The Silver Fern

Yep massive difference in kicking Eng have a clear plan and execute it, we kick when we have run out of ideas and nothing is contested

@Nepia disagree. Was not Kaino level but brought physicality that is missing now, helped free up Savea and Cane.

@nostrildamus to go with our li out throwing coach

Finau struggling to impose himself at this level. Frizell found himself in the end. Hopefully just a learning phase but looks like game is too fast for him. His form in sr was so good

Our attack doesn’t look very inventive. Who is in charge of it in coaching set up?

We won, be happy. Overall looks like we trying to find new game plan. Thought our tactical kicking was poor compared to English who had good plan. Noticed one change was how they seemed to use 9 as like first receiver in general play. A few times FC got the pass from winger and had no idea when facing rush defence. Happens more than once so looked like a plan. Interesting to see how coaching staff adapt

Things are not looking good for Crusaders. They look like a team of battlers with no X-Factor. This game must Frustrate the top brass. Armstrong-Ravulu went to St Andrews in Chch and has looked the goods since playing in the Fiji under 20 last year. Meanwhile without being horrible, Kemara has looked terrible and did not impress at that tournament.

England need to go back to game plan. As SA chance arm they can’t get caught in playing more expansive as it plays into SA hands

Great play. Got to hand in to England what ever it looks like aesthetically. Big issue for SA is there subs have come in early for them they look panicked from players to coach. At the moment not sure how they get out of it.

England playing pretty well. Taking away option A for SA who panic and get poor option away. Get the feeling SA just thought they might physically dominate them. Still anyone’s game

Will be interesting who gets to ref the final. I’m guessing both England or Sth Africa won’t advocate for Gardner, especially his attempts to not let the game slow down. Loved his interaction at the end when he told the prop to get up as the scrum was being formed “you can’t run over here and take you boot off”. Unfortunately I think the ref will play a big part in final in dictating the speed of the game rather than calls. Will either be Gardner or French guy I would imagine

Sam Cane, I was wrong. Savea and him next level! blew away vaunted Irish backrow

How flat out pods are playing flat and close to 9. Stops linespeed and gets go forward. Obvious change of tactic

Jeepers! set piece is terrible!!!!! It does not look like much of a squad. I know a few more players possible but on that performance will struggle to make out of pool against NH/Sth Africa. Obviously want them to succeed but did not look good.

University have recruited well and could surprise this year, some solid preseason stuff. Marist also looking strong.

@Chester-Draws you have to be u18 now. You can be year 14 as long as you are under 18. The majority of schools have at least 1 in this boat in the top comps.

SA whinging about not being their 1stXV but only because they play under 19 where as this tournament and the rest of the world play under 18. So their ‘1stXV’ are all under 19.
Need to understand that context

Agree that Jordy at 12 is a beast. Straightens attack, BB days I think are behind him. Off bench yep but we need to try Jordan at the back

After watching again accuracy in 2nd half was an issue lineout:line kicks missing touch etc, little errors here and there which meant we cldnt build pressure like we cld in 1st half.
Bigger issue which in last 20 got England in was inability to recover kicks, and not so much back three fault but we lacked urgency to get back and contest for 50/50 balls with working hard off ball which then put our d under pressure. The little things.

71 min of very good and 9min of learning dealing with pressure. BB not to blame for yellow I think 10/10 last defenders would do the same. Just need to learn how to cope under pressure. That is about as close to a WC game or qtr as you get. They looked gasssed at end after yellow. What is showed is you out AbS under pressure by running and attacking, not kicking. Anyway is what it is.