Comments on: Crusaders 7 v 38 England: England player ratings

By: Mongoose

Mongoose — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 20:46:20 +0000

Well said, McMurphy!

By: Don P

Don P — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 13:24:57 +0000

brighty

Oh, stop yr whining! You sound just like an ignorant ‘fan’.

By: brighty

brighty — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 13:10:55 +0000

In general I’ve read a fair bit of NZ praise for Eng after Tuesday’s match. They were impressed by the manner of the win more than anything – running, passing, etc. Not the grind they sometimes mistakenly assume all NH rugby is. Read similar praise for Ire/Wal/Eng U20s teams on NZ sites as well.

You’ll always get a few ignorant “fans” who come up with reasons a team lost AFTER the match was played and it’ll never, ever be gracious deference to the champions. Those fans are “whiners”.

By: Don P

Don P — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 12:53:12 +0000

Blub

That’s an objective comment if ever I read 1. How many NZ ‘fans’ do you actually know out of a pop of say, 4m?

The fact is England ‘reserves’ beat a Canter scratch side (11 ist teamers out). Draw what you will from that.

On the other hand, esp as this site is largely abt opinion, are you of the opinion that no one is entitled to comment on England’s game unless they praise them?

FYI & IMO England, on this tour, have played 2 tests & lost 2 tests… so far. But then that’s, IYO, likely my myopic ‘D’ mechanism @ work is it?

You’re having a giraffe, but do keep those cards & letters rolling in tho.

By: Simon Scantlebury

Simon Scantlebury — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 17:44:02 +0000

As an overall comment this is the first time in my life that we have seriously competed with NZ on a consistent basis (and I saw the 1953/4 AB’s!)I think we should be very proud of what SL and the whole party are achieving.And we will be strong contenders for the World Cup

By: Blub

Blub — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 10:24:59 +0000

Making excuses when objective evidence of their supremacy on the field is shattered. It is a peculiarly myopic approach from many in New Zealand, but it does seem confined to “fans” and their “press”.

I have played with many Kiwis in my younger years, and certainly there are a lot of Kiwi coaches working in the UK these days, and not one that I am aware of has ever looked at excuses for losses/failures. In fact, I would suggest that most do quite the opposite and go out of their way to avoid making excuses for games that they are involved in.

I wonder if it is some sort of defence mechanism.

By: Staggy

Staggy — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 17:44:46 +0000

Wonder what the reaction would have been if a NZ 3rd team played a weakened Leicester team and won by this margin. We’d have probably all started singing the praises of super rugby and the strength in depth and quality of the ABs.

Note to the English nation. We must stop being so self depreciating (except for football, where this world cup makes a pleasant change from the ridulous overblown optimism normally expressed – myself included if I’m honest!).

By: McMurphy

McMurphy — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 17:28:29 +0000

Man, England really can’t win, can they? Before the match the press was all “Strong Crusaders side will really stretch England, could beat them. England combinations untested, weak side”.

Then England reserves turn up and win with a nice set of tries, mainly backs, not a forward dominated rumble to be seen, and the press is “Canterbury were far too weak”.

For my money, this is a scratch team that still managed to play well, with some lovely tries and played with fluency and direction for much of the game. You can’t ask for much more than that, and I was very pleased with it.

By: Don P

Don P — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 16:11:20 +0000

Bit of a damp squib & an insult to the oppo. Canter should surely have put out a better side/effort than this. Should have stayed in bed for an extra 40 winks.

By: Dazza

Dazza — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 12:12:15 +0000

It’s probably because he’s the one we don’t expect much from. We know he doesn’t do anything flashy, but is a solid, consistent player. He probably compliments Cipriani quite nicely, and his combination with Goode stepping up in the line always works well for Sarries.

By: Staggy

Staggy — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 11:50:32 +0000

Interesting that for all the talk of inside centres, it is Barritt who is consistently good, while the other contenders go up and down a bit. Just saying……..

By: Dazza

Dazza — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 11:40:02 +0000

A little ironic that the two highest scoring backs are the two that so many people keep saying they don’t want in the squad. I know it was against weaker opposition, but you can only play what’s in front of you.

Not a Sarries fan are you Jamie??!! ;-)