E17yid
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I thought they had turned a corner when they comfortably beat France 3 times in the summer but obviously not.
The Rugby Thread
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I thought they had turned a corner when they comfortably beat France 3 times in the summer but obviously not.
- Oct 2, 2004
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I think everyone thought they were moving in the right direction but their two results against New Zealand in these championships show they are miles away from that standard.
Doesn't mean they are terrible as the All Blacks can pump anyone on their day, but I don't think South Africa would beat England or Ireland right now, and I think Wales and Scotland would fancy their chances (as long as you tricked them into thinking they were playing a Northern Hemisphere team).
E17yid
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We put 14 points on them last year and like we've been saying it's not like they've kicked on so I think we'll be more than confident.
Having said that I'm not expecting another 14 point win. I'd imagine the game in a couple of months will be a close run match.
- Oct 2, 2004
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Yeah that should be a good game.
I'd actually make Wales favourites in Cardiff (assuming that's where it's being played).
I'm so annoyed at England's boring internationals coming up. Argentina (just played them twice) Australia (played them about 27 times in the last two years) and Samoa (probably the most interesting game because we'll blood some new players).
Wales' games look much more interesting.
nightgoat
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Even Italy beat them last year...
- Oct 2, 2004
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This is true.
I think the 'green shoots' argument comes from the success of their super rugby teams (well...one super rugby team) but that clearly isn't translating into the national team.
I haven't looked into it in much detail, but aren't they quite a young team these days?
nightgoat
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Apparently the starting XV had 300 caps between them, average age of 26.
- Oct 2, 2004
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- Oct 2, 2004
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It's exciting as a Quins fan certainly!
However I think he's in these squads purely to get to know the ropes a bit and learn for the future, and there's no chance (well there should be no chance) of him being in the international squads for the Autumn internationals.
Big test for him tomorrow assuming he starts against Leicester. He totally outshone Cippers last week but George Ford and a frightening Leicester back line is a far more intimidating prospect.
He does look like he's got all of the weapons to be a fantastic attacking fly half. Decent kicking out of hand, a good range of passing and a frightening step that allows him to ghost past defenders at times.
Loads of work still to do and we've seen talents like this get swallowed up before (Cipriani being a prime example) but I think he's at a good club to develop and I just hope Eddie doesn't try and rush him into the England setup.
mpickard2087
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It's what Eddie does. He doesn't waste time, takes the talent coming out of the U20's and gets them in and sees what they're made of. Tbf the ones who have got on the pitch like Isiekwe and T.Curry haven't let him down.
- Oct 2, 2004
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True but they've both had much more game time than Smith.
Smith wasn't even playing for the Quins A team last season, and started this season as our 4th choice fly half in most people's eyes.
So no issues with him being brought into the setup, but he needs at least a season of games in the Premiership before international games are considered.
Smith looks a prospect but it's very early days. Ford looked better at 18 and plenty still question his ability at test level.
Curry looks the one of the crop brought in over the last 6 months or so. Still, it's good to see. Englands youth sides in recent years have been dominant and there's more to come too.
Curry looks the one of the crop brought in over the last 6 months or so. Still, it's good to see. Englands youth sides in recent years have been dominant and there's more to come too.
E17yid
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I think you'll find our under 20s won the Grand Slam in 2016 giving your boys a 30 point whopping or more in the final game so not quite as dominant for as long as you think.
England were in disarray in that tournament and only won one game. Got a new coach in, picked different players and promptly won the under 20 World Cup a few months later. Their 3rd world title triumph at that level in 4 years ( been in the last 5 finals too ) added to 5 six nations titles in the last 7 years, most at a canter. That's extremely dominant. In recent years England have almost used the under 20 six nations as a warm up for the under 20 World Cup too.
They are actually more dominant than I thought!
Danners9
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- Mar 30, 2004
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[Aussie rugby post]
The Preliminary finals (Read: semi-finals) took place last night at tonight.
First was Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos. It was pretty close for the first half as both teams got stopped close to the line or dropped the ball when they had a clear run in, but then Melbourne just couldn't stop scoring and Brisbane couldn't get over the line. Finished up a rout to Melbourne.
Second was Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys. Just finished. The Cowboys weren't even meant to be in the playoffs. They were a couple of minutes away from opening their end of season beers a few weeks ago until another team scored and put them into the playoffs. They won tonight, 29-16 in Sydney. Best two players are out injured as well, so no one really expected them to get this far.
Next week is the final. The pub/hotel at the end of my street will close the road and put up a big-screen truck and a bit of a beer garden in the road for the game. And probably for the AFL final, too. In the evening we have a huge fireworks display along the river, so that'll be a big day for the city.
[Aussie rugby post/]
Carry on...
The Preliminary finals (Read: semi-finals) took place last night at tonight.
First was Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos. It was pretty close for the first half as both teams got stopped close to the line or dropped the ball when they had a clear run in, but then Melbourne just couldn't stop scoring and Brisbane couldn't get over the line. Finished up a rout to Melbourne.
Second was Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys. Just finished. The Cowboys weren't even meant to be in the playoffs. They were a couple of minutes away from opening their end of season beers a few weeks ago until another team scored and put them into the playoffs. They won tonight, 29-16 in Sydney. Best two players are out injured as well, so no one really expected them to get this far.
Next week is the final. The pub/hotel at the end of my street will close the road and put up a big-screen truck and a bit of a beer garden in the road for the game. And probably for the AFL final, too. In the evening we have a huge fireworks display along the river, so that'll be a big day for the city.
[Aussie rugby post/]
Carry on...
E17yid
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England were in disarray in that tournament and only won one game. Got a new coach in, picked different players and promptly won the under 20 World Cup a few months later. Their 3rd world title triumph at that level in 4 years ( been in the last 5 finals too ) added to 5 six nations titles in the last 7 years, most at a canter. That's extremely dominant. In recent years England have almost used the under 20 six nations as a warm up for the under 20 World Cup too.
They are actually more dominant than I thought!
Yeah, except for last year
Arnoldtoo
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