England to whitewash Australia
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-time="1466762639" data-cid="591203" data-author="NTA"><p>Eddie has already laughed and said "we're playing winning rugby"<br><br>And 3-0 in the first ever three game series between the nations means a place in history, of a sort.</p></blockquote>Yep. Difficult to out mind-game Eddie at any time. No chance when he's winning.
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<p>just to clarify, my earlier point re the poms kicking everything wasn't a criticism - you can certainly argue that it's not pretty rugby, and i wouldn't like to see every game like that, or for that to be the most successful way to play the game over the long term - but it was a well thought out and well executed winning tactic - and deserves a lot of kudos for that.</p>
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<p>on the other hand i don't think it is a sustainable winning tactic... if you give the opposition all the ball again, after them having a week (without the red mist) to work out how to deal with your defensive line and lack of committing to the breakdown, then i think you're asking for trouble.</p>
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<p>it's going to be interesting to see how both sides approach it.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="reprobate" data-cid="591212" data-time="1466764633">
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<p>just to clarify, my earlier point re the poms kicking everything wasn't a criticism - you can certainly argue that it's not pretty rugby, and i wouldn't like to see every game like that, or <strong><em>for that to be the most successful way to play the game over the long term</em></strong> - but it was a well thought out and well executed winning tactic - and deserves a lot of kudos for that.</p>
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<p>It kinda is -</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.optasportspro.com/about/optapro-blog/posts/2015/guest-blog-effectiveness-of-kicking-game-in-rugby-union/'>http://www.optasportspro.com/about/optapro-blog/posts/2015/guest-blog-effectiveness-of-kicking-game-in-rugby-union/</a></p>
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<p>And the All Blacks have for a long time been one of the kickiest teams in world rugby, 2015 WC we kicked 6th most out of 20 teams.</p>
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<p>Eddie has always been a stats guy & Sarries are very much stats driven, all the stats for the last few years say kick lots, tackle lots, take points when offered, dominate the lineout. Thats pretty much his (and the AB's) method. And also the opposite to the Aussie gameplan last 2 weeks</p> -
<p>England really have nothing to lose - they can afford to be expansive because they've already won the series.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-time="1466766385" data-cid="591218" data-author="antipodean"><p>England really have nothing to lose - they can afford to be expansive because they've already won the series.</p></blockquote>I don't agree with this entirely. The difference between 2-1 and 3-0 is huge. As Mr Percentage said, to win the series 3-0 is like the business end of the RWC, you have to win all three hard matches to take the trophy. For England to win this series 3-0 will be a huge boost and will carry momentum on. For Aus to lose 3-0 is possibly the polar opposite. Would Cheika survive a 3-0 series loss? Especially after playing some pretty dumb rugby? Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see England being a bit more adventurous but this is one time I'd be more happy seeing us play duller rugby but winning.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="591191" data-time="1466760394"><p>If so it won't catch Cheika by surprise as his latest mutterings to the press is stating that England need to be less dull and "open up a bit more". You know play a bit more like us Australians and "try and play some footy".</p></blockquote>
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Double-bluff ;)<br><br><br><br>
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="591041" data-time="1466734590">
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<p>I find Palu off the bench an interesting option. It's not often you finish the game by slowing the pace and getting physical . </p>
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<p>"and getting physical" ... only occasionally, but mostly ambling about amiably.</p>
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<p>I'm similarly unconvinced by Skelton starting - he'll be puffing and blowing after 15 minutes, trying to keep up. He's big but it would be ever so helpful if he was also useful.</p>
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<p>I did see him attempt to release his inner Bakkies Botha a couple of weeks ago and get pinged straight away. If I were Eddie I would have seen the same thing and noted it.</p> -
Well, so far Cheika should be happy. He's getting what he asked for from England.
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If Itoje knocks that ball on to to HP's thigh, and it goes forward off the thigh, is that not a knock-on by HP? Whatever. Good score by Oz, but Nowell should have taken Folau. Great start to the match.
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<p>A prime example of why I hate that "taking the halfback" rule Cane got binned for. Aussie won a counter ruck by smashing the halfback as he was about to pick up the ball, play on. Cane grabs an arm in a contest and gets binned. It's too subjective</p>
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<p>Australia playing very well at the moment, that fortunate try has sparked them and they are all over the English in every facet. 12-7</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Disgusted of TW" data-cid="591632" data-time="1466850338"><p>If Itoje knocks that ball on to to HP's thigh, and it goes forward off the thigh, is that not a knock-on by HP? Whatever. Good score by Oz, but Nowell should have taken Folau. Great start to the match.</p></blockquote>
Knock on must be hand or arm I think -
<p>Folau a bit silly on the other side</p>
