LeRouxIsPHat wrote:It really was brutal. Rare that you get games of that physical intensity for the majority of the 80 minutes. With that in mind I'd make plenty of changes for next week but am sure that wont be the case. The difference that SOB, Rob at fullback, and Zebo back to the wing could make could be huge. Don't think Zebo is usually that bad at his actual fullback duties but he had a nightmare positionally, under the high ball, and with the boot. As dangerous as he was in attack, thought he could have passed to Earls when he made the break from deep in the first half. He made yards but think he could have done better. But I'm looking forward to him getting on the ball and playmaking from the wing next weekend.
Our clear outs were brilliant for the whole game. Really surprised that we were able to keep that up the whole time.
All in all there really isn't much I'd have changed. For me it was Garces getting the scrum calls wrong that cost us, not our own play. He always allows a good contest at the breakdown, which I like, but it was ridiculous not to give us more penalties all the same and some of the calls that went against us were just plain wrong. The game really changed with Earls' tackle but I thought that was really unlucky tbh. We'll miss his aggressive defence next week although we'll need something a bit different against France anyway.
Really impressed with how balanced the back row looked and it really is amazing how so many players have now been able to slot in perfectly to the system under Joe.
I'd usually be disappointed after a draw but really it was mostly an excellent performance against a very good side. My only frustration was Garces. Glad we didn't throw more debutantes in now, that could have been very very ugly for Dillane and McCloskey. Nothing against them but it would have been a huge ask to get up to that intensity straight away.
+1
Viewed game at a distance and agree with this analysis. Garces was key factor and not just in scrum. But the other key factor was our opponents. They have a deep core of confidence in their ability and match winning players to back it up. Teams of that quality are always going to have a purple patch and the key is whether that period provides the points to change the momentum of the game. It did on Sunday and Ireland did very well to get it back to a draw.
However, the intensity of defences throughout the game was extraordinary and belied what came out of RWC15. Plenty of astute, running lines and top quality handling in, apparently, difficult conditions. J10's pass to Trimble was exquisite and he only needed one more stride to get clear.
Scrums were badly refereed and I doubt Evans will get away with that angle in remaining matches when 6N referee panel exchange notes during the week. White wasn't done badly but even milli-seconds at that level can be costly.
Zebo offered a lot going forward but, once again, he didn't work hard enough when he wasn't going to be directly involved. The particular example of covering Trimble following Davies kick, was the most critical. No doubt however that at international level he offers an attacking threat that RK does not have. Given that we have no out and out flyer on either wing, this is the sort of threat we really need.
Overall, very satisfied with team performance and intensity, although disappointed ultimately in result given that we made 5-0 in line breaks. Too late now for this 6N, but feel that pace out wide is a weakness in our armoury.
