England should just forfeit the semi final

Sun Tzu · Post by **Sun Tzu** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 12:43 pm

Third place is still a good achievement and a fantastic improvement on the 2015 and indeed 2011 efforts

johnuknow · Post by **johnuknow** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 12:47 pm

Scotland should leave the six nations

HKCJ · Post by **HKCJ** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 12:49 pm

johnuknow wrote:Scotland should leave the six nations

Well that’s a fabulous non sequitur

Lemoentjie · Post by **Lemoentjie** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 12:50 pm

The Ireland pack is so underpowered and weak. Don't think England will be anywhere as feeble.

CrazyIslander · Post by **CrazyIslander** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 12:53 pm

Historically the ABs never play well after a great performance in the knockout stage.

Conservative Eddie · Post by **Conservative Eddie** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 12:56 pm

I have no idea why people are judging England's chances based on the NZ-Ire QF.

Have you lot not been watching Ireland this year?

England on the other hand have been developing very nicely.

holbob · Post by **holbob** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 12:58 pm

Major lol

mikeyboy123 · Post by **mikeyboy123** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 12:59 pm

Conservative Eddie wrote:I have no idea why people are judging England's chances based on the NZ-Ire QF.

Have you lot not been watching Ireland this year?

England on the other hand have been developing very nicely.

This. Ireland have been terrible today, almost as bad as against Wales in the 6N, and their run of form this year has been poor. Today’s match means nothing for the eng v nz semi.

elfieldinho · Post by **elfieldinho** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:18 pm

I expect NZ to win, but this game was very similar to England in Dublin in the 6 Nations and to the warm up against Ireland. Ireland de-powered themselves somehow over the last year and got everything wrong. Very much like England 4 years ago. NZ are hot favourites in the semi, but they won't get the same level of puddingy ruck flopping and weak tackling that they got from Ireland today.

6.Jones · Post by **6.Jones** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:20 pm

I'll have a quiet twenty on them.

eldanielfire · Post by **eldanielfire** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:24 pm

elfieldinho wrote:I expect NZ to win, but this game was very similar to England in Dublin in the 6 Nations and to the warm up against Ireland. Ireland de-powered themselves somehow over the last year and got everything wrong. Very much like England 4 years ago. NZ are hot favourites in the semi, but they won't get the same level of puddingy ruck flopping and weak tackling that they got from Ireland today.

I was reading a good article in the Athletic about Spurs decline. Basically playing and training so hard for years takes it's toll both physically and mentally. Schmit had Ireland play an inefficient and draining physical game and in doing so he's f#cked your forwards.

I've also long said Ireland read to much into those All Black victories. New Zealand were at the end of some seasons, Hansen doesn't put his best stuff out there before a World Cup and tries out certain tactical tweaks, NZ missed key players and weren't as up for it and it was everything to Ireland and just a game to NZ.

brat · Post by **brat** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:26 pm

Seneca of the Night wrote:I think we have to remember that Ireland are way past their best and lost to Japan. The biggest challenge by far for the All Blacks now is keeping that in perspective and psychologically prepare for the fact that England are a serious physical challenge and more than capable of stopping their momentum. There are real shades of 95 about this: we played our final in the semi as we had unsettled business with England. Then were extremely flat in the final (notwithstanding other reasons). There was definitely a score to settle with Ireland and the team was extremely amped today. They need to regroup for an entirely different order of challenge with England. That's the game ahead of them, and the focus of the week.

I think this is a lot like 2015

Nz made a statement vs France and then had a close call vs the boks - even though the boks never looked like scoring a try

England will be more of a challenge as they will retain the ball a lot better- but I expect the abs to come out firing again next week -our defensive work was exceptional tonight - will need that again vs England

Theflier · Post by **Theflier** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:26 pm

Lets be fair, both England and wales have manshamed Ireland this year too

Lord Denning · Post by **Lord Denning** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:26 pm

Bait it may be, but in fairness to the thread the prospect of anyone stopping NZ is very remote.

All other teams are looking just like cannon fodder.

Petros · Post by **Petros** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:30 pm

Conservative Eddie wrote:I have no idea why people are judging England's chances based on the NZ-Ire QF.

Have you lot not been watching Ireland this year?

England on the other hand have been developing very nicely.

And 2 months ago England 57-15 Ireland

franch fan · Post by **franch fan** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:33 pm

Lemoentjie wrote:The Ireland pack is so underpowered and weak. Don't think England will be anywhere as feeble.

Even if England pack outmuscles NZ's pack, NZ are so good that it will be hard to see how England will beat them.
It will probably take the best English performance ever to do that.

brat · Post by **brat** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:34 pm

Petros wrote:
Conservative Eddie wrote:I have no idea why people are judging England's chances based on the NZ-Ire QF.

Have you lot not been watching Ireland this year?

England on the other hand have been developing very nicely.
And 2 months ago England 57-15 Ireland

At twickenham

Only 12 pts in it in Dublin when it wasn’t a warm up

franch fan · Post by **franch fan** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:36 pm

Lord Denning wrote:Bait it may be, but in fairness to the thread the prospect of anyone stopping NZ is very remote.

All other teams are looking just like cannon fodder.

I'm especially amazed by the quality of passing from ALL NZ players, including their forwards.
They are leagues above everyone in that aspect.

ElPablo · Post by **ElPablo** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:36 pm

NZ won't dominate the collisions as much against England. Daly and Farrell will keep them in the kicking game. It probably won't be enough though.

Davedj77 · Post by **Davedj77** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:37 pm

As well as the ABs played, Ireland didnt turn up tonight. England are simply a much better team than Ireland right now and I expect an incredibly tough game from England next week. As an ABs fan I'll be nervous as fudge next weekend.

croyals · Post by **croyals** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:37 pm

We’ll give it a crack

brat · Post by **brat** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:38 pm

franch fan wrote:
Lord Denning wrote:Bait it may be, but in fairness to the thread the prospect of anyone stopping NZ is very remote.

All other teams are looking just like cannon fodder.
I'm especially amazed by the quality of passing from ALL NZ players, including their forwards.
They are leagues above everyone in that aspect.

That’s been our point of difference for a long long time

EverReady · Post by **EverReady** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:39 pm

Ireland were utter gash and England are not. Advantage still to England the world number 1's on paper

franch fan · Post by **franch fan** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:39 pm

brat wrote:
franch fan wrote:
Lord Denning wrote:Bait it may be, but in fairness to the thread the prospect of anyone stopping NZ is very remote.

All other teams are looking just like cannon fodder.
I'm especially amazed by the quality of passing from ALL NZ players, including their forwards.
They are leagues above everyone in that aspect.
That’s been our point of difference for a long long time

That and your support play.

ManInTheBar · Post by **ManInTheBar** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:39 pm

franch fan wrote:
Lord Denning wrote:Bait it may be, but in fairness to the thread the prospect of anyone stopping NZ is very remote.

All other teams are looking just like cannon fodder.
I'm especially amazed by the quality of passing from ALL NZ players, including their forwards.
They are leagues above everyone in that aspect.

Sinkler, George, Vunipola (M) are VERY good in this regard

We will be far more aggressive in defence and sharper in attack than the Irish were (sadly for them). Might not be enough but.....

terryfinch · Post by **terryfinch** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:40 pm

Remember this AB side were hammered by the Wobblies. We can do this.

Winnie · Post by **Winnie** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:40 pm

I think England will beat New Zealand
They look the real deal

CrazyIslander · Post by **CrazyIslander** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:40 pm

Seneca of the Night wrote:I think we have to remember that Ireland are way past their best and lost to Japan. The biggest challenge by far for the All Blacks now is keeping that in perspective and psychologically prepare for the fact that England are a serious physical challenge and more than capable of stopping their momentum. There are real shades of 95 about this: we played our final in the semi as we had unsettled business with England. Then were extremely flat in the final (notwithstanding other reasons). There was definitely a score to settle with Ireland and the team was extremely amped today. They need to regroup for an entirely different order of challenge with England. That's the game ahead of them, and the focus of the week.

I think the ABs gameplan would be the same regardless of opponent. There whole point of their plan is to maximise their fitness and skills for the 80 mins. So it's more about getting the most out of themselves.

Conservative Eddie · Post by **Conservative Eddie** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:41 pm

franch fan wrote:
Lord Denning wrote:Bait it may be, but in fairness to the thread the prospect of anyone stopping NZ is very remote.

All other teams are looking just like cannon fodder.
I'm especially amazed by the quality of passing from ALL NZ players, including their forwards.
They are leagues above everyone in that aspect.

Their skillset is, and always has been, superior to everyone else.

However, a well drilled team with some form, a decent pack... England have all of that and I reckon it'll be close.

RWC2015 · Post by **RWC2015** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:41 pm

Silly thread. Just coz Ireland were dirt doesn't mean England will be

backrow · Post by **backrow** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:45 pm

I think eng nz will be a cracker and all fans looking forward to it - too close to call really.
Semis today had similar scorelines, England were good today at the bits Ireland were bad at (tackling, defence organisation , scoring tries , kicking , fitness)

yoda · Post by **yoda** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:46 pm

Theflier wrote:Lets be fair, both England and wales have manshamed Ireland this year too

Not to mention Japan

franch fan · Post by **franch fan** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:47 pm

It will be closer than against Ireland but I still see a confortable NZ win, something like 35-17 similar to the last RWC final scoreline.

Auckman · Post by **Auckman** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 1:48 pm

Eddie Jones has been waiting for this match for years. This is what he lives for (on his way to winning other things) - to beat the All Blacks. Tbf, he has a good record against the ABs.

The Blacks will have to turn up and dial it up several notches again to try and unlock the English defence.

True Blue · Post by **True Blue** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 3:16 pm

England and SA are the two teams that I would suggest have a very strong probability to beat NZ. England just beat Australia by 30 points ffs.

Peteray · Post by **Peteray** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 3:21 pm

This isn't going to be any walk-in-the-park! England were awesome on defence today, and took almost every chance on attack.

sonic_attack · Post by **sonic_attack** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 3:29 pm

England looked real vulnerable wide tonight though.

I think Japan have shown the way to everyone. Pace.
NZ executed everything tonight with a snappy sharp vigour and just created space with it. Shut down that quick ruck and don't leave defence to a scrambling chance.

England definitely need to shore up whatever they're up to out on the edge though, vulnerable barely describes it.

ManInTheBar · Post by **ManInTheBar** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 3:32 pm

sonic_attack wrote:England looked real vulnerable wide tonight though.

I think Japan have shown the way to everyone. Pace.
NZ executed everything tonight with a snappy sharp vigour and just created space with it. Shut down that quick ruck and don't leave defence to a scrambling chance.

England definitely need to shore up whatever they're up to out on the edge though, vulnerable barely describes it.

It seems to be The Plan - rush up very hard and try to force EITHER big speculative pass OR play back into the middle.

Agree it opens doors but it's working well so far....

Lord Denning · Post by **Lord Denning** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 3:32 pm

sonic_attack wrote:England looked real vulnerable wide tonight though.

I think Japan have shown the way to everyone. Pace.
NZ executed everything tonight with a snappy sharp vigour and just created space with it. Shut down that quick ruck and don't leave defence to a scrambling chance.

England definitely need to shore up whatever they're up to out on the edge though, vulnerable barely describes it.

Overblown, but still broadly fair.

C69 · Post by **C69** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 3:34 pm

ManInTheBar wrote:
franch fan wrote:
Lord Denning wrote:Bait it may be, but in fairness to the thread the prospect of anyone stopping NZ is very remote.

All other teams are looking just like cannon fodder.
I'm especially amazed by the quality of passing from ALL NZ players, including their forwards.
They are leagues above everyone in that aspect.
Sinkler, George, Vunipola (M) are VERY good in this regard

We will be far more aggressive in defence and sharper in attack than the Irish were (sadly for them). Might not be enough but.....

Tbh the Japanese front rows interplay against Scotland was at times exceptional. Even the replacement props handling was excellent.
I can't see anyone beating NZ, that said England ar ethebteam best equipt to do so if they click with their front 5