Some great guests talking about the big game. The build up in Ireland looks to be huge, reminds me of how it used to be in NZ during the 90s for home Tests.

If he's one of the top four midfielders in NZ, then it would be stupid not to select him. I doubt that he will be good enough though.

@siam As a loosie or a halfback?

Henshaw and Murray have both been ruled out of this weekend's game.

@bones A starting 6 or a bench cover for 8/6?

I think there's a chance that the loose forward trio at the RWC will be Read, Cane and Papali'i. None of the blindsides post Kaino have impressed and if Dalton can have a good Super campaign at blindside, it would be worth a shot to play him in the RC and see how he goes. We usually go in with a bolter at most RWCs, it could be him this time.

@taniwharugby Yeah I saw Stargazer's post and I agree with it if it's deemed to be a tackle. Just wasn't sure if this was a tackle or a ruck. Seems like it's a tackle.

Do you have any idea if they measure the offside from the offside line to where Lawes' right arm is or just his right foot? Cheers.

@taniwharugby I'm confused with where the offside line is tbh. My understanding is if it's a ruck, then the offside line is deemed to be at the hindmost point of your own player, but if it's a tackle then it has to be at the hindmost of any player involved. Not sure if this is a tackle or a ruck or whether it started of as a ruck and then became a tackle.

@machpants said in England vs All Blacks:

https://mobile.twitter.com/lathangie/status/1061333362370076674/photo/1

A more perpendicular line, but the hind most foot is a few cm left, you can see it blurry between lawes legs and 17's arm

Just wondering whether they take Lawes' right arm into consideration or do they just look at where his right foot is planted when deciding his position in relation to the ruck? I mean it's offside either way but he would be way offside if they measured it from where his right arm is.

I don't think Shag will be too happy with Ofa for just lying on their side of the ruck towards the end of the match just outside their 22. He made no attempt to roll away. Another ref could have easily penalised him for that and it would have been 3 points to them and game over. Terrible discipline on his part.