World Cup losers Playoff 2023 - The unwanted game - England v Argentina

First topic message reminder :

England Team:

15 M Smith
14 F Steward
13 J Marchant,
12 M Tuilagi
11 H Arundell;
10 O Farrell (c),
9 B Youngs;

1 E Genge (vc),
2 T Dan,
3 W Stuart,
4 M Itoje,
5 O Chessum,
6 T Curry,
7 S Underhill,
8 B Earl.

Replacements: J George, B Rodd, D Cole, D Ribbans, L Ludlam, D Care, G Ford (vc), O Lawrence.

How was that knocked on by white?

Indeed. Young's going through the motions. The slow motions.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:He's our best fly half by a distance but Borthwick is we'd to his kicking game hence Farrell is our first choice. Smith did the basics as well yet because everyone know what he can do he gets dismissed when he plays within himself by instruction. It's frustrating. When he was below par with Jones he was top scorer in the 6ns.

Ford is our best flyhalf by a distance. Smith is our best flyhalf ball in hand which why bringing him into the game as a playmaker when we are in those positions makes sense.

Would love to see Ford be able to prove it. But like Smith he's just asked to kick. And Borthwick prefers Farrell over both anyway.

Heaf wrote:How was that knocked on by white?

Changed it, eventually...

Need to get another score ahead.

Well that was a crap kick

No 7&1/2 wrote:Youngs is so far off the pace now.

Well it's the final time.

To be fair the delivery from the base has been alright (not great but not bad) it's been his positioning in the backfield that's not been great.

Can't help but think England are keeping them in this with brain farts. Wake up!

Thank God stuarts off

And rubbish kicks

No 7&1/2 wrote:Youngs is so far off the pace now.

Look at it this way: You won't have Youngs to kick around any more....

Cheika for Borthwick???????

England need to move on from Farrell.

tigertattie wrote:England need to move on from Farrell.

Watch him for Saracens.

I'm sure me screaming "NO" at the sight of Ford replacing Manu instead of Farrell won't annoy the neighbours too much.

A bit of poor positioning and a slipped tackle for Rodd straight after coming on. These sort of games are largely meaningless but it is sometimes interesting to see the squad players used and weaknesses such as that be clear. I rate Rodd but he does have clear areas to work on.

Similar that I rate Theo Dan but even having done well in the scrum he's missed 4 tackles in defence. Certainly nice moment with the charge down to bounce back after a really bad bit of defence for the try.

Isn't the scrum half even meant to pretend to feed straight - he was standing at 45 degrees to the line

Why are you kicking the ball away??????

Every time they get into the 22 they f*cking kick it away

That is fine! That is a good kick!

Yep that one from half way into 22 was fine ... everything after was meh ...

Lucky he wasn't on this side of the scrum.

England look aimless, back to warm up games. Kicking away possession in opposition 22 etc. Poor.

Arundell, one of the most naturally attacking talents we have hasn't received the ball once. This is ridiculous.

wasted advantage

Cumbrian wrote:Arundell, one of the most naturally attacking talents we have hasn't received the ball once.  This is ridiculous.

Doesn't help when we have a scrum penalty and Care breaks off and goes for an ambitious drop goal instead of passing to Smith who had options inside and out.

At least kit man won't need to wash his kit

Feel sorry for the lad, didn't have a chance.

Now they sub Arundell just when players may be getting tired and making space

Cumbrian wrote:Arundell, one of the most naturally attacking talents we have hasn't received the ball once.  This is ridiculous.

And he's not a patch on Radwan...

On a serious note...when did Arundel come off hos wing looking for the ball?

I said Tonge in cheek really that it should be O Flaherty and Roebuck for England but it really should. There are better wingers. And wingers other sides should puck but this is so limited that they are the absolute best we have.

Geordie wrote:

Cumbrian wrote:Arundell, one of the most naturally attacking talents we have hasn't received the ball once.  This is ridiculous.

And he's not a patch on Radwan...

Who'd know? Would they treat Radders any differently?

Cumbrian wrote:

Geordie wrote:

Cumbrian wrote:Arundell, one of the most naturally attacking talents we have hasn't received the ball once.  This is ridiculous.

And he's not a patch on Radwan...

Who'd know? Would they treat Radders any differently?

Nope

God we are difficult to watch. We need an attack coach but my God for seasoned professionals they haven't got a clue how to play rugby. ‍�

Meanwhile SH continues to feed the No 8

Arundel couldn't be bothered. Don't blame him as he's probably bored to tears.

Should be a penalty to Argentina. That's a tackle and he needs to roll away.

Heaf wrote:Now they sub Arundell just when players may be getting tired and making space

This is called strategy. Very deep strategy....

No 7&1/2 wrote:Should be a penalty to Argentina. That's a tackle and he needs to roll away.

That’s what I said

No 7&1/2 wrote:Should be a penalty to Argentina. That's a tackle and he needs to roll away.

Referee a little lenient because the Argentina players pin him in I think.

Ah the Arg fans have started the bogie flicking. They must feel things are starting to heat up

I can't think that Argentina can have too much cause to complain about the referee...

A generous assessment Sam!

No 7&1/2 wrote:A generous assessment Sam!

I was expecting a penalty against us. Berry also said "I think Blue still had possession" which maybe also played on his mind. Wasn't sure whether Ludlam stripped the ball or not.

Decision here. Corner surely.

Should have gone for the win

Still time for Whitehouse to give them another match changing decision ...

tigertattie wrote:England need to move on from Farrell.

And Borthwick.

If England do hold out and win I hope there's no big celebration at final whistle. Apart from first 15 mins they been poor.