@Bovidae said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):

This game will be a battle of tempo. We saw that in the QF against Ireland where the Irish wanted to slow the game down and go through their phases, but more so in the Japan-SA QF where the tactics of each team couldn't have been anymore different. While England play at a higher tempo than either Ireland or SA they won't want the game to get too unstructured as that negates their defensive line speed. Aust created opportunities on attack but errors let them down and I expect the ABs to be more pragmatic on exit plays.

The aussies played into their hands running it out from their own 22, the poms were licking their lips setting up their defence at that end of the ground .
I sensed they looked far more nervous at the other end of the ground

No wonder Rieko isn't getting picked, Hansen can't even remember his name.

Some milestones going into the game according to wiki.

Read will tie with Fitzy for 2nd most games as captain.
BB scores any points he overtakes fox to go third all time.
He is also on top ten try scorers of all time which in itself is crazy considering how much he played fly half.

@Magpie_in_aus said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):

Some milestones going into the game according to wiki.

Read will tie with Fitzy for 2nd most games as captain.
BB scores any points he overtakes fox to go third all time.
He is also on top ten try scorers of all time which in itself is crazy considering how much he played fly half.

I'm sure BB made a pact with the devil at some point so that every bouncing rugby ball he chases jumps straight into his arms. It's uncanny .....

@Catogrande said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):

@DMX Interesting your view on the Barret v Mo'unga discussion. I've never felt that Barrett was a fantastic fly half - and I realise that this may lead to me being virtual lynched on here, but to me he does not seem to fit too well for some of the key duties of a 10. His kicking game is a bit off, his game management is not up there with the likes of say Carter, BUT he is without doubt a fantastic, almost freakish, rugby player and has to play. I can see the argument for having him at 10 as he is so good that you want to get the ball to him as often and as quickly as possible, but I think I agree with you that the extra space he gets at 15 is perhaps more suited and allied to that, you have a bloody good 10 in Mo'unga to bring a little more control to the game.

A very nice problem to have.

Off to dig a trench and search for my tin hat...

man, i am with you. I got lynched for saying Barrett was a poor 10 but a fantastic rugby player. The Hurricanes faithful are a little sensitive.

@Magpie_in_aus If AB stats are up-to-date, Kieran Read needs one more try to tie with Richie for the most tries and points by a forward.

And of our rookies...

Mo'unga already has 115 test points (from 8 test starts and 15 tests overall).

Jordie Barrett has 11 test tries and 73 points (also from 15 tests, 5 as a sub).

George Bridge has 9 tries (from 8 tests, 3 as a sub).

@Chris-B said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):

@Magpie_in_aus If AB stats are up-to-date, Kieran Read needs one more try to tie with Richie for the most tries and points by a forward.

A big gap from Read (26) and McCaw (27) to the next forward, Zinny with 17 test tries.

@Bovidae said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):

@Chris-B said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):

@Magpie_in_aus If AB stats are up-to-date, Kieran Read needs one more try to tie with Richie for the most tries and points by a forward.

A big gap from Read (26) and McCaw (27) to the next forward, Zinny with 17 test tries.

Be nice for posterity if Richie and Kieran end up with the same number, but right at this point I'm not averse to seeing Kieran pull ahead.

In fact, if he wants to pull a couple of Cornelson's to finish, he is more than welcome!

@Chris-B And BB to overtake JK, Umaga, Lomu and BFA.

@Bovidae said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):

@Chris-B And BB to overtake JK, Umaga, Lomu and BFA.

That's a murderer's row of wings, centre and fullback right there. For most other teams, that would be a Mt Rushmore (yeah I know, too much time watching US sports media)

Eddie Jones is enjoying his week. He's a funny little bugger

@mariner4life said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):

@Catogrande said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):

@DMX Interesting your view on the Barret v Mo'unga discussion. I've never felt that Barrett was a fantastic fly half - and I realise that this may lead to me being virtual lynched on here, but to me he does not seem to fit too well for some of the key duties of a 10. His kicking game is a bit off, his game management is not up there with the likes of say Carter, BUT he is without doubt a fantastic, almost freakish, rugby player and has to play. I can see the argument for having him at 10 as he is so good that you want to get the ball to him as often and as quickly as possible, but I think I agree with you that the extra space he gets at 15 is perhaps more suited and allied to that, you have a bloody good 10 in Mo'unga to bring a little more control to the game.

A very nice problem to have.

Off to dig a trench and search for my tin hat...

man, i am with you. I got lynched for saying Barrett was a poor 10 but a fantastic rugby player. The Hurricanes faithful are a little sensitive.

Yep.

Foster was on some show (or YouTube) last year talking about how they wanted to get the ball in his hands more often, and that was a big reason to keep him at 10, but it seems like they’ve worked out how to use him at 15 while still making sure he gets plenty of opportunities to get his hands on the ball. His stats last week were off the charts and they are putting him in positions for better mismatches too. If we win, that one coaching strategy should be applauded - they’ve redefined how to use him and redefined (possibly) what a WC 15 should be able to do (although I think it’s really a strategy to use Barrett’s speed and ability to take a gap).

@mariner4life said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):

Eddie Jones is enjoying his week. He's a funny little bugger

Yeah he is. Hansen seemed to enjoy his last press conference as well.

I think that it was mentioned somewhere that they get on well?

@mariner4life he is rugby's Jimmy Spithill.

They know what buttons to push and the media lap it up.

@taniwharugby said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):

@mariner4life he is rugby's Jimmy Spithill.

They know what buttons to push and the media lap it up.

his delivery is great too, and his little crooked grin. cracks me up.

Ignore the clickbait title - it's the press conference and he's obviously relaxed, confident and enjoying it.

@antipodean said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):

Ignore the clickbait title - it's the press conference and he's obviously relaxed, confident and enjoying it.

View embedded content

yep. And they should be, they are a good side in form. 50/50 chance of winning. And i reckon he'll have a trick or two up his sleeve as well.

Jesus, i can get $3.20 on England to win, that's massive overs.

@mariner4life said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):

Jesus, i can get $3.20 on England to win, that's massive overs.

Good enough for me to hedge.

@antipodean said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):

@mariner4life said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):

Jesus, i can get $3.20 on England to win, that's massive overs.

Good enough for me to hedge.

my betting account knows no heart