RWC 2019 SF1: New Zealand v England

[Viking]

Maybe that's their issue. Players like Barrett covering up some systemic issues with their game. They sure looked good against Ireland, but on reflection, maybe Ireland just looked poor against NZ. I know people were joking somewhat, but it does make you reflect on the AUS v ENG game a little differently after seeing tonight's performance.

NZ have relied a lot on scoring points from turnover ball - they hardly had any tonight. England's backrow clearly dominating.

I really hope SA smash Wales. I actually think SA's physicality in defence, and suffocating style of game-plan will make for a great counter to England.

 

[RedsHappy]

NZ have relied a lot on scoring points from turnover ball - they hardly had any tonight. England's backrow clearly dominating.

I really hope SA smash Wales. I actually think SA's physicality in defence, and suffocating style of game-plan will make for a great counter to England.

It will. But IMO England have overall the more complete squad, a superior kicking game, and better technique and well-controlled intensity at the breakdown.

I think England will win the GF vs SA

And, post the Cricket WC 2019, accordingly Australian sports coaches will rival the value of our iron ore exports for the first time since Federation .

 

[The Honey Badger]

If it’s not us, what’s wrong with SA no1? NOTHING.

Personally I can’t go wrong with an England- Saffer Final, I win whatever happens.

England did the right thing here, let’s go South Africa!

SA will go to 3 WCs.
Bad enough NZ are already there

 

[shanky]

Yea, have I seen the future of backrow play
And his name is Sam Underhill

...

The last decade belonged to Poey and Co
Behind the gainline, over the ball
The next one belongs to Underhill and Co
Get off the line
Dominant tackle slow the ball

God bless change and progress.

 

[molman]

It will. But IMO England have overall the more complete squad, a superior kicking game, and better technique and well-controlled intensity at the breakdown.

I tend to agree somewhat. I wonder if some of the SA players exposure to the Premier League will have any impact. SA are a different challenge for England with their own strengths (and weaknesses). I think Pollard has a better kicking game than NZ and they have some seriously big boys up front so I'm not sure England will get the same go forward.

Though this is all assuming they beat Wales who have had this tendency to win games they shouldn't for awhile now.

 

[Derpus]

So I guess the question will ultimately be - do we want rugby to be about defence?

 

[Viking]

It will. But IMO England have overall the more complete squad, a superior kicking game, and better technique and well-controlled intensity at the breakdown.

I think England will win the GF vs SA

And, post the Cricket WC 2019, accordingly Australian sports coaches will rival the value of our iron ore exports for the first time since Federation .

I agree, England the much more well-rounded team and will definitely go in as favorites. But anyone's going to beat them it's SA.

 

[molman]

So I guess the question will ultimately be - do we want rugby to be about defence?

Me personally, no. Attacking rugby is much more fun to watch. There has been rumblings of things such as hawk-eye or other technological ways of addressing offside. I don't see it happening anytime soon though.

 

[Lorenzo]

So I guess the question will ultimately be - do we want rugby to be about defence?

Test rugby has always been about defence, the RWC final 8 especially so.

Not going to list all values, but the two teams in the tournament giving away the fewest points per game are England (8.6 per game, 5 games played) and South Africa (7.8 per game, 5 games played) Not a coincidence that at least one of them is through to the final. The only other team within a bulls roar of those values is NZ (10.4 per game, 5 games played).

 

[Lorenzo]

Me personally, no. Attacking rugby is much more fun to watch. There has been rumblings of things such as hawk-eye or other technological ways of addressing offside. I don't see it happening anytime soon though.

There was loads of attacking rugby tonight though, surely? It was just capably defended. By both sides. Isn't that a great match all around?

Or did you really mean more tries? There's always league. They've basically watered their game down to ensure as many tries are scored as possible.

 

[molman]

Or did you really mean more tries?

No, just that space is at a premium and that the rush defence seems to be getting some leeway.

 

[Derpus]

There was loads of attacking rugby tonight though, surely? It was just capably defended. By both sides. Isn't that a great match all around?

Or did you really mean more tries? There's always league. They've basically watered their game down to ensure as many tries are scored as possible.

Nah, there wasn't loads of attacking rugby. There might have been, if NZ had have won't any of the followiing: gain mine, lineout, scrum, fuck, anything

 

[Lorenzo]

No, just that space is at a premium and that the rush defence seems to be getting some leeway.

Oh, yeah. That's true, and I reckon some technology would demonstrate that defences have been getting away with murder forever.

There was a company called first down laser that had a product that projected a first down line across the ground so that the people at the ground could see it just like the people watching on tv can. I've often thought something like that would help rugby police the offside line, but of course it would require at least one official constantly adjusting the positioning of the line.

 

[Lorenzo]

Nah, there wasn't loads of attacking rugby. There might have been, if NZ had have won't any of the followiing: gain mine, lineout, scrum, fuck, anything

You high tonight or something? The poms attacked like pit bulls for the first 55min.

 

[Derpus]

You high tonight or something? The poms attacked like pit bulls for the first 55min.

Oh mate I wish, just drunk

 

[cyclopath]

All good, except Pinot Noir with steak - Ych-a-fi

We had 2 bottles of Rockford Basket Press, if it helps. It helped us. NZ - not so much.

 

[RedsHappy]

You high tonight or something? The poms attacked like pit bulls for the first 55min.

A 55 should certainly know a 55

 

[Ulrich]

Well, I had said on The Roar I expect England to win. Did not think they would be that dominant though. It is a lose-lose for Wales or SA. Whoever loses between the two have to play NZ with a backlash and whoever wins have to play the team that just bullied NZ.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

For me there are four pillars of rugby: set piece, defence, the breakdown and catch-pass. England did the first three of those things outstandingly well tonight and in the process didn't really give the All Blacks a sniff. They just kept pushing England back through their defence and accuracy at the breakdown and also excellent kicking. It wasn't pretty at times but in a WC knockout game it's tremendously effective. Kudos to EJ (Eddie Jones) and the coaching staff for devising a plan and implementing it near perfectly.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

We had 2 bottles of Rockford Basket Press, if it helps. It helped us. NZ - not so much.

That is a very fine drop. Would have taken the edge off I'm sure.