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England Schedule
vs South Africa – Saturday November 12, 10:30pm HKT
vs Fiji – Saturday November 19, 10:30pm HKT
vs Argentina – Saturday November 26, 10:30pm HKT
vs Australia – Saturday December 3, 10:30pm HKT
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This time last year England were in the doldrums having been bundled out at the World Cup group stage on their own turf. Then along came Eddie Jones. Under their new coach they’ve won every game this year – can they keep rolling through the Autumn Internationals despite an ever-growing injury list?
What to look out for
A clean-sweep. England have won all nine tests played this year and would love to complete a perfect calendar year after last year’s World Cup debacle. A clean-sweep here would also set them up to challenge New Zealand’s new winning streak record come Six Nations time. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves…
Strengths
Self belief. It ought to be a big factor with nine wins in nine games since Jones took charge. The progress of players like Billy Vunipola, now one of the world’s best No. 8s, his brother Mako, the loose head prop, and young lock Maro Itoje plus inside centre Owen Farrell bode superbly for England’s future. And there is growing strength in depth, too.
Weaknesses
Injuries are threatening to blight Jones’s immediate plans with eight or nine top men missing this autumn programme. There are back-up players but any team would feel the loss of locks George Kruis and Itoje, three or four first choice open-sides and both first choice wings.
Coaching situation
Eddie Jones has shaken up the whole England scene in the way only an Aussie could. Suddenly, England have won a Grand Slam in the 6 Nations and whitewashed Australia in their own back yard. But more work is needed by specialist coach Paul Gustard on their defence, on the evidence of the Aussie tour in June.
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Player to watch
Fijian-born back row man Nathan Hughes sat out last year’s World Cup, preferring to qualify for England. Now the Wasps man is available and a real find. Hughes has presence, big time. He is a powerful ball carrier who makes big yards going forward, ball in hand, and hits hard in defence. Sure to feature at some stage of the Autumn Internationals.
Best chance of an upset
England haven’t beaten South Africa since 2006 – the Springboks winning 11 of the last 12 with one drawn. That run will surely end this weekend. Fiji will entertain but lose, however an improved Argentina may push them hard in a battle of attrition. Probably the Aussies, humiliated by the Poms back in June, will go closest.
Prediction
Four matches, four wins for England – unless the Australians are on a revenge mission.
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to comments