All Blacks Vs England, Twickenham

[sparky]

@Bones That was at the end of a very long season for England. They will be fresher now and have had a couple of weeks in camp to prepare.

[ACT Crusader]

@sparky said in All Blacks Vs England, Twickenham:

Talking points:

A 5-3 bench when England are going 6-2
No sign of De Groot
Vaii ahead of Patrick T
Sititi at 6 rather 8
Ratima at 9 ahead of Roigard
B. Barrett at 10 ahead of DMac
Will Jordan picked at 15 not 14.
No sign of Reece

Other than EDG being out - because there is a back story that is not public - the others are barely worth raising a breath.

[Jet]

England to win by 6+

[Tim]

NZ should be good for this. Probably 7 or less.

[sparky]

Current forecast for the match is 14 degrees, a gentle breeze and a 4% chance of rain:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2635308

[DaGrubster]

@Bones said in All Blacks Vs England, Twickenham:

@sparky I highly doubt England have improved since they went down under, having not played. If Razor's team can't take care of them after a whole season of learnings, then that's a complete failure.

I have to agree Bones. They have also had some upheaval with Felix Jones leaving and his tactics were the main reason for England doing well in NZ.

Playing at Twickenham is a factor but if we get beaten or beaten well, then it does make you wonder if we have improved. Especially as we have better personnel in this side for Saturday

[Bones]

@sparky said in All Blacks Vs England, Twickenham:

@Bones That was at the end of a very long season for England. They will be fresher now and have had a couple of weeks in camp to prepare.

What was so long about their season? Fresher, schmesher. Sounding like you're prepping to jump on the razor bandwagon, getting your excuses in early...

We should be vastly improved, they're playing their first game of the season, with a smidge of upheaval and an ordinary coach.

[Daffy Jaffy]

[sparky]

@Bones Robertson should be out-coaching Steve Borthwick that's for sure.

[sparky]

@Bones said in All Blacks Vs England, Twickenham:

@sparky said in All Blacks Vs England, Twickenham:

@Bones That was at the end of a very long season for England. They will be fresher now and have had a couple of weeks in camp to prepare.

What was so long about their season?

Their season started in August 2023, World Cup Prep, World Cup, English domestic Rugby and European club Rugby, the Six Nations, then back to Domestic and European Rugby and then in July 2024 a tour of NZ to round it off. Very long season for England's players. And they came within a smidgin of winning both tests in New Zealand.

[Bones]

@sparky yep exactly, we should have smoked them. But sounds like a similar season to Ireland, no?

[Catogrande]

Only two VCs?! Amateurs. We've got this in the bag.

[BerniesCorner]

I like fast wingers
Backline not instilling confidence

[sparky]

@Bones Similar, but England played a couple of more times in the World Cup than Ireland.

[Victor Meldrew]

Pretty happy with that team - BB aside. Really pleased the likes of Tamiti Williams & Ratima starting and Finau, Tosi, etc in the 23.

Be interesting to see how Will J goes but good to see him get another start at 15

[pakman]

Wish Proctor would teach Rieko how to run a line and pass.

[BerniesCorner]

2025 gotta be the year of the backline sort out

[BerniesCorner]

And find a 7

[BerniesCorner]

It makes more sense to me to go Barrett-Barrett-Proctor.
14 Ioane

[Bones]

Beggar's belief people still go on about Rieko on the wing but are happy to see Jordan at fullback.