My sentiments exactly!!!!! (See article - England's second raters...etc)

I agree with most of the points you raised. However, i am looking really forward to watching the SA vs Eng pool game. The result will tell us a lot. We actually have not seen the Eng top team play the SA top team this year. Therefore, we really don't know what will happen. It may come down to goal kicks and if Johnny is on form - who knows? The major problem i see with both teams is that they have not played their first team combination consistently to get momentum before the world cup. SA would have to have the slight edge since they have played their top team in two Tri-nation games. However, losing one game and winning one game leaves doubt on a certain win against Eng. If the conditions are wet and it becomes a kicking game then its not impossible to see Eng through to the quarters and not face Aust but Wales, who Eng may feel they have a great chance of beating and advancing to the semis. In the Semis I think Eng will still fancy their chances against a French Side esp if the forwards are up to it and J

Although its always premature to write any team off, you just cannot expect england to beat the boks in their current form. The boks are strong enough to topple NZ, Aus, France... SA have been holding back this year, the loss to NZ in the 3N was a close encounter, and thereafter with their second stringers they took the game to OZ and NZ away right to the wire. Unless England can find some serious form and really fast, it's going to be early showers for them.

The posters above both use the if word a lot...if the forwards front up etc. But the biggest "if" is the one around Johnny. The back line is stagnant and his line kicking poor. He's not found his form, simple as that and it shows throughout the performances. Ashton had his best XV on the field last week and we were at home. Worst still, even the dumbest coaches will have worked us out now. Feel very nervous...

I believe England can never be discounted - if they play their game they are well capable of knocking over a big name like SA, but in any event i dont see them getting even a sniff at the final

Ozzie - the thing about England is they simply need to get the lineout and scrums dominant, get the forward drives operating and WIN set piece ball. Keep it tight and rumble. Won't matter what the other teams 'know'. The english are big men up front well capable. But if they cant get any forward domination or get turned over on the ground - it will be ugly for the English!

Also the English need a running number 8, someone who can see where the forward drives are going, when to disengage and what the opposition backs are doing, if England can get the 8 the half back and 1st five operating in unison behind a dominant forward pack, they can position the outside backs to start scoring some tries. I reckon that is the key area (for attack) for England.

How funny this article reads now with hindsight... we beat the australians, and the french, and the blacks are out to a team we beat... so much for your chosen final contenders.. Just goes to show with sport of any kind, you just never know!!! :D