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

[Bada-Bing!]

Our inexperience showed a little bit eh. Not having Crotty or Smith in the backs to settle it down when we were under fire. In the last couple we had the old heads all over the park to pull things back together.

Too many rash decisions when we were under the pump.

A lot of those backs will be around for the next one though so at least they'll hopefully learn from that.

Your pack was well beaten though and at the breakdown for the full 80. Lots of experience in that pack - Moody, Whitelock, Rettalick and Read. No excuse really. Barrett at 6 was a brain fart selection by Hansen, but easy with hindsight I suppose. Even with him in the line out, NZ lost a few in that first half. Taylor's darts and timing of them weren't spot on to pick the 4 jumpers consistently. So controlling and tying in England's pack at the mauls went out the window. Your backs had hardly any front foot ball to create anything with. Smith and Crotty would have been in exactly the same position - far behind the gain line.

 

[BiggusLaddus]

I thought Cane played well when he came on, making it a lot harder for England to retain possession at the rucks. So I'm very pleased he wasn't there in the 1st half.

Curry and Underhill were both fantastic and Wilson was just as good for his cameo.

Still feels weird that the back row is such a strength after the hackshawood years.

 

[Scotty]

And an extra days rest before the final will help as there much be some very tired bodies out there. Brutal hits till the 80th min from alot more than Underhill.

 

[TommiG88]

Can I be nominated for drunkest poster yet?

 

[OneBlackEye]

Bit disappointed I decided to stay up until 3:30 to watch this one!
I can't remember seeing the All Blacks dominated for an entire game like that for awhile.
Anyway, no doubt the best team won. I'm glad there's nothing to split hairs over. England were just far and away the better team.
It's a bit weak to be throwing Hanson under the bus already, he's achieved a wee bit in his time no?

 

[Which Tyler]

Can I be nominated for drunkest poster yet?

You've got a LOT of competition after today
UW might be winning it so far

 

[Scotty]

Can I be nominated for drunkest poster yet?

No that made sense....come back when you cant speak.

 

[Rinkadink]

No that made sense....come back when you cant speak.

Walk him!

 

[MarkyH]

Think it will be tough whoever we play next week, England haven't even been tested yet....

 

[Every Time Ref]

 

[MarkyH]

Also. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaas!!!!

What a game!! Need some time out... and a beer

 

[donmcdazzle]

Your pack was well beaten though and at the breakdown for the full 80. Lots of experience in that pack - Moody, Whitelock, Rettalick and Read. No excuse really. Barrett at 6 was a brain fart selection by Hansen, but easy with hindsight I suppose. Even with him in the line out, NZ lost a few in that first half. Taylor's darts and timing of them weren't spot on to pick the 4 jumpers consistently. So controlling and tying in England's pack at the mauls went out the window. Your backs had hardly any front foot ball to create anything with. Smith and Crotty would have been in exactly the same position - far behind the gain line.

That's all very true. I said in another comment I don't think Barrett v Cane really made a difference - your breakdown was better the whole game.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

England are gonna bum us hard in Twickenham next year....

 

[Rinkadink]

Semi Final score flattered England to b fait, couple tries on the counter, another from an intercept.
I've seen nothing from their attacking play this entire tournament that would trouble the AB's.
Barring a red card or a couple yellows, I think the AB's win comfortably.

This aged well.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Can I be nominated for drunkest poster yet?

No. Your spelling's fine, obvs a fair way to go yet....

We can't risk any half fit players next week. Big week for the medics. Hope Spencer's at Heathrow already.

 

[Rinkadink]

Commiserations New Zealand, don't think that result can be argued (aside from perhaps a bigger points gap) - can't be too unhappy with the tournament overall and record they hold.

 

[Derpus]

If England win both world cups I might have to give up on sport.

Well played lads. Demolished them.

 

[ALJ]

NZ finally blown for all their off the ball play in a big game
England played the aggressive defense and in your face game, exactly what NZ do not like
Well deserved finalists

True but SA tried the exact same thing in the opening pool game and the ABs found a way round it.

The England effort was special today I think.

 

[Yoshimitsu]

What a brilliant performance! It's a game of mm and the most important mm today were in the lineout. Apart from one abberation George was brilliant as were our jumpers but especially Itoje. He was under massive pressure plenty of times but won most of those contests and knicked a couple. As soon as that started happening the lock at 6 for NZ went the way it does when England do it. The specialists are simply too good to carry a lock in that position regardless of how good they are.

Hansen has done great things no doubt and I've a lot of time for Kieran Read too. But there's no divine right to win stuff (as Hansen acknowledged). England hammered NZ today with a pretty much flawless performance. Will it happen every time we play the All Blacks? Unlikely, but that's a handy marker laid down for the next time we play them. As Eddie said, they are just men, they bruise and bleed and they feel pressure. Today all that added up and they looked pretty lost to be honest.

So much for the Squidge report regarding the unstoppable nature of the pod system. It appeared to me that Tuilagi had a simple trigger read when New Zealand were in possession. If they were looking to go deep / wide he simply blocked the 13 channel for the pass. If it was flat, then number up and drift. Brilliantly done.

I think I'm in love with UnderCurry.

 

[Umaga's Witness]

You've got a LOT of competition after today
UW might be winning it so far

Nah, my problem is I haven't had enough. Just having some whiskey to calm the nerves.