Heartbroken by Ireland’s tragic crash-out last week, I forgot about putting up a new post yesterday. So this is a rushed affair.
Further reading
Don’t miss Deebee’s analysis of the quarter-finals, or Utnapistm’s predictions for this weekend.
On the telly this week
Friday 25th October
| Ulster v Cardiff | 19:35 | S4C / Premier Sports 1 |
| Munster v Ospreys | 19:35 | TG4 / Premier Sports 2 |
| Bath v Exeter | 19:45 | BT Sport 1 |
Saturday 26th October
| England v New Zealand | 09:00 | ITV |
| Dragons v Glasgow | 14:45 | Premier Sports 2 |
| Gloucester v Wasps | 15:00 | BT Sport 1 |
| Treviso v Kings | 15:00 | FreeSports |
| Connacht v Cheetahs | 17:15 | TG4 / Premier Sports 1 |
| Zebre v Leinster | 17:15 | Premier Sports 2 |
| Edinburgh v Scarlets | 19:30 | Premier Sports 2 |
Sunday 27th October
| Wales v S Africa | 09:00 | ITV |
| Leicester v Saracens | 15:00 | BT Sport 1 |
Ovally Balls 
Curry and Underhill really putting in a good effort. Take the points.
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Need this.
Probably not enough but its essential if we have a sniff
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Saes flankers are pwning the ABs. Cane will have to come on very soon.
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Least attacking ever done in a half by NZ?
Should be more than 10-0.
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Will 10 be enough? Maybe.
England making the ABs look distinctly off colour
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Great kick. Eddie now has a big call. Farrell is busted. Need to hand Ford the reins, move Tuilagi in one and bring on either Slade or Joseph.
NZ need to get a foothold in the game (not entirely sure how*). 10 points is nothing if they get some possession.
*SBW is an obvious go-to, but ALB and, especially Goodhue, have been instrumental in preventing England from getting too far ahead. Coles and Todd should certainly come on early. Maybe Barrett to 10? and other Barrett to 15 (but again Mo’unga has been good). Hansen has some problems to solve at 1/2 time
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Surprising to see Saruman’s White Orcs beating the Black Orcs of Mordor.
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Wasn’t nervous at kick-off. Am nervous now. Great game so far. Still expect to lose, but making ABs working for it…
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Urukai thaum.
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This is horrible. The HOPEFEAR is killing.
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Looking at that disallowed Underhill “try” again, I now agree with FBC. Whitelock made the decision to come in on Curry and, although Sinckler ran behind Curry’s back, it didn’t impede Whitelock since he wasn’t trying to tackle Sinckler. Try should have stood, even though it looked very awkward
{although, I am not sure I fully understand the modern obstruction laws, so I might be wrong}
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Oh aye, Urukhai. Well, hopefully they won’t find the Ring.
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@Utna it was tight, but benefit of the doubt has to go to the defence if you run ahead of the ball. I’d be pissed off if England were the defending team and it was given.
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Underhill isn’t allowed to score against NZ.
Seemed fair enough. It was a mistake by us really as it didn’t really create the try as hed gone to the wrong man anyway.
Mugs game predicting what might have happened though.
Gone now. Need at least 15 points second half and to defend like demons.
30% chance I reckon
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What NZ need to do is have an argument at half time and put Finn on for the second half.
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Useless arse. What is he there for???
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Jaysus, but we must have worn these All-Blacks out last week.
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Nah, they are properly rattled. Panic passes, indecision under pressure. England have this (if they don’t let up or do something stupid)
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NZ are dropping so much ball in the tackle.
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Youngs is rubbish
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That could be game over
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Oh that makes things interesting. Youngs is useless, right?
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Always said LFB was quick from the base.
*whistles innocently*
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No try
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Knock on.
We are fecked
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TMO to ruin the fucking game again!!!
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Bullshit bullshit bullshit
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Its correct. But a nightmare.
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Unzud off the hook again.
Both correct calls but unlucky for England
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Hansen must have a shedload of lucky cats.
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That’s an awful, marginal call.
If that is the line they are going to ref at them the game is in trouble.
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Tiny tiny thjng. England will be choked if they blow this from here.
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TBH NZ really don’t look like producing much
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NZ have done nothing to build themselves into the game. Just thinking that things will happen for them if they step and pass. England’s punishing defence and great set piece has them all at sea. Unless they get a miracle breakout try*, and soon, I don’t see a way out of this for NZ
*not all that unlikely, given that it is the ABs
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Card-magnet Cole on for Sinckler.
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Curry having a great day
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It is technically the right decision. And that’s what the TMO’s there for but still …
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Take the points this time.
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Why is the clock stopped so much?
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I’m calling it now: Dodgy Sushi on Wednesday night.
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Nige having a great game. Island of calm in the whirlwind and totally in control. Disappointing lack of one-liners though
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Nonu?!
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Czech telly called it right. They know their Tanas from their Ma’as.
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Hansen making mistakes with his subs imho. Would have retained S Barrett and subbed Whitelock for Cane. SBW should be out there already
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13 points could still be a stressful lead to hang on to…
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Proper pressure. England all over the kicking game.
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Could be? Could be??
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@Refit – it’s so much more exciting than if it was, say, 15…
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Slade you dingbat. Please say there were arms.
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Great defence by England.
Beauden Barrett taking a lot of bad options
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