England tour to RSA
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@taniwharugby said in England tour to RSA:
@nzzp plus SA seem to be getting things moving in the right direction with plenty of talent coming through in time for the RWC and playing some attractive rugby with their usual upfront aggression.
I agree. They will be a real handful.
also, anyone know where Handre Pollard is? He started in 2015 in the Semi, but haven't seen him since. Wikipedia says he missed 2016 with a knee injury. Is he still in SA, or moved to Europe? He was some player pre-injury, very good and a real threat with ball in hand and off the tee
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@nzzp said in England tour to RSA:
Seems to me this tour could be a real banana skin for Eddie.
After a great start to his English Coaching, a couple of losses in the 6N meant the sheen came off. Losing 2 or 3 games overseas means there is really only one home season before the RWC, and then if you don't know your top team or how you're going to play, the wheels could really come off in the leadup.
There's loads riding on this - I'm looking forward to it. Go you Saffers!
Thinking in the press here seems along the lines of 'England cannot afford to lose this series'
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@nzzp said in England tour to RSA:
OK, cool. How's he going? Knee injuries are horrific, hate to see them happen to classy players (or anyone for that matter)
I've only seen the Bulls play once, live against the Chiefs. Pollard played very well in that game. Ran the team well, scored a try and kicked 4 conversions.
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@majorrage said in England tour to RSA:
REad an article this morning from the DAily Mail where Shields was described as "Chris Robshaw, with better hands".
Fark me, Robshaw's hands must be appalling!!!
Robshaw gets a lot of unwarranted stick but this is the first time I've seen that as a criticism.
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Here's the article ...
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12049368
Agree with you that Robshaw takes a lot of unwarranted stick. I suspect the writer of this article has don more research on Shields, than actually watching him play.
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@tim said in England tour to RSA:
Who are the opensides in that squad? Are they any good?
Underhill is the great white hope but seems to be continually broken. He made a fantastic tackle on a Welsh guy to stop a certain try in the 6N, he's a ferocious tackler and a general bloody nuisance at the breakdown.
When he's playing.
Tom Curry has impressed on the tour to Argentina last year but not really an out and out 7 as yet. It doesn't help that he is played at 6 and 7 for his club and has suffered some injury problems this season. The bolter could be Sam Simmonds the Exeter No8. He is small for an 8 and is really quick off the mark. He tackles well, carries well, albeit in a non-English way as he tries to avoid contact and make ground round the edges. But,
He.
Is.
Not.
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@rapido said in England tour to RSA:
I had read that some players may be rested due to workloads/last years Lions tour. But that looks like full strength minus injuries?
We're down the two scrum halves that played in the 6N, first choice 13, first choice wing/fullback, another first choice wing, first choice hooker and tight head, first and fourth choice locks and starting 8 from the 6N, plus another 4 wider squad members. So not ideal with RSA getting their shit together. Although there is the argument that some of those "first choices" should not have been, in which case it gives a chance for those who perhaps have not had their fair chance a good crack at things. It's going to be an interesting tour that's for sure.
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@majorrage said in England tour to RSA:
Here's the article ...
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12049368
Agree with you that Robshaw takes a lot of unwarranted stick. I suspect the writer of this article has don more research on Shields, than actually watching him play.
Well he hasn't researched WR regulations has he?
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@majorrage said in England tour to RSA:
@dmx Thats a little harsh on Eddie I think. He's had a huge amount of success coaching so is in demand. The England rugby coach is arguably the biggest job in world rugby - which coach worth their salt wouldn't want it?
Gatland, Schmidt, Cotter all mercenaries?
why do you say it is the biggest job in rugby? because of the salary? expectations? difficulty?
reminds mo of all those english football supporters who would say the english coach is the biggest job in world football. no one outside england thought that or gave it a second thought....
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@dagrubster said in England tour to RSA:
@majorrage said in England tour to RSA:
@dmx Thats a little harsh on Eddie I think. He's had a huge amount of success coaching so is in demand. The England rugby coach is arguably the biggest job in world rugby - which coach worth their salt wouldn't want it?
Gatland, Schmidt, Cotter all mercenaries?
why do you say it is the biggest job in rugby? because of the salary? expectations? difficulty?
reminds mo of all those english football supporters who would say the english coach is the biggest job in world football. no one outside england thought that or gave it a second thought....
That is the biggest job in world rugby.
- Most wealthy union
- Most professional players
- Biggest pyramid of players
- Most media attention
I'd say that it is certainly the biggest job in world rugby
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@nzzp fair enough thanks. it is not something that i have thought about in rugby but have heard it in football as mentioned.
i suppose there has to be an element of difficulty in it as well. England have only been considered the best in the world on roughly 3-4 years in the last 100 so that in itself shows the magnitude of the job.
I dont think there is a huge expectancy from the english public that puts pressure on a coach like say the AB coach or english football (although that has mostly dissapeared now)
