England v New Zealand

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.

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.

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.

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.