RWC: ENG v Fiji (Twickenham) Pool A

[RugbyReg]

I reckon every game deserves a match thread.

Whether it's used or not, who cares. But team announcements etc can go here.

 

[Hawko]

I don't think its all that likely, but just how good would it be if Fiji got up. I'd be smiling for at least a week!

 

[Brumby Runner]

I don't think its all that likely, but just how good would it be if Fiji got up. I'd be smiling for at least a week!

A week? The smile could be wiped off only 5 days later if they then got up against the Wallabies.

 

[Shelts89]

England team has been announced... Pretty happy with it overall too. Not the Farrell and Wigglesworth on the bench bit though. Oh well.... I'm still SO EXCITED!

15. Mike Brown (Harlequins, 39 caps)
14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)
13. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
12. Brad Barritt (Saracens, 23 caps)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 16 caps)
10. George Ford (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 49 caps)
1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 33 caps)
2. Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 24 caps)
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 52 caps)
4. Geoff Parling (Exeter Chiefs, 25 caps)
5. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 40 caps)
6. Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 38 caps)
7. Chris Robshaw (captain, Harlequins, 39 caps)
8. Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby, 29 caps)
Replacements

16. Rob Webber (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 23 caps)
18. Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints, 12 caps)
19. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 24 caps)
20. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 19 caps)
21. Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens, 23 caps)
22. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 31 caps)
23. Sam Burgess (Bath Rugby, 2 caps)

 

[Groucho]

England by 15. Unfortunately.

But there's a lot of youth and adventure in the England squad. It's hard to work up the usual negativity.

In fact it's a very good team.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

Lets not forget that bonus points and for and against could be critical in these games. There is a possibility that Australia, Wales and England could all lose 1 game each. So all 3 teams need to put on as many points against Uruguay and Fiji as possible. Assuming they can all beat Fiji that is.

 

[Highlander35]

I like Morgan over Billy.

Billy is a fab player, but 20-30 minutes from him is better than 50-60 minutes.

 

[Viking]

Just realised how little I know about Northern Hemisphere rugby. I know hardly any of those English players apart from Courtney Lawes and Ben Youngs.

 

[qwerty51]

Ben Volavola goes from not making the 23 in 2 years for the Tahs, playing 10 for Southern Districts to starting #10 in the RWC 2015 opener vs England just months later. Wow.

 

[Omar Comin']

Ben Volavola goes from not making the 23 in 2 years for the Tahs, playing 10 for Southern Districts to starting #10 in the RWC 2015 opener vs England just months later. Wow.

Yeah big surprise to me as Matavesi has played really well in their lead up games at 10 and is a lot more experienced at higher levels. Guess he can make an impact off the bench.

That said Volavola has plenty of ability and has obviously impressed a lot in training. The Crusaders have signed him for a reason. England will target him though, no doubt.

Rest of the team is pretty much as expected:

1. Campese Ma’afu
2. Sunia Koto
3. Manasa Saulo
4. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. Dominiko Waqaniburotu
7. Akapusi Qera (Captain)
8. Sakiusa Masi Matadigo
9. Nikola Matawalu
10. Ben Volavola
11. Nemani Nadolo
12. Gabiriele Lovobalavu
13. Vereniki Goneva
14. Waisea Nayacalevu
15. Metuisela Talebula

16. Tuapati Talemaitoga
17. Peni Ravai
18. Isei Colati
19. Tevita Cavubati
20. Peceli Yato
21. Nemia Kenatale
22. Joshua Matavesi
23. Aseli Tikoirotuma

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Ben Volavola goes from not making the 23 in 2 years for the Tahs, playing 10 for Southern Districts to starting #10 in the RWC 2015 opener vs England just months later. Wow.

We call it the Canterbury effect, whereby previously average players are transformed into world class ones

Without wanting to piss on anyone's Fiji bandwagon parade, I'll be shocked if they beat the 26.5 start currently on offer from the NZ TAB. That said, Ringinland will have some sore & quite possibly damaged (or even broken) bodies come Sunday.............

 

[Highlander35]

Fun game for everybody. Drink every time Matawalu is called a bath player. Even though he's been to Bath once in his life to play in Glasgow Colours.

If its not mentioned at least once, I'll change my flair to England for 3 months when Scotland gets knocked out.

 

[BDA]

England 13+ Could be competitive for the first 50 minutes though

 

[Omar Comin']

Looks like rain is predicted for Friday night in London. You'd think that will give England a chance.

 

[ChargerWA]

Is Mike Brown as good as before his injury? He was world class pre injury.

 

[Shelts89]

He has looked sharp in the warm up games, as have the whole back 3.

 

[Relance]

I expect Goneva's defence to be exposed by JJ, which is a shame given how well Nayacavelu has played at 13 for Stade Français.

For England, the lack of a reliable thrower at lineout must be a source of concern. It forces the team to field 2 LO specialists that might not have made it into the starting XV otherwise. There shouldn't be any problem on Friday (I'd be surprised if England don't win by 20), but there might be a few surprises come the big games, especially at the breakdown and at the scrum.

Great backline though, the fact that Nowell isn't even in the 23 is a testament to England's depth there.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Ref: Peyper
AR's: Lacey & Berry
TMO: Veldsman

High probability of random decisions; and/ or Peyper at some point(s) ignoring his AR(s) and/ or TMO; and/ or Veldsman exceeding his brief (or trying to & being ignored by Peyper). If nothing else, this has drinking game written all over it

 

[Pedrolicus]

Ben Volavola goes from not making the 23 in 2 years for the Tahs, playing 10 for Southern Districts to starting #10 in the RWC 2015 opener vs England just months later. Wow.

He was pretty handy for the Rams last NRC season as was Naiyaravoro who has also been capped since.

 

[Pedrolicus]

I look forward to seeing how England cope against Nadolo, if he can punch some holes early it could be interesting.

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