RWC19 "Stuff"
Re: RWC19 "Stuff"
Neither of them have the numerical depth for seven matches in six weeks...a couple of injuries and they're in trouble...England's strength is the Premiership...look at the quality of the players Jones could afford to leave out - there's another very decent team in those guys.
As long as the tournament format stays the same - which it absolutely shouldn't - I don't believe that Wales or Ireland could ever win it.
Re: RWC19 "Stuff"
Sticki -
I'm not sure it is that simple. There has been one very good team over the last 4 yrs - NZ. Their play is a league up on anyone else. Of the others OZ have been a mess from the top down. Some excellent players but rarely all playing together and hampered by the management and internal strife. SA is a bit similar with the politics in the way which when sorted and with a decent coach saw massive improvement late in the day. Their problem was defining an effective game plan in the time and thus they resorted to simple Scrum and maul play. France are a mix of the se first two and it is to all the home nations advantage that these three were in such a mess at the same time.
Scotland just doesn’t seem to have the players just now. It will change and the coaching has been decent but with only a handful of real test animals. Schmidt was unlucky with the way his team matured. It just came too early. He got the best out of his players with some good organised play and made the best of it. Sadly too many key men are out of form in the last 12 months. Wales possibly should have moved on from Gats one cycle back. He improved them a lot when he came in but the progress has sort of stopped. The "wins" over the last 2 yrs looks good thanks to the state of the other countries. However they were now just winning not just losing but using the same tactics. Perhaps Gats has got the best out of his team ? Whatever the views they have moved up the rankings and have possibly peaked. I wish we could have seen more work from the backline along the lines of the way Scarlets play.
England are still finding their way forward. The mini slump 18 months ago helped by slowing things down from an early peak and brought in the required tweaks. The most interesting bit is the way they have copied NZ in having a forward and a backs dimension to their game.
I hope now that Japan and Fiji can be given space to grow and perform and try to break into the rather staid top 10 tier one team cabal.
Re: RWC19 "Stuff"
All of that is very fair CMGC but I will add the defence into that. Most defences are very good these days and suffocate attacking threats by closing down space very quickly. The key to the top sides is how they transition to attack. NZ has been the benchmark for years but the way John Mitchell has transformed England is the most significant. It is no coincidence that our upturn in performance came at a time when he came into the fold. Of course you need players with power, speed, spatial awareness, skill etc but for me, Mitchell’s contribution is the most significant and can’t be underestimated.
Re: RWC19 "Stuff"
Being reported today that Heinz will stay with the squad and help transition Spencer for Saturday. Hopefully his injury isn't too bad and the super new improved Willi will be available for at least one of the European fixtures coming up.
Re: RWC19 "Stuff"
I think one has to give credit to Wales who lost their attack coach just before the WC which may have thrown some teams off balance.
As it happenes it has benefitted Wales where Stephen Jones has gained some valuable experience . Cynics may say that it benefitted them not having Howley there, but realistically it was a big hurdle to overcome.
We await the outcome of the alledged wrongdoings as we do with Sarries.
Re: RWC19 "Stuff"
I think perspective Rollo but Wales haven’t had an attacking threat for a few years now. Personally, I think Wales (and SA) were incredibly negative with their tactics yesterday
Re: RWC19 "Stuff"
Peanutcoxy wrote:All of that is very fair CMGC but I will add the defence into that. Most defences are very good these days and suffocate attacking threats by closing down space very quickly. The key to the top sides is how they transition to attack. NZ has been the benchmark for years but the way John Mitchell has transformed England is the most significant. It is no coincidence that our upturn in performance came at a time when he came into the fold. Of course you need players with power, speed, spatial awareness, skill etc but for me, Mitchell’s contribution is the most significant and can’t be underestimated.
Was thinking the same after Saturday's game, we have improved hugely since Mitchell joined the set up
Re: RWC19 "Stuff"
robs1 wrote:Peanutcoxy wrote:All of that is very fair CMGC but I will add the defence into that. Most defences are very good these days and suffocate attacking threats by closing down space very quickly. The key to the top sides is how they transition to attack. NZ has been the benchmark for years but the way John Mitchell has transformed England is the most significant. It is no coincidence that our upturn in performance came at a time when he came into the fold. Of course you need players with power, speed, spatial awareness, skill etc but for me, Mitchell’s contribution is the most significant and can’t be underestimated.
Was thinking the same after Saturday's game, we have improved hugely since Mitchell joined the set up
Which I also believe coincided with EJ's reluctance to continue with the old guard and some of the numpty import choices...Hughes, Shields, T'eo etc. maybe others.
Re: RWC19 "Stuff"
Who knows, but a lot if it is also linked to the fact that Twiggi, Underhill, Billy V and others became free from injury. If you look back over the last 2 yrs EJ has had a long string of key injuries which meant he had to get replacements bedded in as you never know if you will get your main men back.
I think Mako missed 12 tests, Genge 9, Lawes 9, Launcher 6, Kruis 6, Itoje 4, Robshaw ( I know I know !! ) 4 Billy V 19, Clifford ( no loss ) 9, Curry 9, Underhill 9, Simmonds 10, Twiggi 10 plus, Watson 12, Nowell 12, Slade 7, etc.
I think this is the first time in many years the Eng crocked list has been below 5 !!!!
Re: RWC19 "Stuff"
Great credit to Sale who have released Ben Curry so that he can go and watch his brother play in the World Cup Final. Well done them.