Lawrence Dallaglio demands an apology from England
Ex-England skipper Lawerence Dallaglio has lashed last Saturday’s loss to the Springboks, demanding that the players should apologise to the nation for their underwhelming display in the 13-27 loss. The defeat condemned the English to their worst set of calendar year results since 2008 as just five wins were recorded in their twelve fixtures over the course of 2022.
The latest loss was again accompanied by coach Eddie Jones calling on fans to blame him for the setback, but Dallaglio has gotten tired of the Australian trying to shield his players and wants them to take responsibility for the decline in fortunes.
Dallaglio got stuck into the England mess on the latest episode of the Evening Standard Rugby Podcast, claiming: “Eddie Jones, every time they lose, he comes out and says. ‘Blame me, it’s my fault’. Why don’t the players come out and say, ‘We would just like to apologise to the nation for that performance’ because that is what the nation needs? They need honesty.”
The 2003 World Cup-winning Dallaglio added that he had no time for excuses in the wake of the defeat that left England finishing off their Autumn Nations Series with just one win in four matches, the round two game against Japan. “Obviously, I’m massively disappointed. I don’t enjoy having to be negative about the England team, that is not what I want,” he continued.
“Everyone is analysing England but actually sometimes you have to focus on the opposition first and say do you know, South Africa arrived at Twickenham, they haven’t had a great autumn campaign themselves, lost to Ireland, lost to France, two sides that are playing very well at the moment.
What should @EnglandRugby do next after a disappointing 2022. Interesting take from our guest on this week's @standardsport Rugby Pod @BobSkinstad who would appoint Scott Robertson now to help Eddie Jones up to @rugbyworldcup @London_Pride #supportwithpride do you agree? pic.twitter.com/0TLmOWo33c
— Lawrence Dallaglio (@dallaglio8) November 29, 2022
“So they were under a bit of pressure, had five or six top players missing because of the Test window and having to go back to their clubs. They had their coach [Rassie Erasmus] not present at the stadium because of what he has done on social media. Let’s not make any excuses.
“South Africa didn’t arrive in great shape and yet they produced a performance, resilient, gritty, tough, all the things that you expect from South Africa and in the final analysis had they been a bit sharper, maybe if they had a few of those things I mentioned, they probably would have won by a lot more.
“So whilst I am quick to analyse England, as the whole world is, you have got to say well done to South Africa. Very few people did that on Saturday but England, yes, I am disappointed. The RFU have come out with another statement saying, ‘’We’re analysing his results’. Well, I can tell you now, 2022 has not been a good year for England.
“It’s the worst set of results since 2008 and, while you know the sun shines in my head every day and I like to paint the brightest of pictures, you can’t move away from the fact that this is a results-driven business and a year out from the World Cup, I’m concerned and I’m worried because everyone is attacking Eddie Jones.
“When you lose games he is going to come under pressure because he is the head coach as Wayne Pivac is for Wales, as all these guys do. But as a group of players, there are a lot of senior players in that group now, they have all won trophies at Saracens and various other clubs around the country and players have got to take responsibility. What are they doing in terms of trying to drive the focus?
“I’m concerned about the way England start games of Test rugby against very superior, high-quality opposition, tier one nations. The game is technical, it’s tactical, but if you don’t have the right emotional levels, if you don’t have the right mental preparation going into the start of a Test match then you are going to lose.
“The majority of rugby matches are won by the team that is winning at half-time, that is a fact. Occasionally you get a glorious comeback if you’re lucky but they are very rare so that suggests to me that the first ten minutes of a Test match are really, really important.
“England under Eddie Jones have repeatedly, other than in the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand and other than one performance away to Ireland, they are always second best in that first, opening salvo.
“So I am concerned, I am worried. It’s disappointing because we are fifth in terms of our ranking but we are so far off the sides above us in my opinion that we have got a long, long way to go.”
Comments on RugbyPass
You doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to comments