England v Wallabies, Twickenham, Sun 10th Nov 2:10AEDT / 1:10AEST

[Dctarget]

I expect to see Pietsch out with injury, Jorgensen to the wing and Kerevi on the bench with Donaldson.

 

[Steve_Grey]

And Ikitau had actually already got around his man (Lawrence, I think). Yes, Lawrence came back and got him but once he was beaten initially Smith was always going to jam in. If he didn’t and Ikitau only had to contend with one defender there was a decent chance he just palms him and goes for the line anyway. Smith was on a hiding to nothing.

It was a cracking pass though. I know these guys train that stuff but to execute in that moment. Great to watch.

"Yes, Lawrence came back and got him but once he was beaten initially..."

Sleighthome made the tackle on Ikitau - Lawrence was beaten and Smith was caught in no man's land.

Irrespective - Ikitau's break and slip pass was sublime, and a joy to see - that won the game for the WBs ultimately.

 

[dbcooper]

Congrats guys on the win. Very important result. Looks like a you could have a great midfield next year.

 

[cyclopath]

Just saw Ben Youngs full comments where he predicated England would win 3 from 4 of their Spring tour tests. Hopefully SA pump them next weekend.
Then, and I know it’s extremely unlikely - but gee I hope Japan find a way. Somehow.

Ben is quite the pundit.

 

[Derpus]

I get continuity but I think it would be foolish not to see where/if Kerevi and Skelton fit into this squad now. We need depth to take on the Lions with any success.

 

[LeCheese]

Finally had a chance to watch the full match and, every other factor aside, it’s incredible what a natural leader it seems like Sua’ali’i is.

Every stoppage he could be seen aggressively amping up everyone around him. At 21 years old. After only weeks in the Wallabies setup.

It’s only been one game, but it really feels like we could be seeing something special.

 

[Italophile]

Neither am I. On the Oz side Wright and Ikitau were magnificent, but my MotM was the Pommy five-eighth, Smith. His direction leading his team around the pitch and delicate touches with short kicks were sublime. I hope Schmidt goes over this game with Noah to show him how a five-eighth should direct his team.

Smith doesn't deserve Borthwick's rubbish management.

 

[Italophile]

Some thoughts: best Wallabies performance in quite some time, first 15 minutes notwithstanding.

Best test game I've ever seen from Gordon and Wright. Bravo to a couple of players that have been heavily critiqued.

Sua'ali'i I've never seen until now. I haven't seen a rugby player that can jump that high ever, or even close. Not Folau or anyone else. It was truly remarkable and that's never been a more valuable skill than now. Do people forsee him playing 13 going forwards? He looked sensational.

Tupou looks woefully out of shape.

Lolesio was in control and highly effective. Maybe his best game in gold.

England moving Smith to 15 was idiotic.

Bell, Ikitau, Valteni are absolutely world class. Joy to watch as a fan.

That's on Borthwick. As was subbing him last week. Borthwick manages by rote. Can't read a game.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Smith was absolutely magnificent I thought. He's a proper international class 10 now.

 

[Slim 293]

I'm very glad we won just so I can bitch about O'Keefe failing to officiate a fairly basic breakdown ruling when Lawrence quite obviously rolled in Valetini attempting to clear out on our ball, and then rewarded England a penalty...

Also, later in the game standing in our attacking line so the pass goes to ground.

The fluffybunny.

I'll happily accept any 50/50 call after that shit show.

 

[John S]

I'm very glad we won just so I can bitch about O'Keefe failing to officiate a fairly basic breakdown ruling when Lawrence quite obviously rolled in Valetini attempting to clear out on our ball, and then rewarded England a penalty...

Also, later in the game standing in our attacking line so the pass goes to ground.

The fluffybunny.

I'll happily accept any 50/50 call after that shit show.

Or where Kellaway (from memory) was taken off the ball, and even the Poms thought it would have been called, or Itoje lying all over our side of the ruck right under his nose?

But yeah feels good to be able to say that after a win..,

 

[KOB1987]

That one was Pietsch I think you are referring to, when he was shouldered into the sideline chasing a kick where he may well have scored if he regathered.

The Kellaway one was where he perfectly executed a kick chase, smashed the receiver, stood up and went for the jackal and got penalized for no clear release.

Both were very poor officiating.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I've only seen it once, but for the sake of the conversation - was the Pietsch one not shoulder to shoulder and therefor legal?

Law 9.1 - When a player and an opponent are running for the ball, neither player may charge or push the other except shoulder-to-shoulder.

 

[John S]

That one was Pietsch I think you are referring to, when he was shouldered into the sideline chasing a kick where he may well have scored if he regathered.

The Kellaway one was where he perfectly executed a kick chase, smashed the receiver, stood up and went for the jackal and got penalized for no clear release.

Both were very poor officiating.

Yeah that's the one.

 

[Pfitzy]

I've only seen it once, but for the sake of the conversation - was the Pietsch one not shoulder to shoulder and therefor legal?

That's what BOK called. However it was pretty clear that Earls changed his line and was not going for the ball.

 

[Pfitzy]

OK, so now we've all finished rubbing each others' backs and other body parts, we need to discuss the downsides.

Because I'm a miserable prick, that's why. A famous win doesn't override the need for improvement, despite the many positives out there.

Conceding 37 points to this England side is, quite frankly, not acceptable. The only positive is that they couldn't really crack our defensive structure meaningfully, so kicks through were the spark for this. Maybe on another day, Smith's magic doesn't quite fire this well, but yesterday it did.

On Smith's kicking - we didn't cover the short kicks well in the middle of the field in the first half. The back two defenders were way too wide, leaving too much space in the middle for the ball to bounce. Typically that was Wright and Lolesio so a point for improvement for them, and whichever 9 is in the chariot.

Later when he was grubbering through, we did line defence instead of having a sweeper. Even near your line, you need someone back there or you're inviting tries like Sleightholme's.

Scrum smarts need improving. I don't think Tupou is anywhere near 100%, and got outfoxed a couple of times as I've mentioned previously. If the ref thinks you're the problem, it is increasingly harder to prove you're not.

There have been comments here that Skelton doesn't offer as much as LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto). I'll tell you what LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) offers over Skelton as a concrete point: at least one brainfart penalty per game. Coming into that cauldron, knowing the referees had chubby for retreating players on the kick, and he basically lines up and shoulders a guy in the head chasing back. Fuck. Me. Dead.

Our work under the high ball was simply not good enough. We either got out jumped or weren't committed to the space. England has some good options there and maybe we need JAS to defend there longer term.

 

[Pfitzy]

And that’s what happens when you bring on a first rate half back

Not sure if this comment was a slight at Gordon or just general happiness for the progress of the game.

McDermott was sharp (despite tripping over his own feet) and in his element at that point because we tightened up the game plan and he didn't have to pass too far. England's forwards got out of alignment after 3 phases, leaving a huge hole, and he took it. Gordon (or Lonergan, or any 9 worth his salt) would have done the same.

 

[Tomthumb]

I've only seen it once, but for the sake of the conversation - was the Pietsch one not shoulder to shoulder and therefor legal?

Yeah but Ben Earl clearly changed his line and even he stopped playing after that expecting a penalty

 

[Tomthumb]

I'm pleased the Ikitau at 12 experiment went as well as I thought it might. His quick feet in tight spaces get us front foot ruck ball every time, and he's our best ball player so him getting the ball more instead of it falling into the bemuda triangle that is Hunter Paisami was great. Len continues to be one of the best in the world at drawing and passing and that one at the end was absolute world class

Also, was really impressed with Harry Wilson. Really impactful player with a big engine, a much improved lineout forward and I think he's growing into a really good captain with the way he deals with the ref

 

[Strewthcobber]

Yeah but Ben Earl clearly changed his line and even he stopped playing after that expecting a penalty

I reckon he changed his line to one where he was running for the ball, and then shouldered Pietsh, but have shifted this to the ref thread