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

[Jashay]

I just want to say to all those england fans who predicted their team would lose: take that suckers! You won! Losers!

Alright, alright, no need to rub it in...

 

[Rinkadink]

Actually didn't think Youngs was as bad as everyone thinks he was.

Wasn't revolutionising scrumhalf play or anything, but generally did his job fairly effectively. Was a but slow from time to time and is probably the weakest link in this England team but thought he had a decent game overall.

Agreed. I'm usually quite critical but his experience really showed at times today especially when in poor positions or receiving/playing bad balls. Also had a lovely couple of threatening runs from the back of rucks which really made NZ hesitate and Youngs delayed pass very well.

 

[Jimbo]

Also, how good was EJ speaking in Japanese in his aftermath interview? Real respect

It is respectful, but isn't he half Japanese anyway?

 

[Which Tyler]

It is respectful, but isn't he half Japanese anyway?

Yes, and has lived and coached there plenty (something north of a decade).
ETA: Japanese wife as well

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Yes, and has lived and coached there plenty (something north of a decade).
ETA: Japanese wife as well

I thought he only coached there for five of six years

It is respectful, but isn't he half Japanese anyway?

Does that matter, he's Aussie as far as anything else is concerned and currently coaching England, I thought it was a nice touch

 

[Grizwald]

Great performance from the men in white. Relentless stuff. Minus the lineout that lead to the try the lineout was not the weakness most including myslef expected. NZ's kicking was really wayward and while at times looked really dangerous with ball in hand were shut down with a well organised and brutal defence. Ultimately NZ seemed to do what England have done in quite a few high stakes games in recent memory namely running out of ideas and being able to implement a plan B.....

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

And breathe.

One of the best England performances I've ever seen and could have been a thrashing on the scoreboard if not for the chalked off tries, a bit of pointless offloading in the AB 22 and that overthrow. Nilling the ABs in a world cup must be unheard of? Fantastic from the whole team, particularly Underhill, Curry and Itoje. Absolute monsters. Youngs was too slow round the park, Farrell had some silly moments and Slade looked like a headless chicken but no other complaints.

Can we now go all the way? My fear is that this will have been targetted as our final and we won't be all there for the actual final, especially if it is against Wales who will definitely switch it up against us.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Man oh man, I enjoyed that! Just brutal from the poms! That was proper test match knockout rugby.

and that NZ try was probably softer than Nigel Owens' dick when looking at a naked Swimsuit female model. And to be honset NZ didn't deserve a try that's how good England was!

It's so hard to give NZ a good mark on that game, because they were nowhere. They were like Ireland was against them last week. Clueless, Reckless and frazzled.

If we make it to the final it's going to be a physical battle of epic proportions up front.

Curry was delicious, Underhill was on top, and Itoje was amazing. Also Ford was the unsung hero for me. Flawless.

Congrats England.

The stress is already kicking in for me for tomorrow...

 

[ncurd]

Still elated, I mean I knew England had that performance in them they've shown it enough times but my god I never believed they'd bring it into a SF against the ABs. The fact we left point out there, had two trys scrubbed and realistically should of nilled them.....Christ that was amazing.

My only worry is every time we play like this we are usually **** poor the following week.

 

[Pom in Exile]

I'm not the only one then? Youngs seems only to act when the circumstances to do so are perfect. Otherwise he resorts to standing about looking confused as the ball is robbed from in front of him. I guess he's what we've got but he's glacial compared to other 9's and it doesn't help us. We're playing well in spite of Youngs not because of him.

He was way off the pace wasn't he?! Absent at numerous rucks throughout his time on the pitch. I do hope that having 3 spare wings and not an alternative scrum half option doesn't come back to haunt us next week. Heinz looked buggered as well.

 

[Jimbo]

IT is coming home boys, all tomorrow does is decides who takes second place...

 

[Scotty]

England demolished the ABs comprehensively but the way they got around us at times and really threatened anything less than comprehensively and it could be a different story, they wouldnt have needed much of a chance. They have come back so many times so credit to England for keeping the intensity for the full 80 and even upping it for the last 10. Incredible victory.

 

[Pom in Exile]

IT is coming home boys, all tomorrow does is decides who takes second place...

Steady...

 

[Bluemoon]

IT is coming home boys, all tomorrow does is decides who takes second place...

 

[Nudger]

I cant take the haka seriously ever since I had a mental picture of the all blacks practicing in front of a mirror in black lycra

Picked up a hefty knock early on, didn't he?

Wouldn't call him absent even then however.

Ye of the ball

 

[Rinkadink]

IT is coming home boys, all tomorrow does is decides who takes second place...

 

[Grizwald]

Just rewatching the game. I missed the Haka live as I was changing barrels over in my local club. Interesting response from England and Farrell's smurk....

 

[Derpus]

with the game England play the only team that could beat them is South Africa who could, potentially, beat them at the route 1 stuff.

I reckon England have the cup in the bag.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Wayne Barnes is probably the only Englishman mighty p*ssed off at that result.

 

[Juggler]

Eddie's masterstroke was having our main playmaker start at THP