Comments on: Four issues for England ahead of South Africa

By: Trevor Nelmes

Trevor Nelmes — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 13:29:09 +0000

Having seen the teams, I am thinking the Boks are going to edge this series. Some very strange decisions by Eddie.

By: Don P

Don P — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 13:05:04 +0000

Acee
Michael Lynagh mentioned EJ’s selection @ the time as seemingly being down to Japan’s win v SA. Technically EJ’d been available since 2003. If he’d been that good he could have been picked instead of Lancaster. I’ve opined that England have long been lacking @ breakdown & midfield, which is down to the (lack of) coaching nous &/ or belief in how to address these areas. However, it was difficult to argue with Jones’ track record.. until lately. Hard to say how the SA series will go. Jones needs success probably more than England do right now, but so too SA who’ve been shorn of 3 key pack members. Therefore, the 1st test next Sat could be telling, but, BOTOH, not if cricket’s anything to go by. Anyway, should be intense; watching & playing, although will home advantage tell?

By: AlexD

AlexD — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 12:09:32 +0000

Pablito
Absolutely!
Try him the sooner the better! Eddie can’t afford to take the “Oh but on paper he’s going to be mullared against Matawirra view” If you took that stance then a quarter of the team wouldn’t go. The reality will hopefully be somewhat different and result in a substantial scrummaging improvement for Sinks.
Sinkler is good ENOUGH so see how he fairs would be my view. At worst it will be an education and he will improve (‘An investment in the future’ would be my description — the same with Earle!)

By: acee

acee — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 07:29:25 +0000

hindsight is a wonderful thing Don. Given his track record,you could hardly say Jones’ appointment was left field or particularly original.
I agree with your suggestion that the winning run took precedence over player and team development and the evolution of a more modern playing style, both of which need to be urgently addressed.
If we get one win and a draw from the Saffers series i’ll be a moderately happy man, providing we start to look like a team with an identity and a recognisable playing style.

By: Don P

Don P — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 17:21:16 +0000

How about smarter rugby? More options available @ centre? Being more EFFECTIVE @ breakdown? Better decision making? Also interesting that no many of the above complaints were aired when England Had won, what was it, 203 on the bounce? Weren’t all these flaws foreseen previously? Hard to criticise EJ when his team were winning, I know, but EJ has a checkered history & seemingly only got the job because SA beat Japan. Historical cracks have resurfaced as per Lancaster. Can they be recognised before they will be fixed? A toughie.

By: acee

acee — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 09:13:17 +0000

Given his background as a school teacher I wonder if EJ is struggling to blend his desire for leaders (which England are lacking) with the necessary
mateyness needed to win at team sports? Just a thought.

By: Harlequin

Harlequin — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 09:03:26 +0000

A fundamental reason Sarries and Chiefs are where they are is their culture of togetherness,brotherhood,oneness and sense of purpose.Ditto NZ.Judging from body language I don’t detect this ambiance surrounding England.Unless he comes back with a series win EJ will continue to “lose “ the players-and now the clubs.I believe this tour is make or break time for Edfie

By: jake

jake — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 08:33:46 +0000

Yeah true, for me Denny doesn’t cut it. Not sure why the likes of Cokanasiga hasn’t been considered, offers that physicality and plays week in, week out in the premiership.
Not sure on the ‘not considered’ list; some players are definitely out (Watson/JJ) but then some are fit. Is this just a nice way of saying you didnt make the cut? Also Hughes cant be fit, not any fitter than Nowell anyway.

By: Pablito

Pablito — Thu, 31 May 2018 23:16:04 +0000

Mtawarira vs Vickery was one of the most egregious examples of illegal scrummaging unpunished by a clueless ref that I’ve seen since Andre Watson in the 2003 RWC final (although I don’t think Watson was clueless)

I am sure Mtawarira has improved vastly since then and if he gives Sinckler a tough time then so much the better. Sinckler is young for a prop and such an experience will only make him better

I want our players to have a tough time against tough opponents. That’s how you improve

By: Jacob Bassford

Jacob Bassford — Thu, 31 May 2018 19:31:10 +0000

Mtawarira is going to butcher Sinckler at scrumtime in a spectacular fashion in my opinion. I know it’s been nearly 10 years since his sheer domination of Phil Vickery but he’s still got what it takes, when the All Blacks hammered the Boks last summer the Beast shunted the All Blacks off the ball in the scrum and is frequently named in the offical SupeRugby team of the weeks.

By: Henry Ker

Henry Ker — Thu, 31 May 2018 16:18:24 +0000

Yeh on Nowell he’s listed on the ‘not considered for selection’ so hasn’t been dropped, just been given a rest after injuries. I can’t complain about that given how much I have said about players needing a rest but he has been in excellent form – was Exeter’s best player in the final in my opinion!

By: Jacob

Jacob — Thu, 31 May 2018 16:14:03 +0000

Well I certainly wouldn’t play Brown there, and Early edges Solomona for me. So partly it’s a lack of options, but I also do think he is a serious talent. Big, quick, strong and knows where the line is.

Same thoughts on Nowell. Maybe after an injury plagued season Jones just wants him to rest this summer?