The Rugby Thread

[Dinowolf]

New Zealand beat France 26-13 in the 2nd Test.

When you consider France only had 14 men for most of the game and had two tries disallowed by the TMO, the game was a lot closer than appears.

 

[Tredman]

England starting brilliantly again. Fantastic back play.

 

[Nando]

Absolutely horror defence from the SA 14.

 

[Tredman]

Shocking defending from England there.

 

[Paul]

God I hate South Africa

 

[Tredman]

The south African scurm half really is a twat.

 

[Tredman]

Mike brown on the wing is still shit.

 

[Tredman]

Stuart Barnes literally loves it when England lose, it must be really sad to be that bitter.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I suppose I should enjoy the streak of England losses, but I just find myself questioning what the hell is going on. Pockets of superb rugby that is incisive and really bloody exciting to watch, but then sloppy rubbish and just abominable discipline.

 

[Tredman]

Too much experimentation i think. If they can pull it round it might not be a bad thing, lots of players blooded in this phase, some very good.

Also, to put it in perspective England have never won a series in SA, so this is hardly unusual.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I agree, but you have to also remember that this really isn't a top Bokke side at the moment.

 

[Tredman]

I think you need to watch them, they look massively better than last season. Some superb ball carriers and power players, they have come along massively.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

They also have a massive team ethic.

Sounds like Ben Youngs hasn't covered himself in glory in the post match.

 

[Tredman]

I switched it off in a huff. Youngs didn't look good to be honest. He's another one who is good but not good enough imo.

Think Eddie should have done this sooner, going on a great run hid the difficiencies - a team with Cole, Kruis, Robshaw, Haskell, Brown et al were never going to win the world cup.

 

[Banjo]

Eddie Jones will be off soon with a massive pay out. He's notoriously thin skinned and never stays in a job more than two seasons.

Very pleased to see Wales developing some real strength in depth just in time for the world cup, meanwhile. Something we've always struggled with is having a few injuries and losing the ability to compete.

 

[Dinowolf]

Cipriani starts for England on Saturday instead of Ford who is not in the squad.

Marler starts for Mako, who has gone home to be at the birth of his baby, and Robshaw returns for Shields who is ill.

 

[Tredman]

England keeping it a lot more tight this week.

 

[Jabbawolf]

Warburton forced to retire - no surprise, brutal game these days - great player for Wales and British Lions.

 

[Dinowolf]

England head coach Eddie Jones has included Chris Ashton in his 44-man training squad ahead of the new season.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I think we can safely say that Cipriani's England career is over. Common Assault, Larceny, Assault on Police, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly in Licenced Premises.

After all the chances he has had, that has to be absolutely it.