england v fiji

Even though I am a  Amazon prime subscriber( for other things, not sport), I've   yet to see the England v Fiji game. 

GPR - Rochester wrote: scarletpimp wrote: Even though I am a  Amazon prime subscriber( for other things, not sport), I've   yet to see the England v Fiji game.  Fiji, having comfortably seen off Tonga, Samoa, Japan, and given France a close game, maybe this result was not as big a surprise, bearing in -mind how poor England have been. Its going to work wonders for their confidence, and surely go in to the pool game against Wales as favourites. It may well be the we will need to look more to the Australian game as the key one for a place in the knock -out stages of WC ?  For those who have seen the game, I welcome your observations. I am hoping there will be some indicators where the Fijians may be vulnerable. I saw the game Pimp & a few things stood out for me about Fiji. We are all used to seeing them busting tackles & offloading brilliantly but they have changed their overall game. Firstly they are far more disciplined which is brought about in part by being fitter and of course by finally realising that handing decent opposition field position gets you nowhere in a hurry. Second point is that they seem to have found a reliable 10. Caleb Muntz at 23 is relatively new on the scene but he gave a very mature display in guiding his team around the field & a 100% goal kicking return is useful. The final stand out thing was the number of metres post contact they were able to make throughout the team.  Their scrum is solid & the lineout is the weaker part of their game; unfortunately Wales do not possess an efficient lineout so will be challenged to take them on there. The Welsh midfield & wings are in for a tough afternoon as they have power and pace to burn. They are going to be a serious threat in our pool and neither England or Argentina will fancy them in a potential quarter final.  As for England - it ain't pretty. A few years ago I thought that Itoje would go on to become one of biggest stars in World Rugby but his form has fallen off a cliff. England do not have the forward power to bully teams anymore, they lack control at half back & to my absolute shock I witnessed Freddie Stewart have an absolute mare under the high ball. Confidence is clearly at an all time low. For me if Marcus Smith was any other nationality he would be No 1 10 but England seem to think he's 3rd choice.

Big up to Fiji excellent result for them. However it was probably one of the worst games of rugby I have ever seen from England.
Fiji lineout was average at best but still England couldn’t dominate that area I think Wales will look to disrupt that area (if we can get a hooker to hit the barn door we might even win our own) the Fijian centred whist lethal in attack I thought were quite porous in defence. Radradra missed quite a few tackles through mid field but again England were woeful to capitalise.
I’m definitely more worried about Fiji than Georgia who seem to have nose dived in terms performance. Yesterday their scrum was smashed and appeared to have nothing to offer. Some good individual efforts but no where near the team they were last year.

Wil Chips wrote: Wales tactics should be.. Kick everything to touch. Disrupt the line out. Maul, maul and keep mauling until Fiji infringe. Repeat. Take every point on offer. Wales’ only chance of winning is to play a technically charged with an accurate kicking game. I don’t expect it of course, we will put our biggest pack and back line out and expect to win that way. Could get messy.

Their try defence was very disciplined that’s what impressed me most I think no offside for about 10 phases huge improvement from Fiji there.

scarletpimp wrote: Thanks for the above contributions everyone,  I will try to catch  up with the game later. I am very interested  in Will's assessment  of the way we should play,and it's probably  correct.  For years we have been kicking infield  and trusting  our rush defence.  It's now " horses for courses now  " really, so we have to adjust  tactics , if not could well be 'goodnight'  for Wales! The one thing now,  is that Wales go in to this game lower in the world  ranking than Fiji . In comparison  to when Alfie and Co, who infamously  lost to Fiiji ,playing a loose game, probably  against pre- arranged tactics , the result was  then a shock, it will be no shock now,  and Fiji will  start as favourites . It could mean we will be playing  the aussies for a place in knock out phase of the tournament !

I think Fiji are up there with the best in the world in keeping the ball alive in contact. England thought they could tackle them 1 on 1 running a blitz or hybrid drift/blitz - error.

You can forget trying for dominant tackles - get the players knees to the ground, get up pronto and get the next man.
There’s a case for Reffell at 7 and Jac at 6 ( 6 is a weak link for us right now).

Wil Chips wrote: I think Fiji are up there with the best in the world in keeping the ball alive in contact. England thought they could tackle them 1 on 1 running a blitz or hybrid drift/blitz - error. You can forget trying for dominant tackles - get the players knees to the ground, get up pronto and get the next man. There’s a case for Reffell at 7 and Jac at 6 ( 6 is a weak link for us right now).

I think Gatland picked Lydiate for the sole reason of playing against Fiji and tackling. 8 Wainwright unless we risk Faletau.

Wil Chips wrote: I think you’re right. Vintage Lydiate would do a great job. Todays Lydiate, I’m not too sure.

Wil Chips wrote: Wales tactics should be.. Kick everything to touch. Disrupt the line out. Maul, maul and keep mauling until Fiji infringe. Repeat. Take every point on offer. Wales’ only chance of winning is to play a technically charged with an accurate kicking game. I don’t expect it of course, we will put our biggest pack and back line out and expect to win that way. Could get messy.