Bit defensive. Was making a pt that’s all.

And don’t understand ‘we won’t lose the world cup, you won’t win it’ thing. Crystal ball stuff.

England have been playing teams in and around them in the rankings, the rankings points difference between England and their last 5 opponents is significantly less that New Zealand’s last 5 fixture. You can therefore make an argument that England have been tested (relatively) against stronger opposition and therefore their try scoring record is actually better. You can also make the argument that because England’s tries have been distributed between 6 of the backline positions there is also more variety to their attack … but this isn’t the point I’m making.

My point is that England’s attack is nowhere near as bad as you suggest, it has improved significantly. I’m using the fact that England’s and New Zealand’s backs have scored the same number of tries in their last 5 fixtures to reinforce that point.

And then we come back to June …. I hope we have a great tour in June, but I’m realistic, we are currently separated by 8 ranking points. This is significant and fairly reflects where we both currently are. Japan beating France in France would be a similar magnitude of a result. I’ll be delighted if we get any result, but it’s not likely. If we don’t all it will do is confirm that New Zealand are currently a better side than England, we won’t lose the world cup, you won’t win it. It’s a fantastic benchmarking opportunity to test players, player depth, combinations and coaches. It will inform what we need to do to beat you in 2015 (if you get far enough to meet us). The team are obviously going out there to win, right attitude to have of course, but not doing so isn’t necessarily catastrophic. England and Wales have demonstrated that 1 year and a change of home venue can bring a 38 point swing. If we are losing by more than that then I’m definitely worried!

I’m by no means a Lancaster acolyte, the inexperience of the entire coaching team has been evident in the time it’s taken to start to get things right. But the corner has now been turned, the coaches are out working with the players one-on-one at their clubs. Owen Farrell is putting into practice things he’s learnt from Catt on the Wednesday and setting up a try on a Saturday. We are on our way up, the longer you guys underestimate us and underrate us the better!

I did slightly misread yr comments about Wade’s being outside ‘distributors @ Wasps.

I’ve seen him mainly on TV. He can elude oppo by, e.g., his change of pace, also rapid acceleration which does same.

Academic tho as he’ll likely not tour, when IMO, he’d have only got a tel box to op in.. hence his need 4 quicker ball from his 3/4s.

Presuamably aimed @ me?

Stats can be misleading as well as informative.

England’s tries are v whom? Mainly 6N, incl Italy (talking padding?).

Stats ignore the quality of opposition. Also whether most pts are scored v mostly tougher or weaker oppo esp @ home in the 6N. And they are not on a H & A basis as in the SH comp.

Their is some comparison, but it’s not definitive.

Might be interesting to compare stats after the June tour?

Comes back to the same point. You seem to think Wade must be outside a great distributing back line and be in space to score tries. I think if you’ve ever watched him play you’ll realise that is not the case.

New Zealand’s backs have scored 12 tries in their last 5 internationals (a record padded by the Japan fixture)

But hey, lets not let an inconvenient fact get in the way of an opinion.

Yes a greater percentage of NZs have come on the wing, but last I checked tries got the same number of points regardless of who dots it down (conversions are easier if they are through the middle as well!).

It’s not time to start congratulating ourselves, it’s not job done (yes we are still 4th), but it is progress. It’s as many back 3 tries scored in this 6N as all other competitive internationals under Lancaster. And compared to the awful performances of the latter stages of the 2013 6N and the back play in the autumn it’s a quantum leap.

There’s a gremlin in the machine.

I draw on those commentators partly because you think I’m so bizarre.

Re-reading yr Wade comments about his being outside good distributors @ Wasps (I don’t now see them except for when they’re on TV), perhaps their mid field should be on the plane then?

I was thinking of Wade in the context of the England backline.

On the commentators issue. What I meant was that it seems unnecessary to draw on commentators that also think the NZ will be a big step up from the 6 nations. That’s common sense.

On Wade. My point was that Wade is a something out of nothing player, who works very well in tight spaces – that’s one of his key assets.

You said – “Wade must have quick ball & be put into space.” The reason that is bizarre is that it goes against one of his key assets.

That isn’t to say space would not benefit him; simply that he isn’t a player that needs it to score tries.

I feel like I’m repeating myself, so apologies, but hopefully that is clearer now.

Then commentaters views like those of Greenwood, Robinson & Barnes may also be bizarre.

You’re being a bit general. You don’t speciffically state why or what views I have of Wade are bizarre… which is a bit bizarre?

Mind you, you are a Wasps’ fan, so you can’t be all bad. Used to enjoy seeing the odd game at Loftus Rd.

Then commentaters views like those of Greenwood, Robinson & Barnes must also be bizarre then.

YAnd you don’t speciffically state why or what views I have of Wade are bizarre… which is a bit bizarre.

Why do you need to draw on commentators to realise that NZ are a step up from the 6 nations? Who on Earth has ever suggested otherwise?

We are all pretty clear about the fact that NZ are the best side in the world, so clearly it is a step up. It would be a step up from playing anyone. They’re the best on the planet.

I suspect the NZ space will be tighter than a certain ex copper I know who never buys his round.