All Borthwick needs now is a gameplan – Andy Goode
You have to credit Steve Borthwick for not being too conservative in his selection, now we just need the game plan to go with it and for the big names to stand up.
Marcus Smith’s inclusion at full back as a second playmaker is the biggest call but he had to ditch the George Ford and Owen Farrell axis and the Saracens man is the England captain so Ford and Freddie Steward are very unfortunate to miss out.
We’ve seen some big performances from the likes of Ben Earl, Henry Arundell, Danny Care, Ford, Steward and maybe a couple of others at this tournament and only one of those is in the starting XV for the quarter-final so it isn’t a selection based primarily on form.
That isn’t to say that the chosen ones are playing badly but some are definitely living a little bit off reputation and it’s time for some players who have been there and done it before on the big stage, such as Maro Itoje and Ellis Genge, to show their worth now.
Jonny May has scored a bucket load of tries for England in the past and it’s no slight on him but I think most fans and impartial experts are perplexed and disappointed that Arundell isn’t in the side.
Smith’s selection is fascinating because it flies in the face of what Borthwick normally stands for as a coach in terms of solidity and a safety first approach and, of course England can only focus on Fiji, but it looks like a horses for courses pick and not one that he would make for a potential semi-final against France or South Africa.
The perception is that the Fijians don’t kick very much and so Smith won’t come under as much pressure as he would against different opposition. In fact, their number of kicks in play is about average for the tournament but it’s fair to say they don’t usually kick to contest too much.
Maybe that will change now they’ve seen the opposition line-up but if they kick deep to Smith and allow him to survey the space in front of him, then it might just be a masterstroke from Borthwick to put him in.
It goes without saying, though, that relies on him being allowed to play with his head up and according to what’s in front of him. What we’ve seen so far is England following a certain template and if that’s the case again, there’s no point having him there.
England have kicked more than any other team at this World Cup, averaging 34 per game, and that can be a recipe for success against Fiji but only if they’re the right type of kicks.
One of the metrics that Borthwick loves most is kick distance but if you kick long and straight to Semi Radradra and Vinaya Habosi, you could be in big trouble. You have to either turn them around or put up the high bombs and get players around them.
Elsewhere, everybody knows Levani Botia is a huge threat to England and there are definitely messages that Borthwick will have been trying to get across to referee Mathieu Raynal in some shape or form.
Botia has just been sensational for La Rochelle for the past five years or more, at centre as well as in the back row, and he’s a menace at the breakdown. Raynal obviously knows him well from the Top 14 and that could work in Fiji’s favour.
We’ve seen a few referees officiating quite differently to one another at this World Cup but Raynal has issued more cards than anyone else and has the slowest ruck speed of any referee at the tournament, so there’s likely to be a battle at the breakdown.
That isn’t the type of game England will want to play, they won’t want to see a lot of competition allowed in that area and will want to get the ball away from the breakdown quickly. It’s a huge day for Tom Curry but he thrives on occasions like this.
Barring one or two tight calls, the likes of Ireland, France, New Zealand and South Africa have known what their gun team is for a while now. That just isn’t where England are at the moment so we’re seeing another new look starting XV in the biggest game for four years.
Borthwick has tinkered every game but England have the most experienced squad at this World Cup in terms of the number of caps and every single one of the older heads is in the match day 23.
There are 863 caps in the starting XV, with another half as many again to come off the bench, so it’s time for those established stars to put in a performance that shows why they’ve earned so many and that they still belong on the world’s biggest stage.
If you’d said a couple of months ago that England would be in a World Cup quarter-final against Fiji this weekend, everyone from Borthwick to the man on the street and in rugby clubs across the country would’ve bitten your hand off but they’ve almost bumbled their way to this stage.
The Chile game was an anomaly because of all the changes and the status and style of the opposition, the Argentina performance was good but limited because of the red card and the showings against Japan and Samoa left a lot to be desired.
All that will be forgotten if a big performance is forthcoming against Fiji, though, it feels like a new tournament and they might have been quiet so far but now is the time for Farrell and England’s other big hitters to really step up.
Comments on RugbyPass
Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments