2023 RWC Buildup, Squads, Fixtures 'etc'

17-09-2023 08:44PM

He shouts use it for 30 seconds?

Wailin · 17-09-2023 08:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121123880#Comment_121123880

They didn't deserve anything imo. Any time they got close to scoring they knocked on or committed some stupid handling error. Its like most of these "fan favourite" teams. Everybody loves for them to beat the Tier 1 teams but they're just not good enough.

17-09-2023 08:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121123882#Comment_121123882

I don't think they have the quality. They're playing very poor opposition.

MaddChris · 17-09-2023 08:47PM

Great defensive set there from Argentina according to ITV.....

Dave_The_Sheep · 17-09-2023 08:47PM

That was almost England's bit of play. A good counter attack, some good ball retention, moving Japan around and got close to the line. Only to lose imagination and then turn it over.

roverjoyce · 17-09-2023 08:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121123890#Comment_121123890

They have 4 weeks to prepare for a quarter final

CptMonkey · 17-09-2023 08:47PM

England are really terrible.

17-09-2023 08:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121123898#Comment_121123898

They could have 10 and their quality isn't near the top 4. IMO.

17-09-2023 08:50PM

I was calling the Boks boring earlier but they'd have a BP by half time here.

BlazingSaddler · 17-09-2023 08:50PM

Smith making a big difference to England here

fitz · 17-09-2023 08:50PM

I think these teams are not that far apart in quality imo. This would have been far closer but for Japan's inability to stop fumbling the ball.

lawrencesummers · 17-09-2023 08:52PM

They have a QF guaranteed now, they will have farrell back next week and he will improve them.

A QF against Fiji, Australia or even wales is very winnable.

England have a handy path to the semis.

FintanMcluskey · 17-09-2023 08:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121123890#Comment_121123890

They are as good as every other team on their side of the draw.

17-09-2023 08:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121123926#Comment_121123926

True. But they'd meet a decent team in the semi. Borthwick a problem too.

Lucy8080 · 17-09-2023 08:57PM

Job done for England. Semi final spot looks almost guaranteed given their side of the draw. Plenty of time in camp to work on improvements.

.Donegal. · 17-09-2023 08:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121123926#Comment_121123926

I don’t see them beating us, France, SA or NZ in the semis if they make it. They can make it to the semis alright because of how bad that side is but the final not a hope IMO

Dave_The_Sheep · 17-09-2023 08:59PM

Hard to look beyond a semi final for England now at the least. I think they'd take any of Wales/Aus or Fiji in a quarter. It's the old cliche about playing what's in front of you, but as bitter as we all may be about the groups and sides of the draw, they're doing enough and they have the players to get to a final, for all the previous dodgy form and lacklustre coaching ticket.

thebaz · 17-09-2023 09:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121123889#Comment_121123889

I said they made terrible handling errors , but they are much much better watch than that 10 man crap of England.

FintanMcluskey · 17-09-2023 09:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121123944#Comment_121123944

I'd certainly give them a 50 50 of beating NZ in a semi final.

17-09-2023 09:03PM

Compare England 2003 and 2023. Huge difference in quality and game plan. Some serious combos.

Dallaglio, Hill, Back.

Dawson, Jonny W.

Jason Robinson, Lewsey, Cohen

Ben Kay, Martin Johnson

fitz · 17-09-2023 09:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121123957#Comment_121123957

Shakey as NZ are atm, they'd still thump this England team imo. I'd fancy Fiji to beat them. Japan could have beaten them tonight if they'd held onto the ball. The English defense is not good...they come up against a side with good attack that don't drop the ball and they'll leak tries. And I don't see where the manufacture their own tries from against any of the top 4 teams, whose defenses will be more than capable of dealing with what this England side are doing.

17-09-2023 09:06PM

Well shur if they do get to a final won't it be great to beat them in it.😉

17-09-2023 09:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121123978#Comment_121123978

Even lineout time Sam Whitlock and Brodie Retallick won't be gifting ball away.

pickarooney · 17-09-2023 09:16PM

Fairly dire game to watch. Japan weren't really at the races and got worse as the game went on.

Dave_The_Sheep · 17-09-2023 09:59PM

Eddie Jones being the usual belligerent **** in his post match press conference.

What I wouldn't give to have one of them ask him if he should give himself an uppercut after todays game.

https://youtu.be/wqbK_jRhpAQ?t=936

After a press conference filled with avoided questions and generally being a prick, he finishes up with this. What an absolute child.

Annabella1 · 17-09-2023 10:22PM

Honestly believe England are easing into the competition

think they will go far

Clegg · 17-09-2023 10:24PM

England aren't very good. Their attack with ball in hand is littered with handling errors and seems pretty easy to read.

But one area of their game that's a definite strength is their kicking. They get huge height and distance from them and make a hard, effective chase. Such is the lack of quality on their side of the draw that I can easily see them getting to the semi finals. They'll play one of Wales, Australia or Fiji in the QF.

ersatz · 17-09-2023 11:09PM

Poor as Japan were England strangled them. The only hope is that borthers brings Farrell straight back in and they try to play. Ford has been excellent in managing games for them, playing in the right areas and turning their opponents around, but they’ve had plenty of luck too. That style of play is always likely to deliver, which is why both England and SA have historically had success with it. One other thing they going for them is the level of experience in their team, half of them are very old soldiers.

Ardillaun · 18-09-2023 05:06AM

I wonder if The Marler will become a thing, akin to a chip over advancing defenders when you don’t have the room to kick it? A Mohawk may help.

Pete_Cavan · 18-09-2023 05:18AM

I wouldn't be surprised if Aus finished second in their group and then beat England in the quarters. For all the platitudes England have been getting about playing "smart rugby", they are just playing shıte rugby and aren't capable of better. They don't have a formidable pack and have no creativity in the backs. Aus aren't any better but they have individuals who can score trys and would do against that English defence.

It just depends how EJ handles the next week. If he can pull his team together, Wales are there for the taking. Beat Wales and I could see them beating an English team who start believing the hype and have an eye on the semis. Of course, if EJ gets all pissy and feeling sorry for himself (his standard reaction when things start going wrong), Aus will lose to Wales.

If Wales beat Aus, then it'll be England v Fiji (unless Georgia can do a number on Wales (again!) In the final group round, which would be fantastic). I think England would have too much for Fiji, despite how good Fiji have been so far. England would just milk set piece penalties and take 3 all day.

2023 RWC Buildup, Squads, Fixtures 'etc'

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