Article: The Original Rugby Championship - Six Nations 2016
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England 7-3 up after 20 mins
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7-6 to England at the half, whistle blown after a dog of a failed DG attempt by Russell. Score a fair reflection of the game so far.
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Scotland have had England on the rack a couple of times, just no killer instinct. That last pass or change of line that's needed just never comes. <br><br>
What's with England not contesting at all at some breakdowns, but still standing there not fanning out? I've seen a couple of opportunities to easily spoil Scotland ball go begging. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="556875" data-time="1454781088"><p>Scotland have had England on the rack a couple of times, just no killer instinct. That last pass or change of line that's needed just never comes. <br>
What's with England not contesting at all at some breakdowns, but still standing there not fanning out? I've seen a couple of opportunities to easily spoil Scotland ball go begging.</p></blockquote>
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Yes, they definitely seem to be holding back. Comms team has also commented on English line speed being noticeably slower, looks deliberate. -
<p>In the end Eng vs Scot turned into a bit of a dirge.</p>
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<p>England basically ground Scotland down, who made too many unforced errors.</p>
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<p>TBH I saw zero difference between a Lancaster coached England and a Jones coached one.</p> -
Turgid stuff between England and Scotland, albeit in shite weather. Scotland had little cohesion and no attacking instinct. England at least were solid at set piece, organised in defence and kicked well. There was a decent build up to the Nowell try and it was a well-taken finish. England will take the win and look to build.<br><br>
But my God, Eddie Jones, has some task ahead of him to raise England's tempo and skills up to those of Ireland and Wales, let alone the gulf in class up to the Southern Hempishere teams. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="556877" data-time="1454784240"><p>
In the end Eng vs Scot turned into a bit of a dirge.<br><br>
England basically ground Scotland down, who made too many unforced errors.<br><br>
TBH I saw zero difference between a Lancaster coached England and a Jones coached one.</p></blockquote>
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How surprising -
Dour game, as the Calcutta Cup, particularly at Murrayfield, so often is.<br><br>
I thought both Vunipolas & Nowell looked good for England, and Haskell, while still definitely not a real 7, did a good job of defending the gainline and securing our ruck ball in attack.<br><br>
The balance of the backrow and the inside backs is still off though, and Jones has pretty much said he will experiment against Italy. On that showing, Ford and Robshaw look to be under pressure. <br><br>
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<p>I'll take that first up. Wasn't pretty, but Eddie's only had a couple of weeks with them. What could have been a tricky away fixture ended up being fairly comfortable in the end and the defence was very good throughout. Scotland never really looked like scoring a try.</p>
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<p>Obviously plenty to work on and perhaps a few changes to be made for the Italy game.</p> -
Maybe Billy V's best game for England, imho. Also liked the speed with which the ball reached the No.8's feet on England's feed; a few times neither Billy nor Care seemed to know how to use it for the best, but at least the hooking part of the equation has improved. Hartley was good all round.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="TeWaio" data-cid="557087" data-time="1454837934"><p>I have criticised Billy V loads in the past but he was bloody good. Still looks too fat, but it seems to work (Piri/Waldrom/Savea)</p></blockquote>
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Horses for courses. A slow, attritional game like the one yesterday suited Billy V down to the ground, but a fast-paced game against Australia, South Africa or New Zealand playing expansive Rugby would leave him gasping for air. <br><br>
That said, he was deservedly Man of Match yesterday and seemed genuinely enthusiastic when talking about Eddie Jones' leadership. It will be interesting to see if Eddie can work on Billy's conditioning and get him playing in the wide channels like Kieron Read. -
<p>Vunipola's conditioning is actually pretty good. He's never going to be a Kieran Read type in the wide channels as he just isn't quick enough.</p>
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<p>He played the full 80 and carried the ball 22 times (next was Brown with 12). In the 6N last year he regularly put in big 80 minute shifts, both in attack and defence. Beside carrying a lot of ball defensively his tackle count in that tournament was:</p>
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<p>Wales - 14 Made, 0 Missed</p>
<p>Italy - 17/1</p>
<p>Ireland - 13/1</p>
<p>Scotland - 14/1</p>
<p>France - 23/3</p>
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<p>And that's before you factor in the amount of ball he carried. He may have been more of a 60 minute player a few years ago, but I don't think that really holds true now. You may not see him breaking down the wing and his style may not suit every game, but he can definitely be effective.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Margin_Walker" data-cid="557097" data-time="1454841055"><p>
Vunipola's conditioning is actually pretty good. He's never going to be a Kieran Read type in the wide channels as he just isn't quick enough.</p></blockquote>You sum up perfectly to me what is wrong with English Rugby: the pigeon-holing players for what they are and failing to see what they might be. Billy Vunipola could play a wider and more effective game if his training schedule was focused on more than weights, weights and more weights.<br><br>
"Never" is a self-fulfilling prophecy. I am yet to see a player who can't get fitter or quicker through a hard-work over time. Richie McCaw, Ma'a Nonu and Dan Carter weren't the most naturally gifted players, they achieve greatness through determination, focus and sheer hard graft. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="557100" data-time="1454841602">
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<p>You sum up perfectly to me what is wrong with English Rugby: the pigeon-holing players for what they are and failing to see what they might be. Billy Vunipola could play a wider and more effective game if his training schedule was focused on more than weights, weights and more weights.<br><br>
"Never" is a self-fulfilling prophecy. I am yet to see a player who can't get fitter or quicker through a hard-work over time. Richie McCaw, Ma'a Nonu and Dan Carter weren't the most naturally gifted players, they achieve greatness through determination, focus and sheer hard graft.</p>
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<p>Billy started off playing for Wasps at 152kg. He now weighs 126kg and I'm pretty sure he will have shown a little graft and determination to get there. Personally think that he's actually at a pretty decent combination of size, power and endurance to be an effective 'tight' 8 and carry well in heavy traffic. Josh Beaumont is in the squad and is far closer in skill set to Read and will likely get an opportunity at some point.</p>
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<p>The three players you mention are all fantastic players, but I'd argue that Nonu is the only one that has gone through any profound transformation. McCaw and Carter were immensely talented from the start. Of course they improved, but I'd say that Billy has also improved since his first cap.</p> -
Carter started off as a half back, then a midfield back before switching to 10 and kept adding to his skills set.<br><br>
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Richie McCaw was far from a natural talent but had a massive hunger to learn and constantly reinvented his game to stay ahead. See what Steve Tew and Steve Hansen said on his retirement:<br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="
The key thing was that they had in coaches like Robbie Deans, Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen, guys with a Growth Mindset who always challenged them to be the best they could possibly mean. Time will tell if Eddie Jones will get the best out of the likes of Billy Vunipola and other talents in his squad (England could win the 2019 World Cup if they have a coach able to get the maximium out of their players) or whether they will rest in contentment with narrow, dour wins away to Scotland. -
Early days with Eddie, so while not ecstatic with another dour, narrow win I'll take it. However I expect quite a few changes for a home match against Italy. <br><br>
Current centre pairing and back row doesn't work for me and if Eddie isn't prepared to take a few risks against Italy, then I can't see when he ever will. -
Well 13-10 ahead at halftime with this lineup will do me.
