The Rugby Thread

[Paddingtonwolf]

I rate Mike Brown very highly but there is no denying that he is slightly off the heights of a couple of years ago. With 1/2p still recovering it does make the full back berth wide open for Lions 2017.

 

[slink]

That's a great try to pretty much settle the series.

 

[Tredman]

Absolutely fucking amazing!! Lawes and George brilliant.

 

[Tredman]

I rate Mike Brown very highly but there is no denying that he is slightly off the heights of a couple of years ago. With 1/2p still recovering it does make the full back berth wide open for Lions 2017.

England need to try Watson there. Good tackler, very quick, good kick and can catch.

 

[jd1981]

Robshaw and Haskell immense in defence today.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Absolutely outstanding performance. Poor tactics from Australia again to repeatedly turn down three points but that is their problem. Itoje, Cole, Hartley, Robshaw and Haskell all immense.

 

[Tredman]

Robshaw and Haskell immense in defence today.

Im amazed by the change in both, they were awesome today.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Well played England (scromit....). Have to give immense credit for a superb series performance. Especially when the Ozzies are up to their usual tricks of setting pitches up to try and negate the opposition strengths and their utterly one-eyed media are doing everything to unsettle the tourists.

Eddie Jones is looking like an appointment tinged with absolute genius.

 

[jd1981]

Im amazed by the change in both, they were awesome today.

Yep different player playing full of confidence.

 

[North West Wanderer]

God bless the hotel. Sky sports on tap [emoji16]

 

[Dinowolf]

I don't understand the enmity to Mike Brown. His defence has been immense.

In the 1st Test he gained more metres than anyone else and still managed tackles.

All players make the odd mistake, so to judge them on their mistakes is wrong.

He has played in a Grand Slam winning side and now a history making winning tour to Australia, so give him a break, and look at the massive positives of his game.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I think enmity is a little strong.

The problem is a full back making a mistake can be a huge problem. Like the keeper in football.

Full backs in modern rugby just have to be as safe as fort knox under the high ball.

This doesn't take away from Brown's ability to make a line break when he has the ball under control. That is right up with the best in the world.

 

[Dinowolf]

Mike Brown's lack of pace letting England down. He's got his 50, but it's time to move on.

Mike Brown needs to get off. His catching has been appalling. If England lose he will be to blame.

I think enmity is a little strong.

The problem is a full back making a mistake can be a huge problem. Like the keeper in football.

Full backs in modern rugby just have to be as safe as fort knox under the high ball.

This doesn't take away from Brown's ability to make a line break when he has the ball under control. That is right up with the best in the world.

I think enmity is the right word, "an active opposition to": just a couple of examples.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Ah but Dino that is just taking one poster. Tredman is perfectly entitled to his opinion. I am not here to defend him but surely you can see that?

I don't see a Mike Brown witch hunt on here at the moment.

 

[Tredman]

I wouldn't say enmity, but I definitely actively would campaign against him playing.

He's not good enough anymore. I'm sure if you went back far enough you could find even more posts from me saying the same.

Brown v Israel is a laughable comparison now. 2 or 4 years ago he was good. Not any more.

 

[FrankMunro-371]

I am no expert on rugby, but having beaten Australia in their own backyard, would it be fair to say that England are the second best team in the world?

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Depends on what South Africa do to get revenge on Ireland. That was a great Irish victory but if South Africa re-assert themselves then I think they would be ahead until they play England.

The rankings are about right at the moment. New Zealand a long way clear, and then Australia, South Africa, England, Argentina, Ireland and Wales all pretty close.

 

[Dinowolf]

It's not just the Aussie Press that are mud-slinging

https://twitter.com/richleighpr/status/744118012349919232

Yellow card?

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Should get some action for that. Very naughty.

 

[Dinowolf]

Depends on what South Africa do to get revenge on Ireland. That was a great Irish victory but if South Africa re-assert themselves then I think they would be ahead until they play England.

The rankings are about right at the moment. New Zealand a long way clear, and then Australia, South Africa, England, Argentina, Ireland and Wales all pretty close.

IRB World Rankings now

1. New Zealand 96.10
2. England 88.50
3. South Africa 85.66
4. Australia 85.43
5. Argentina 82.59
6. Wales 82.49
7. Ireland 82.33
8. Scotland 79.50
9. France 78.37
10. Fiji 77.12