Could do with getting the ball and going for another drop goal just to make the Saffers need a maximum
Eurgh. For all the talk of boring England, we get knocked out by a one-dimensional team based solely on the scrum.
England gave it a good go - but they hardly got into SA`s 22, so never looked likely to score a try. So they relied entirely on the boot for points. Bit one-dimensional ?
Well, England are no longer a laughing stock. Bitterly disappointing to lose but they gave everything.
SA literally did not get into our 22 in the second half until they started dominating the scrums. That was 100% their whole game. Not sure your point.
The conditions were wet. Their game plan was absolutely the right one for the conditions. Why would you turn down points when you're winning? SA's only try came when they were chasing the game and kicked a penalty into the corner.
Weird mix of proud yet infuriated. We played way way above the level expected and SA starting to win the scrums was part of the key, but if we didn't keep on kicking the ball straight back to SA when we were 9 points up we wouldn't have lost. Ultimately they come away with far more credit for that performance, but disappointing to come so close.
Sure, SA took the only try scoring opportunity they got. SA had two kickable penalties early on which they kicked for touch, but didn`t capitalise on - they took the points thereafter. That seemed to set the tone for the game.
Watched the Game in the Lennox bar here in Palma de Mallorca where it was packed. The atmosphere in the bar was brilliant, and much better than the largely oñe dimensional rugby on offer. Just hope NZ can play an expansive next week and beat the Boks, while I would hope that England realise that hoofing the ball is not the way to.win games.