The Rugby Thread
Comments
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Yep, I think he has well and truly blown it. Players out of position, players out of form.
I don't really see what he thinks will happen. Plus it is unfair to the players, asking them to fit square pegs into a round whole in WC qtr final is setting them up to fail.0 -
Yellow or Red incoming for Farrell?The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
Surely there must be a good reason for doing this (in his eyes, at least)0
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I think it is just who Borthwick is, completely risk averse and someone who think age and experience i.e. Farrell, wins you games.
He is going to play the percentages and thinks players with a load of test caps (Smith being the one exception) will get England over the line.
That is my view anyway.0 -
Only 3 backs survive from the starting lineup that lost to Fiji before. I'm not sure what the changes bring because I wouldn't have thought Smith at full back shores up the defences. I think the 6 forwards who survive might just get run past again.0
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The only explanation I've heard is that he brings something to the team in terms of leadership both in camp, and on game day.shirley_basso said:Surely there must be a good reason for doing this (in his eyes, at least)
I don't know what this is but it seems to have won over many a coach.
I have no extra info soz. (However, the thought occurs that people like James Haskell in his podcast feel similarly)We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
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There’s the contradiction in the selection.MidlandsGrimpeur2 said:I think it is just who Borthwick is, completely risk averse and someone who think age and experience i.e. Farrell, wins you games.
He is going to play the percentages and thinks players with a load of test caps (Smith being the one exception) will get England over the line.
That is my view anyway.
On one hand, one dimensional Farrell, on the other, several dimensional Smith, but playing as the last line of defence.
If it comes off, Borthwick will have produced a stroke of genius. If it doesn’t, he could soon be the next coach of Australia…."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.1 -
I like the selection of Smith at 15, but not with Farrell in the team.
Likewise what on earth is May in there for? In fact why is he in the squad as he has done nothing for club or country for over 2 years.
Equally Daly and Manu are hugely questionable selections.
A set of back picked more on past reputation that current form and ability.0 -
Their numbers are falling off.0
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And ref is injured.0
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Wales down to about 2 fit backs and on their way out…."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0
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Taxi for Wales
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Hard luck Wales.
Given where they were at the start of the summer, losing about 900 caps of experience beforehand, they've done really well.0 -
Was Wales’ future in that squad?
I think so, bodes well.
Deeply disappointed with the outcome, but quarters was what I’d thought we could get to.1 -
Fair.Dorset_Boy said:Hard luck Wales.
Given where they were at the start of the summer, losing about 900 caps of experience beforehand, they've done really well.0 -
Didn’t watch as I had a race but listened to most of it. When I first switched on it sounded like Wales were dominating and they wasted several chances to increase their lead through giving up kickable penalties then losing the line outs. The 10 minutes before half time turned the game and Wales seemed to lose their composure listening to the commentary.
Were the two refereeing decisions as bad as Dawson suggested (I.e penalty before half time should have been reversed due to a shove and should have been at least a yellow for head contact on Tomkins that was deemed not to be foul play)?
Feels like a lost opportunity.0 -
Strange one, Wales started so well but seemed to drift and allow Argentina back in. Credit to Argentina for taking their chances though and more evenly matched than I predicted.
Agree that there are some big prospects. Jac Morgan looks like a Warburton mark 2 and nailed on Lions Captain in future.
@Pross the non card for the head contact was iffy. In the sense that pretty much everything like that throughout the WC has been yellow at least, and the narrative (as per Tom Curry) has been that even if their is no malice that doesn't matter. The ref in this instance suddenly seemed to be saying it was a judgment call and he saw no foul play, so no penalty. I actually agreed with the decision, my issue was that it didn't seem consistent with the standards set throughout.0 -
“New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!0 -
Have faith. Been saying all thread this Irish team are different to past sides. They completely believe they will win this type of game.0
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Dunno just started watching…. looks okddraver said:It's coming true
it's all coming true... 
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NZ have been very good but Ireland are just starting to take charge.
You can see the difference. 13-0 after 20mins and this game would have been out of sight at half time with past Irish teams. This group are on a different level from a mental resilience perspective.0 -
Agreed.
NZ playing the more attractive game but Ireland are simply getting the job done.The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
Thrilling game anyway.0
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Gotta Get Thru This? 😉ddraver said:I can imagine the stadium announcer frantically googling what the kiwi equivalent of Zombie is, just in case...
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
Ireland heading home tonight.
Not able to work out the Kiwis at the breakdown, or defence,0
