Moreover Etzebeth's head collision yesterday was more of a red than the Fijian one (that had mitigating circumstances). I think after the Curry incident, the referees took stock and decided that they needed to be slightly less brutal with those cards where it's clearly an accident.
Having seen what the lineup will be for the South Africa game, once again can't help but feel frustrated at Farrell's inclusion over Ford considering the latter's form at this tournament. Whilst Farrell may well be the Captain, for me he isn't bigger than the team nor is he undroppable but we continue to be stuck in the same ways of picking names over performance. Full XV vs South Africa: Steward, May, Marchant, Tuilagi, Daly, Farrell, Mitchell; Marler, George, Cole, Itoje, Martin, Lawes, Curry, Earl. Replacements: Dan, Genge, Sinckler, Chessum, Vunipola, Care, Ford, Lawrence.
I am in no way an expert or even proficiently knowledgeable on RFU, but I was reading that the coach was taking a “horses for courses” approach to each game. A match report I saw, after the last match, gave Farrell 9/10, said that he “ran the game” and was MOTM. Was Ford the number 10 v Argentina? If so I can understand the angst at him being left out again.
Although l prefer Ford to Farrell in terms of his creativity and flair; this game will be brutal and in this instance Farrell is utterly fearless and a ferocious (if sometimes illegal) tackler. So probably edge's this time around. Marlers inclusion is a smart choice; excellent scrummaging and he will niggle the South Africans with his constant chatter. Genge on the bench for the second half when their bomb squad enter the foray also a good choice. Think SA will probably edge it, but England will be up for this. Lawes and Itoge will relish this, there is payback owed for 4 years ago and the last Lions tour to SA.
Won't argue with Farrell's tackling ability compared to Ford but its the kicking I'm more concerned about. I don't foresee this game being as open as the South Africa vs France game and it could easily be down to penalties that wins or loses this match. Farrell's kicking over recent weeks has been incredibly inconsistent and I'd have gone for Ford for his kicking alone. Its not like we don't have beef elsewhere in the team to try and nullify South Africa.
Part of me wants to be dramatic and say that such a one sided Semi Final undermines the tournament, although it probably is fair to criticize as it is a direct result of World Rugby's ridiculous draw procedure using rankings from nearly 4 years ago. But then again football did have Germany 7 - 1 Brazil and it was great.
People over here didn't have a lot of hope for the ABs, especially after their loss to France. I have never doubted them though, this NZ organization knows how to win.
Why? NZ were always going to be too strong. But Argentina did start well. TBH I'm getting fed up with the joke now.
Oñe problem with that analysis, South África have considerably more brute forcé. As for creativity, let Farrell play the way he does for Saracens as that team scores heaps of tries every game.
And that’s why we hardly ever beat the bastarding Saffers. Today could be different, but not if England try to be too clever and “entertain”
