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World Cup fatigue? Nobody told these England players
A Rugby World Cup is not simply six weeks of rugby, it is the end of months of preparation for the players, which can take a while to recover from.
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After reaching the RWC final, there was always a great fear that many England players would be physically and emotionally drained upon returning from Japan, particularly after coming so close to winning the tournament.
Just as there can be a hangover period for players that win the RWC, the losing finalists can sometimes suffer even more.
The most promising thing for England fans then is seeing many of the players show no signs of struggling upon their return to action.
Although a few players from Eddie Jones’ RWC squad had already returned, this weekend’s most recent round of Champions Cup fixtures saw a vast swathe of players play for the first time since losing to the Springboks.
World Rugby player of the year nominee Sale Sharks’ Tom Curry made his first appearance of the season against La Rochelle, while Elliot Daly made his debut for Saracens against Ospreys, where both received the man of the match award. Exeter Chiefs’ Jack Nowell also received the same gong, as he was at his elusive best with ball in hand against Glasgow Warriors.
Nowell not only has had to contend with the fatigue from the RWC, but a troubled six months with injuries. His performance at Sandy Park, particularly in setting up England teammate Henry Slade’s try, was the quintessence of all that the winger does well.
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https://twitter.com/Husker_Ju/status/1198613333257203722?s=20
Tom Curry is ??? https://t.co/x2IRSWetp6
— Philip M ? (@philipm90) November 24, 2019
These three players alone are an encouraging sign that the RWC did not take too great a toll on the players, and has only improved them if anything. Daly was able to show what a well-rounded player he is at Allianz Park, while Curry was everywhere against La Rochelle.
First start of the season for Jack Nowell, and he turns in a MOTM performance as part of a BP victory. Reasonable afternoon's work… https://t.co/B4rVAILkXG
— Ross Harries (@rossharries1) November 23, 2019
The Champions Cup is the closest club rugby gets to the international game, and England’s Jones will be pleased that there are no lingering effects on some of his players as he looks to the Six Nations.
https://twitter.com/k_iddon/status/1198295011143692289?s=20
Great win by @Saracens today. @elliotdaly was superb, played like he'd been with us for years. The Aber Valley Male Voice Choir were brilliant , thanks so much.
— Andy Huntley (@FredFez) November 23, 2019
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Saracens have still withheld some of their players, as will all clubs in England throughout the season. The biggest fear in England and Wales (as they reached the bronze final), will be player burnout, but the players’ form does not look like it dropped.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
50 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
50 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
50 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
50 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
50 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
50 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
50 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments