England v South Africa
Discussion
Pleased they won (didn't see it - not on froggy TV) but in some ways it might have been better had they lost. After the record-breakingly crap performance last week, another defeat might have finally spelled the end of that muppet Robinson. Instead now he'll be saying again how the team are rounding the bend and other fatuous trite shite.
oxford drinker said:
England were pretty dreadful until Vickery's try.... they held out pretty well after this. Too many basic errors, dreadful kicking, and phases of possession in which they went Better luck next week, guys.. 
It's not about luck. It's about applying the skills. Too many gifted points and/or possession, especially the kicking by the backs. Hopefully the win will give them the confidence to give a better performance next weekend (although I'll be working grrrrr).
fozzi said:
THANK GOD FOR THAT!!!!!!! 
a wins a win and thats all England wanted last Sat. Performance didn't matter one little bit (it was crap). We needed a win to build on and we got that. This team will now seriously in the spotlight for the next game and the result and performance become critical.
Dissapointed by the selection this time. Would like to see Moody at 6, Rees at 7 and Ward-Smith at 8. Jamie Noon and Ben Cohen have both done well and should be rested, coming in JSD and Anthony Allen. Really want to see Mathew Tait playing outside a proper 12. Not sure why Mears is playing either but the 2nd row is a great selection.
ewenm said:
20 minutes of good play followed by a hapless hour today. A complete lack of penetration and very static play. Changes are needed in the leadership.
yup agree..
but props go to the Bokke.... better display from them, particularly Janurie whom i don't usually rate terribly highly. Some of the youngsters played well as well, particularly Oliviwe (whose been knocking on the door for quite a while) and nice to see Andre Pretorious getting through a game without injuring an ankle!! (Also good to see Kasper de Villiers playing a tour of 80 minute matches
) England... heard Andy Robinson saying "if", "but", "should", "work in progress"..... not good enough anymore, how long does this go on.... no longer imho.
ewenm said:
Yep, the Springboks played much better this week and showed some promising players finally playing well. Will it be enough to save the coach?
I'm not sure... the knives have been out for Jake for a while now but the fact that the baby Bokkes played v well yesterday may be his saving grace.
He's had a LOT of stick over the last few months, and a load more about leaving some of his best players at home... ie Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Fourie, Montgomery etc... but i think this has been overplayed as some of the good ones did come over, Habana, Smit, de Villiers (so talented he makes me want to cry, jsut wish he'd show it a bit more often) etc.
If Jake White does stay in his job there are a few things he needs to do...
He needs to get a good centre pairing together, Olivier played v well against England yesterday but Kasper de Villiers is the main man and I'm not sure they're suited to playing together, at least not yet.. de Villiers plays v well alongside Marius Joubert for the Stormers and that might be something to consider in the immediate future, Fourie is another option. He needs to keep Kasper in his best position (12) and not ask him to play wing when it suits White, as I think it upsets the teams balance.
His foresight with players such as Steyn, Olivier etc has been good but there are too many who are being ignored from the Super 14 and particularly the Currie Cup. Players such as Watson and de Waal (whom I rate extremely highly) should be in amongst it in matches like the Autumn internationals to give them a chance to get used to internationla rugby but aren't being given the opportunity.
Lastly and most importantly for his job, Jake White needs to get the team winning away from home. They destroyed the All Blacks last year at home, they can play when they get their act together, but can't seem to put in convincing performances when away from SA.
Only time will tell, but they are moving qucker than England in terms of builing for the World Cup, especially when they are really building for 2011.
I'll shut up with the rambling now.... I won't even get started on England, I'd be here for hours!!
Edited by lizzieh on Sunday 26th November 17:05
Rob Andrew said:
"On behalf of the Rugby Football Union I am announcing that, further to recent England results and performances, Andy Robinson OBE is standing down from the position of Head Coach with immediate effect.
"The announcement is made with a great deal of regret as Andy has made a significant contribution to England during the six years he has been involved with the side.
"Andy played a significant part in England's Grand Slam, unbeaten tour to Australia and New Zealand and RWC success in 2003. He also recorded excellent wins against Australia, South Africa and Wales during his tenure as Head Coach and was always totally committed to the role. The RFU will always be grateful for his contribution to the England cause.
"Unfortunately, with the exception of the win against South Africa on November 18th, England's recent results have not gone the way that Andy, the players, supporters and the RFU would have wished for. Andy leaves with our very best wishes.
"The review of the four Investec Challenge matches will continue and I will be making my recommendations on the way forward for the team to Club England when they meet on December 7th. They in turn will review my report and make their recommendations to the RFU Management Board for their final decision on December 20th.
"We will not be making any comment about the appointment of a new Head Coach until we are ready to do so but all options will be considered.
"We will also need to take into account the work that has been going on within the RFU over the last three months over possible new structures for the professional game.
"These are in the process of being completed, with expert external advice, and we expect to be in a position to take proposals to the RFU Council in January 2007 prior to them going out to Premier Rugby Ltd and the game for wider consultation."
RFU Chief Executive Francis Baron OBE added: "I would like to wish Andy every success in his future career. He played a big part in England's success in 2003 and it is an achievement that I'm sure will always be rightly recognised."
"The announcement is made with a great deal of regret as Andy has made a significant contribution to England during the six years he has been involved with the side.
"Andy played a significant part in England's Grand Slam, unbeaten tour to Australia and New Zealand and RWC success in 2003. He also recorded excellent wins against Australia, South Africa and Wales during his tenure as Head Coach and was always totally committed to the role. The RFU will always be grateful for his contribution to the England cause.
"Unfortunately, with the exception of the win against South Africa on November 18th, England's recent results have not gone the way that Andy, the players, supporters and the RFU would have wished for. Andy leaves with our very best wishes.
"The review of the four Investec Challenge matches will continue and I will be making my recommendations on the way forward for the team to Club England when they meet on December 7th. They in turn will review my report and make their recommendations to the RFU Management Board for their final decision on December 20th.
"We will not be making any comment about the appointment of a new Head Coach until we are ready to do so but all options will be considered.
"We will also need to take into account the work that has been going on within the RFU over the last three months over possible new structures for the professional game.
"These are in the process of being completed, with expert external advice, and we expect to be in a position to take proposals to the RFU Council in January 2007 prior to them going out to Premier Rugby Ltd and the game for wider consultation."
RFU Chief Executive Francis Baron OBE added: "I would like to wish Andy every success in his future career. He played a big part in England's success in 2003 and it is an achievement that I'm sure will always be rightly recognised."
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