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The Borthwick verdict on George Ford masterclass, Tom Curry red card
Steve Borthwick has hailed the performance of George Ford, the out-half who scored all 27 of 14-man England’s points in their redemptive 27-10 Rugby World Cup win over Argentina in Marseille.
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The rookie Test-level coach’s side came into the Stade Velodrome fixture as underdogs following a woeful run of form that featured the loss of five of their six most recent matches and the concession of 30 tries in their nine outings since Borthwick took over from Eddie Jones.
However, despite dramatically losing Tom Curry to a third-minute yellow card that was soon upgraded to a red following a second look by the foul play review officer, England demonstrated determined, inspiring resilience to upset the odds and they would have enjoyed a deserved 24-point winning margin but for the concession of a late, late consolation try.
It was only on August 19 in Dublin when Ford started his first match for England since March 2021. A four-game suspension for skipper Owen Farrell opened the door to that Ford comeback in the No10 shirt and he went in to produce a smashing effort in France with the boot that featured a 10-minute drop goal hat-trick as well as six successful penalty kicks off the tee.
“I thought George was magnificent this evening,” beamed Borthwick in the aftermath. “Not just his kicking where he scored the points, but his composure and his management throughout. Tonight is another example of the great leadership that is in this England team.
“A lot has been said in the past about the leadership in the England team but what I see is a group that is packed full of senior players who are fantastic leaders like the man next to me [Courtney Lawes]. George, as we have discussed, Jamie George, Ellis Genge, the list could go on. We just said not one man wins a game and they did very well today.”
Tell us more about Ford, though. What makes him so special? “I see his all-round skill set is top class, his ability to run, pass, kick is top class and his ability to think clearly in the highest pressure circumstances is exemplary.
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“He seemed to have more time. When he was kicking those drop kicks it felt like he had more time. When he was kicking those high balls it felt like he had more time than other players do and I think that is a sign of a real, real top-quality player.
“Come World Cup there is a higher instance of drop goals, higher than tier one rugby outside World Cups. George took the opportunities really well today.”
Lawes, who has taken over the captaincy in Farrell’s enforced absence, added: “He [Ford] sees things that a lot of players don’t see. He has not just got the job of getting himself right but he has also got to organize the team around him and he does that exceptionally well. Today he really put us in a position to a position and win that game.”
Curry’s yellow for his head-on-head collision with Juan Cruz Mallia was soon upgraded to red but, in contrast, there was no upgrading the yellow card shown soon after to Santiago Carreras for his collision with Ford after the England player had got his kick away.
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Despite Curry being the third England player to be red-carded in four matches, Borthwick refused to be drawn into comment on that incident. However, he did reference the Carreras incident, remarking how a similar yellow card for Mallia against South Africa resulted in a citing and his suspension for his collision with South Africa’s Grant Williams.
“Clearly I am not going to comment on what is going through the disciplinary process now,” said Borthwick about Curry. “I thought the other one was very interesting. It looked very similar to an incident just a few weeks ago that upgraded to red, so we will wait and see what comes.”
It was Thursday, on arrival in Marseille, when Borthwick stressed he felt his team had been written off way too early as the World Cup hadn’t even started. How vindicated did he feel after he was proven correct?
“I talked during the week about how I sensed from the players that they felt they had been written off a little too early and I think they are a quality group of players and I reiterate that again, you saw that out on the pitch today. The players showed their experience on the big occasion. I certainly felt that these players were ready to perform on the biggest of stages.
“Right now we are pleased with the win, pleased that we stepped forward in some areas. We have to adapt. We are going through a disciplinary process now with Tom Curry so we will have to be ready for what comes from that to prepare for Japan next Sunday.
“These players should rest, recover and enjoy this week because they deserve it. From a coaching point of view, we move onto Japan and our preparation for Japan with the team will start on Monday.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Good 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.
8 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.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
5 Go to comments