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Very late report from Dublin hotel. Quick chat last night to Joe Schmidt, who seems quietly confident.
Had seats with other NZ fans in the rafters behind South Stand. Amazing lateral view, which gives a totally different perspective from TV pictures.
Unexpected to find myself applauding English play in first 30, when it was bucketing...
After BBBR shells kick off, England make simple, safe, passes making a few yards each time, get close and run a decoy move to leave Ashton unmarked. He dives early to ensure try certain.
Whereas our tactical kicking was inaccurate and seemed to involve Benda making miraculous recoveries in such conditions, Poms were excellent. Young's box kick landing three metres in from touch. Runners make no attempt to catch, but know AB receiver will be vulnerable to a strong tackle on landing and can easily be bundled into touch. Thirty metres gain and put in to lineout.
Pressure on our lineout, leading to Taylor overthrow.
As they recovered ball from our kick off and AB defence hanging back to resist big runners, OF drops in to pocket for easy droppie. Three points and means ABs have to guard an extra threat next time.
Good use of touchline as extra defender. Even Benda forced out when getting within 5m of touch as very slippery.
15-0 was entirely deserved.
In contrast, ABs tried to shift ball as if it were dry. A pragmatic approach needed in the conditions.
Kicking too optimistic, and ill directed. When we get penalty BB kicks for distance, and although crosses line of touch low enough to be pulled back into play under new laws. In contrast 5m shorter and we have lineout in their 22, at a time here we desperately needed to get some momentum.
Some observations, some of which I'm sure have already been made.
Crotty coming on was pivotal. Not that SBW was that bad. Main thing was Crotty's 'grey hair' allowed him to settle BB down and play the percentages, something which SBW can't bring. Also Crotty kept it simple. In the conditions good lines and hard running paid lots of dividends. No need for the fancy dan plays.
Which brings me on to Josh Goodhue. Sitting high behind the posts I could appreciate just what good lines he ran in first half. Very Conradesque. Not given proper credit. The try was a direct result of him running a brilliant line and getting many yards up to their 22, from which point others did their part.
Not reported, but the rain stopped after 30ish and the ABs (with Crotty) were a different team. Secure handling, fast ball and the Poms were right under the pump.
Likewise, rain started to lash again in last 15 or so at which point England much more dangerous.
Not sure picked up here but Itoje said in press that when Barrett (S) came on ABs shifted from zonal lineout defence to man for man. Poms never came to grips with that. BBBR owned them, although why they kept throwing to Itoje is beyond me.
One last thought -- with today's refs you don't ever want to be within seven in last five. Had Ardie and Aaron executed that try in third quarter, TJP chargedown would have been of academic interest. Big kick up RRRs for the two As.
