Yes, it most certainly is, think I mentioned it early-on in this thread. You can talk technicalities till you're blue in the face, but basic indiscipline in straightforward breakdowns, etc., is England's on-going Rugby problem and is their undoing. Australia will also make them pay for it too, unless some kind of miracle happens in the next week. Pope Francis, Archbishop of Canterbury, Chief Rabbi, Head Mullah, et al, need to visit the camp, but quick? That probably won't help either, although choice words from Prince Phil might? A huge well-done to Wales, a truly courageous and inspiring performance. . I hope their injured warriors recover quickly.
Yep, sometimes I think these RU refs have a circulatory problem in both arms, the way they work the hell out of them? Hell, I'm not complaining yesterday though, Wales thoroughly deserved this historic victory, fair's fair. Thank goodness for good old Lewis Hamilton, at least we can win at some bloody thing, Just love seeing him stuff Ferrari and Vettel.............
That would be the Lewis Hamilton driving the Mercedes, a German car that does not have to have an emissions test, against a German team mate who regularly blows the start. Equalled Senna’s win record but the Brazilian stopped winning very abruptly. “Lame Excuse Gate” was not long in coming: the (nothing to lose) Japanese went for broke and beat South Africa, so why should it not work for England? One of the England World Cup 2003 team was on Sports Week on Sunday morning and told it how it is: the chances of succeeding with the lineout and drive is “1 or 2 times in 10” whereas Farrell kicking the penalty to tie is much more likely and if it did not work they would still get the ball with three minutes to score. In short, it was a bonehead call. It was interesting how all the English guests, including Bill Beaumont, refused to comment on whether they would have kicked or gambled, a silence that tells its own story. Should we be availing ourselves of the 8/1 England before the Australia game? England got a bonus point against Fiji and the Aussies did not so it could be an all-or-nothing game for both teams. England’s coaches are clearly adept at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory so they will probably select the wrong starting line-up.
1) Yes, that would be the one. So? 2) I have not entirely given up hope. However, if it's freebie time again with Australia, then it's Auf Wiedersehen England, sadly.
Australia's second string team is monstering Uruguay, but they've looked a bit shoddy at times. A lot of silly mistakes, and a rushed approach to the game. And they've only kicked 4 of 10 with 5 minutes to go. England can take something of this effort from Australia. But it has to be remembered that this is "reserve" team.
Without getting into too much of a debate about F1 on the RWC thread, if you put Vettel in the Mercedes and Hamilton in the Ferrari, Hamilton would be winning virtually nothing. The best car wins in F1 these days unless the driver is a Muppet; and the best car is German.
The Aussies are hugely improved under Michael Cheka and have an excellent back row. Their front 5 will get a test next week against England- if England could get the Aussie front 5 under the cosh it could yet be done. I think if England win next week it would go down as one of their greatest ever victories. They will be on the floor this morning and have to dust themselves down and somehow beat one of the most improved sides in the world next week. The crazy thing here is that Wales are not yet safely through. The Aussies will be playing the Welsh second string effectively and could yet secure a bonus point win over the Welsh, meaning a narrow England win over Australia next week and a bonus point win against Uruguay could still end up sending Australia or Wales packing. But the knock on effect can only begin if England beat Australia, and that is a big if.
There will be virtually nobody from tonight's team in that game against England. That was the B team. Aust now has the bonus points it needed and is well ahead on for and against.
Here is the frozen rope version, Swanny: You said “Thank goodness for good old Lewis Hamilton, at least we can win at some bloody thing”, by which I assumed “we” to be England or Britain. I said the best car won the race (which was German) and that somebody else driving (e.g. Vettel, a German) would have done the same. German engineering won the race, Hamilton was just lucky enough to be at the wheel. It is like saying that we won WWII and the Americans, Russians etc. just helped out (let us not start a debate on that one!).
Four years of preparation, reinvention and development went out of the window because Lancaster himself lost his bottle. I know some don't like that phrase, not a fan of it myself to be honest, so let me explain. Last week he went on record as saying Wales spook him and we could all see that is why he went back to the old days last night. In mitigation I wasn't able to watch it last night but if it looks like a duck... Massive shame really - he has done so much to restore the pride since the disastrous 2011 campaign but got it spectacularly wrong last night if what I read and hear is true.
Spot on with the above Dan. He's made massive strides since 2011 but in an almost must win game he picks a centre partnership that I'm pretty sure has never played together before. Burgess very nearly conceded a try in the first half after getting sucked in when he didn't need to and Barritt cost us their try in the second half. It will take a herculean effort to turn it around next Saturday against a fast improving team who will scent blood.
Well then, England has to be thankful for small mercies? Daren't say "we", or will get shot to pieces by this flipping overlord QMII. Feck this forum for a game of cards, makes me feel like a bleedin' Uzbekistani sometimes. Even had to check my passport and an ancient document called a Birth Certificate to calm my nerves and confirm I was British. Piddle-off, QMII, I'm not answering you, and good night! .
Good display from Ireland, controlled all over the field and a good chance for many of the 2nd string to get some WC experience which will be useful as they enter the Q/F stages. I was glad Romania got in for a try at the end too, they played it In a good spirit...They were getting selfies taken with O'Driscoll before Kick Off which gave their statement of intent away a bit!
He doesnt know his best side unfortunately and that has been the case throughout the tenure. I think anyone criticising Burgess last night was watching a different game- he was one of the few who looks like he belongs on that stage. He could become some player in Union you know. He got caught out just once in 80 minutes against a great backline and at least this guy makes yards in contact. Dealt with Jamie Roberts very well. Barrett offered absolutely nothing again and it was he- NOT Burgess- who made the crazy charge out of defensive line that eventually gave Wales their try opportunity. Burgess straightened the line beautifully a couple of times in attack and he could start to be a real weapon in our side as he creates space for those outside of him. The back row has to be a concern for me. The amount of times our players hit the deck in the tackle and then are waiting 2-3 seconds for the hits to go in at the ruck is unbelievable. Too slow, not dynamic, and you get found out against a Lions back row that Wales put out yesterday. Robshaw is never a 7 in a month of Sundays- he should play 6 or 8 or not at all. I thought Tom Wood was pretty low key again when it mattered and to my surprise, it was Billy Vunipola who impressed most because he did what the back row was picked to do- make yards with the carry. Next week, I'd be looking at a couple of things: -Could we move Ben Morgan into blindside flanker- in an attempt to remedy this breakdown issue? -Do we play Joe Launchbury at lock and put Lawes on the bench for big impact?
Here's an article from Stuart Barnes that articulates my point about the breakdown and not 'discipline', which is the go to word that masks the real issue on the table that England's rucking, which points to the back row including their captain, is not good enough. http://www.skysports.com/rugby-unio...t-wales-in-rugby-world-cup-says-stuart-barnes
OK, whatever the problems are, they have less than 6-days to sort it out. It will take a truly herculean effort to get past Australia and stay in the tournament. Really hope England can do it, of course, but to be honest I am not particularly confident! My favourite RU player of all time, Billy Beaumont, needs to give them all a bloody good talking to?
