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hans off
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Mon, 08 October 07 17:23 GMT
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Both France and England players will now believe in themselves. The key, surely, will be the rate of recovery in one week. Now that will be a real test of fitness...
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steve johnson
- sehjohnson@hotmail.com
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Mon, 08 October 07 09:39 GMT
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Astonishing on Saturday. When the teams lined up in the tunnel before the game, there was a difference in the way they stood - THEY believed, and after 8- minutes, so did the rest of us. Also, they seem to be playing "Ashton rugby" at long last - some great passing continuity open and blind....
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SteveJinJapan |
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weakone
- slfaithfull@aol.com
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Mon, 08 October 07 08:19 GMT
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I got that wrong! Remarkable difference on saturday. Whereas the ABs suffered.
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weakone
- slfaithfull@aol.com
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Wed, 03 October 07 15:10 GMT
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This does not follow the original thread 'fit for england,' But I have to state, re the style of play of England. I have three sons from 12-19 whom play. All of which have turned over the tv channel from watching the RWC and enjoy the spectacle of NFL.(I am not pleased to state that)
I would like to know if the expected target audience of the RWC from the home nations viewers has significantly dropped due to the variation and style of play we have been exposed to, rather then the resulting results.
Re the 'fit for england' thread. I think the players look physically prepared. But significantly mentally demoralised. Both from the aspect of their preparation (or lack off) Plus the daunting bombardment of negative media speculation and expectation. If you turn the volume down on any interviews from any players from any nation. The body language of the England players is poor. Let alone what they have to say.
I should like to know the comparisons between the 03 squad and the 07 squads pyschological preparations. On the surface it appears simply the difference of confidence knowing you have had a series of wins going into the world cup compared to the fatal games leading into this campaign.
I personally believe 'the belief' is not there.
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mashers
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Wed, 03 October 07 11:35 GMT
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Achilles
I have seen you play many time's when did you last pass in the tackle.
Strike that when did you last pass?
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achilles
- rdc@parrswood.manchester.sch.uk
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Tue, 18 September 07 10:29 GMT
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Problem is they are not even looking at the good stuff from league, such as offloading in the tackle. They stand and watch, hoping the player will make a break. How many times did South Africa beat the English pack to the break down and turn over possession?
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Wile#3W9iY
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Mon, 17 September 07 15:51 GMT
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Simon,
brilliant! there is real ground swell for looking at ourselves and reinventing our game. The premiership is often dull, dull, dull and we need to change. Thanks for your valued input mate!
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the whistleblower
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Mon, 17 September 07 12:16 GMT
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Agree your point about the structured season, but the malaise seems to me to be deeper than that. To my way of thinking this RWC is an affirmation of the superiority of Union over the stultifying boredom of League's "one pass, BANG" mentality.
I see England, and most other N. Hemisphere sides, as in thrall to the League approach. Uncontested mini-rucks take the place of a play-the-ball, and the standard League defence is then spread across the pitch awaiting the next pass and BANG. England have no imagination, play by numbers, can't adapt to what's in front of them? Well, that's because the League coaches throughout the GP don't expect them to have to challenge this tedium, as everyone else does it. The S. Hemi, by contrast, still plays real rugby.
There is no doubt that in the immediate aftermath of professionalism, Union had an enormous amount to learn from League - particularly in fitness and conditioning, but also in terms of defensive techniques. However, this skills gap was not a tactics gap, adn the Union boys went way too far over to the League way of thinking. If this RWC does nothing else, it's highlighting of the sterility of the League attacking approach will be tremendously beneficial if NH sides adapt, and return to proper rugby instead of apeing the Northern blight.
Rant over, except to say that Tonga's performance against Samoa raises the possibility that England may lose to three SH sides in its pool alone. Not for nothing does the World Ranking show the best NH side in 5th place behind four more adventurous SH Union exponents. If we lost to Samoa and Tonga, there is more chance that the powers that be will demand a radical overhaul rather than tinkering on the basis we were unlucky with injuries, and Robbo was just a bad call that no-one could foresee and Ashton couldn't address in time. England are poor because the players are poor, and the players are poor because they spend their entire season thinking that there can only be one pass permitted before going into contact.
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Whistleblower |
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Wile#3W9iY
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Mon, 17 September 07 11:40 GMT
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In the last world cup we had good mental and physical preparation. When I look at the team now, they look tired and nothing like the physical presence of our southern hemispheme counterparts. We actually reflect our National mediocrity in every aspect of the game. No fresh ideas (apart from kicking out of hand in our oponents 22!!) No control at any set piece. gentlemen I will not go on.
The answer lies in good preparation and the re-assessment of our structured season. For any aspiring young player we have to have outstanding physical and mental preparation. We still naively think we can play our home competitions and then take the world stage and compete.
We cannot. We now have to be far stronger and physically much tougher in every playing position. Alan Old said of the RFU selection policy years ago, that it was tantamount to "we might get lucky".....those days have gone. We now need to consider what it takes to compete on the world stage and then re-define our fitness and physiological demands.
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