[RWC2023 QF3] England vs Fiji (15/10/2023)

[saulan]

England converting points when they get in the opposition half, Fiji are not. Missing penalties and sometimes being a bit too eager to get it to the wing and also not doing a good enough job on protecting their ruck.

 

[O’Doyle Rules]

Comfortable half. No nerves what so ever from me.

Different to the Ireland vs. New Zealand game where my heart was beating rapidly non stop. Can't imagine what it was like being Irish watching that game!

Haha was in the stadium - hated every minute haba

 

[Superalexmarket]

What a lucky draw for England (and Argentina too) they will reach the semis almost with no effort at all. Great chance for both teams especialy Eng

 

[Grizwald]

Hasn't been perfect but England have turned up and played with far higher intensity than against Samoa which is personally all I can ask.

After England looking warm games levels of leggy, I fully subscribe to any notion that Aled Walters is a conditioning genius and has England collectively peaking at the right time.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Even though England are winning, it feels like Fiji are closer to getting clean breaks than we are. We still don't look like we can create space in a defence.

 

[TommiG88]

Slightly harsh on Fiji - Raynal was a fraction of a second away from giving them the scrum penalty, then very quick to give the ruck penalty to England

To be fair, the scrum was stable and then the Fiji prop took a step side ways and then bored in

 

[Rinkadink]

Fiji lacking the edge they had in the warm ups. England are playing better, but still don't look like they will trouble anyone in the semis.

I am not sure Fiji rotated enough so perhaps feeling the effects?

I don't think the likes of Ravouvou have even got on the pitch once or been named in a side.

 

[Grizwald]

What a lucky draw for England (and Argentina too) they will reach the semis almost whith no effort at all. Great chance for both teams especialy Eng

In the words of Warren Gatland "Those teams should have been better at the last world cup."

 

[IT157]

Haha was in the stadium - hated every minute haba

Was rooting for Ireland though. Was hoping for that last minute try by Ireland but it wasn't to be.

 

[Booboobang]

I am not sure Fiji rotated enough so perhaps feeling the effects?

I don't think the likes of Ravouvou have even got on the pitch once or been named in a side.

I think this is their big issue currently, world class players but slightly lacking in depth in certain departments. I think the drua team should help this longer term.

 

[IT157]

What a lucky draw for England (and Argentina too) they will reach the semis almost whith no effort at all. Great chance for both teams especialy Eng

I would love if that was the final.

 

[Saintjay]

What a lucky draw for England (and Argentina too) they will reach the semis almost whith no effort at all. Great chance for both teams especialy Eng

Luck had nothing to do with it Other than when it took place. World rankings at the time did.

 

[IT157]

In the words of Warren Gatland "Those teams should have been better at the last world cup."

The same Gatland *****ed about the draw for the 2015 World Cup

 

[Yulia]

Comfortable half. No nerves what so ever from me.

Different to the Ireland vs. New Zealand game where my heart was beating rapidly non stop. Can't imagine what it was like being Irish watching that game!

Yeah,and for me as a neutral it's more like "oh,try...ok" . And yesterday I was almost shouting

 

[Rinkadink]

I think this is their big issue currently, world class players but slightly lacking in depth in certain departments. I think the drua team should help this longer term.

But how can you get depth if the coach names you in the world cup squad but never plays you so you never get any time on the pitch?

 

[Booboobang]

He'll have a couple of bad games and there will be calls for him to be dropped for some flavour of the month in the premiership.

Maybe, since fans are reactive by nature, but to be a top top side you need 4 class locks, currently we have itoje (if he can get back to his best) and chessum who has the potential. Martin to me will end up at 6. So there is room there for him to have dips and still develop with the squad if someone else does come a long a tear up trees.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

Based on what scraping by a single point in the last game against a weaker opposition as well as defeat at home in the most recent encounter, there is no suggestion this one is any more one sided or predictable than any other.

If you completely disregard fiji s last game then maybe. Dunno why you would do that, thou.

 

[IT157]

Maybe, since fans are reactive by nature, but to be a top top side you need 4 class locks, currently we have itoje (if he can get back to his best) and chessum who has the potential. Martin to me will end up at 6. So there is room there for him to have dips and still develop with the squad if someone else does come a long a tear up trees.

Yep. if it was down to the fans we would have almost a different 15 every game lol

 

[Booboobang]

But how can you get depth if the coach names you in the world cup squad but never plays you so you never get any time on the pitch?

I agree, should of rotated in some games, but they might not have had the faith in a reasonably matched group with wales, australia, georgia and portugal being a stand out amongst the unproven nations. For them I imagine getting to the quarters was seem as most important as a step forward.

But they also didnt have much in way of class domestic development previously with little top class opposition, they do now playing week in week out at super rugby.

 

[Rinkadink]

I would love if that was the final.

I'm not sure if there would be a more emotionally charged final than Argentina v England.

The New Zealand v Ireland fixture would likely pale in comparison.