Rugby Union down under.
Another England launchpad, - or is it?
All Blacks coach, Scott Robertson said.
“I thought England could have run the ball a bit more. They kicked it away a bit on the edge and we were quite relieved they did it because if they held on to it, we were a bit narrow and in a bit of trouble.”
Borthwick needs to consider his comment. “Experience in international rugby is really important.”
Experience can be a limiting factor if the team has only played kicking rugby. It cost England in the final quarter of the first test and again in the second.
Kicking when on the front foot, a legacy of the Farrell era, needs consideration. When the play is out wide, England's players succumb to pressure and kick.
A close loss can never be revisited. The game has gone! (NZ 24-17)
Ireland's win over the Springboks, having lost the first test emphasises the point. In 7 days, Ireland increased their defensive intensity, made enforced changes, never lost their self-belief, and bloodied some new players. Games can be won and lost in the first and last minutes.
South Africa was tactically wrong when it mattered. Often too deep in attack,it allows the drift defence room and time to move. Are they too obsessed with brutality? (25-24 Ireland)
Elsewhere it was 6 – 1 to the Southern Hemisphere.
Australia beat Wales narrowly and with a bit of good fortune.
Gatland says he is driven to improve the Welsh team. He may be driving for a while. (Aus’ 36-28).
Argentina recovered to beat a French team embroiled in controversy. One player dispatched back to France for a misdemeanour. Two further players were arrested for more serious allegations.
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(Arg’ 33 – 25)
Japan continues in decline, this time losing to Georgia 23-25. The message is don’t take the Georgians on upfront. Move the ball, win quick ball, re-align, run straight and keep repeating.
Samoa disposed of a spirited Spain 34-30 and Italy had a Pacific Island reversal, having lost to Samoa the previous week they bounced back to defeat Tonga 14-36.
Always good to feature two world-class performances. Firstly 25-year-old Marcus Smith. England’s precocious fly-half, he has languished in the shadow of lesser-performing 10s. He has variety in attack, is unpredictable, and has laser-like accuracy when kick passing.
Beauden Barrett, (NZ), arguably the best fly-half in the world, is now coming off the bench as a 15, usually after halftime. To be World Class you must be consistent and your technique beyond reproach, so when he went through a gap and had a two-on-one with England’s full-back, the outcome was inevitable. Composure and quality execution are the hallmarks of great players.
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Mike Penistone
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Ambassador for the www.asiacenterfoundation.org? a charity for disadvantaged children here in Khatu.
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AQA National Key Account Manager working with the largest multi-academy trusts across the country.
4 个月Always great reading your summaries Mike, and similar thoughts about England kicking ball away on the front foot in opposing half. I do think they have made progress in their attacking play, but not the confidence to keep possession for long periods and be patient. This is just the start for Razor, and I’m sure they will improve a hell of a lot in the next couple years - formidable.