Australia v England 20-21 , 2nd Test
Discussion
A huge part of the improvement was the speed of recycling dictated by Youngs replacing Care.
The Aussie defence was never given the time to settle and were playing much more on the back foot.
England battered them in the set piece again.
Englands first-up tackling was much better as well.
The Aussie defence was never given the time to settle and were playing much more on the back foot.
England battered them in the set piece again.
Englands first-up tackling was much better as well.
Youngs played very well as did Ashton - it was a well deserved victory and England were a breath of fresh air compared to recent performances under Johnno. Lots of intelligent running and offloads - Johnno may finally have got England selection right.
What disappoints me more about the weekends rugby was the Welsh side's capitulation from a very strong start in NZ camped on their try line and leading after the first quarter, to another bloody thumping.
What disappoints me more about the weekends rugby was the Welsh side's capitulation from a very strong start in NZ camped on their try line and leading after the first quarter, to another bloody thumping.
I was very impressed as well, good to see a "so called" poor side come good through a bit of old style guts, glory and passion. Much better than our poor showing against the Italians a few hours later.
Wish some more sides in the football WC would show the pride in the jersey that England showed on Saturday.
Wish some more sides in the football WC would show the pride in the jersey that England showed on Saturday.
Based I think we will all find in Johnno finally instilling a dominant pack mentality into the side. Hammer, hammer, hammer up front, grind, wear and tear, then use quick strike runners to hit the opened holes. After that the field is yours for the taking.
England havent known what they wanted to do, it has shown up in not being the hammer and anvil show up front. This has made us look inept behind the scrum.
I wonder how much of this Down Under though has been the leadership and mentality of Mungo rather than Mr Cerebral Borthers? An England Pack needs a blood, guts and thunder leader, the thinking comes second. Johnno is a sporting knowledge expert, a comeplete walking bible of sports stats, methods, tactics and know how from across a range of sports, very much a thinker, but first and foremost he was an eyebrow that brooked no retreat, surrender nor lack of anything that wasnt 100% effort on pain of death. And he was first in the firing range. That hasnt been the impression given in recent years by an England Pack, but with Mungo on the charge up there, you certainly know it is back in the Arsenal. I think an interesting idea to give him a few more games as Captain, see what happens.
England havent known what they wanted to do, it has shown up in not being the hammer and anvil show up front. This has made us look inept behind the scrum.
I wonder how much of this Down Under though has been the leadership and mentality of Mungo rather than Mr Cerebral Borthers? An England Pack needs a blood, guts and thunder leader, the thinking comes second. Johnno is a sporting knowledge expert, a comeplete walking bible of sports stats, methods, tactics and know how from across a range of sports, very much a thinker, but first and foremost he was an eyebrow that brooked no retreat, surrender nor lack of anything that wasnt 100% effort on pain of death. And he was first in the firing range. That hasnt been the impression given in recent years by an England Pack, but with Mungo on the charge up there, you certainly know it is back in the Arsenal. I think an interesting idea to give him a few more games as Captain, see what happens.
DJC said:
England havent known what they wanted to do, it has shown up in not being the hammer and anvil show up front. This has made us look inept behind the scrum.
I think that sums it up very well. They've always had a good pack and some (potential) talent in the backs, but I think the half-back pairing is what's been crippling them recently. Bish-bash-bosh works well IF you can then generate quick ball from it, and Care has been well below par in getting the ball away quickly. Didn't see the match itself, but from the highlights the new 9's try was a corker, as was Ashton's. If they can get a 9-10-12 axis that gels properly they could become a serious force over the next few years.DJC said:
I wonder how much of this Down Under though has been the leadership and mentality of Mungo rather than Mr Cerebral Borthers? An England Pack needs a blood, guts and thunder leader, the thinking comes second.
Every team needs somebody that will stand up and be counted, that will always be there to drive forwards and will never take a step back. Johnno did it, as do Parisse, Thorn, Harinordoquay, Botha, Rush, etc. Without a "go-to" man teams can struggle for inspiration when the tide turns against them. It's exactly the problem Wales are having right now and I'm pinning my hopes on lads like Bradley Davies and Warburton to be the ones to step up.AndySA said:
Well said DJC, all rugby packs need a player in the mould of a Bakkies Botha or Martin Johnson to provide the metal up front. Would have loved to have seen those two go head to head.
Er Johnson would have walked through him, over him and then given him to Dally as a plaything.No offence but the South Africa team in general of recent vintage isnt in the same league as Johnsons England of 2002/3. That England Pack would have steamrollered the modern Saffer Pack. The only area of advantage they have is in Mafield as the lineout operator, he is perhaps the best I have seen in that role. Johnno and Kay were good lineout men, but Matfield is supreme. Pierre Spies v Dally, now *that* would be a contest I would love to watch over a whole Test series, not just one match. But the rest of the England back row were in a different league to the rest of your recent Saffer back row.
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