England warm up for World Cup with convincing victory over Wales
England Rugby’s World Cup preparations began with a comprehensive 33-19 victory at Twickenham that ended Wales’ 14-Test winning run.
The triumph was delivered against Warren Gatland’s strongest available side which numbered 13 starters from the Grand Slam-clinching victory over Ireland in March and prevented the visitors from climbing to the top of the global rankings.
The team have arrived at HQ ?#WearTheRose pic.twitter.com/cz6k3eRNV1
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) August 11, 2019
An experimental England team established a healthy 24-7 lead through tries by Billy Vunipola, Joe Cokanasiga and Luke Cowan-Dickie that survived touchdowns from George North and Wyn Jones.
George Ford, captain in the absence of Owen Farrell, finished with 15 points in a perfect afternoon from the tee and there was the successful return from a 17-month Achilles injury lay-off for Anthony Watson.
Wales have not won at Twickenham since the last World Cup and never looked like ending that run to spoil the occasion of skipper Alun Wyn Jones becoming his nation’s most capped player.
The rivals’ first Test of the summer was played at a frenetic pace and the physicality took its toll as the outstanding Tom Curry departed in the first half nursing a damaged shoulder and was followed off by Wales playmaker Gareth Anscombe, who had an issue with his right knee.
Curry’s injury was particularly worrying after fellow openside Sam Underhill was withdrawn from the starting XV because of a toe injury.
Underhill was one of three players to pull out on the eve of the match, contributing to a disrupted build-up that also saw Ben Te’o and Mike Brown removed from contention after clashing during a social event in Treviso last week.
But there was no evidence of squad tension as England made a bulldozing start with Vunipola following up a muscular carry with a second that somehow ended with him touching down despite being surrounded by red shirts.
Curry, Cokanasiga and Watson also made early dents and when Curry charged down a sluggish clearance by Gareth Davies, a second try beckoned.
It was almost scored by Willi Heinz and the Gloucester captain should have passed to Jonathan Joseph, but England were just inches short and Cokanasiga drove over.
Watson saved a certain try by scything down Justin Tipuric as Wales staged a thrilling counter-attack through Anscombe and that raid had the effect of stirring the Six Nations champions.
England had a hand in their 24th-minute try, however, as Vunipola and Heinz parted when Davies broke from a scrum near the halfway line and the scrum-half sprinted ahead before evading Elliot Daly to cross.
But for greater accuracy at the final pass, Wales would have scored again as England endured the familiar sight of their early onslaught running out of gas.
A disastrous line-out undid much of the visitors’ good work as Ken Owens sent the ball over the hands of Alun Wyn Jones and into the path of hooker Cowan-Dickie, who scored an opportunist’s try.
The lead grew to 24-7 through a Ford penalty but England were picked apart too easily at a line-out, enabling North to power across the whitewash from short range.
The tide was turning, hastened by England giving away a succession of penalties, and on Wales’ next attack they hustled their way upfield before for replacement prop Wyn Jones to score.
Two further Ford penalties calmed home nerves, but the tempo of the match had dropped noticeably in the final quarter until carries from Vunipola and Manu Tuilagi provided inspiration.
Ben Youngs had a try disallowed for a clear forward pass from Cowan-Dickie, meaning Daly’s drop-goal was the last meaningful act of the afternoon.
– PA
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark 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.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 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.
2 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 comments