Sun 27th Oct: Men's International: England v Samoa KO 2.30pm (BBC Two)

[Mojo]

4 minutes ago, Damien said:

I don't think England were doing the same thing. Samoa were holding down for a ridiculous amount of time practically every tackle. I can't say I noticed England doing it for anywhere near the same amount of time. England were well on top too so didn't need to slow down the game like that. Samoa looked like they they were clinging on for dear life.

England weren't doing it as much as Samoa but there were a few tackles that England should've got penalized for. One was on RTS after the Skelton line break when RTS went up to play the ball and he got pushed back down by the English player to slow it down and the ref didn't call a 6 again. You can't tell me every English tackle was perfect all game. There were a few times they did slow it down but it wasn't many tbh but just because the samoans did a bit of it doesn't mean the English should get away with a couple.

[Damien]

2 minutes ago, Mojo said:

England weren't doing it as much as Samoa but there were a few tackles that England should've got penalized for. One was on RTS after the Skelton line break when RTS went up to play the ball and he got pushed back down by the English player to slow it down and the ref didn't call a 6 again. You can't tell me every English tackle was perfect all game. There were a few times they did slow it down but it wasn't many tbh but just because the samoans did a bit of it doesn't mean the English should get away with a couple.

As I said it wasn't noticeable to me England doing it. What was very noticeable was that Samoa could have been pinged about 4 times as much as they were. Maybe the referee thought he couldn't call these 6 agains for England when Samoa were still getting away with far more, and far worse, and should have had people in the bin.

[StandOffHalf]

44 minutes ago, Mojo said:

I've said in a previous post the ref let the samoans go a few times by holding the player down too long. But I also thought the Samoans should've got a couple of 6 again calls go their way when the English were doing the same thing. Samoa didn't get any six again calls all game. I do think the ref should've stepped in, stopped the game and have a word with Luai and say "if you slow down anymore tackles I'm putting someone in the bin" and that would've eliminated it straight away.

In terms of the game, I think Samoa put up more of a fight then the tongans last year. The tongans attack last year was terrible. All they did was 5 hit ups and a kick all game and it was too predictable for the English. Maybe that's why the 2nd game is starting to sell out. Fans wants to see a entertaining game. The Samoans bought a bit of flair unfortunately they couldn't defend one bit. I think we'll see a few changes for both teams. I know the samoan team will select the boys that didn't play game 1 to play this week. I hope it's a close game.

I totally agree with your first paragraph. When there is stuff that is against the laws it should be addressed, not half addressed. Otherwise, there will be repeat offenders - and the other team will catch on and do the same. It rather spoiled the first 40 for me.

I think Samoa can threaten England when they move the ball. Strong running and then two passes wide to spread the English line.

I'd probably be dropping Leilua. His flops weren't a great visual.  I liked Gordan Chan Kum Tong's spikiness and energy. I'd probably have him coming into the run-on team. Palasia could take Leilua's bench spot. I think he'd want to show the Leeds crowd what he's about ahead of joining them. One change I'd certainly hope to see is Talagi come in at #6. I thought Pauga went really well in the centres, and Milford was a bit off. I wonder whether Leutele can get in in the centres or even onto the wing. He has good hands and he scores tries.

The 17 I'd go with:

FB RTS  RW Mariner  RC Pauga  LC Tago  LW Leutele  SO Talagi  SH Luai  PR Molo  HK Chan Kum Tong  PR May  SR Nanai  SR Blore  LF Asiata

Vaalepu, Palasia, Tevaga, Milford

Edited October 30, 2024 by StandOffHalf

[StandOffHalf]

15 minutes ago, Mojo said:

England weren't doing it as much as Samoa but there were a few tackles that England should've got penalized for. One was on RTS after the Skelton line break when RTS went up to play the ball and he got pushed back down by the English player to slow it down and the ref didn't call a 6 again. You can't tell me every English tackle was perfect all game. There were a few times they did slow it down but it wasn't many tbh but just because the samoans did a bit of it doesn't mean the English should get away with a couple.

The thing is that in the English game messing around as the player gets to his feet is allowed. SL games will often feature a second push or interference not called up. It creates a lot of messiness. I agree on the example you cite, but I frankly wasn't surprised it was overlooked.

[Mojo]

1 hour ago, StandOffHalf said:

I totally agree with your first paragraph. When there is stuff that is against the laws it should be addressed, not half addressed. Otherwise, there will be repeat offenders - and the other team will catch on and do the same. It rather spoiled the first 40 for me.

I think Samoa can threaten England when they move the ball. Strong running and then two passes wide to spread the English line.

I'd probably be dropping Leilua. His flops weren't a great visual.  I liked Gordan Chan Kum Tong's spikiness and energy. I'd probably have him coming into the run-on team. Palasia could take Leilua's bench spot. I think he'd want to show the Leeds crowd what he's about ahead of joining them. One change I'd certainly hope to see is Talagi come in at #6. I thought Pauga went really well in the centres, and Milford was a bit off. I wonder whether Leutele can get in in the centres or even onto the wing. He has good hands and he scores tries.

The 17 I'd go with:

FB RTS  RW Mariner  RC Pauga  LC Tago  LW Leutele  SO Talagi  SH Luai  PR Molo  HK Chan Kum Tong  PR May  SR Nanai  SR Blore  LF Asiata

Vaalepu, Palasia, Tevaga, Milford

I think Josiah Pahulu will get a run in game 2. He's a very good Prop from the Titans. He'll probably replace Molo or Vaalepu. Or just put him on the bench over Milford and Tevaga can play that utility role off the bench.

[StandOffHalf]

7 minutes ago, Mojo said:

I think Josiah Pahulu will get a run in game 2. He's a very good Prop from the Titans. He'll probably replace Molo or Vaalepu. Or just put him on the bench over Milford and Tevaga can play that utility role off the bench.

Yeah, it's probably better to have three forwards on the bench.

I was a bit underwhelmed by Tevaga, but I don't know that you can leave him out of the 17.

Edited October 31, 2024 by StandOffHalf

[George Watt]

1 hour ago, StandOffHalf said:

 One change I'd certainly hope to see is Talagi come in at #6.

The 17 I'd go with:

FB RTS  RW Mariner  RC Pauga  LC Tago  LW Leutele  SO Talagi  SH Luai  PR Molo  HK Chan Kum Tong  PR May  SR Nanai  SR Blore  LF Asiata

Vaalepu, Palasia, Tevaga, Milford

As a Penrith supporter I would love to see Talagi at 6 who has been signed as the replacement for the departing Luai.

[Mojo]

1 hour ago, StandOffHalf said:

Yeah, it's probably better to have three forwards on the bench.

I was a bit underwhelmed by Tevaga, but I don't know that you can leave him out of the 17.

Tevaga I though tackled his heart out for most off the game, but I wouldn't play him at hooker. I would only put him there if Gordon is injured.

Samoa needs to play talagi at 6 to get his combination with with Luai going for the world cup.

[StandOffHalf]

8 minutes ago, Mojo said:

Tevaga I though tackled his heart out for most off the game, but I wouldn't play him at hooker. I would only put him there if Gordon is injured.

Samoa needs to play talagi at 6 to get his combination with with Luai going for the world cup.

I think it's quite likely that Milford will be retained, with Gardiner seeing him as an old head and a team leader.

Talagi has to be bedded in. I think now ought to be the time.

[Damien]

Samoa coach had no complaints about the ref anyway:

 

 

[Cumbrian Fanatic]

12 hours ago, Damien said:

Samoa coach had no complaints about the ref anyway:

 

 

I genuinely don't think they could have any complaints, in the first half a 6 again could have been given against them on nearly every tackle 

[Damien]

3 minutes ago, Cumbrian Fanatic said:

I genuinely don't think they could have any complaints, in the first half a 6 again could have been given against them on nearly every tackle 

Absolutely, they got away with far more than was given.

[StandOffHalf]

NRL 2024: England lose Dom Young, drop Tom Burgess as Samoa call up Jake Tago for brother Izack Tago | NRL.com

Izack Tago out; Jake Tago called up.

No Leutele is a bloody strange call. He should have been locked in the moment Tago went down. He would have added a try threat, familiarity with England, and ball-handling across the backline.

My prediction is that the only change in the backs and halves will be Talagi coming into the centres alongside Pauga. I think RTS and Mariner are obviously locked in, and I think they'll go with Skelton again. Milford to partner Luai.

I think that would be a conservative and somewhat disappointing selection. Talagi is the future at #6.

[StandOffHalf]

23 minutes ago, Cumbrian Fanatic said:

I genuinely don't think they could have any complaints, in the first half a 6 again could have been given against them on nearly every tackle 

It's not that they couldn't/shouldn't have been called, but the fact Moore went that way for so long.

[Mojo]

 

 

I feel like the nrl are doing more promoting of this series then the English on the internet tbh

[MatthewWoody]

7 hours ago, Mojo said:

 

 

I feel like the nrl are doing more promoting of this series then the English on the internet tbh

The NRL actually does more than the English to promote the International game. So it's not surprising.