Comments on: New Zealand vs England third test: 5 things we learned

By: face_andy

face_andy — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 15:23:33 +0000

Ford 10, Farrell 12, Tuilagi 13

By: Liam

Liam — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 11:32:09 +0000

I would imagine the omission of Corbs will be to let his knee settle with one eye on the World Cup next year. England don’t have a loosehead that can match his scrummaging prowess. Croft’s initial benefits were that he was a decent flanker that could also play lock, but with the depth England have in both that position and in the back row, I could see him struggling to get back into the side.

By: Dazza

Dazza — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 08:54:07 +0000

Would have to agree that a lot of players looked tired, and it’s not surprising. Especially the Sarries and Saints players. So many of them were involved in the AI, 6N and then played more Prem and European rugby than any of the other teams.
It seemed a little odd to me to leave guys like Corbs, Croft and others who had just returned from injury, out of the squad. Compared to a lot of these guys they were fresh, rehabilitated and raring to go. So maybe we should have rested people like Wood, Farrell, Vunipola, Burrell etc who had really long seasons and probably needed the rest more than others. The chances are these same players will have their rest now, but then they will all play in the AI’s, 6N and play more competitive club rugby than a lot of others, and then have to play in the World Cup!! If we struggled for fitness in three tests, it is a little worrying!!