England's Australian test will dictate the mood heading into 2019 and improvement is needed
If you were looking for a word to sum up how Eddie Jones and England fans are feeling about the national side’s autumn so far, you could be reaching if you opted for anything more positive than ‘content’.
Against South Africa, England got a result without a performance. There were great moments of resiliency and an impressive powerplay in the 20 minutes after half time, but it was a game where luck and Springbok deficiencies, as much as anything else, handed the game to England. That’s fine, England hadn’t played a game since their victory over the Springboks in Cape Town during the summer, whilst South Africa had competed in The Rugby Championship and had far fewer excuses for rust and errors than England did.
Then came the formidable challenge of the All Blacks, which proved to be almost the polar opposite of the win against South Africa, with England providing an impressive performance but without the steely edge required at the end of both halves to secure a win. There were flashes of brilliance from a side bereft of many key starters and for all the agony of the tight loss, in review and retrospect it should provide those players involved with a belief that they can match anyone in the world.
Neither result seemed to fill fans with great enthusiasm, but it showed, at the least, that England haven’t fallen far from that top tier of teams in international rugby, despite strong indications to the contrary earlier in 2018.
Ironically, England’s biggest win of the autumn so far, a 35-15 victory over Japan, probably brought the least celebration, with the Cherry Blossoms showing all the guile and ingenuity in the first half that they did against the Springboks in 2015, and England fans would have been nervous of another giant killing when Japan took a 15-10 lead into the second half.
Enter, Captain Farrell.
The arrival of the playmaker in the second half brought a clear improvement in the cohesiveness of the side, both offensively and defensively, and England were able to finish strongly at Twickenham, scoring 25 unanswered points.
Not bad, but not particularly good, either, and that’s why there is now such importance on England ending the autumn on a real high note against Australia, with games running out before the beginning of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Continue reading below…
Watch: Eddie Jones and George Ford dissect England’s performance against Japan.
England are on a five-match win streak against the Wallabies, retaining the Cook Cup for an extended period after their last loss to Australia, the result which denied them passage to the quarter-finals at the 2015 RWC. In fact, England have won nine of the last 11 games in this historic rivalry, and if there is a psychological advantage in the contest, it belongs to the side hosting at Twickenham on Saturday.
That advantage, no matter how great or small it may be, is not something England will be keen to relinquish anytime soon, especially as they seek to exorcise their RWC ghosts next year.
If Jones can get his side to combine the positive elements of the matches against South Africa and New Zealand, bringing together resiliency with overall performance, and extend that winning streak over Australia to six games, things will be looking much rosier for England heading into 2019.
Given Australia’s performances over the last couple of weeks, it’s a victory which England should be expected to notch up.
If the defining word of England’s autumn so far is ‘content’, then the most suitable for the Wallabies and Michael Cheika would ‘underachievement’.
Australia fell to a 9-6 loss to Wales in the opening match of their tour, which ended a 13-match win streak against Wales that had lasted for just shy of 10 years, and then backed that it up with a far from convincing 26-7 victory over Italy. Nevertheless, it will have provided Cheika’s men with some much-needed momentum going into the clash at Twickenham.
There are certainly positives for Australia to take from that contest with Italy, not least so the success Samu Kerevi – whose RugbyPass Index score rose to 81 as a result – had against the Italian midfield, which is the one area where England felt defensively fragile against both South Africa and New Zealand. The quartet of Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodhue all caused England problems in the channel between 12 and 13 and it’s something Kerevi is more than capable of doing, too, especially outside of the effervescent talents of Kurtley Beale.
During that period, Ben Te’o has seen his RPI dip to 56 – the lowest mark in the England squad – and Henry Slade’s has fallen to 80, from a mark of 84 with Exeter before the international window.
For all the successes that England have had under Jones, the recent low times, the injuries and the enviable player pool he has at his disposal, the in-flux nature of the side’s midfield might be the biggest indictment of his tenure. Less than 12 months out from a RWC, it seems almost impossible to predict, barring injury, what England’s starting 12 and 13 combination will be at the tournament.
You simply cannot say the same about other genuine contenders.
If everyone is fit, Ireland will probably have Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose in the box-seat, South Africa will likely have the aforementioned de Allende and Kriel and then New Zealand look at least set with Goodhue at 13, with a little more uncertainty at 12 given Sonny Bill Williams’ injury problems.
Beale and Kerevi are a fine combination for the Wallabies, Huw Jones has cemented himself in for Scotland and Jonathan Davies has done likewise for Wales, with Hadleigh Parkes looking every bit the suitable complement inside him.
As for England, there has been constant change and a constant lack of cohesion since the successes of Farrell and Jonathan Joseph in Jones’ first season in charge. With Farrell now seemingly the favoured 10, an understandable call given that it is his best position, at least half of that combination may be off the board come the RWC, whilst Joseph continues his rehabilitation from injury and should be available for the upcoming Six Nations.
It’s difficult to underestimate how much England have missed Joseph. He grabbed the spotlight in 2016 for the audacious attacking ability he brought to a side enjoying a plethora of front-foot ball, but it was the quiet, understated defensive excellence he offered that really helped shape England into a world beater that year.
The 13 channel is as difficult an area of the rugby pitch to defend as there is, with players having to be exceptionally mobile, make quick and smart decisions and often make and complete one-on-one tackles on players that, if unsuccessful, could leave your full-back as the last defender capable of stopping the attacking movement.
Joseph excels in all of those facets and whilst Slade, Te’o and Jack Nowell have all brought plenty of positive attributes to the role, none have been able to match that defensive security that Joseph has provided.
Jones has now said that he sees Manu Tuilagi as a 13, rather than a 12, so that is potentially another option to add to the mix should he be able to stay fit, but anyone, possibly including Jones, who tell you they know what England’s midfield will look like at the RWC is lying. Both positions seem to be up for grabs now that Farrell has been moved inside to 10 and time is running out to find the right combination and build a decent level of cohesion before the side jets off to Japan next year.
In addition to meeting and overcoming the challenge of Australia this weekend, finding out more answers about his midfield will probably be very close to the top of Jones’ wishlist. Given that the next fixture in England’s calendar is a trip to Dublin to take on a surging Ireland side in the Six Nations, Jones and his side need a fillip going into what will be a testing 2019.
A performance, a result and midfield answers would be the perfect early Christmas present for England on Saturday.
You may also like: Adam Ashley-Cooper speaks about his Wallabies return.
Comments on RugbyPass
True Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
21 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
10 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
78 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
21 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
10 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
21 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
21 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
21 Go to comments