Comments on: Autumn Internationals 2014: England vs Samoa Prediction

By: Don P

Don P — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:40:51 +0000

Wot? Not even 1 comment! Was it past everyone’s bedtime? No one up for a giraffe maybe? V disappointing. Ah well, made me chuckle, even tho it was my own. Hurrrumph!

By: Don P

Don P — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 17:47:51 +0000

An interesting occurrence happened last night when I attended the Eel Pie club (above the Cabbage Patch pub in Twickenham) to see the ‘Rolling Stoned’ tribute band. Really good show btw, catch them if you’re a Stones fan. Anyway, as the band were rocking to their conclusion with ‘Brown Sugar’, or was it ‘Honky Tonk Woman’? Whatever. Anyway, everyone was bopping & then the band invited 1/2 a dozen or so women groovers of varying ages on to the stage. They all proceeded to give it all they had, none more so than a buxom ‘wench’ dressed in a black corset & fishnets, who gave a thrusting performance, arms & legs akimbo, behind Keef’s bottom. All this was being cheered to the rafters when, suddenly, this bloke in a red shirt with 3 Lions on his chest, leapt on to the stage & began dancing cheek to cheek with the fishnets. Although he had a freshly shaved nut & I was gazing through a haze of some unknown pint of Caledonian ale, I swear to God it was STUART LANCASTER! As you might imagine, I did a double take & then turned to ask a younger (than me, alas) fairly attractive, groomed, respectable looking, intelligent (she had specs on, so she must have been mustn’t she?) woman if she agreed that it was indeed SL on stage. Unfortunately, she, after pausing & looking SL’s direction, laughed at me like a drain. But I’m telling you, I’m still convinced that it was SL! I therefore take everything back that I’ve said about the man & I’m now convinced that England will hammer Somoa by at least 50 tomorrow! I say this because if a guy who’s taken so much media flack in recent weeks can relax in such an impressive fashion, 2 days before such an important game, then he must have it cracked & be able to convey his utter confidence & self belief to his team so as to ensure, not only victory on Saturday, but also on the following Saturday! So, STUART LANCASTER, I salute you sir! All England’s & your travails are undoubtedly over. Go you good thing go!

By: Benjit

Benjit — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 16:38:38 +0000

Agree. But I’m on a terrible run for watching England lose in the AIs and have tickets for the Australia match, so feeling even less hopeful!

By: Mr B

Mr B — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 16:12:04 +0000

I’m going tomorrow and I am looking forward to my first competitive game but I am seriously wondering what Owen Farrell has to do to be dropped? I put Danny Cipriani, George Ford and Freddie Burns all ahead of him in terms of ability and game management.

The fact that he has now been selected at centre when other more seasoned, better centres are available is mind boggling, I’d have hoped for a better partnership to go into this game to try and build an understanding going into Australia whereas Barritt and Farrell against the Aussies makes me shudder.

By: Geat

Geat — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 15:19:48 +0000

Ha ha – I know what you mean. I think what I was getting at is we weren’t woeful, but nor were we good enough at the “small margins” stuff, and the time for learning lessons from close losses is over.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 15:00:45 +0000

Agree two huge wins required.

Odd juxtaposition with your first comment – “woeful is a little harsh”. Not sure how, but I am managing to agree with both. sentiments.

By: Geat

Geat — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 13:31:34 +0000

I agree – for me, the autumn is already a bust. We’d need two huge wins in these last two games, brimming with attacking intent, just to salvage something.

By: Benjit

Benjit — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 13:01:08 +0000

I have no idea what to expect. Am feel very downhearted at the moment. an even if England win the final 2 matches, that really is only about par. It is difficult to get myself up for this.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 12:56:05 +0000

“Tusi Pisi, brother of Samoan Saints Ken and George, is something of an unknown quantity”

OK, not someone we see a lot of over here, but he’s been at the helm for all of Samoa’s recent big wins (Aus, Wales, Italy, Scotland). He was brilliant against the Boks in RWC 2011, and badly missed against Wales (courtesy of the crazy scheduling).

May not be the most consistent …. but when he’s hot ….

By: Dazza

Dazza — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 12:30:42 +0000

I think the fact that no-one is expecting Farrell and Barriitt to produce anything is in their favour. I think Ford will have Watson and May coming in off their wings more, and Farrell and Barritt will stick it straight up the middle when it’s not on.
Do you know I think it might actually work?!

By: Jamie

Jamie — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 12:22:16 +0000

Possibly fair Geat, I was referring more to their efforts in attack than anything else. Should have made that clearer.

By: Geat

Geat — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 12:18:14 +0000

I think to call the performances “woeful” is a little harsh – if they were, how would you describe our Autumn 2008 games? The backs weren’t good enough, but the set piece and defence (99% v SA) functioned well.