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Courtney Lawes gives his take on England teammates' notorious celebrations
There were plenty of aspects of England’s game that were put under the microscope during August, but one of the most heavily criticised areas was not part of their playing style at all.
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Like it or loathe it – and plenty have fallen into the latter’s camp – but England’s overexuberant celebrations were much-discussed over the World Cup warm-ups, and many of the forwards carried that energy and enthusiasm into the opener against Argentina at the Stade Velodrome. England captain Courtney Lawes seems to appreciate this attitude though, saying how it “lifts” the team as they came away 27-10 victors in trying circumstances.
Context is key, however, for plenty of spectators. Screaming for joy at the sight of a not straight lineout while comfortably losing to Ireland in a warm-up was deemed excessive by many, but whooping and hollering every penalty as a 14-man England edged further and further away from Argentina to seal an odds-defying World Cup win has not been met with the same derision.
The context has not been a concern of England’s though, as they more or less played and conducted themselves against Argentina in the same way they did throughout the warm-ups, only better. That of course includes their NFL-style celebrations, which are typically led by the Saracens contingent in the pack.
After England’s win, Lawes addressed these infamous celebrations, saying: “I think we’ve got a few players that like to celebrate things. Boys celebrate things in different ways. I like to reserve my energy for other things, but it lifts us.”
But players can lift a team in different ways, and the blindside flanker noted the contribution of players like Manu Tuilagi, whose forceful midfield display had an equally uplifting effect. “I think the things that really get the team going is when boys step up and do the tough jobs really well,” Lawes said. “Like Manu stepping up, hitting hard, running hard, those kind of things. They’re the kind of things that really lift the team, and then the boys will get energy from that.”
This approach from the likes of Ben Earl and Maro Itoje can be a two pronged attack when it works. Not only can it stimulate your own team, but it can start to get under the skin of the opposition. Argentina’s discipline spiraled out of control in Marseille as the match progressed, and their raucous opponents may have contributed to that by erupting at every mistake they made.
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England take on Japan next Sunday in Nice, and though their celebrations have quite a polarising effect, it is clear they are here to stay.
Comments on RugbyPass
I 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)
43 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.
4 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.
43 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.
43 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.
4 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
6 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
6 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to comments