ENGLANDS FIRST TEST TEAM TO PLAY ALL BLACKS

[@stevieg8356]

Tommy Freeman is English!

[@DavidAnthony-m4s]

Hi, and a POM from POM (Port Moresby, PNG) - Stumbled across your channel by accident, and enjoyed hearing about your thoughts on the upcoming two-test series in "New Zillun" !! In short, most interesting and agree with your observations. I think we'll be more competitive than most Kiwi's are thinking, and may even be able to pinch the Dunedin test !! Forward wise, we have a fantastic back row, but I for one have big reservations up front. Our back line are just starting to fire, and are big and fast enough to match the Kiwis. Bring it on....

[@rodeo4786]

Gday mark NZder here yes I'm salivating at the prospect of the 1st test iand under no illusions England are here to play. and what better way than to start the new Abs Era then against a tier one side a big fan of captain Jamie George as well but mate I am very excited with the 2024 Abs under Robinson and his lieutenants I think in time they will have the.mandate to execute their style excited you bet

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Good on you mate and thanks for the comment. July is going to bring us all a feast of International rugby and there will be so many talking points I suspect. Enjoy.

[@jamesplumb4517]

English in Washington State... like the channel! Borthwick's done well to get us to the point where there's not a lot of debate about our best starting team. Cunningham-South and Martin have added some much needed 'go forward' up front, and the back 5 in particular look strong. Front row is an issue, with Cole and Marler clearly our best props, and a BIG drop off behind them. Back line has good balance, and some serious pace, just hope the 'new' rush defense has taken root, otherwise there could be some gimmes for NZ. Hoping we can give you a good game... Thanks for the content!

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Hola in Washington State, a beautiful part of the world. Some good points you make. I would add, I think discipline on both sides will be key, I will speak about that more in the preview video next week. Thanks for your comment and support. Both appreciated.

[@paulmulryne8405]

Great to see a Kiwi who knows English players beyond Itoje and Farrell! Great knowledge buddy. Agree with the team you reckon will start. We're going to get mullered in the scrum.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Thanks mate. It could be closer than you think.

[@darthmong7196]

Just out of curiosity, where is it you think Tommy Freeman is from? It's even a stretch to call IFW an import given he is British-born and qualifies for England with a parent.

[@BlueMoonday19]

Haha how the tables have turned. He did say he was joking but these are the same 'jokes' AB fans have been dealing with for years... some more valid than others but you know what I mean

[@Canvashed]

Expect NZ to win the series but expect England to give them a few tough matches with some real pace in the backline and more experience back 5. Interesting the stadiums that these tests will be played at, indoor and Eden Park. Says ABs want dry tracks and not give England any advantage in the possible wet weather like Wellington.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Great point on the grounds. Eden Park can be wet of course aka Super Rugby Final......Wellington is a bogie ground for the AB´s, they always seem to struggle there. As to the first part of your comment, lets re visit that after game 1.

[@BlueMoonday19]

Love it. Surprised I didn't bump into you while hunting out a bar playing the rugby when I was out your way! Great looking team, especially that back three and Smith at first five. Go on the Blacks!

[@peterrusell7533]

Tommy Freeman - born in Australia???!! Good video other than that.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Yip, got it, thanks mate

[@mattmasksforehead620]

Tommy Freeman was born in Oxford and went to school in Suffolk. Could you be confusing him with someone else?

[@insiderugbywithmark]

I am, thanks matye

[@martyngebhard7311]

Could be Dan Kelly who used to play for tigers ?

[@jameskitley7191]

Think you were thinking of Louis Lynagh, plays for Quins, Australian dad and Italian Mum so he's now playing for Italy at an international level

[@Dickie2702]

Mark what bit of Tommy Freeman is Austalian?

[@insiderugbywithmark]

His underwear mate :-)

[@Battosai84]

Cheers for these videos, I'm a Frenchman watching from Barcelona. I'd like to see a video or a section talking about marcis Smith, as you mentioned he can win you a game, but also lose you one. I have pretty much the exact same opinion, i think hes great, but misisng some composure, gets targeted and turned over a lot (both SN games vs France he got expised badly). Thanks again, and keep it up :)

[@BlueMoonday19]

Haha how the tables have turned. He did say he was joking but these are the same 'jokes' AB fans have been dealing with for years... some more valid than others but you know what I mean

[@Battosai84]

@@BlueMoonday19 hey dude, just checked the playlist (pressure drop) on your profile...love it! Haha

[@Battosai84]

@@BlueMoonday19 but back to rugby, what's your take on where NZ and England are atm, and predictions for the 2 games?

[@BlueMoonday19]

@@Battosai84 Sorry dude, that reply was meant for another comment. But yeah, love me a bit of pressure drop

[@BlueMoonday19]

@@Battosai84 I'm thinking England slight favourites and either they win the series or is a draw. Lots of new faces in the NZ team, new coach. They'll get there but just feel they're a bit underdone compared to the boys from up north 😎

[@johnrichards4097]

In terms of backs the starting side is now obvious and that’s a good thing. I think he should have Spencer and Roebuck but also Smith. Randall let himself down in his box kicking and I thought Roebuck showed against Japan what he could do.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Thanks for sharing your views.

[@peterweston189]

Mark, how is Tommy Freeman an import? Born in Oxford. Went to school in Northamptonshire. What am I missing?

[@DavidAnthony-m4s]

Good point, and I wondered / questioned that as well as even signed up for Leicester Tigers at sixteen....

[@kev63inuk]

Wondered also. Thought he was a Norfolk lad .

[@joelcamp5445]

I don't recall seeing Marcus lose a match for England or Quins!

[@darthmong7196]

Forgotten about the 50 pointer against France from last year huh?

[@joelcamp5445]

@@darthmong7196 No mate, but it wasn't his sole responsibility. Mark made the point that Marcus can lose you a match, as well as win you one. I don't think he's been responsible for England losing a match.

[@johnrichards4097]

In the forwards. Starting side is ok. It I worry about the front row. I would go back to having Marler and Cole starting be use the other can’t scrum. They need to stay on for 65 minutes. Also your replacements are just wrong. You need a second row. It will be Coles.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Thanks for sharing your views

[@peter636]

..Thomie frieeman born in Lagarine Island on the eastern equator ..moved to Engelund tto pley ruggbee..

[@johnrichards4097]

Just some feedback - be clear at the beginning whether this is what you think Should be the team or what you think the team WILL BE. It’s a significant difference. Personally trying to guess what Borthwick will do is pointless. Give us your view.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

43sec.......MY selection for the England team.

[@jimosulli]

Tommy Freeman isn't remotely Australian... where have you got that from?

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Mixed him up mate.

[@vinylrulesok8470]

Good 15. Pretty much who Borthwick should pick I think, but England scrum might struggle

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Thanks for your sharing.

[@robertwebster4098]

Tommy Freeman is not an Aussie. Born in Oxford and went to school in England.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

got it, thanks

[@DanR-1994]

England will 100% not select a team without second row replacements, especially with Martin starting. expect to see Coles on the bench over roots, 2nd row looks NZ's weakest area so England will be focusing on attacking the set piece with Lineouts being the way they'll stay competitive.

[@rekoawa5732]

Think you Nailed Mark.!!!

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Lets see, thanks for the comment

[@clivemitchell43]

Sadly i think England are going to be well beaten. Not just because of front row failings, for which you can't blame Borthwick, but also because of their tendency to leak penalties. If they can minimise the number of scrums and penalties, they may give the AB's a game.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Allow me to play devils advocate. What if the ABs get a yellow card or worse in the first 20mins, what do u reckon then?

[@clivemitchell43]

A close match! However England seem to have an ingrained discipline problem. They aren't dirty, just undisciplined. Anyway I'm really looking forward to the matches and I'm frequently wrong 😁

[@curly19650]

"Dane" Cole!

[@johnrichards4097]

By the way playing NZ DOESNT RAISE E20% its playing for England that does that. Can’t wait to be you in EP

[@robcherry-tn7oo]

Not sure who the new tighthead is Dane Cole?😂😂😂

[@clivemitchell43]

Can i make a request, lets put to bed the Tommy Freeman nationality posts, its all getting a bit repetitive.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Thank you Clive

[@jameskynge4757]

Amateur. Freeman isn’t Australian

[@rogerkirkham2119]

Unless 'Oxford, England' his birthplace is in Australia, Tommy Freeman is English!!!???

[@martinhowell7473]

So, same as last week save a couple of differences in replacements, and as you say we don't know what split Borthwick is going for. You've wasted my time, I hope your Nigerian fans appreciate being told the blinding obvious.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

You enjoy your rugby mate and keep smiling......you could after all follow your soccer team.....

[@BlueMoonday19]

Lol always someone else's fault.

[@richardjoseph9002]

'Imports'....! From a kiwi...!

[@petertaylor6479]

NZ will lose first test but win second, ABs are terrible in first tests of the year

[@zionnejaqzon4476]

lol, do you think so, that be an under statement assumption, this be new ball game for this AB's.with power and speed to burn..

[@nickc4033]

Calling IFW and Freeman 'imports'' (not sure if Freeman has ever been to Australia?!) , plus talking about "Dane" Cole - fairly embarrassing ignorance & lack of homework, mate...

[@Swannyjoe464]

Im nervous for Razor, his reputation is at stake here.

[@mattmasksforehead620]

Hardly. It's #2 vs #3 from the world cup, both teams having lost to the champions by a point. England have had a load of time together during the 6N and two years under Borthwick, while it's Razor's first game. Barring a complete washout in England's favour (which, let's be realistic, is not on the cards) there would be no shame in losing to this England side.

[@teezyizeazy6261]

No Manu?