Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Sat Nov 14, 2015 2:58 pm  

paulwalker71 wrote:

I wonder if all those who absolutely bagged Matty Smith will come here and admit they were wrong after his MoM performance?

already have.
although i haven't questioned the player more the coaches decision to pick him, but credit to player and coach today.

Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Sat Nov 14, 2015 3:00 pm  

McNamara interview had undertones of him jacking it in, anyone else get that impression?

Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Sat Nov 14, 2015 3:00 pm  

well played Matty Smith.
however, all he did was what he does week in week out. simple skills, executed with precision.
we are still missing the spark and creativity.
lots of tries by forwards; no tries from backs (?)
1 solid if unspectacular centre; 1 anonymous centre.
a fairly decent defensive back 3, but nothing in attack at the right end of the field (very good play out of defence though).
exceptional pack once again. we really do miss Sam T for that bit of spark in the back field.
Over the next 2 years we really do need to find a creative half-back and a couple of centres (I'm not convinced that Jack Reed is the answer there either).

so - well done england. a lot better, but more needed.

Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Sat Nov 14, 2015 3:00 pm  

paulwalker71 wrote:

I wonder if all those who absolutely bagged Matty Smith will come here and admit they were wrong after his MoM performance?

I wasn't keen on Smith, but yes he played very well today. his long kicking was vital in the 2nd half.

Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Sat Nov 14, 2015 3:01 pm  

Wire Yed wrote:

McNamara interview had undertones of him jacking it in, anyone else get that impression?

I thought so too, it'll be a "Mutual decision" I reckon.

Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Sat Nov 14, 2015 3:03 pm  

Just don't give it to Lowes

Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Sat Nov 14, 2015 3:03 pm  

Kearney is a class act. Did't mention the ref!
England still aren't creative enough for me.They don't seem t have the skill / craft to create tries out wide. Withut that they will always struggle to beat Australia and a full strength NZ.

Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Sat Nov 14, 2015 3:07 pm  

Dally wrote:

Kearney is a class act. Did't mention the ref!
England still aren't creative enough for me.They don't seem t have the skill / craft to create tries out wide. Withut that they will always struggle to beat Australia and a full strength NZ.

the list of try scorers in the series says it all

Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Sat Nov 14, 2015 3:10 pm  

The 50-50s definitely went our way in that second half.

I'll take the win, but I hope it was McNamara's last game in charge, because unless we can work out a way of attacking, and developing offensive players, then it's hard to see how we'd challenge a full strength NZ or Australia.

The absolute top priority for us now is to identify a pair of halves and at least two more centres who can give us options wider than the pack.

Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Sat Nov 14, 2015 3:20 pm  

credit for the win but you cannot ignore the fact the it is under strength NZ side. McNamara has to leave, would be a bad mistake to keep him on and giving the job to Lowes would be mega silly.

no matter how good Hardaker has been in SL I still think England miss Sam Tomkins at his best. england have to develop some creative HB's for sure though. It is still very predictable!