Bleacher Report - Rugby Union

England V New Zealand

Steve Munford — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:08:33 -0500

England complete their three game Autumn International series against the might of the All Blacks this weekend. After an uninspiring defeat to Australia and an extremely disappointing win over Argentina in the previous fortnight, what chance, if any, do England have of a famous victory?

England have lost their last seven Tests against New Zealand, with their last victory coming in a 15-13 win in 2003. That day current head-coach Martin Johnson captained his world beaters to a phenomenal win, defending their line at one point with 13 men. Pundits are not so appreciative of Johnson now however, sending much criticism his way over the last two weeks along with his coaches John Wells and John Callard.

It should be noted that England have been extraordinarily unfortunate with injuries in the build up to this series, missing influential players such as Phil Vickery, Andrew Sheridan, Nick Easter, Riki Flutey and Mike Tindall.

Undoubtedly, these senior players would have made a difference to an England side seemingly bereft of confidence. However, this does not excuse the lack of imagination and basic mistakes made by the very talented players that have pulled on the white jersey this Autumn.

The players lack direction, appearing to be completely confused by the game plan. There is no tempo, no dynamism and no desire to keep the ball in hand. Even Jonny Wilkinson, England’s most coveted possession, has been reduced to aimlessly booting the ball long, giving the opposition’s back three perfect counter-attack ball.

We can only assume that this is being done under strict instructions from the management, but if this is the case, it is hard to accept.

With an exciting back-line consisting of the likes of Shane Geraghty, Matt Banahan, Ugo Monye and Mark Cueto, England should surely be looking to keep the ball alive. Instead they repeatedly and willingly handed the ball over to the opposition, a trait which was particularly noticeable in the first half of the Argentina game, one of the worst halves in English rugby history.

The Twickenham faithful booed the team off at half-time of the Argentina game and quite rightly so. Some seats cost £85 at the home of rugby and that performance didn’t merit £8.50.

It is a fact, however, that England came away with a win against a team ranked two places higher than them in the IRB rankings, and of course captain Steve Borthwick and Johnson were keen to highlight this fact. However, it is hard to find any other positives to come out of that game and they cannot hide from the daunting task that awaits them this weekend.

The All-Blacks are perhaps not the unbeatable force of years past, as South Africa ruthlessly demonstrated in the Tri-Nations. There are chinks in the armour which England must look to exploit, most notably their front five.

However, it is still a side packed with raw talent, with players such as Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, and Mils Muliaina. If England kick poorly to these players they will be punished.

Frustrated with England’s inability to execute his game-plan, Johnson has picked a team to carry out a more basic but more physical game plan. He has replaced the skillful, diminutive Geraghty with the powerful presence of Ayoola Erinle at inside-centre, in an attempt to get England over the gain-line and create quicker ball for the exciting back-three at his disposal.

Also, to the relief of all England rugby fans, Simon Shaw returns to the side. Shaw has only played two competitive games since his heroic displays for the Lions in South Africa, but if he can reproduce that sort of form on Saturday, he will more than vindicate his selection.

At 36 he also brings a wealth of experience to a team that lacks leaders and his presence in the second row alongside Steve Borthwick should take a lot of pressure off his captain’s shoulders.

If England have any chance of beating the All-Blacks, they will have to play at pace, put the Kiwis under immense pressure in every facet of the game and take every chance that comes their way. Undoubtedly a packed Twickenham will create a hostile atmosphere and get right behind their team and England will have their opportunities.

However, this will be the ultimate test of their credentials and ability to execute under pressure.

Steve Borthwick claims that “this Saturday we will go out and play as hard as we possibly can.” Meanwhile, Johnson maintains that "the guys have had their frustrations but their mood is good and they want to go out and play."

If England can somehow manage to overturn their illustrious opponents at HQ this weekend they will reignite a country desperate for success and relieve the pressure on their World Cup winning coach. However, if anyone can pull England out of their current slump it is Martin Johnson.

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Hugooooooing Where Now?

Rory Baldwin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:59:21 -0500

Southwell at fly-half? Never saw that one coming, though apparently he has been featuring at first receiver during play for Stade. Decent enough defense, and a solid left boot (some days). Could be very interesting, damn shame its not on the telly. Still if you are in the Borders and have nothing better to do on a Friday night, entry is free and kick-off is at 7:30 p.m., Netherdale. Someone tell us how it goes—with a bunch of full caps this team should really be able to beat the Tongans.

Scotland A Team: Jim Thompson (Edinburgh), Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), John Houston (Edinburgh), Nikki Walker (Ospreys), Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais), Rory Lawson (captain, Gloucester), Jon Welsh (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Scott MacLeod (Edinburgh), Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh), Allister Hogg (Edinburgh)

Replacements: Andrew Kelly (Edinburgh), Ed Kalman (Glasgow Warriors), Craig Hamilton (Edinburgh), Roddy Grant (Edinburgh), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh), Colin Gregor (Glasgow Warriors), Mark Robertson (Edinburgh).

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When Good Times Go Bad at SA Rugby

Tony McKeever — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:35:17 -0500

You might ask what do the Springboks and Stuart Tinner have in common on the 17th November 2009?

If your answer is £250,000 you would be right.

Each received £250,000 for last nights' performance and some may argue that Tinner showed more talent. Stuart Tinner by the way is the chap, who in his socks, kicked a 30 meter punt that landed on the cross bar in a half time competition at the Springboks vs. Saracens game.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3q-vAlYKsA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3q-vAlYKsA</a>

The story behind the Springboks rights fee of £250,000 for playing the Saracens is an entirely different and even more scary one as it shows how good rugby goes bad for £250,000.

It started in July when the Acting Managing Director of SA Rugby, Andy Marinos, recommended and advised SA Rugby that they earn a rights fee of £250,000 for each of the Leicester and Saracens midweek matches and that these games be considered not as "Emerging Springbok" games but as fully fledged "Springbok" games.

Quite apart from devaluing and pricing the intellectual property of the Springboks match 22 and management team at the bargain basement firesale price of £250,000, to play at Wembley, arguably the world's best rugby stadium, he suggested that this would "prevent the loss of talented potential Springboks to other countries" and that this would have an "impact on the RWC 2011 squad".

Marinos went on to say that he <strong>"considered it imperative that SA Rugby builds up a pool of Springboks for 2011 RWC" and so on Marinos' recommendation and insistence, SA Rugby got suckered right royally in the boardroom and on the pitch these past 2 weeks.

Gate receipts from the Wembley match alone, against Saracens last night, were over £5million to Saracens. On the other hand, SA Rugby, for their efforts walked away with less than 5% of this and a black eye of note for losing 24-23 to the South African point scorers of Brad Barrit, Ernst Joubert and Derick Hougaard in the Saracens side.

The humiliation is unfathomable especially with the All Blacks, Australians, England, France, Wales, Scotland and Italian rugby unions and their national squads, ever present in Europe for the IRB sanctioned end of year tours and all their respective supporters, on alert.

The losses to Leicester Tigers and to Saracens by a Springbok side, on an end of year tour goes way beyond the score board and is not the fault of Peter de Villiers and his Springbok management team, but that of the decision made in July by Marinos, which set in motion this sequence of events and outcomes.

Consequently, the Springbok brand value has plummeted and has signaled it is available at these bargain basement rights fees, then the team has tumbled from the IRB's Number One slot on the leader board to Number Two and now Peter de Villiers and the entire Springbok squad are on the back foot waiting to take on the bloodlust and feeding frenzy of the Italians on Saturday and the Irish next week.

This is a nightmare from hell, exposing all sorts of vulnerabilities at SA Rugby, dealing with all sorts of crisis from the Toulouse rasta wailing, to financial losses and all because this was set in motion in July by what can only be kindly termed, "a well intentioned but extremely naive recommendation" that SA Rugby will rule through to the 2011 Rugby World Cup, as long as the inmates are running the asylum.

Next up is Nick Mallet and Declan Kidney over the next 2 Saturdays and Italy and Ireland, have signaled that they are ready willing and able to also claim a Springbok scalp.

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The Fine Art of a Rugby Number 12

James Mortimer — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:38:32 -0500

We know the position by many guises. Most commonly referred to as an inside centre, kiwis denote the position as a second five eighth. In Italy the role can be wonderfully referred to as a “Primo e Centro.” Either way, it is one of the pivotal stations on a rugby field.

This is becoming even more apparent in this year’s Autumn Internationals.

Over the professional era, the purpose of the number 12 has varied according to how each nation wishes to play its game.

There are two very basic ideologies that the second receiver in the back line can fulfil.

First is of a supporting playmaker. In New Zealand, this is why the position is known as a second five eighth, operating under the principle the both the number 10 and number 12 are dual first receivers that can operate either side of a scrum or ruck.

Often this style of player will also be a capable tactical kicker.

The second is of a power style player. A true inside centre who plays his role very much like a traditional centre, often straightening the attack on offense, or acting as the most powerful blockade off the fringes. That is, someone who can tackle a forward coming off the ruck as proficiently as tackling or stopping a backline play.

There is then the third option, someone who is a heady blend of the two above qualities. Great number 12's that spring to mind are Ireland’s Mike Gibson and Australia’s Tim Horan—players that are often the beacon for a team in attack or defence.

Tana Umaga is a classic example for New Zealand. In many respects the former All Black captain pioneered the role in aspects of game changing defence, and his ability to act as a roving loose forward.

Teams in the Northern Hemisphere are not producing as many quality number 12’s as they would like. Or more importantly, they are not using them effectively or in a manner which complements the entire team’s game.

Jamie Roberts has the potential to be a brilliant midfielder, but Wales and the Cardiff Blues centre are struggling to define his role.

Wales are not the Lions, and one wonders whether Roberts has adjusted to not having the combined forces of the home unions giving him go forward ball, and not having the calm advice of a certain 100 test cap North Dubliner whispering off his shoulder.

Against Australia and Samoa, Wales and Roberts did create opportunities, but were not clinical enough to finish them off. One cannot be too critical, as there is no Mike Phillips to create uncertainty in the fringe defence of opposition teams, nor a Lee Byrne scything into the defensive line.

But Roberts at test level, a player used at 12, 13, 14, and 15 in the backline, still has to learn to use his strong defence and powerful running to create. Certainly being partnered with Tom Shanklin hasn’t helped. Wales appear to have a mini identity crisis with their midfield. Gavin Henson isn’t there anymore and one feels that perhaps a Dan Biggar or James Hook could be better suited to 12, with Roberts feeding off created space.

England are missing this without Riki Flutey, who suddenly appears be the spark that the English backline requires.

Ireland do not need to rely so much on this, as they have the magical Brian O’Driscoll. There is far less expectation on the Paddy Wallaces or Gordon D’Arcys with quite possibly the most ingenious outside centre ever to play the game placed outside them.

In the South, the rise of Ma’a Nonu has seen the All Blacks able to rate their first choice midfield as one of the best in the world. However, the dreadlocked centres role is a lot easier with Daniel Carter inside of him.

But it is his combination with Conrad Smith, a complimentary but more diverse player than Nonu that sees the All Black backline perform more efficiently.

While the Wallabies may not exactly be clones of the Crusaders, Robbie Deans has certainly pushed the principles of a “second five eighth” onto the Australian set up.

Berrick Barnes has emerged to be the anchor, in which the Wallaby backline operates around and Quade Cooper may be more flamboyant than and not as structured as the injured Australian centre, but essentially their roles are the same.

The Wallabies' play flows more efficiently with their 10 and 12 interchanging.

Most test nations have depth in their three quarter line or backup halves, but when a team loses its presence at number 12, it inevitably suffers. South Africa has looked less potent without the assuredness of Jean De Villiers in their backline.

Many feel that with a world class test fly half a team cannot dominate, or build towards winning a World Cup.

But as recent matches have shown, lack of creativity and nous at 12, can unhinge even the best side.

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England Needs Simon Shaw and a Fall Back To Old Era

James Mortimer — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:22:40 -0500

When looking at Shawsy’s rugby resume, it makes perfect sense to have the London Wasp and Lions lock recalled straight into the English team to face the All Blacks at Twickenham.

The big man has done it all. Playing for Wasps for well over a decade, he was won Heineken Cups, Premierships, Powergen, and Tetley Bitter Cups. He has worn the colours of a British and Irish Lion, and has an MBE for his role with England’s 2003 World Cup winning team (although he was not officially part of the 30 man squad).

He has even kicked a first class drop goal.

If you were to look closer, you could be deceived when you read that the man was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, until you see the second row forward in the flesh.

He is arguably one of the biggest men ever to have graced a rugby field. Standing comfortably over two metres tall, and close to 20 stone (over 120 kg) it was almost ironic to hear him lead the voices saying that rugby players have become too much like gym monkeys.

Few could hope—even with genetics, supplements, and years of heavy training—to even begin to come close to the presence that the “gentle giant” exudes.

But he is far from tender on the rugby field, and being cut from the same cloth that Martin Johnson is made from, could be part of the missing link that England requires.

Until their horror injury toll subsides, England will not be able to fulfil the attacking promise they showed during this year’s Six Nations. Two of their key backline generals, Riki Flutey and Delon Armitage, were the spark plugs for their offensive engine.

For all of Jonny Wilkinson’s gifts, he is not a true running field marshal, especially without elegant midfield support.

Which Northampton Saints back Shane Geraghty is failing to provide.

But irrespective of having a casualty ward numbering close to 30, England needs to forget about reinventing the wheel and look at what they can achieve with their current personal.

When thinking about it, it is surprising that we have not really seen this from Johnson’s men. A fall back to the glory days when they weren’t fancy, played one of the most basic game plans, but was uncompromising in an almost terrifying manner.

It was no coincidence that when Peter Jackson made his Lord of the Rings trilogy, his first casting call went to the old England forward pack to play the part of rampaging Orcs.

From a combination perspective, the best unit that England can field is in the back row.

James Haskell, Lewis Moody, and Tom Croft could probably be the first choice English loose forward trio even if they had every single player in the country fit and playing. If Simon Shaw was playing alongside Steve Borthwick, it would give England five men in the forward pack that could win a large portion of the game.

For all of Borthwick’s critics as a captain, if he was partnered with a fellow grizzled lead from the front second rower like Shaw, one feels that he could truly shine.

Most telling for England, if one looks at their numbers relating to forward performance, they could, and should, be troubling any team in world rugby.

Against the Wallabies they dominated the rucks, losing only two of their own, and forcing Australia to concede nearly 10. England had 15 line outs, and lost only one.

In the match against Argentina, they also ruled the battle of the ruck (although many of their turnovers in this area were from mistakes), lost only one of their own throws and scrums, and caused the Argentinean set pieces a little bother.

England’s most glaring weakness at this time is failure to work as a unit, but the pieces are slowly falling into place.

Case in point Haskell, who normally plays flanker for Stade Francais, and is often guilty of playing as a one man act. But working alongside Moody, there were promising signs that this England pack could work as a solitary armoured division.

And with Shaw leading the vanguard, England could truly trump their critics, and at the very least give the All Blacks a fright.

For all of New Zealand’s talents, they are not particularly fond of tight arm wrestles, and realistically this is the only way the home team could gain parity with what is an improving and will likely be a full strength All Black team.

But the question is do England realise this?

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Scotland Rugby vs. Fiji: Comfortable if Not Clinical

Rory Baldwin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:10:40 -0500

Scotland 23-10 Fiji

But having said that, it was more clinical than we are used to, wasn’t it? How many times have we seen the scrum-half break (usually Mike Blair) with no-one on his shoulder and the move fizzles out?

This time when Cus went through the gap, pack-attack-captain Beattie was on his shoulder and lo-and-behold, try! While on other days a better (Aussie?) defence might have stopped that one, or the pass for Morrison’s try would have been given as forward.

Scotland don’t usually get the breaks in International rugby so we’ll take them against a team that were ranked higher than us. So far, so good—a win’s a win and all that.

The game and the Scotland team went a little to sleep in the second half though, and there were still signs of the odd silly error or turnover of old. The defence was up to the Fijians attempts to counter on the day. The opposition will be much stiffer next week and I think the intensity and concentration levels will need to go up a bit.

Hopefully the crowd levels will go up a bit too—it’s extremely poor not having some sort of ticket buying facility on the day. It’s not rocket science SRU, it means you can make more money!

Even if Andy Robinson is a fan of big wings, there is a pretty good argument for bringing Thom Evans in for Danielli. Given that pace, confidence and ball skills seemed to serve the Irish backs well against Australia yesterday (easily game of the weekend that one) and Evans has these in spades, the move makes sense.

Alex Grove made a solid debut in the 13 shirt, where he tackled well and made very few mistakes that I saw, along with a couple of nice passes that hinted at what he might offer in attack if the ball got to him more.

To replace him or not if Cairns is fit possibly becomes Robinson’s biggest decision this week. On the other side, the Wallabies have ball skills up the yahoo but there is still a fair amount of inexperience in their backline (Matt Giteau aside), so it’s almost an even contest in terms of experience if Scotland can find any sort of platform with which to take them on.

The improved Wallaby front-row could make the scrum an even contest (or worse) but with Moray Low and Kyle Traynor on form and Euan Murray still to come back at least we’re starting to get some depth on both sides of our props department.

The line-out went well despite the second-rows being generally quiet, but as always with Scottish hookers it could be a different story if their throwing-in is challenged by the opposition (or the ref).

Looking at the level of effort Ireland needed just to get a draw against Australia, it looks like quite a hill to climb for Scotland and Robinson. If we can get close enough to be in it with a few minutes left there’s a chance, but where is the Scottish Brian O’Driscoll who can create a bit of last-minute magic just when you need it most?

Oh, the lunchtime news tells me they’re going to fire the Scotland football coach (where of course it counts as news news, not sport news—which will also be all football). Maybe they should hire an Englishman? It’s working for us so far.

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