England dispatch Fiji at Twickenham

I always love coming on here and being told what I 'really thought'. The 'weightier' matter was the complex history of colonialism, that ignorant yahoos, for some reason, think is relevant to current rugby issues. You then provide an analysis that a 12 year old would be embarrassed about - sort of proving the point. Notice you didn't bother to engage with the rugby issues. Sums it up really.

I agree, Perthstayer, that good will come out of this, for England, in the medium-term, in that the depth will be improved. It doesn't help with the short-term goal of winning all the current series of matches, though. I still think that, for example, the XV that took the field in June will be stronger than the XV that takes the field in a couple of weeks, but you're right, looking beyond this series, Jones will be pleased.

Timbo - I'm a day late in responding but in stronger I was referring to depth. England are down to 3rd choice 2nd row yet are still playing guys who would get into most international teams. This also goes for their wingers (Rokoduguni will not play vs WBs). Open side remains an issue in the eyes of those that think a 7 is a fetcher, but England isn't playing that way. Bizarre to think England now even have "spare" centres.

Well...that all got a bit out of hand.

There are some proper nut jobs on this site it is supposed to be an opinion about rugby!

"I was referring to the tendency of one or two of the weirder posters on here to throw in adolescent, ignorant comments relating to the complex history of colonialism whenever English rugby is mentioned." No you weren't timbo. You wrote; "When you decide, for no reason, to reveal that you don’t know anything about weightier matters," Which implies that you know something that us 'not-as-smart-as-timbo' rugby folk don't. The history of English colonialism is not complex. They discovered, they conquered/subdued the locals and they made profit - the same as every other colonial power. That is not a weighty matter at all. It is history and your statement is not an answer to the question at all. It is deflection. Are there actually any 'weightier matters' or did you just make it up?

England are way too good a team at the moment. Eddie Jones has made a massive difference. From what I read when he first took over he mentioned the fitness levels were not up to standard. From what I've seen from England so far they are probably on the same level as ABs.

They dont get paid much playing for Fiji! No wonder Fijians such as Kerevi, Kurudrani, Naivalu, Koreibete, Speight and Naholo decide to play for a country other than the one they were born in.

Haha, that's brilliant, right on cue, SP crawls out from underneath his rock and perfectly illustrates the point. Cheers SP, knew I could rely on you to be a bitter little Herbert.

'Care to enlighten me?' I was referring to the tendency of one or two of the weirder posters on here to throw in adolescent, ignorant comments relating to the complex history of colonialism whenever English rugby is mentioned. Regarding Fiji the hypocrisy from many Aussies on here is astounding. The financial arrangements for the June and November tours are well established. The home team pays for the visitors expenses and keeps the gate receipts. England decided to give extra to Fiji even though they didn't have to. Australia, from what I understand, keep to the letter of the agreement even if they're playing the Somalian child poverty XV. What you seem to want is for England, but only England, to share their gate revenue with visiting teams. Still thanks for providing the link to the incredibly generous offer by the ARU to allow Fiji to play in their minor club competition that attracts 3 men and a dog to the matches (the Fiji team being funded by World Rugby of course with not a penny from the ARU). I suppose having even more Fijians nearby may make the Cheika recruitment policy for the WBs even easier. It might also boost attendances for a seemingly unpopular competition. Wow; the Nobel Prize for Pulver must be on the way.

"When you decide, for no reason, to reveal that you don’t know anything about weightier matters," You give the impression that you are au fait with these weightier matters. What are they? Tell us your secret, insider info. Tbh, I don't really think there are 'weightier matters' any when it comes to deciding whether a rich rugby nation (the richest i believe) decides not share jointly generated income with a (very) poor one. I could well be wrong. Care to enlighten me?

I understand they (the RFU) don't have to give anything but its a shame they're not. Ethically, you are right imo. Especially as the RFU supposed to be the richest Rugby Union on earth. However, all nations (not just the poms) who make money playing Fiji and the other small nations should give a decent % back. Though I doubt any other nation except England could generate such huge gate takings from a game.

Don't know about a cheque but the Fijians are waiting expectantly to join Australia's NRC next year; http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/fiji-to-join-australias-national-rugby-championship-in-2017-20161013-gs231r.html There are already a few Fijian players playing for NRC sides but this will be a Fijian only side.

I don't think England are stronger than they were during the whitewash, PS. They've lost their first choice lock pairing; their first choice wingers; and are down to about their 5th choice open-side.

Geez, SP, did a pom take a girl you were after when you were a spotty adolescent? (I'm assuming, despite the way you write, you're not a spotty adolescent anymore). None of my business, but, rather like cuw, I've always reckoned folks will forgive people talking nonsense about sport on a sports' blog. They'll just assume you don't know anything about rugby (in this case). When you decide, for no reason, to reveal that you don't know anything about weightier matters, though, people might start to get the impression you're a bit thick. It's the reason I've yet to share with the world my view on the life-cycle of the Patagonian dung beetle. I don't know anything about it, you see.

I see your knowledge of politics and history is as deep as your knowledge of rugby, cuw. I'm sure the Fijians are waiting expectantly for the massive goodwill cheque to arrive from the ARU. Apparently, this generos (sic) donation is 'in the post'.

NO Dreadly , he is right. he is referring to the fact that the host nation does not have to share the gate with the visitor. but then that is how UK has been for centuries , sucking out the resources in the name of COMMONWEALTH> they have behaved just as the British Gentlemen do walking down a street; they see a poor beggar with a hat , so they throw a penny , nothing more nothing less. They dont know the meaning of being generos!

Oh dear. Unfair? A hatred of all things english? Confirmation bias? I'm interested to see how more precious the dentally challenged can get. A whole lot, i reckon. But you're right. It really is a bit much for the "worlds richest" rugby union to help out smaller nations they exploit. Hard to change 300+ years of history overnight. Surprised they were generous enough to give the Fijians less than 1% of the gate.

Nothing wrong in what he says. Your personal attack on him indicates you know he is right.

Looking forward to it.