RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1)

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

who do the neutrals go for this weekend?

My guess:

I don't think Wales will want us in the final if they manage to win (so not neutral anyway)
Saffas aren't generally on our side, but maybe some support as usual from tanned ones
Aussies and Irish will all be conflicted. Probably ABE.
French likely with us (in spite of my comments on here about them and their referees).
Scots with us.
PI's with us (I would hope).

The best bit will the Japanese fans who more than likely will be with us too.

Gonna be fun.

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

@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

Come on, surely not??!!! You can't collect on an AB loss, that's just filthy behaviour!

Any oil on the team yet?

Where is the fella that had it right last week ?

We are all expecting no changes, but you never know

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

Any oil on the team yet?

Where is the fella that had it right last week ?

We are all expecting no changes, but you never know

Just a change to the Bench with Todd injured but I guess it will be Tuipoluto?

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

Any oil on the team yet?

Its teflon.

Have they confirmed Cane is OK?

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

Have they confirmed Cane is OK?

He trained didn't he? It was Read they didn't want to risk in wet weather with a sore leg?

@antipodean yeah true - wasn't sure if they'd commented on Cane's wrist, but if he trained then presumably it's sweet

@mariner4life
Eddie trying, in vain, that we feel more pressure because we want a three-peat whereas the English have no pressure. Says it about three times through the press conference - nice try Eddie, but a weak. I expected better.

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

@mariner4life
Eddie trying, in vain, that we feel more pressure because we want to a three-peat whereas the English have no pressure. Says it about three times through the press conference - nice try Eddie, but a weak. I expected better.

A bit like saying all the pressure is on Tom Brady and the Patriots to win a 7th SB because he's already won 6. Comical

@Bovidae

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

Rico Gear might be a bolter though!

Lots of interesting stuff in there - and maybe a few thing Hansen wants Eddie to hear!

Ok so don’t have full team this week... however, from inside the camp....

S Barrett replaces Cane at 6, Tuipolotu on the bench for Todd. Savea at 7. Cane on bench.

Perhaps wrist not great, or just want a bigger/taller team

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

Ok so don’t have full team this week... however, from inside the camp....

S Barrett replaces Cane at 6, Tuipolotu on the bench for Todd. Savea at 7. Cane on bench.

Perhaps wrist not great, or just want a bigger/taller team

Can't say that makes any sense to me, our game has been all about the trio all year and now we go for a slower option to add height? I hope Cane is slightly injured and it's enforced because he leads our defence in the opening trench warfare.

@bayimports
Ardie does not hit nearly as hard in defence as Cane.

Might also slightly change the way we play because of Ardie not being able to be used on the blind.

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

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

Ok so don’t have full team this week... however, from inside the camp....

S Barrett replaces Cane at 6, Tuipolotu on the bench for Todd. Savea at 7. Cane on bench.

Perhaps wrist not great, or just want a bigger/taller team

Can't say that makes any sense to me, our game has been all about the trio all year and now we go for a slower option to add height? I hope Cane is slightly injured and it's enforced because he leads our defence in the opening trench warfare.

Yeah this, we win sith speed and a ferocious and fast loose trio. Ah well in Shag we trust, if true!

If that is the thinking I would have put Ardie on the bench (again) and started Cane.

hasnt it always been if they are carrying a niggle, they start so you can control thier gametime better.

My guess is, they have determined SB suits whatever plan they intend playing v England.

SB probably carries a bit better than Cane does, so expect he's there for that? SB is a good defender, but doesnt make as many tackles and obviously doesnt hit as hard.

No idea of the reasons guys, just passing on the oil. Prediction has been spot on so far though, I personally would have Cane playing if fit

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

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

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

Ok so don’t have full team this week... however, from inside the camp....

S Barrett replaces Cane at 6, Tuipolotu on the bench for Todd. Savea at 7. Cane on bench.

Perhaps wrist not great, or just want a bigger/taller team

Can't say that makes any sense to me, our game has been all about the trio all year and now we go for a slower option to add height? I hope Cane is slightly injured and it's enforced because he leads our defence in the opening trench warfare.

Yeah this, we win sith speed and a ferocious and fast loose trio. Ah well in Shag we trust, if true!

Definitely for now, but if we lose I'm going to meltdown like a Cantabrian complaining about Mauger being left out in 07. :face_with_tears_of_joy:

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

No idea of the reasons guys**, just passing on the oil.** Prediction has been spot on so far though, I personally would have Cane playing if fit

Too late, in 5 years time we'll be discussing this as the @bayimports dropped Cane.

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

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

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

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

Ok so don’t have full team this week... however, from inside the camp....

S Barrett replaces Cane at 6, Tuipolotu on the bench for Todd. Savea at 7. Cane on bench.

Perhaps wrist not great, or just want a bigger/taller team

Can't say that makes any sense to me, our game has been all about the trio all year and now we go for a slower option to add height? I hope Cane is slightly injured and it's enforced because he leads our defence in the opening trench warfare.

Yeah this, we win sith speed and a ferocious and fast loose trio. Ah well in Shag we trust, if true!

Definitely for now, but if we lose I'm going to meltdown like a Cantabrian complaining about Mauger being left out in 07. :face_with_tears_of_joy:

It's your right as an All Black supporter

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

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

No idea of the reasons guys**, just passing on the oil.** Prediction has been spot on so far though, I personally would have Cane playing if fit

Too late, in 5 years time we'll be discussing this as the @bayimports dropped Cane.

Bloody Hawkes fans

I'm apoplectic

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

hasnt it always been if they are carrying a niggle, they start so you can control thier gametime better.

My guess is, they have determined SB suits whatever plan they intend playing v England.

It does change the dynamic of the substitutions though because for Paddy T to come on then one of BBBR or Whitelock must be subbed, or both if SB moves to lock (VERY unlikely). It is possible that Ardie could end up at no.8 if Read's calf isn't 100% and SB remains at 6.

I'm hoping Shag has discovered that Eddie also reads the Fern, and has leaked this misinformation to throw him off.

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

No idea of the reasons guys, just passing on the oil. Prediction has been spot on so far though, I personally would have Cane playing if fit

So would I. I'd clone him if I could so he could take more positions - every team would give up running the ball and would kick to our famed counter attack.

Not going to have many opportunities to fetch early in the game as big Pommy forwards flop onto every ruck. Savea at 7 provides a bit more ball carrying and still a bit of a threat on the ball.

Plus goggles.

Cane to come on late and fuck up the ruck

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

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

No idea of the reasons guys**, just passing on the oil.** Prediction has been spot on so far though, I personally would have Cane playing if fit

Too late, in 5 years time we'll be discussing this as the @bayimports dropped Cane.

He's not dropped... his role has been changed!

Maybe they want the extra lineout option?

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

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

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

@canefan not really, he was watching it on the big screen and thought he saw Reese touch the ball. The TMO had a screen a few inches away and corrected him, they worked together to make the right call.

I remember hearing the exchange, nigel asked if the black player touched the ball during the tackle, the TMO said more than once that he had only to finally correct himself. I dont think he ever thought Reece had touched it but his language was poor. Right decision in the end

Re the BB try I'm pretty certain the law was you're not offside if the ball rebounded off a player that was not playing at the ball.

Reece was attempting a tackle and it initially appeared that the ball may have bounced forward off his head. (Obviously it didn't it as he hit Sex Toy's elbow and the ball went backward off green.)

My query, which is now a moot point but I'm still interested, is if it had hit Reece's head would Mo'unga be offside as Reece did not play at the ball.

My understanding is he would not have been offside. But my understanding may be either out if date, mistaken or both.

Maybe I should ask @Damo.

The real story in that try is some outstanding reading on defence by Sevu. The irish had us on toast with an overlap when Sevu raced in and hot it perfect. 14 point play as it turned out

But I digress...

Our best flanker since McGoat,* on the bench. Stinks of dry powder and a cunning plan against the poms.

• all due respect Ardie

The plan has to be attack their strength, outmuscle them up front and fuck with their heads

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

outmuscle them up front

oh, well if THAT'S the plan, then obviously you don't include Cane...

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

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

outmuscle them up front

oh, well if THAT'S the plan, then obviously you don't include Cane...

Part of that I meant set piece ,

I guess it had to be a toss up between he and ardie , ardie running off the back may have swayed it ? both will play,

They must’ve liked the wAy this trio closed

Also balances out the bench I guess with Todd missing

Hmmm. Why change a good thing? But Hansen has been on the money so far.

Who do we think’s supplying the oil? Nails the loose forwards but can’t give us the whole team...Physio? Grounds man? Hairdresser? Russians?

Not starting Cane would be precisely the lynching rope i am looking for if it goes tits up

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

Can Poms boss ABs in forwards? No bigger than Boks who didn't manage it. Doubt they'll get any scrum momentum. They will look to disrupt our lineout albeit the back row vs Oz won't help there. Key for them is Vunipola bros, whose footwork in contact often unlocks defences. In backs without Ford not much flair, but St. Owen is good at manipulating space IF he gets front foot ball. Expect their kick chase to be highly organised, so running from own half needs to be approached with caution. If ABs get fast ball it will be a long night for Eddie.

I may be proved wrong on Saturday, but I'm less concerned about their defensive lineout than I would be against, say, the Irish or the Boks. Lawes and Itoje aren't exactly massive blokes and their USPs are their efforts around the park, rather than at the set piece. People seem to forget Retallick's MOTM efforts at Twickers last year where he picked off a a few English lineout throws in key attacking positions (and made Itoje a spectator for most of that game).

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

@pakman to be fair in the whole I’d say the Boks forwards did get the better of ours / especially first 20. They just forgot to score points.

I've seen this a lot, but I felt that, although they had a lot of the ball, they didn't do a great deal with it, got stuck playing between the 10m line and the 22, and reverted to kicks from Faf and De Klerk as a result in order to break down our defensive line. The "forgetting to get points" things is a bit misleading, as I don't recall them having any gilt-edged opportunities to actually do so (save for Pollard's missed penalty).

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

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

@Hooroo We may give penalites on their ball, but we have not lost a scrum for the last 130 or so times, so I'm not fussed.

I need this. This helps.

I think our backs can destroy them and in the loose I am happy, just a bit worried about the tight and the potential of having to defend mauls.

Our maul defence was excellent against the Irish and has been able to handle the Boks fairly well recently (IMO, the Boks are easily the mauling side in world rugby). They will try it on, and they may even score from 5m out (as these mauls are incredibly difficult to defend), but I don't see them walking us up field 20-30m at a time.