Comments on: New Zealand vs England third test preview: Head to head ratings

By: Banastre

Banastre — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 20:10:18 +0000

Agree with the ratings comment, Robshaw should be an 8, Corey Jane has been severly average so far this test series, i remember him making a few errors last weekend, poor offloading etc…and im not sure many kiwis would agree with your statement about cruden being a complete fly half! I wonder when all this talk of Robshaw not being a great player will die down. Consistently outplays his opposite number and when that opposite number is McCaw then bloody well done! Although, at risk of starting the Armitage debate, would love to see a backrow of Vunipola, Robshaw and Armitage 8,6 and 7 respectfully.

Massive call by Lancaster leaving out 12trees, I thought he would back his man, as he has done so far when hes fit. To think Eastmond would start 2 tests in New Zealand during the six nations! One criticism is Lancaster does choose odd backs on the bench. I really like Cipriani, but Burrell? May can cover outside centre, wing and fullback.

One huge positive from last week that hasnt been mentioned much is England managed 2 scores at the end of the game. In the build up much was made of how England dont score in the latter stages of a game, so that was big for us.

Can see this game going either way, but hey if we win this one, that puts us in a great position for the test at Twickenham, and it might just might finish 2-2 going into the world cup.

Heres to hoping!

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 17:57:03 +0000

Personally think you’re a tad harsh on Robshaw.
I’ve always pondered what Robshaw offers over Wood and Haskell and often thought whether he should be in at all when Croft is firing again but his stock has risen massively for me this summer. Despite the series loss he has outplayed McCaw for all but 20 minutes of this tour and definitely deserves a higher mark than Youngs (who deserves a 6 at best).
I actually think a lot of these ratings are a bit awry, Fekitoa is completely unproven at this level and is facing a well balanced partnership that even gave the massively experienced Smith some problems, yet is given an 8 right off the bat.

By: stu

stu — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 16:18:15 +0000

Encouraged by England’s try scoring recently and this lineup certainly has the ability to continue that. Young’s needs a big game, if he can get the ball away quickly and put BV or Tuilagi into the 10 channel at speed we could Do well.

Think Ashton might make a difference in this game, his support lines off Tui and Eastmond could see him make a couple of breaks.

By: mike

mike — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 16:16:59 +0000

IT has largely been enforced, and as such I don’t blame the coaches for it. But IMO “chopping and changing” is pretty accurate, especially compared to the ABs

By: Blub

Blub — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 16:11:24 +0000

I think that “Chopping and Changing” is overstating it a little.

Of the changes, the half backs and the loss of Parling are probably the ones that will have the most affect, and both are unavoidable.

Tuilagi’s excusrion out onto the wing possibly affected the play of the second test, but his return this week, will be beneficial. Ashton in is a good thing. Eastmond has had a rest before joining the same midfield as two weeks ago.

Vunipola/Morgan is the same as the 6N, and really a like for like switch in terms of how the team play. Hartley and Webber is a like-for-like switch.

In my opinion the changes to the NZ team will be more relevant because Read and Fekitoa will change the dynamics of the team. Read is clearly not fit, so that shape will change early in the second half, and I will go out on a limb and suggest that Fekitoia will struggle positionally in defence.

By: Dazza

Dazza — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 15:23:04 +0000

I think the incoming England players might just make enough difference. Especially Vunipola. If he can get good ball and carry the way he usually does, and take defenders with him, he could be the difference. Reid maybe skilful, but Billy is destructive when he gets going, and could be the platform we need to bring Eastmond and Tuilagi into the attack.

Come on England!!