The 6 Nations and all the pro leagues are also only available on the Rugby Channel, which you need Sky TV for, which is expensive enough without purchasing the Rugby Channel which is largely pointless for NZ fans, because all the Super Games, Mitre 10 games and NZ internationals are played on the regular Sky Sport. That's why you will find most New Zelanders ignorant to NH rugby, simply just lack of coverage.

This surprises me, I always assumed Rugby was so huge in New Zealand that they would be following every little bit of Rugby they could get access to. For me, if Rugby's on, even if its Brazil vs Spain I am watching it. Even more so actually

 

[WarriorKelv]

It's very intriguing selections tbh. I think England have it in the front row not just starting but replacments too. The ABs will control the line out if England aren't canny with Whitelock, Retallick and Barrett but Itoje and Lawes offer power and aren't slouches in the lineout with George being one of the best Hookers in the world atm. The back row is also a conundrum as NZ have sacrificed Cane for another lineout option so Savea will have a lot to do in the first half against Curry and Underhill in form while England have a big ball carrying option in the last 20 with Wilson. I'd say England just control the pack but only just. In the backs is more clear for NZ with ALB, Goodhue and Barrett and the weakness in defence from England but England do have danger too with Tuilagi and Joseph off the bench while Ford, Farrell and Daly will kick for territory and position which is probably why Barrett is in for Cane. It's going to be a top battle and neither side will have faced competition like this this World Cup with SA, Ireland and Australia very much under par during the games against these two.

 

[Cooper]

This surprises me, I always assumed Rugby was so huge in New Zealand that they would be following every little bit of Rugby they could get access to. For me, if Rugby's on, even if its Brazil vs Spain I am watching it. Even more so actually

When I've travelled, I've often had people say to me, "I hear rugby is like a religion in NZ" - It's not, there's large amounts of the population who like it, but follow it very casually. Our crowd numbers for domestic games are extremely low, even for Super Rugby, rarely you will see a stadium packed out unless it's the finals. I'm often surprised at people impression of rugby in NZ.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

How do Kiwi fans rate Laulala? Can't be that bad to replace Franks. Solid scrummager and mobile round the park from what I have seen. Moody as well. Probably neither is top, top class in the Hayman/Woodcock echelon but still they both do what the team needs of them.

 

[ncurd]

I'm often surprised at people impression of rugby in NZ.

Your famous for rugby and LOTR know your exports

hoenstly I can't name most of AB's team I wouldn't expect NZ'der's to do the opposite. I'd expect their players to know who they were playing...

 

[donmcdazzle]

How do Kiwi fans rate Laulala? Can't be that bad to replace Franks. Solid scrummager and mobile round the park from what I have seen. Moody as well. Probably neither is top, top class in the Hayman/Woodcock echelon but still they both do what the team needs of them.

That's a fair assessment I'd say. Moody probably the better ball player than Laulala. Both scrum alright.

Ta'avao is a real weakness at scrummaging off the bench. Honestly I'd rather have Franks there. Haven't seen enough amazing play in the loose from Ta'avao to suggest it outweighs his lack of stability at scrum time.

 

[spartan32]

P

True, but we haven't faced anyone remotely of the ABs calibre. They are the best in the world at identifying and exploiting weaknesses. They're also defensively better than anyone else we've faced. The likelihood of Daly being able to more than offset any howlers is low.

Daly at 15 has always been a gamble. Jones will know that as much as anyone but, to his credit, has backed his man and now would be a very good for that faith to be fully repaid. Youngs and Binny are others who need to repay Jones' faith in them.[/QUOTE
pretty sure the ABs have bled more tries against weak opposition this tournament then we have. They may have scored plenty of try's but they've also had more than a few scored against them. Simply put, I believe our defence is better than theirs.

 

[spartan32]

Am I wrong, or do England have the defensive stats of any team so far? In terms of points scored against us? We surely have let less try's slip than the ABs, which arguably gives us the better defence?