It was...but its a perfect storm for the Aussies isn't it, a chance to avenge 2003, or maybe as simple as knocking the poms out in their own back yard. Stuff like #bringithome and #carrythemhome possibly get's on everyone else's wicks after a while? I also think the players had a lot of emotional damage from last Sunday as I think they wanted the points in the back from last week and could absorb the pressure this week.
I've watched a few games from the southern hemisphere on Sky and they certainly throw the ball around a lot more, not really bothered about the set piece scrum, line outs and forward pushing. There is a lot of knock ons and dropped ball but overall it's a lot faster. On Saturday Oz were faster on defence, forced England to turn the ball over and beat them in England's strengths, the set pieces including scrums. Against Wales I think England switched off thinking that the game was over when all the Welsh players were broken with 20 minutes to go. Welsh had nothing to lose at that stage and went for it. Hay ho. Lets see how they respond next week in a 'easy' game with nothing to lose put their pride.
I don't think the typical fan was thinking that England were going to win, that was just press bullMarmite. The whole setup is a mess, the RFU is responsible for their attitude on player selection and their backing for such a rigid system of play. Lancaster will get the bullet, but the same people will be in charge.
It was on Facebook with the caption.England squad selected to watch the quarter finals.... England prepare for quarter finals[/QUOTE]
Re your quote "Every child gets a certificate" At my school we have a walking club before school...kids run or walk the oval and distances are recorded over the 20 week semester.I was flabbergasted to see kids getting certificates for walking 1.5 klms and......medals for walking more than 10klms!!!
On a similar note - at the match at St James Park one of the players said "sorry sir" to the ref. the commentators said that's something that's not been heard here in a game for many years . Footballers take a note.
