
sharkbok
Captain23,261 posts

sharkbokCaptain23,261 posts
11 Feb 2017, 20:50#1
They have had 2 home games- and sneaked both that could have been lost.
They are not playing a first choice team in at least 5 selections, but what team ever is.
RORooinek
Captain18,117 posts
RORooinekCaptain18,117 posts
11 Feb 2017, 21:36#2
Just a correction, England were the Away team today.
Hard luck Wales!
MOMozart
Captain49,914 posts
MOMozartCaptain49,914 posts
12 Feb 2017, 00:48#3
Well they are about 80% of the way to a Grand-slam, having defeated two of the most dangerous opponents. Italy and Scotland should be pretty much assured. So that leaves Ireland and the game for the double slam and the world record of wins.
..........
Those two games were always going to be edgy with both tough opponents still alive in the 6n.

sharkbok
Captain23,261 posts

sharkbokCaptain23,261 posts
12 Feb 2017, 01:38#4
England could beat the number of consecutive games won without having played the All Blacks in that time.
To be talked about in the same breath as the All Blacks they should have beaten France and Wales comfortably.
Their forwards can control the game, but they seemed to lack imagination in the backs
MOMozart
Captain49,914 posts
MOMozartCaptain49,914 posts
12 Feb 2017, 02:26#5
Well Ireland played the All Blacks and split the rubber....if the Poms win 19 in a row they don't deserve an asterisk next to the accomplishment.
THTheTraditionalist
Pro4,003 posts
THTheTraditionalistPro4,003 posts
12 Feb 2017, 10:45#6
EN rates as the number one among nations playing loser rugby.
They are hyped before the series against NZ (during which they should win at least one game)
Their two last games exposed them: in the first, against FR (nation ranking lower than SA), EN relied on the calls from a gun for hire SH ref to take advantage.
Against WA, an unfortunate mismanagement on the last minutes by WA was the cause for victory.
That is all the difference with NZ: when NZ win, they win on their own merits. Victory all depends on them.
EN so far does not carry this level of conviction.
Now, if people are interested in ABs who are going to test positive, they should test anti depressants bacause ABs must lose one game to EN to remove doubts and finally picture EN as contenders.
12 Feb 2017, 11:13#7
I dunno Sharkbok... Wales played their best game under Rowley and were really physical. Unlucky Davies didn't find touch at the end. Are they better than the ABs? Won't know till they play each other in 2019 I think but they are for sure better than anyone else at the moment and looking good under Jones.
Youngs was off the pace yesterday and with 5 starters missing they still march on.
CLclevermike
Coach57,555 posts
CLclevermikeCoach57,555 posts
12 Feb 2017, 14:46#8
I am not overly impressed by the performance of England in the two tests - even though they won two nail-biters. They have to show something positive in games and be creative - which I think was absent on both occasions.
There performances in both cases were seriously questionable and against the AB's they will lose badly.
MOMozart
Captain49,914 posts
MOMozartCaptain49,914 posts
12 Feb 2017, 16:00#9
They will lose badly....you mean like Ireland?
MOMO(NH)
Club Pro426 posts
12 Feb 2017, 16:19#10
I think the difference in the game today was Game Management, the substitutions by Wales was horrendous. Moriarty was having a good game and Scott Williams had much more to offer than Jamie Roberts. We still wonder why Cuthbert still gets picked.What did not help was going for a scrum instead of the posts in the 1st half and then kicking midfield instead of touch in the last 5 mins. England again scraped the win but a win is a win.NOW to compare them to the All Blacks is a joke to me, like Ireland they may get the odd game on them but that is about all.I wonder will Nathan Hughes be cited as it appeared it could be a case(or maybe not) for eye gouging while Moriarty was on the ground.
MOMozart
Captain49,914 posts
MOMozartCaptain49,914 posts
12 Feb 2017, 21:38#11
Wales had Dan Biggar to thank for being in the game. He made 73 metres from 9 runs, with the two clean breaks and beat 2 defenders. The much hyped Ford made 10 metres from 5 runs with no breaks or defenders beaten. Biggar also made 5 more tackles, kicked better out of hand and was a constant menace attacking the ball.
Given a choice between the warrior and the artist, in rugby I'd take the warrior every time.