The England explanation why Marcus Smith played less than a minute
Steve Borthwick has defended the strategy regarding his England replacements in Cardiff, an approach that restricted Marcus Smith and Henry Arundell to just a single play in the 20-10 win over Wales. The round three Guinness Six Nations match was in the 80th minute and awaiting a scrum near halfway when it was decided to lob on Smith, Arundell and sub hooker Jack Walker for a last hurrah that soon ended with a knock-on as the visitors’ attack faltered.
England had secured their double score, 10-point cushion when Ollie Lawrence dotted down in the corner on 75 minutes but rather than that third try being the cue for England to make the changes then and chase a four-try bonus point with minutes to spare, Borthwick opted to hold fire until there were only seconds remaining.
The coach had spoken at length earlier this month about the exciting prospect of having Smith in reserve after it was decided post the round one Scotland loss to drop the out-half to the bench and instead switch skipper Owen Farrell into No10 from his regular inside centre position.
If the idea was for Smith to be introduced to expose a tiring defence, it hasn’t worked out like that. The first-choice out-half in recent years under Eddie Jones got only eight minutes at the tail-end of the round two Twickenham win over Italy and his cameo was way shorter against the Welsh at the Principality.
He had just a single ball carry after the set-piece restart, as did fellow sub Arundell, before referee Mathieu Raynal called time. Borthwick’s bench use tactics were in sharp contrast to Wales as the last of their replacements entered the fray with 12 minutes remaining at a time when the result was still in the balance with the scoreboard reading 15-10.
Asked about his reticence to unleash Smith and Arundell, a try-scorer during his cameo versus the Italians, the new England head coach said: “You go into the game with a concept of where you are going to go in terms of the interchanges and that game was a game that was a real arm wrestle in that second half.
“Some of the forwards in that arm wrestle, I thought they played their hearts out and I thought I needed to make those changes. Sometimes when it comes to those other aspects, you can upset the rhythm of a team if you make too many changes so that is why I held back… you make a decision as a coach on what you feel and what you see and I decided at that point it wasn’t right to make those changes.”
Asked about their likely frustrations over getting a cap that lasted just seconds, Borthwick added: “All the players are desperate to play. That is a testament to them. I said this a few times, we are trying to build a squad of players that is always working towards the team being at the forefront helping the team to prepare.
“Sometimes your role is to start, ometimes your role is to come off the bench, sometimes your role is to support the team as 24th and 25th man. I asked the players whatever their role is to do it with everything they can to help this team improve.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Forget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
21 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
14 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
14 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
21 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
21 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
14 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
21 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
14 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
14 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
21 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
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