@booboo said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):
Back to Eddie. On reflection does anyone else think he tried a little too hard in yesterday's presser?
Just went far enough to look desparate.
Just my thoughts.
He's been trying to play mind games in the media since back in his Brumby days, it just looks pretty tired these now and you get the feeling you've heard it all before.
Ok now I hope we smash England off the Park even more than I first did.
The Media interviews with England Players,Ex England players Coaches and just the English Media have once again reminded me why I dislike English Teams.I would Hate to lose this SF it would become unbearable.
@Chris said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):
Ok now I hope we smash England off the Park even more than I first did.
The Media interviews with England Players,Ex England players Coaches and just the English Media have once again reminded me why I dislike English Teams.I would Hate to lose this SF it would become unbearable.
I desperately want a ABs vs Springboks WC Final - 100th Test, mutual trespect and regard, plus we'll probably get Pienaar and Fitzy waxing eloquent right over the top of the numpty NH "analysts" - the disdain they have for the British talking heads is palpable
If Eddie & England lose this weekend, that's 2 years with no 6N, no victories over Scotland, and no RWC.
Hardly encouraging given they're the best resourced team in World Rugby.
@NTA said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):
If Eddie & England lose this weekend, that's 2 years with no 6N, no victories over Scotland, and no RWC.
Hardly encouraging given they're the best resourced team in World Rugby.
Yeah, don't doubt they're under massive pressure themselves for these reasons. That's not to mention the massive expectation and spotlight that's now on this team "back home" or the fact that this team is fighting to avenge their failure at the last world cup. They really have to win this tournament, otherwise the last 4 years will have been wasted and an abject failure
@KiwiPie said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):
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 .....
Think I read somewhere that he watches where the ball hits the ground and can sometimes predict which way it will go.
Perhaps, like some batsmen, he has terrific eyesight
@gt12 said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):
Their fans are frothing though. I work with (and teach) and few poms and every single one of them were 'you're going to get smacked this weekend', which I found interesting as they seem to be embracing the pressure.
Yes, their fans are absolutely frothing, but this is what builds pressure. Eddie is talking out of his arse if he thinks no one expects them to win - nearly 60 millions Poms clearly believe they can win.
As I said elsewhere, there's absolutely no chance that we'll be taken by surprise here - we will be reminded and reminded just how good this English team is and that they can beat us (and I believe they can). But, we were reminded a lot last week that Ireland had beaten us and Hansen alluded to that as being a bit of a motivating factor.
@taniwharugby said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):
I dont rate Itoje at all, like a lazier version of Ali Williams.
Without the discipline.
@gt12 said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):
Their fans are frothing though. I work with (and teach) and few poms and every single one of them were 'you're going to get smacked this weekend', which I found interesting as they seem to be embracing the pressure.
If they're your average English rugby fan I'd say those sentiments are aimed specifically at you rather than a heartfelt belief. All the guys I've spoken to on this feel that whilst we have a chance on Saturday we are very far from confident and recognise that the stars would have to be aligned in our favour to get the correct result.
@Catogrande said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):
@gt12 said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):
Their fans are frothing though. I work with (and teach) and few poms and every single one of them were 'you're going to get smacked this weekend', which I found interesting as they seem to be embracing the pressure.
If they're your average English rugby fan I'd say those sentiments are aimed specifically at you rather than a heartfelt belief. All the guys I've spoken to on this feel that whilst we have a chance on Saturday we are very far from confident and recognise that the stars would have to be aligned in our favour to get the correct result.
That’s in synch with me. Haven’t met a confident Pom yet, and also not met a Pom who thinks they have no chance.
I was just re-watching the game and the amount of work Cane gets through on defense is noticeable. He really has a knack for being in the right place to shut down the attack and he hits hard.
Be a real mistake not to start him I think.
But I'm not going to argue, all the selections have been spot on so far.
@KiwiPie said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):
@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 .....
Reminds me of a Blues game a couple of years ago which we'd have won but for a couple of BB 'specials'. Said the same thing to me son.
@Victor-Meldrew said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):
@taniwharugby said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):
I dont rate Itoje at all, like a lazier version of Ali Williams.
Without the discipline.
Itoje is brilliant at getting away with murder at rucks: grabs ball, and if ref says, 'Let go 4' counts one and does so. Professional fouls in red zone, and flails around long arms at lineout which often dislodges ball. Most refs are soft on him.
In English Premiership final he was penalised promptly for slowing ball in ruck and yellow carded in red zone. Then ineffective for 30 minutes but in last 20 ref had lost interest and buggered up Exeter's ball with impunity.
So not a great textbook player, but can be highly effective if unchecked.
NZ Herald now reporting the good oil...SB to start ahead of SC.
Fair play to our forum poster.
@Billy-Tell said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):
NZ Herald now reporting the good oil...SB to start ahead of SC.
Fair play to our forum poster.
Yep, he only payed 40 min last week, so I guess he plays the 2nd half this week.
@No-Quarter said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):
@mariner4life said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):
Not starting Cane would be precisely the lynching rope i am looking for if it goes tits up
It's fine I'm sure they're just saving him for the final.
