Really suprised by the result last weekend, would have really thought England would crush SA. Seems like they had too much pressure making unusual mistakes. They must have played their final against NZ (too early!). Only Itoje Curry Underhill out of the water, the rest were complete garbage (Youngs, Daly, Cole, etc.).
To me big errors were also made by E. Jones, as much as he is competent. Bringing only two scrum half, because sub was injured in semi final so was forced to call someone back and thus couldn't take the risk of making him play on the final (too short notice) and thus had to leave Youngs on the field who was on a very terrible day. Moreover, bringing Slade on direct elimination games after no time play during pool stages was a mistake IMO, had a very average first game with errors (lost balls on contact), and he kept him on the bench for the rest and he did make the same mistakes on saturday losing the ball leading to Kolbe's try. I think it would have been interesting to rely more on Joseph but maybe it wasn't the best option either.
To be fair, usually totally dislike the drestruction rugby culture of SA, but I must say, those saying it was dull must remember that A) it was a final and B) the try on the blindside with Mapimpi/Ham was a complete beauty of flair and technique (instant pass by Marx, chip and chase, support, etc.).
Last try by Kolbe come from an error of Slade and you can't give him space otherwise in one vs one he is impossible to defend against.
Overall congratulations to SA, they played the right game with intelligence in line-outs, strong scrum, good defense, and relevant attacking choices. England has made a good tournament and can be proud of most of their games. Looking forward to the next world cup that will be at home!!
Really suprised by the result last weekend, would have really thought England would crush SA. Seems like they had too much pressure making unusual mistakes. They must have played their final against NZ (too early!). Only Itoje Curry Underhill out of the water, the rest were complete garbage (Youngs, Daly, Cole, etc.).
To me big errors were also made by E. Jones, as much as he is competent. Bringing only two scrum half, because sub was injured in semi final so was forced to call someone back and thus couldn't take the risk of making him play on the final (too short notice) and thus had to leave Youngs on the field who was on a very terrible day. Moreover, bringing Slade on direct elimination games after no time play during pool stages was a mistake IMO, had a very average first game with errors (lost balls on contact), and he kept him on the bench for the rest and he did make the same mistakes on saturday losing the ball leading to Kolbe's try. I think it would have been interesting to rely more on Joseph but maybe it wasn't the best option either.
To be fair, usually totally dislike the drestruction rugby culture of SA, but I must say, those saying it was dull must remember that A) it was a final and B) the try on the blindside with Mapimpi/Ham was a complete beauty of flair and technique (instant pass by Marx, chip and chase, support, etc.).
Last try by Kolbe come from an error of Slade and you can't give him space otherwise in one vs one he is impossible to defend against.
Overall congratulations to SA, they played the right game with intelligence in line-outs, strong scrum, good defense, and relevant attacking choices. England has made a good tournament and can be proud of most of their games. Looking forward to the next world cup that will be at home!!