25 Nov: RLWC2017 (Semi Final): England v Tonga - Match Thread

[marklaspalmas]

3 minutes ago, Lowdesert said:

We we haven’t won tournaments for a long time is the result of more than one reason.  

Were in the final with a shot at winning it.  

Mate, I was 3 when GB last won the WCF. I am chuffed we have a chance to win it back next Saturday.

But all this '"great result" stuff? We were in total command for 70 odd minutes and came within a spit and a fart of conceding 24 points in 7 minutes to lose. In a World Cup semi-final.

[jacksy]

Their first try is scored after Fifita obstructs our square marker. Their second off a forward pass.

[Old Frightful]

1 minute ago, deluded pom? said:

And you and me would have exploded if he goes to VR and Thaler gives a try.

He wouldn't have, he's English. 

The replay in slow motion showed what couldn't be seen for certain in real time, surely even Thaler would have spotted that.

[CGD]

Still can't get over it.

The escalation.

I went from Pangai Jr's try, "Ok, they got a consolation try, England couldn't nil them."

To THAT JT13 BREAK and Lolohea try

*OUTER BODY EXPERIENCE*

[Old Frightful]

1 minute ago, marklaspalmas said:

Mate, I was 3 when GB last won the WCF. I am chuffed we have a chance to win it back next Saturday.

But all this '"great result" stuff? We were in total command for 70 odd minutes and came within a spit and a fart of conceding 24 points in 7 minutes to lose. In a World Cup semi-final.

Uncanny.

Were you sat next to me? 

[Wolford6]

The Aussies will have really really enjoyed two teams knocking seven bells out of each other. We know the Aussies will be in much better physical shape than England next week

[marklaspalmas]

Please let's not kid ourselves.

We got out of jail at the end. The players should be livid with themsleves for getting into that situation.

So close to undoing all the good work.

I don't think it will have much bearing on next week though, so hey ho!

[deluded pom?]

2 minutes ago, Old Frightful said:

The replay in slow motion showed what couldn't be seen for certain in real time, surely even Thaler would have spotted that.

Cecchin managed to see it OK in real time.

[marklaspalmas]

1 minute ago, Old Frightful said:

Uncanny.

Were you sat next to me? 

In mind & soul, aye.

Always mate.

[Exiled Wiganer]

I think that the last 8 minutes of a game and a semi like that can be pretty much entirely discounted. We were home and hosed, and switched off as a consequence of a job well done and the biggest game of our lives next week. Against a talented side, with nothing to lose and a licence to throw the ball forward, these things happen. If we are ahead on 70 minutes next week, we will continue as we did for the first 70 here and defend like our lives depended on it. 

So much to build on and look forward to. Our fitness and sharpness were a thing to behold. If Roby has to play 80 next week, so be it. Fantastic work across the side, with even Bateman contributing in attack, and Hodgson looking much more like it. We need to be fitter and sharper than the Aussies, because we lack their skill. Our physical preparation looks spot on - the cover defence was wonderful. 

[Exiled Wiganer]

Having said that, at one point I began to wonder whether this is what it felt like being a Wire fan against Saints in days gone by. 

[marklaspalmas]

1 minute ago, Exiled Wiganer said:

I think that the last 8 minutes of a game and a semi like that can be pretty much entirely discounted. We were home and hosed, and switched off as a consequence of a job well done and the biggest game of our lives next week. Against a talented side, with nothing to lose and a licence to throw the ball forward, these things happen. If we are ahead on 70 minutes next week, we will continue as we did for the first 70 here and defend like our lives depended on it.

That's hilarious. Do you really want the full list of every game we've blown in the last 10 minutes internationally? We did a full series of them v the Kangaroos not that long ago.

 

[Northern Eel]

34 minutes ago, JohnM said:

...and the clear forward pass in the previous try?

Exactly. Last second try or not, the hideous forward pass that started the comeback isn’t being challenged as much as the try that wasn’t. 

[Just Browny]

4 minutes ago, Old Frightful said:

Uncanny.

Were you sat next to me? 

I wouldn't have dared fart in those last ten minutes, stomach was far too unsettled.

[Wolford6]

That crowd was ultrafantastic. I was nearly crying.

[Old Frightful]

1 minute ago, Exiled Wiganer said:

Having said that, at one point I began to wonder whether this is what it felt like being a Wire fan against Saints in days gone by. 

Just ignore this JB, Dave T and the rest of the Primrose and Blue..

It was totally uncalled for and I feel your pain.

[Old Frightful]

6 minutes ago, deluded pom? said:

Cecchin managed to see it OK in real time.

He managed to get the decision correct in real time.

That's slightly different.

[Cumbrian Fanatic]

Now my pulse has returned to normal I can collect my thoughts.

For 70 minutes that was an excellent performance, the defence was superb and many players, some much maligned on here, had their best game of the tournament and our completion rates were getting up towards where they need to be. I thought James Graham was absolutely immense, Widdop, Walmsley and Whitehead were outstanding too.

The last 10 minutes were real heart in the mouth stuff, I think we clocked off when Bateman scored and you really can't do that I think Bennett will be absolutely livid with them and rightly so. Even when Tonga scored to make it 20-6 we had the chance to just lock it up and control the game, but as an old coach of mine used to say, you should never switch off in a game because when you need to switch back on again its too late. Tonga could easily have nicked that, I thought the last play was a loose carry but it could easily have went the other way and after playing well for 70 minutes that really is unacceptable

On a brighter note, I don't think we will switch off against Australia because we will never be 4 scores up.

Can we beat Australia? well 9 times out of 10 or even 19 out of 20, no, but if this were a boxing match we would have a punchers chance. If we can play 80 minutes take our chances and make Australia work harder than they have had to for a long time we may pull off that 1 in 10 (or 1 in 20) chance.

Straw clutching? probably, but you've got to hope

[Maximus Decimus]

The important thing is we're in the final.

Sometimes you just have to accept what happened and enjoy it. It was 8 minutes of madness, I don't think it is comparable to defeats to NZ and Aus.

[GeordieSaint]

What the heck was McGilvary doing at the end? Not only did he drop the ball but he was up against a prop who was covering... pin your ears back son!

[deluded pom?]

2 minutes ago, Old Frightful said:

He managed to get the decision correct in real time.

That's slightly different.

What more do you want a ref to do? Do you think it was a lucky guess?

[Dave T]

2 minutes ago, Old Frightful said:

He managed to get the decision correct in real time.

That's slightly different.

And of course it depends on your view - for me it was the definition of a 50.50 call.

[roversbaz]

18 minutes ago, Wolford6 said:

I feel for the Tongans. They were on the receiving end of some tough decisions. Maybe they interpret the rules differently in Australia.

Having said that, if it was boxing, England would have won on points, whilst bent over the ropes taking a hiding when the bell ended the last round.

Plenty of battered bodies to patch up before next week. I don't think O'Loughlin came back on and Hodgson looks a goner.

Are you mad? Explain which decisions where tough? The huge forward pass for their second try? Rubbish from you.

[deluded pom?]

1 minute ago, Dave T said:

And of course it depends on your view - for me it was the definition of a 50.50 call.

Was it the right call in your opinion Dave? Would you have been happy if it goes to VR and Thaler gives it?

[Maximus Decimus]

1 hour ago, Wiltshire Rhino said:

England look like they're going to complete an 80 minute performance 

Posted on 72 minutes.

Going back through this thread is very entertaining. Well only because we still won!