@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).