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The Rugby Thread

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,389
I didn't even realise he was in the squad. It's weird seeing england playing with actual 7's.

Like buses. None for ages then we're overrun with them. Kvesic has been doing pretty well at 8 recently but I doubt he'll get much of a chance there. Breakdown would be fun though with him, Underwood and Curry.
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
21,886
32,513
Some selections I see the logic in, but not others. The likes of Youngs, Farrell, May needed more game time. And it seems like the guys who have been in camp to help with preparation/cover injuries (Ewels, Kvesic, Marchant) will all get game time as a reward.

However another start for Billy is a risk, even though he is someone who needs matches under his belt to be fully firing, and it is a bit weird we haven't even tried another option at 8. Also some questions about omissions - Slade obviously isn't fit yet (still), Joseph I presume isn't either, I don't know where the rookies like Ludlam or Singleton have disappeared to either but I'd have thought they needed a bit more experience/gametime as well in case they're called upon in a tournament.
 

teok

Well-Known Member
Aug 11, 2011
10,836
33,607
Like buses. None for ages then we're overrun with them. Kvesic has been doing pretty well at 8 recently but I doubt he'll get much of a chance there. Breakdown would be fun though with him, Underwood and Curry.

Exeter play weirdly they have two massive ball carrying flankers who play a bit like 8's and then a smaller sort of 7 that packs down at 8 (simmonds did this really well pre injury).
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,985
30,494
Surprised Billy is playing. Maybe Eddie is thinking I don’t need to play him against Tonga or the USA and I don’t want him being to cold going into the Argentina match.

However if that is his thinking you’d have thought there wouldn’t be a need to play him in every warm up game so far. Who knows? He’ll probably get subbed off at HT. Afterall Eddie did put in a request to world rugby to be able to use all 31 players on Friday which was obviously declined.
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
21,886
32,513
Very boring England game so far. Unsurprisingly seems to be lacking a little focus and intensity, but also seems like we're doing various sorts of scenario training - keeping the game very tight and playing the percentages, randomly subbing off half our pack after 30 mins etc.
 

teok

Well-Known Member
Aug 11, 2011
10,836
33,607
Very boring England game so far. Unsurprisingly seems to be lacking a little focus and intensity, but also seems like we're doing various sorts of scenario training - keeping the game very tight and playing the percentages, randomly subbing off half our pack after 30 mins etc.

Yep very changed team, biggest difference is no ford at 10 though he just makes things happen.
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
21,886
32,513
Yep very changed team, biggest difference is no ford at 10 though he just makes things happen.

Yeah said that before many a time, Ford isn't the perfect player but he's by far the best 10 we have at playing flat to the line, range of passing off both hands, and directing traffic over multiple phases. A lot of fans though (dare I say, maybe the casual fans) trash him for his size and that he's not some all action Wilkinson/Farrell type or making scything breaks at will.

Our best rugby, and results, in my opinion have been with this 10/12 combo and I think they both do better with the other along side easing the load, particularly Farrell who I think benefits, ball in hand at least, from being able to play deeper and wider and have a bit more time to assess his options.

Whoever plays though, infinitely easier with a dynamic pack of carries getting over the gain line at will.
 

UncleBuck

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2003
9,186
11,149
These studs look crazy.

yd1O7Gv.jpg
Surely they can’t be legal, they need to be banned!
 

teok

Well-Known Member
Aug 11, 2011
10,836
33,607
I read the other day that the ozzies have the biggest pack as unlikely as it sounds. Boks just have that aura about them though. The french pack is pretty scary.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,985
30,494
I don’t fancy Patchells chances. 3 concussions in a year. Not a great camp injury wise but could’ve been a lot worse. At least they’re done now.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,102
47,057
England have probably had the best preparation from these friendly matches, with that thumping against Ireland and only really losing Mako in terms of injuries.

Ultimately I think all three of Wales, Ireland and England have got too many flaws to win the tournament, but think it would be good for rugby if one of them can get to the final at least.
 

'O Zio

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2014
7,405
13,785

Some new version of rugby. They say it's like "Twenty20" isn't that just 7's?

That sounds absolutely shite.

So it's basically 7s for people who are not fit enough to play 7s? Then with a couple of gimmicky things thrown it to make it sound exciting when it isn't.

I just don't see who the target audience is for this. If you don't like watching games that take 80 mins, then there's already 7s. If you don't like kicking etc. then there's already rugby league. I just don't understand where the market is for it really.
 

teok

Well-Known Member
Aug 11, 2011
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33,607
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