A Supporters View on England v Samoa
This report is written by a fan who visited the game and has posted the details of their trip for everyone to see. If you want to write about your own RWC travels please post your story in the RWC forum.
We had a great trip to Nantes and I thought I would share with you all my thoughts on the whole experience!
The first impression you get When arriving in Nantes is that it cannot be France as all is so well organised. As soon as you hit the ring road there
are signs to the car parks, Firstly for those with tickets and then those without. You are signposted to a car park and as soon as that is filled the
sign is covered and another displayed. One disadvantage is that they fill the furthest away first and as time gets nearer mover closer to the stadium.
We arrived very early so were some way from the stadium. There were however loads of buses to take you to the ground and this is included in the price of the ticket. However if you care to walk as we did seeing as we were early and it was a beautiful day it takes about 45 minutes from the furthest car park. At the ground there are plenty of food and drink stalls outside the ground and there was entertainment from local bands whilst you waited to go in. The stadium is superb with uninterrupted views from all seats, if however they are on the small size. The atmosphere was as usual jovial and friendly.
When the National anthem was sung the hairs stood up on the back of your neck. It was Clare’s first visit to a game and she could not believe the atmosphere. The game itself was very fragmented due to what I thought was a poor display of refereeing and with no help from two inept touch judges who missed more than they saw. Why these days are refs almost compelled to consult on every try when the out come is very clear, and then they can get it wrong as in the case of the Somanan try? The England performance did not deserve the support they got from their supporters.
After the game the crowd disperses very quickly and the police were most efficient in clearing the roads of traffic. Well done the French for once,
for their organisation. As I saw the players.
Follow @trwcLewsey: Did not do much wrong but did nothing to remember his game by, caught out of position a couple of times. 6/10
Sakey: Apart from his tries he did nothing to remember him by. Does not have the confidence to try to take his man on the outside more. 6/10
Tait: An embarrassment to the side. Poor in defence and was completely overwhelmed by the opposition. Poorest player on the park.3/10
Berklay: Tired too hard because those around him were failing. Would have faired better with Farrell as he would have been able to off load to him instead of having to keep the ball. 6/10
Cueto: Did nothing to remember him by. He is that sort of player. steady but that is all. 5/10
Wilkinson: Blew hot and cold has lost his edge but does not admit it. His kicking from hand was poor by his standards. 6/10
Gommersall: The best of what we have got at present. 6/10
Sheridan: Had an enormous game with a few surging runs and one enormous hit 8/10
Chuter: Oh for a real hooker. Bring back Brian Moore. 4/10
Stevens: Did not notice him much but looked steady in the scrums 6/10
Shaw: Had a good game with some good line out work. Should have stayed on to the end 7/10
Kay: Was he playing? Perhaps because I did not notice him perhaps he had a good game. 5/10
Lewsey: Got through quite a lot of work Played in the similar manner to Hill. Usually last man up from the loose. 7/10
Easter. Had a very quiet game but did nothing wrong in controlling the ball. 6/10
Corry. Where would England have been without him. Played and inspired just like Johnstone. Deserved his tries. 9/10
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