7 Nov: Second Test - England v New Zealand (Olympic Stadium) - Match Thread

[JohnM]

An NZ win today will set  it up for  a decider next weekend...and will provide more ammo for the union-loving media whores.

[dkw]

I like to think Refs are professionals and call the game as they see it.

So do I, but I also think an Aussie ref who was brought up hating GB RL will almost certainly subconsciously go with his own country on snap 50/50 decisions. It's just human nature. And vice versa, though ganson made a lie of that idea ha ha.

[dkw]

I think our missing 4 are (and have been) more replaceable than Johnson and Foran. NZ really need to develop more halfbacks. Those two aren't always going to be available at international time. 

 

It reminds me of when Stacy Jones was injured and they threw a very inexperienced Lance Hohaia into the touring team.

Yeah, but we only have one island to pick our players from.

[redjonn]

Why do I get the feeling there'll be some dodgy decisions today and not in England's favour?

 

aaah the pre-game morning wobbles... when the nerves kick in for a game you don't want your own team to lose and yer get a bit pessimistic and focus on what can go wrong...

[Futtocks]

Yeah, but we only have one island to pick our players from.

Apparently, if you are born in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, you can choose which home nation to represent. Graeme Le Saux and Matthew Le Tissier in Football, Mark Cavendish in Cycling, Matt Banahan in RU, 

[dkw]

Dammit, that's another excuse gone.

[steef]

England just need to produce what they did in the second half of the first test for 80 minutes and they should be fine.

[Futtocks]

The rain's stopped.

[Futtocks]

I agree, but at the same time, centre and fullback are hardly areas of depth for us! Let's not forget that Benji Marshall was left out of the squad, and Kodi Nikorima is a halfback who has only been moved to hooker this year. They've got two halfbacks better than Lolohea and Hiku, Kearney is just choosing not to play them there. 

Nikorima replaces Lolohea for the second Test. Could be interesting.

[Wigansnapper89]

People on Twitter saying they are still outside queuing for their tickets. Hope they all get in on time

[Roughyedz]

nowhere near a sell out unless as said abover theres thousands outside still , reckon 35,000 to 40,000 there at the mo . . . .

 

It has filled up in last 5 mins now looks like near to 50,000

[Futtocks]

First good look I've had of the stadium with the floodlights inverted. Looks good.

[Bedford Roughyed]

Found a dodgy internet feed. Even bbc sports extra is geo locked to the USA.

[ehbandit]

It's still filling up by the look of it on tv

[JonNgog]

Do other sports have commentators intent on putting the game down by whinging about lack of atmosphere?

[johnh1]

It would help if they turned down the refs microphone.

[RLDave]

It would help if they turned down the refs microphone.

Or took his ruddy whistle off him!

[ehbandit]

I thought eddies nd stevo where bad!

[Futtocks]

2 all, but nobody looks dominant yet.

[Monkeydo]

Put an Australian in and it's got to be all about him! off ref!

[Futtocks]

Crowd noise increasing.

[Wolford6]

That pitch looks really narrow.

[johnh1]

Great defence. Magnificent.

[Hvy wg]

Oh England defence, what a beauty.

[jannerboyuk]

Come on England!