GB were a class above NZ tonight in all aspects. The forwards in particular had a field day. Asotasi is the world's best prop we've been told so many times over the past few months. He wouldn't get in the GB side.
I appreciate that the NZ side is very weak and the backs, the back row and the bench will probably be replaced to a man for the World Cup, but they are going into the World Cup with no preparation now. This makes it absolutely guaranteed that Australia will win the World Cup, which is a shame.
Things are looking good for GB. The backline is probably set in stone, bar Senior (Hopefully) being moved out to accomodate someone like Ryan Atkins or Kirk Yeaman. The forwards were immense tonight, far too strong for their Kiwi counterparts, how many times have we been able to say that in the past?
A few points I noted about the match tonight. Who are the Kiwis going to bring in at half back for the World Cup? They are completely lacking direction and on the few occasions the pack made some ground, there was no chance they would score anyway as there is no creativity. Another is the difference in quality of the coaches. GB's Smith used Fa'asavalu twice for 10 to 15 minutes and he had an impact, especially in defense where he was outstanding. Compare with Kemble's usage of his impact prop Fui Fui Moi Moi. He is a player, like Fa'asavalu, who is there to have an impact on the game. He can't do this if he is playing for any longer than 15 minutes as he doesn't have the stamina to do it. So you get 5 minutes of concerted effort and 25 of hands on knees, him being a liability in defense and repeatedly tying his laces whenever NZ got the ball. Another was the laziness of the defense around the play the ball. If James Roby had played off the bench tonight, the score would have been 60+.
Where was the ferocity we've been expecting all week? Chalmers talks it up a lot, and people on here were telling me NZ would cut loose and smash GB physically. That bunch couldn't overpower my son's reception class, the effort is there but there is nothing in that side to worry GB.
I can't believe people are blaming the ref tonight. Sure he got one 50:50 wrong (Not penalising Gardner for holding back following his kick through), but that didn't cause NZ to ship the points following the drop kick. NZ won the penalty count tonight, which is absolutely ridiculous given the domination GB had over every aspect of the game.
Good to see some free-flowing moves from GB tonight, I thought they were superb. The half backs in particular excite me, probably the best duo GB have had in years. Burrow is turning into a fine player and NZ couldn't handle him or Pryce tonight.
