Opinion
13 hours ago International Rugby An England 23 Borthwick could pick after the Lions squad announcement
As 13 England internationals had their names read out by Ieuan Evans at the British and Irish Lions squad announcement on Thursday…
Josh Raisey
09 May 2025, 6:56
How did England have 100% success in scrums and NZ only 56%, yet England were penalised more than once when shunted back at speed by the AB pack??
Interesting
-England kick away twice as much ball, make half as many breaks = not a very attacking team like suggested
-England tackle nearly twice as much but NZ only carry 1/3 more, so England catching passers (instead of ball runners) 50% more then NZ? = England defensively focused. Expected, but maybe not the volume they thought they would have to deal with so tired and succesfully changed the game up (slowed).
-NZ 50% more threatening on attack (3x the strike power with %50 of the ball/opportunity)
-NZ not rewarding for their forward dominance = lack of international fine tuning compared to Englands 7 games since WC and the referring change in styles/interpretations
- scrums and lineouts were a mess;
- Dmac, aimless kicking away of the ball either too deep or into englands hands (one up the middle giving England the run to score their last try);
- rucks scrappy, conceded turnovers and penalties;
- poor decision making on the field, opting to find a score after the halftime siren had blown from their own half - concede a penalty and allowed England to equalize;
- missed tackles;
- ineffective under the South African blitz defence but looked dangerous when the ball went wide and in space.
- Missed kicks off the tee;
- Ignoring the shot clock;
- no red cards at least!
4/10 performance overall from the ABs (by their own high standards) and lots to work on.
But just good enough to beat the English who were much better in defence, on attack, at the rucks. Almost everything.
Perhaps with more possession and forcing the ABs to do more of the defending England would have got the result. But you can’t score without the ball. And miss kicks.
4/5 probably right. you’re commenting on the stats or just the game in general?
probably still good for your lot though…
England and New Zealand trialing a new rule this series. Playing the ball on the ground. England didn’t get the memo though.
Experienc of Jordy and BB showing. Put it in the corners. Apply the pressure.
It’s the only skill they have.
I hope Ben Smith’s muted his Telly. All this happy singing and dancing in the stands… it’s ruining the atmosphere.
Nice to see the Nienaber defence system working well for the English.
If Dmac wants to be the first choice ten - going to need to work on his kicking game. Off the tee but mostly out of hand. A few aimless kicks, and ineffective high balls (too deep). One of them (up the middle) giving England the momentum to score their last try.
Dmac is easily the best kicker in NZ, general play and off the tee. If he’s as good as the English, who are supposed to be one of the best at it, that’s more than enough for me (hell Mo’unga was one of the best 10s in the game and the only game he had a masterful kicking display was that Mt Smart test last year).
If Marcus wants to be first choice ten - needs to make the 3 pointers.
New Zealand need to tidy up around the rucks. Conceding turnovers and penalties hurt them. A few missed tackles.
The tries will come. Patience.
Stupid from the ABs to no put it out on the siren. Take the lead into the next half. Save the bodies.
Trying to make something from your own 10m line at this stage in the game - poor decision making. Giving England momentum into the second half by conceding a kickable penalty.
Scrappy from both teams. Even a “rebuilding” NZ too much for a more settled England team. Doing all the defending to hold the dam wall.
DMac looking good I thought.
Tight first halves are common amongst the Tier Ones.
Expect the All Blacks to put a few closing scores in to run away with it in the second half. Looking typically dangerous with loose ball, space or on the counter. Just need a few passes to stick.
The AB bench will hurt the English.
England have a monumental task ahead, there is no weak All Black team! As a Bok neutral just looking forward to a great game!
New Zealand to pump England in the last 20.
NZ by 15.
I believe that the Georgian ref is in control of this game. How he has been allowed to continue at test level is astounding. I predict he will have a heavy influence on the outcome; as has become the norm in recent seasons - the rules and the officiating will detract from the rugby.
This is the most exciting game of the summer imo, as we really won’t know in advance how both teams are going to play.
- Will Robertson just reproduce his Crusaders tactics from last year, or will there be a conscious effort to borrow from the Hurricanes and Blues, and from the aspects of the ABs world cup strategy that worked well?
- England under Borthwick have put in some good performances playing attacking rugby, and some good performances playing kick-oriented defensive rugby. Will Borthwick try to merge them together into a single all-court game, or will he continue switching between different approaches depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition?
Awful game to watch. An anti-climax even.