England to whitewash Australia
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="587104" data-time="1465721160"><p>
I think that comment about the Aus backline is a wee bit unfair. I was at the game and when the Aus backline got pace on the ball (hat tip NTA) they carved up. England just played smarter rugby and for long periods prevented Aus from getting proper attacking opportunities.</p></blockquote>
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Both teams flattered to deceive with ball in hand, both defenses splintered pretty quickly/easily around the fringes especially in the first half.<br><br>
Australia have looked good with front foot ball for the past decade, the unaddressed issue that you point out is quality teams can pretty much deny them of any opportunity through dominating at the breakdown, tackle and using their own possession productively.<br><br>
Both teams will focus heavily on their defensive pattern this week and I wouldn't be surprised if we a low scoring grind in game 2. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wreck Diver" data-cid="587172" data-time="1465735798"><p>wasted energy and just makes himself look like a cock, he also rubs oppositions heads when they give away a penalty. Only a matter of time before he gets his arse handed to him</p></blockquote>
In a team with Brown? It's nothing. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="587182" data-time="1465743882"><p>In a team with Brown? It's nothing.</p></blockquote>
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Our secret strategy - get the oppo queuing up to twat Brown then Farrell, gives Itoje a free pass. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wreck Diver" data-cid="587172" data-time="1465735798"><p>
wasted energy and just makes himself look like a cock, he also rubs oppositions heads when they give away a penalty. Only a matter of time before he gets his arse handed to him</p></blockquote>
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Don't have a problem with niggle. Rugby is an intimidatory sport. It comes with the territory. Some of the couch potatoes / backs may have a problem with that. <br><br>
Doubt anyone's going to hand his ass to him, honestly. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="587188" data-time="1465747765"><p>
Doubt anyone's going to hand his ass to him, honestly.</p></blockquote><br>
Unless of course he completely overdoes the bug-eyed straining and prolapses as a result, in which case he might require such assistance. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="587188" data-time="1465747765">Don Frye, on 12 Jun 2016 - 5:09 PM, said:
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<p>Don't have a problem with niggle. Rugby is an intimidatory sport. It comes with the territory. Some of the couch potatoes / backs may have a problem with that.<br><br>
Doubt anyone's going to hand his ass to him, honestly.</p>
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<p>Yes rugby is about intimidation but I'm sorry Itoje is not intimidating at all. He is just a cheer leader he's one step away from high fiving the front row after a penalty is awarded to them. I would love to see him do this shit with Bukkies Botha or Brad Thorn on the field.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wreck Diver" data-cid="587197" data-time="1465758096"><p>Yes rugby is about intimidation but I'm sorry Itoje is not intimidating at all. He is just a cheer leader he's one step away from high fiving the front row after a penalty is awarded to them. I would love to see him do this shit with Bukkies Botha or Brad Thorn on the field.</p></blockquote>
Why would that matter?<br><br>
Yeah I bet he'd be way scared to do it if cheap shot Bakkies or Mr Christian Thorn were there. What a goof thing to say. -
yes the old days of tough players sorting things out on the field are a thing of the past ,<br><br>winning is al about discipline now ,<br><br>and we may see a new breed of annoying niggly blokes who try to get under the oppositions skin, knowing they can get away with it without the fear of retaliation
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="587205" data-time="1465760233"><p>yes the old days of tough players sorting things out on the field are a thing of the past ,<br><br>
winning is al about discipline now ,<br><br>
and we may see a new breed of annoying niggly blokes who try to get under the oppositions skin, knowing they can get away with it without the fear of retaliation</p></blockquote>
In other words; Kurt Baker. -
<p>Let's be honest lads. We're a bit worried about what Itoje might bring to the Lions...</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="587112" data-time="1465722149">
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<p>Might have been this bit "<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Australia looked a bit off their game though, I still pick them to win the series once they get going. Having a goal kicker like Farrell is so crucial. A rare off night for Foley certainly didn't help."</span></p>
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<p><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Maybe I just read too much into it.</span></p>
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<p>I stand by that comment, but it was not intended to take away from a big win and good performance by England. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Richie8-7" data-cid="586845" data-time="1465678984">
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<p> Australia looked a bit off their game though</p>
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<p>What is their game though? This performance seemed pretty consistent than their Auckland Bledisloe & Springbok TRC games, Wales & Fiji pool fixtures, QF, SF & Final performances last year. Flashes of competitivenes, but pretty helpless when the other side is organised and constructive with ball in hand and aggressive at the breakdown. Their Sydney Bledisloe & England pool fixture efforts were better performances last year for sure - but perhaps those were the exception not the rule?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="587201" data-time="1465759371">
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<p>Why would that matter?<br><br>
Yeah I bet he'd be way scared to do it if cheap shot Bakkies or Mr Christian Thorn were there. What a goof thing to say.</p>
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<p>That's definitely why the ABs lost to England at the Cake tin in 2003, they too scared to get over exuberant and be creative cos tough guys like Dallaglio and Johnson were in the other team.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="587224" data-time="1465766923">
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<p>Awww but you wouldn't say that to their face coz they iz tuff!</p>
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<p>I didn't know if it was true but Stephen Jones said it was so that was that.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="587237" data-time="1465768553"><p>Only thing about Itoje that shit me was the thing at lineout where he just screams like a little bitch on our throw.<br><br>
Old days, that would have been someone stepping across and hoiking him some knuckle sandwich</p></blockquote>
Yeah that happened all the time eh. -
<p>Australia should go back to their more standard tactics for the next game. As long as they had the ball in hand, they looked like they could score at pretty much so any opportunity. </p>
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<p>I still can't believe they took the 3 points to go to down by 4. This is test rugby, it's about the results. You have awesome field position, an attack which is humming and when down by 7, you take the 3 and then back yourself to go 80 for the try for the win. Obvious basic knowledge states that you go for the try - to at least get you back to evens, then try and push 40 to get the penalty for the win.</p>
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<p>I cannot figure out any other argument as to why you'd take the 3 in that situation. If you were 6 or 5 down - yes, I get it. But not 7.</p>
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<p>The game in a nutshell is that Australia were masterful with the ball in hand, England were masterful tactically. </p>
