Comments on: Lancaster: “There’s got to be some subtlety to beat Wales”

By: Benjit

Benjit — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 12:19:19 +0000

Geech was also part of the panel that chose SL, and has always been v positive, so it is possible that he is merely trying to justify his choice in appointing such as inexperienced head coach

By: teecee

teecee — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 11:29:44 +0000

Take your point about fate intervening Taliesin but only to a point. It still comes back to initial selection. Bomber has brought pressure on himself and the team by omitting Burrell from the squad,and not selecting Slade for this game.

My other worry is Farrell’s short fuse, which you can be sure Gatland is well aware of anmd the supine nature of some of England’s forwards ,most noticeably Cole and Lawes ,who can consider himself VERY lucky to be in the line up.

By: teecee

teecee — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 11:22:09 +0000

Sadly,no Benjit, he isn’t. The only positive(?) angle I can put on this is that if Slade had been selected we would all be wondering if he could live with the pressure and expectation. For the record,I think ,yes he would.

Is it me or does bomber look like he’s absolutely mucking himself in this interview? I wonder why?

By: Dazza

Dazza — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:25:56 +0000

I was listening to McGeechan last night talking before the Kiwi vs Namibia game, and he made some good points about the England attack with this line up. He was very positive about the partnership of Farrell and Burgess, and talking about the other players tracking them and the opportunities the back three could get etc.
My point is McGeecan has been one of the best rugby directors/coaches in the Northern Hemisphere for quite a while, and if he can see it as a positive move, I’d rather believe him than any of you guys. COME ON ENGLAND!!

By: Pablito

Pablito — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:06:02 +0000

I don’t think anyone, even Cheika, has a clue what will happen when Aus play England and Wales – they are a better team than the one that lost 3/4 in the Autumn tour. But they are also a team with issues –

1. Their scrum seems to have improved whilst their line out has got worse.
2. Moore is not looking at his best and he is integral to their efforts
3. People have seen the ‘Pooper’ in action now and will have plans to combat it (whether they can or not is a different matter)
4. They don’t seem to have clue who they want at scrum half and fly half
5. Their goal kicking can be wobbly

However – when they get going, they have a fantastically deadly set of backs and in Pocock they have a match winning player. God alone know what will happen

As for England Wales, all selection disputes aside, I am getting seriously excited now!

By: Blub

Blub — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 08:35:16 +0000

So in the spirit of perspective, I have read a few Aussie based articles, and the general feeling is one of pessimism after their game with Fiji.

The general feeling on this board seems to be that whichever teams loses tomorrow, is out of the RWC. However, that is not necessarily the feeling from down-under.

They are very concerned about the inability of the Aussies to achieve the 4 tries against a tiring Fiji, in fact, to even look efficient against a tiring Fiji. Plan A, drive from a lineout, Plan B, get the ball to Israel.

Pocock/Cooper is great in the loose, but it means that they cannot play Will Skelton, which affects their ball carrying and scrum. Skelton coming on against Fiji seriously weakened their lineout, so it may be that we don’t see the “Pooper” show against England and Wales.

So, I think England will win tomorrow. I would prefer Ford and Joseph to be starting, but they’re not, and in their place I am quite happy with Farrell/Burgess/Barritt. I am really looking forward to it.

Slade is a great prospect, but he would make me nervous in a game of this size. In the same way I would be nervous with Simpson/Cipriani/Eastmond/Daly and Wade. All seems very exciting/dazzling, but would it really work?

The scrum bothers me.

By: Col

Col — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 22:28:10 +0000

Taliesin
Your comments are much appreciated, wish you had been commenting on the wales team or the England team – a sensible voice amongst all the English negativity(not mine) Fully agree the game is too close to call, hope it is not a very boring kicking game but one to merit the talent both sides have. Obviously hope it is England & really wish Slade was in there. Good Luck & may the best team prevail.

By: Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 22:08:39 +0000

The joys of the big game seems we’re all overlooking Australia if we both beat them we’ll qualify lol

By: Staggy

Staggy — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 21:56:51 +0000

That’s really rubbing our noses in it. The most upbeat Englishman on this board is a Welshman! Just joking Taliesin – interesting to hear it from the other side as it were, in a balanced opinion. I think that we’re all fearing the worst due to the importance of this game. Injuries all round, inexperienced players coming in – who knows what’s going to happen. I think Wales have the better team, but we’re at home, so it really is going to be too close to call. Mind you I called it close in 13 before the game………! Aaarrghh the demons! Not going to have any finger nails left by Saturday!

By: Taliesin

Taliesin — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 18:27:47 +0000

apologies didn’t mean to post twice, tech problems.

By: Taliesin

Taliesin — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 18:26:29 +0000

Is a Wales fan allowed to intrude here?! I think the dismay among England supporters is unmerited. SL had his hand forced by the injury to JJ, and has changed tack somewhat to try to negate the Wales attack in midfield, and rely on the dangerous back three to do the damage. BUT they have to get the ball to them, and that may be where the problem lies!
Fascinating though – impossible to call, and I veer in my view of the outcome approximately every ten minutes! In the end it will come down to the packs; and my concern is that the Wales front five are underprepared, with a rookie at tight-head (though he’s a great prospect). I know the England scrum hasn’t been going well, but they should have enough experience to cause Wales real problems there. What a game we have!!

By: Taliesin

Taliesin — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 18:13:48 +0000

Is a Wales fan allowed to intrude?! I think the sense of dismay amongst England supporters is understandable, but not really merited. SL partly had his hand forced by the untimely injury to JJ, his most potent midfield attacker. So he’s changed tack; try to negate the threat of the Wales midfield, and rely on his really dangerous back three to do the business. BUT – he’s got to make sure they get some decent ball, and that’s where the problem might emerge (or so Wales will hope). It is really fascinating though, you’ve got to admit. Genuinely too close to call, and I veer in my view of the outcome roughly every ten minutes! In the end, it’s down to the packs, and I’m worried about the Wales front five – disrupted preparation, rookie on tight-head. England’s scrum may not have been going too well, but the England trio have enough experience to give them a very hard time. What a game we have!