RWC: ENG v Fiji (Twickenham) Pool A
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djeff
Allen Oxlade (6)
Nothing from Eng and Fij but Jaco was a bit disappointing.
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djeff
Allen Oxlade (6)
Its still a few weeks before Aus v Eng, I suspect England will have their shit together by then.
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pjm
Billy Sheehan (19)
Training professionally, playing amateurishly then? Hooper also had 31 caps at the Brumbies over 3 years at an average of 10.3 a year versus Volavola at 2.6 a year.
Yes my thinking as well. Perhaps the Crusaders will do the 'Nadolo' on him
The Snout
Ward Prentice (10)
I've watched England through the last 6 Nations and the lead up matches to the RWC and I failed to see the blind confidence the English seem to have in their chances. They seem to put a hell of a lot of stock in hosting the RWC to be enough to see them deep.
Scrum was ok but not great today against Fiji, their open field play looked sloppy. I'm not sure if Fiji scrambled well on their line or if England panicked making it harder than it should have been.
As for Fiji, time to grow up a bit. For decades they've been applauded for their athleticism and 7's ability. Yeah ok fine, but they haven't moved on. In that last 20 minutes they weren't up to fitness, their kicking was dumb, they had more leadership issues than an elected Australian Government. When England returned their penalty kick that didn't go out towards the end it was almost like Fiji weren't interested, probably due to fatigue. But no way it should have been returned nearly the full length.
I don't think Fiji are going to be much of an issue against a structured and smart team. But the game Eng vs Wal , I'd have given to England but going to be closer than expected.
Scrum was ok but not great today against Fiji, their open field play looked sloppy. I'm not sure if Fiji scrambled well on their line or if England panicked making it harder than it should have been.
As for Fiji, time to grow up a bit. For decades they've been applauded for their athleticism and 7's ability. Yeah ok fine, but they haven't moved on. In that last 20 minutes they weren't up to fitness, their kicking was dumb, they had more leadership issues than an elected Australian Government. When England returned their penalty kick that didn't go out towards the end it was almost like Fiji weren't interested, probably due to fatigue. But no way it should have been returned nearly the full length.
I don't think Fiji are going to be much of an issue against a structured and smart team. But the game Eng vs Wal , I'd have given to England but going to be closer than expected.
Not sure what they biggest talking point will be from the opening day. The overuse of the TMO or:
John Eales trapped in a lift at Twickenham.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...ian-captain-John-Eales-trapped-in-a-lift.html
John Eales trapped in a lift at Twickenham.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...ian-captain-John-Eales-trapped-in-a-lift.html
Highlander35
Andrew Slack (58)
Shoulda played Matevesi ahead of Volavola. I adore Niko, but I wouldn't want him in my starting 9 Jersey.
And why did we get Aussie commentators on the live broadcast? There's plenty of Aussie and minnow games for them to be at, why did we get them for this one too?
And why did we get Aussie commentators on the live broadcast? There's plenty of Aussie and minnow games for them to be at, why did we get them for this one too?
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
I think watching fiji I see great potential but I guess we have been saying that for years about pacific island sides but never goes beyond that - as unfortunately the economics means they are not aligned to professional leagues / comps like super rugby or rugby championship.....and probably unfortunately never will be....Would love a combined pacific island side in super rugby but know the commercials will never stack up....
It was the opening match, I guess they thought it was of enough value.
I expect we will see them for the Aus games and some of the finals matches, some random games as "pool" commentators & the final (unless they are sent home with the Aus side)
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Gees can anyone seriously be worried about England as a threat after that game.....
Pedrolicus
Dick Tooth (41)
I'm guessing only England and possibly Uruguay.
BarneySF
Bob Loudon (25)
Just watched the game. Not sure what to take away from it other than it was probably a good hit-out for both teams. Thought both teams looked OK, I guess.
One question I had was – Was England foxing in the scrum? Fiji didn’t seem to have too much trouble in the set piece and even got a few scrum turnovers. But for his place kicking I thought Nadolo had a blinder and the obvious ‘if-only’ talk abounds (although fully aware he wasn’t great when he was in Oz). That try he scored should be scored by Izzy 4 out of 5 times. His kick chases were pretty good too - or at least the one I saw.
US commentary said something along the lines of “Volavola was being fast-tracked in the Australian system to get to national honours”. That is absolute bs right? Just didn’t cut it at the Tahs?
One question I had was – Was England foxing in the scrum? Fiji didn’t seem to have too much trouble in the set piece and even got a few scrum turnovers. But for his place kicking I thought Nadolo had a blinder and the obvious ‘if-only’ talk abounds (although fully aware he wasn’t great when he was in Oz). That try he scored should be scored by Izzy 4 out of 5 times. His kick chases were pretty good too - or at least the one I saw.
US commentary said something along the lines of “Volavola was being fast-tracked in the Australian system to get to national honours”. That is absolute bs right? Just didn’t cut it at the Tahs?
I am, they will be better for the run and they have the exact grinding game that Aus doesn't enjoy.
I don't see the Aus wingers handing the continual rain of box kicks Eng will put up much better than Fiji and I expect Eng to go into their shell a bit more, play Farrell and punch the corners and pressure.
So "if" the Pooper is started against England I expect immense lineout pressure
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
My main concern was England dominating us scrum wise but given they were hardly earth shattering against Fiji scrum - does not suggest the English set piece is as big a threat to wallabies as one thought
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Let's see how we go against Fiji - they actually showed they have talent but had some pretty ordinary, scappy and mistake ridden wild brain implosions and poor skill / judgement execution at critical moments
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
England certainly got the rub of the green with the officials in this game.
The England LHP was boring in in every scrum as soon as the ball was fed. Finished at 90 degrees to the front row line every time, except for a couple where he went to ground. I don't expect Poite to pull this up any more than Jaco did last night.
A lot of talk here about how poor Vola Vola was, and rightly so. But Ford was really little better at 10 for England. Good kicking game, but was standing exceptionally deep in attack in the first half, didn't once take the line on himself that I saw, and didn't put any of his supports into space. England's attack was simply to send the ball to the wings with an overlap (reminiscent of the Crusaders for a lot of 2015 Super). Fiji was mostly able to cope with that attack by having the winger hit the second last player in line and having a very fast cover defender take the winger, and it worked for most of the game.
Nobody seems to be questioning England's second try. In my view, the lock who intercepted the throw was part of the lineout and left the 15 metre area before the ball crossed that line. Was he not offside?
All in all, despite the cheating in the scrum, England was at least matched by the Fiji scrum and should present little problem for the Aussie pack given fair refereeing. The England backline was almost pedestrian save for May and Brown, and really should be no threat to the Wallabies. Fiji, on the other hand, I thought played with more flair and pace, but as always looked like amateurs against professionals. Always beaten to the loose ball, and the high ball, and susceptible to making basic errors under pressure.
The England LHP was boring in in every scrum as soon as the ball was fed. Finished at 90 degrees to the front row line every time, except for a couple where he went to ground. I don't expect Poite to pull this up any more than Jaco did last night.
A lot of talk here about how poor Vola Vola was, and rightly so. But Ford was really little better at 10 for England. Good kicking game, but was standing exceptionally deep in attack in the first half, didn't once take the line on himself that I saw, and didn't put any of his supports into space. England's attack was simply to send the ball to the wings with an overlap (reminiscent of the Crusaders for a lot of 2015 Super). Fiji was mostly able to cope with that attack by having the winger hit the second last player in line and having a very fast cover defender take the winger, and it worked for most of the game.
Nobody seems to be questioning England's second try. In my view, the lock who intercepted the throw was part of the lineout and left the 15 metre area before the ball crossed that line. Was he not offside?
All in all, despite the cheating in the scrum, England was at least matched by the Fiji scrum and should present little problem for the Aussie pack given fair refereeing. The England backline was almost pedestrian save for May and Brown, and really should be no threat to the Wallabies. Fiji, on the other hand, I thought played with more flair and pace, but as always looked like amateurs against professionals. Always beaten to the loose ball, and the high ball, and susceptible to making basic errors under pressure.
Quick Hands
David Wilson (68)
My greatest fears about how referees were going to perform in relation to mauls and scrums were unfortunately confirmed this morning.
Note the first try on this clip. England form a maul from the lineout at 2.06 and begin driving towards the line, BUT, at 2.16 4 England players detach and not one of the 4 are in contact with a Fijian player - therefore the maul is over. These 4 England players continue driving downfield - with the player holding the ball BEHIND his three team mates - obstruction, truck and trailer or whatever you want to call it and England end up with a penalty try and Fiji with a player in the bin.
Note the first try on this clip. England form a maul from the lineout at 2.06 and begin driving towards the line, BUT, at 2.16 4 England players detach and not one of the 4 are in contact with a Fijian player - therefore the maul is over. These 4 England players continue driving downfield - with the player holding the ball BEHIND his three team mates - obstruction, truck and trailer or whatever you want to call it and England end up with a penalty try and Fiji with a player in the bin.
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