Comments on: Rugby World Cup 2015: England player ratings vs Australia

By: Robbo

Robbo — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 13:16:13 +0000

Personnel out: Wilson, Parling, Haskell, Easter, Wigglesworth, Barritt, Ashton

Personnel in: Thomas, Itoje, Slater, Ewers; Fraser, Simpson, Devoto, Daly

Team for 6 nations opener:

1 – Corbisiero
2 – Hartley
3 – Cole
4 – Launchbury
5 – Lawes
6 – Itoje
7 – Fraser/Armitage
8 – Vunipola
9 – Youngs
10 – Ford
11 – Nowell
12 – Tuilagi (burrell if injured)
13 – JJ
14 – Watson
15 – Brown
Replacements: Vunipola; George; Brookes; Attwood; Ewers; Care; Slade; May

Extended squad: Thomas, Marler, Mullan, Slater, Kruis, Clifford, Kvesic, Morgan, Simpson, Farrell, Cipriani, Devoto, Burrell, Daly, Yarde, Wade, Rocko

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 12:06:00 +0000

I really do find those stats quite offensive

By: Jez

Jez — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 11:57:52 +0000

If bookies are right forget about Burgess, he’s back off to rugby league with Rhinos. The next 6 should be Maro Itoje who’ll be captain before long too.

By: Dazza

Dazza — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 11:26:54 +0000

I’m struggling to see how Farrell and Youngs get such low scores and yet Wood gets a 6.5, Robshaw (fair enough) and Morgan a 5, and they were the players who are supposed to provide the quick ball?

Morgan may have carried a few times, but didn’t exactly threaten the gain line! When he got near it he just shipped it onto someone else.

Wood certainly didn’t do all I would ask of him as an international 6 playing in a team hosting the World Cup. Hit rucks, win ball, make tackles, carry ball, threaten gain line, make offloads and generally make a nuisance of himself. Funnily enough all the things the Aus 6 was doing really.

I’m not even going to comment on Robshaw!

Going forward I would seriously consider having Burgess at 6 instead of 12. Get Burrell and Cipriani back in the squad (not 12T), and some of the younger guys that have come through the age levels. Sam Hill, Nick Tompkins etc have all been playing for their respective clubs and can be brought into the squad, even if it’s just to get them involved. We need some new blood and fresh perspective to take the team forwards. Get Itoje in now along with guys like Ewers, Kvesic, Fraser, Daly, Wade and give them a chance.

I don’t want to see a lot of these names on the team sheet when whoever announces the team for our next game after this World Cup.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 08:49:38 +0000

Eddie Jones has also got on record to say he’d be willing to speak to the RFU if SL was to depart…

Don’t think there is a chance Eddie Jones turns down a big pay day to manage at test level to manage a Super Rugby franchise.

By: Benjit

Benjit — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 08:07:56 +0000

That has been his failing for the past 4 years, even when the fwds provide good ball. He is a long way short of international class. Our best performances in the 6n have been when he has been absent. The defence held up for the most part too.

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 08:04:00 +0000

Yeah that feels about right!!!

By: Claire

Claire — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 07:02:31 +0000

Re Catt being ignored, I think Blood & Mud has quite an insight into how England’s selection meetings go:
http://www.bloodandmud.com/2015/08/inside-the-england-rugby-world-cup-squad-selection-meeting.html

By: Mitchell

Mitchell — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 20:20:58 +0000

Brown always makes up for it in other ways though. He was bad but even on his bad day he does enough right.

By: Trio

Trio — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 19:37:26 +0000

Perhaps Barritt should convert to flanker, couldn’t be any worse than those in the squad

By: Phil Metter

Phil Metter — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 18:04:44 +0000

Jacob sorry to blow your “wish” away. Eddie Jones has signed to coach the Stormers in the super series for the next 2 years. He was the inspiration behind the ‘Boks WC win in France in 2007. He was responsible for the biggest upset in rugby WC history this year when Japan beat the ‘Boks. He is a “TOP CLASS” coach and player manager, very knowledgeable and a great motivator. SA is extremely fortunate to have 2 of the worlds top coaches, man managers at the moment. EJ and the Golden Lions coach, Johan Ackerman. Neither of whom will get the ‘Bok coaching job. Follow the 2016 Super series, follow the Stormers and the Golden Lions you will be amazed at what they will produce.

By: Jez

Jez — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 17:23:32 +0000

You miss the point. You cannot criticise Brad for his lack of attacking when he wasn’t able to do so because of the failings of others.