Why do England fans sing Swing low,sweet chariot ?
My understanding is a group of school kids at an England game started singing it after England were down by a long way. They then started a comeback and the crowd joined in with the school. I'll see if I can find the story.
See @LenGlover's post above .. when I was a player years ago, putting obscene words to well known tunes, especially hymn tunes, was the done thing for a sing song after a game (and a nice shower/bath and inspection of injuries of course) .. Swing Low was just one of many and was known and sung at a lot, if not most clubs as post match beer was being sunk .. I suspect the reason why it's become a quasi anthem for England fans is no more complicated that that
predicted semi finalists .. England, NZ, SA, Wales .. nothing too out of the ordinary .. then NZ beat England and SA beat Wales in the semis .. NZ repeat their earlier win to take the cup yet again
I think there is going to be one surprise along the way - i wonder which one.?
could be Japan beating SA .. referees so far have either given Japan a lot of leeway or have just not seen their subtle offences .. midfield obstruction taking potential tacklers out of the game and obstructing kickers and chasers after a kick ahead, not rolling properly away at the ruck & maul, coming in from the side, very slightly forward passes ignored or not spotted time and time again, players chasing the ball from offside positions .. all sides try it on, Japan get away with a lot more than others. Their coach Jamie Joseph. The ex All Black during a game against England at Twickenham, deliberately stood on the ankle of England scrum half Kyran Bracken after Bracken had kicked ahead, a nasty unnecessary foul (see the Rugby Career part of the KB wiki entry) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyran_Bracken .. this was over 25 years ago, I have not forgotten and since then have wished a plague on Joseph and all his teams. I still feel the same. I hope Japan lose in the quarter finals
Agreed. I've called so many passes as forward yet they haven't been pulled up. Some have led to tries but not been reviewed.
For me, a few surprises in the England team to play Australia .. Ford and Kruis dropped, Farrell moves to stand off with Slade in the centre .. Lawes preferred to Kruis at lock .. also, so far as I am concerned, the older Vunipola preferred to either Marler or Genge at loose head prop
I reckon Jones has gone for a harder more defensive approach. I am a big Slade fan but Ford has had an outstanding tournament so far, as has line out specialist Kruis, though there again, Lawes is a terrific competitor. Manu Vunipola is not match fit and is an inferior scrummager compared to the other loose heads, he'll struggle in the scrum against a much improved Aussie front row .. as ever, we will see
Australia v England this weekend .. VERY strong side that is due to come right into form .. 15 Kurtley Beale 14 Reece Hodge 13 Jordan Petaia 12 Samu Kerevi 11 Marika Koroibete 10 Christian Leali’ifano 9 Will Genia 8 Isi Naisarani 7 Michael Hooper (captain) 6 David Pocock 5 Rory Arnold 4 Izack Rodda 3 Allan Alaalatoa 2 Tolu Latu 1 Scott Sio Replacements: Jordan Uelese, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Adam Coleman, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Nic White, Matt Toomua, James O’Connor
Whether we agree with the team selected or not, Jones has said it is horses for courses and he will have reasons for picking the 15 he has. We now have to wait and see. Looking forward to Saturday - I'm picking up my son from Uni for the weekend tomorrow, then will watch the Rugby then a trip to the Valley to see us collect three points (hopefully). If we get the right results in those two games, it will be a great weekend.
For me, a few surprises in the England team to play Australia .. Ford and Kruis dropped, Farrell moves to stand off with Slade in the centre .. Lawes preferred to Kruis at lock .. also, so far as I am concerned, the older Vunipola preferred to either Marler or Genge at loose head prop
I reckon Jones has gone for a harder more defensive approach. I am a big Slade fan but Ford has had an outstanding tournament so far, as has line out specialist Kruis, though there again, Lawes is a terrific competitor. Manu Vunipola is not match fit and is an inferior scrummager compared to the other loose heads, he'll struggle in the scrum against a much improved Aussie front row .. as ever, we will see
For me, a few surprises in the England team to play Australia .. Ford and Kruis dropped, Farrell moves to stand off with Slade in the centre .. Lawes preferred to Kruis at lock .. also, so far as I am concerned, the older Vunipola preferred to either Marler or Genge at loose head prop
I reckon Jones has gone for a harder more defensive approach. I am a big Slade fan but Ford has had an outstanding tournament so far, as has line out specialist Kruis, though there again, Lawes is a terrific competitor. Manu Vunipola is not match fit and is an inferior scrummager compared to the other loose heads, he'll struggle in the scrum against a much improved Aussie front row .. as ever, we will see
Leaving Kruis out is a big call. I had a feeling he would move Farrell at some point - Harsh on Ford though.
agree totally .. he's definitely gone for a 'tough guy' team and was obviously worried about big back rowers running at Ford and trampling all over him .. Australia have recruited a lot of big South Sea islanders and despite their indifferent form so far, this will be far from easy for England .. the Ozzies love squashing poms
The thing for me though is that the starting 15 is very quickly changed - most of the time, we get subs coming on after 50 mins anyway.
Ford has had a reasonable world cup so far against inferior opposition - but his want to kick virtually every thing was starting to get on my tits- run the bloody thing instead of giving the ball away in good positions all the time by kicking.
Farrell, Tuilagi, Slade is my preferred midfield but am surprised given Slades lack of game time and Ford been playing well. I guess Eddie thinks we will struggle with Kerevi running at Ford, so I'm fine with that.
Gives us good options off the bench as well with Ford to come on and provide another kicking option.
Australia gambling big time as well with Petaia at 13. Barely played there and certainly not for Australia, who he will only be playing his third game for. Big call. Talented bloke though.
I'm trying to pick my transfers in the Fantasy Superbru game this evening - at least we have all the starting line-ups this time around, but I really don't know what I'm doing.
Guessing that ENG, WAL, NZ, SA are theoretical favourites - Any tips/advice for player transfers or next round tactics most welcome from anyone that knows what they're doing.
Comments
I reckon Jones has gone for a harder more defensive approach. I am a big Slade fan but Ford has had an outstanding tournament so far, as has line out specialist Kruis, though there again, Lawes is a terrific competitor. Manu Vunipola is not match fit and is an inferior scrummager compared to the other loose heads, he'll struggle in the scrum against a much improved Aussie front row .. as ever, we will see
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50067955
15 Kurtley Beale
14 Reece Hodge
13 Jordan Petaia
12 Samu Kerevi
11 Marika Koroibete
10 Christian Leali’ifano
9 Will Genia
8 Isi Naisarani
7 Michael Hooper (captain)
6 David Pocock
5 Rory Arnold
4 Izack Rodda
3 Allan Alaalatoa
2 Tolu Latu
1 Scott Sio
Replacements: Jordan Uelese, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Adam Coleman, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Nic White, Matt Toomua, James O’Connor
Ford has had a reasonable world cup so far against inferior opposition - but his want to kick virtually every thing was starting to get on my tits- run the bloody thing instead of giving the ball away in good positions all the time by kicking.
Gives us good options off the bench as well with Ford to come on and provide another kicking option.
Australia gambling big time as well with Petaia at 13. Barely played there and certainly not for Australia, who he will only be playing his third game for. Big call. Talented bloke though.
Cmon France.
Much better.