Re: Schoey's England 17 : Fri Oct 24, 2014 1:23 pm  

I decided to watch the highlights of the WC semi from last year again in my dinner break. Apart from the obvious loss of Sam Burgess, I see another problem. Sinfield may have missed a tackle at the end (we actually had 5 players under the posts marking 2 kiwis at the PTB, so not convinced we weren't doomed anyway), but he was also responsible for opening up the defence with 2 beautifully timed passes for England tries. He may not be fleet of foot, but I am slightly struggling to see where that bit of guile is coming from in the current team, and we don't have enough frightening ball carriers not to need it.

Re: Schoey's England 17 : Fri Oct 24, 2014 1:25 pm  

DHM wrote:

I am struggling there as well. Andrew Sheridan was a similar build and was a great prop while his back/ankles etc were functional, but he would have been learning the techniques and developing the right muscles for that position since he was a kid. Gloucester's pack are a pile of $h!te at the moment, they could probabaly spend the money better within Union.

Word has it scrummaging is still quite important in RU. I doubt George Burgess has ever contested a scrum in his life.

Re: Schoey's England 17 : Fri Oct 24, 2014 1:38 pm  

As well as being able to kick a good HB needs to be able to draw a defender & put someone through a gap, dummy & go through a gap, support a man who makes a break & finish off the break. Otherwise they are mediocre. Apart from Brough, Smith is no worse than any other British based scrum half in that respect.

Re: Schoey's England 17 : Fri Oct 24, 2014 2:29 pm  

Smith looks ok at Wigan, but that's behind a pack that's usually dominant and next to the best stand-off in the competition.

I don't remember him being any good at Salford when he was playing in an underdog team, which is probably more relevant for how things will be against Australia.

Like others, would have gone with Tomkins and Widdop in the halves and Hardaker at fullback, with the added bonus that you get a fullback who can catch and defend his line and one-on-one.

Re: Schoey's England 17 : Fri Oct 24, 2014 6:57 pm  

craigizzard wrote:

Like others, would have gone with Tomkins and Widdop in the halves and Hardaker at fullback, with the added bonus that you get a fullback who can catch and defend his line and one-on-one.

i too would have gone for this option
i also have concerns about farrell and Joel tomkins in the back row against australia and nz as they will get steam rollered imo and wont be able to offer much in attack

i recall that the majority of wigan fans were outraged that england chose sinny as england captain irrespective of form prior to the tournaments?
funny how biscuit bones is unavailable for selection again eh despite being named england captain prior to the tournament?

i am hoping for at least one win against samoa and 2 respectable defeats to australia and new zealand,but we could also end up with some serious drubbings without a doubt

Re: Schoey's England 17 : Fri Oct 24, 2014 7:22 pm  

If Australia don't get some props from somewhere then they'll be the ones worried about getting steamrollered.

Farrell might be a bit lightweight, but Tomkins won't be troubled unduly by the physical side of the game.

It's a pity Australia are so good everywhere else, because our props ought to destroy them up the middle.

Re: Schoey's England 17 : Fri Oct 24, 2014 8:43 pm  

One things for sure though.we should get to see how good a player Widdop is, as the front row should be able to set a platform for him to do the business.

Re: Schoey's England 17 : Sat Oct 25, 2014 11:07 am  

Well, after all that I'd put Matty Smith as England's Man Of The Match against Samoa.

As for our much-vaunted pack...apart from Graham, who was just ok, every one of them was poor.

Re: Schoey's England 17 : Sat Oct 25, 2014 11:11 am  

Now that's odd, because I'd have given MotM to Chris Hill, great stint off the bench today.

Re: Schoey's England 17 : Sat Oct 25, 2014 3:23 pm  

The England pack were "poor"? In what way?

Consistently made metres and set the platform for Smith to put up some excellent attacking kicks. Some individual errors, but you can say that right across the side pretty much.

England will be better for the run-out and additional time to acclimatise. Certainly didn't see anything in the Australia pack to scare them for next week.