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mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
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I agree with a lot of that. On his day, though, he’s a world class player who wins you games by himself and not just from the boot. As you’ve pointed out in your other posts your forwards haven’t exactly been providing an excellent platform for the backs in the past few games. Like I say though I agree with a lot of whst you say about him.

I don’t rate Ford, personally, and Cipriani is getting on now but they are better attacking 10s (Cipriani more so)

I think if you're going to play a tighter more cautious game plan then you may as well play him at 10. Indeed at a world cup games will most likely be played in this manner, me personally I just like a more expansive game plan/style and whatever was going wrong in our team the 10/12 combo wasn't it.

Edit: Especially taking into account what is currently left as our centre options.
 
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Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
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I think if you're going to play a tighter more cautious game plan then you may as well play him at 10. Indeed at a world cup games will most likely be played in this manner, me personally I just like a more expansive game plan/style and whatever was going wrong in our team the 10/12 combo wasn't it.

Edit: Especially taking into account what is currently left as our centre options.


Ford is so weak defensively and offers an easy target for the opposition to get over the gain line. It's a huge weakness which I don't personally think is compensated for by his undoubted attacking flair.
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
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Good start. Completely did a number on them there with the quick switch of play after going up the guts time and again at tempo.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
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Fucking hell. NZ are playing like Italy at the moment.

You might just keep this loss within 5 points
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
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Not sure when NZ came over here, but they didn't look ready tbh. The first half hour they were caught cold, England played with a lot of fury and intensity (where's that been for ages?) and were dominating.

However that last 10 mins they've gained a foothold, cut the errors, and that fight England have been bringing is now looking a bit spent with quite a lot of missed tackles and players flying out of the line and getting beaten. 15-10 doesn't really tell the tale of the half, but it is what it is and now the contest is on second half. See if we can raise our game again.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
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I know Retallik has been out for a while but as soon as he dropped that catch from the kick off and you won the turnover I knew you would build momentum. Is was crucial you didn’t let NZ in before HT.

If this was Wales I’d be expecting a 10 point loss (at least)
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,338
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Credit where it's due. England played 30 minutes with pace and pressure, and that in itself leads to mistakes. But NZ aren't the best team in the world for no reason. England have to be better in the next 30 minutes than they were in the first, and then keep it going. It's possible, but I can't see it happening. NZ still very big favourites here.
 

Thewobbler

Well-Known Member
Oct 29, 2016
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To concede a try and a penalty so close to HT is a blow. NZ didnt look at the races for the first 30 but are now firmly back in the game.
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
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Stuart Barnes nauseous narrative in overdrive here. He doesn't like Hartley, been bigging George up for ages, now with it going wrong he's blaming Itoje for these lineouts - the balls being thrown at his chest height FFS.
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
21,886
32,513
Good test match, tough to not nick it at the end but some of that was in our hands when in a decent position to work a drop goal.

Very good first 30 mins from England, lost the intensity after that and had to tough it out much more. The lineout folding in the second half was quite key, in wet weather rugby you just wont be able to build a whole lot of pressure and territory.
 
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