RWC 2011 - It’s in the bag!
Picture this: It’s 2011 and soon-to-be-Sir Martin Johnson is standing amongst a group of 22 sweaty men in white shirts, with his big mitts wrapped around the William Webb Ellis trophy, holding it aloft for the second time in 8 years.
An unrealistic dream? Absolutely not.
Add to that dream this contrasting picture: a white-haired man with droopy jowls sitting at home on his sofa witnessing the scene described above. His name appears in all the papers the next day as the antithesis to the heroic Johnson; a man who presided over England’s demise after a lucky 2007 World Cup, where the players led England to the final, before finally being dumped out with the RFU rubbish in 2008.
Now this is starting to form a likely projection.
Martin Johnson has spent his career making the correct decisions, intervening only when necessary at the critical times. Take the way he orchestrated the players’ strike in 2000 or how he broke the half-time routine in the 2003 world cup quarter-final against Wales to turn around a lacklustre first half. Both are examples of his leadership qualities, his business acumen, his tactical brilliance. And hence why, should he be appointed, he would be a truly great icon to lead England forward and out of the inconsistent underperformance that blights the national game at present.
However, Martin Johnson is also very shrewd and knows when the cards are stacked in his favour. As undoubted as his captaincy, leadership qualities, and skills on the rugby field are, he was in exactly the right place at exactly the right time in leading England to victory in 2003, with a team that consisted of at least 6 or 7 world class players at the pinnacle of their game. A team of world class players who played as exactly that: a team. A team who experienced a run of 2 or 3 years with minimal injuries and minimal changes to the squad. A team who thrived in the elite environment laid out by Sir Clive Woodward.
Contrast that with the tenures of formerly Andy Robinson, and latterly Brian Ashton. Robinson, dire though his run was as England head coach, was faced with a returning squad with no motivation, a changed management, the retirement of aforementioned icon MJ, the fall-out of retirees, and a downturn in the performance of a number of key players. Combine that with the insane number of injuries in the ensuing years and the poor guy didn’t have a chance.
Brian Ashton had much the same bitter pill to swallow, albeit with a number of ‘sweeteners’. The recognition of the RFU board that something had to change helped (though the ‘change’ ended up as a fudge), as did the return of some key players (Robinson / Wilkinson / etc) in time for the 2007 World Cup. His tenure can be regarded in one of two ways: with optimism – are we forgetting he took England to the RWC Final against all the odds? Or with pessimism: once we reached this plateau, Ashton should have used it as a springboard to introduce the new guard and dive headlong into future development.
And so in steps Johnson the saviour. Following 4 ½ years of exasperation from the rugby public, the masses are baying for the return of the biggest name in the game to lead them to glory and make these old farts see sense. And what attraction is there for Johnson? Well consider this.
- We are led to believe he will have carte blanche over selection, both of players and coaching staff.
- He will be following 2 coaches who have failed to make their mark, therefore making any progress stand out.
- He has an embarrassment of riches in terms of new, young players throwing their hand up to be counted. Cipriani, Haskell, Tait, Reece, Care, Geraghty, Stevens, Hartley, Croft, Strettle, Allen, Flood…. I could go on.
- The club-country clash is finally resolved, and the new agreement is coincidentally due to kick in in July, allowing the England coach far more control and time with the players each year.
Under such terms I think my granny would give it a good shot of taking England forward.
This article is not aimed to pass judgement on who should be England coach for the foreseeable future, but to point out that should Johnson take the helm, he has the odds stacked well and truly in his favour for a successful tenure. He possesses wonderful management skills alongside a rugby brain second to very few and an intelligence belying that of every other forward I’ve met.
We shall never know how much of an input Brian Ashton made to taking England to the RWC 2007 final, and perhaps we shall never get the chance to find out. We may well, though, be amongst the masses chanting the same name in adulation in 2011: Johnson, Johnson, Johnson…
By Justin Aylward
Exorcising the Matfield demons: Six Nations 2008
Despite the fact 2 full weeks have passed since the Rugby World Cup, I’m sure I’m not alone in lacking the ability to focus on anything beyond the realms of rugby.
Work; responsibilities; relationships; friendships; the ability to socialise without occasionally drifting off; staring into the swirling depths of a pint glass and reliving Mathew Tait’s swerving break that almost…almost took himself and England to ultimate glory.
I find myself waking up in the middle of the night covered in sweat, haunted by the image of Victor Matfield prowling around my bed, English blood dripping from his drooling mouth. I wake up from day-dreams at my desk, patting the keyboard having been imagining myself as Josh Lewsey, consoling Damien Traille on his slip-up with a gentle, comforting head-tap: “There there Damo”.
It took me 3 years to move on from the emotional Himilayas of the RWC ’03 where England finally scaled their Everest (the 4th year was spent looking forward to RWC ’07) so I think I’m doing ok at the moment.
So in self-proscribed treatment, the only remedy I can contemplate is to look forward to the 6 Nations. The Class of ’07 were undoubtedly warriors of the utmost ability and tactical awareness. When heading into battle, they followed the game plan laid out by Master-Warrior Sun Tzu in the 5th Century BC: “Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. Feign disorder, and crush him”.
However, they must now lay down a new battle-plan, drawn up by General Ashton. Ashton (should he remain head coach) now has the opportunity and time to lay his stamp on the England team and mould them into a cohesive unit based on a solid front five, flanked by the attacking flair of the hoards of talented youngsters coming through the ranks. Contrary to the prattlings of people like Stuart ‘Tellytubby’ Barnes, Ashton should retain a core of experienced players whilst bringing in new blood. A winning team is a developing team, and what England don’t need is a team comprising of 15 new caps being thumped 50-0 by Scotland.
I therefore propose my team for the 6 Nations:
1. Phil Vickery (Capt)
Leading England from the front, he still retains enough of his Raging Bull characteristics, with the solidity and power to act as a rock in the scrum.
2. Dylan Hartley
Exciting player, who although plying his trade in Division 1 at the moment with Northampton, is surely the future for England. Regan misses out after a valiant World Cup, but entering his twilight years and after faltering line-out displays, it is time to bring in the new guard.
3. Andrew Sheridan
England’s player of the tournament in the World Cup. Scary. Mightily scary.
4. Simon Shaw
England’s second-best player of the tournament. He showed he has the skills of a back to match his physical stature, and despite being 34yrs of age, he is currently by far the best lock in England.
5. Tom Palmer
Has been unlucky in recent years. Was given a chance in 2007 Internationals, and I thought he was unlucky to be dropped so unceremoniously. Kay & Borthwick nearly there, but lacking their edge of old.
6. Lewis Moody
Let’s face it, he’s a 6 not a 7. Let’s keep him there and see how many times the nutter can knock himself out while playing on the blind side. Corry has never been dynamic or consistent enough to warrant an England place (be it at 5,6,7 or 8!) and with a change of outlook he should step aside as nobly as Andy Robinson didn’t.
7. Tom Rees
How he offended Ashton so much to keep him out of the World Cup altogether (once he recovered from injury) is anyone’s guess. Was broadly regarded as England’s most exciting and dangerous prospect at the start of the tournament, he will soon cement his place in the number 7 shirt for years to come.
8. James Haskell
Again, another astounding choice to send Haskell home from the final squad cut. Has been in imperious domestic form for Wasps and with Haskell and Moody, will form a formidable back row for the long-term. Easter did his job well over the last year and has bags of ball-handling skills, but he knows deep down that he would enjoy playing for a pub team more, and is not England’s answer in this professional era of athletes.
9. Harry Ellis (pending fitness)
A major blow to England’s pre-tournament hopes, once back on form following major knee surgery he should come back bigger and better, ready to control the scrum from the base and get the fleet-footed backs on the move.
10. Jonny Wilkinson
Stuart Barnes claiming Wilkinson did nothing in the World Cup?? Did he not see the tackle that took Fabien Pelous out of the semi against France? Did he not see the 40m drop-goal that took the game beyond the French? No he didn’t get the back line moving, but then again (a) that wasn’t England’s game plan, and (b) he no longer has the battering ram outside him that is Mike Tindall, nor the magician that is Will Greenwood. It was the deficiencies in the centre that hindered Wilkinson, not his own God-blessed talent.
11. David Strettle
Yet another cruel blow for England with his pre-tournament injury. Showed his class in the 2007 6 Nations and is a bright spark for the future with the deadly finishing skills of a Cobra.
12. Ollie Smith
He has lacked the consistency to warrant him a regular England place in the past, but has some solid experience under his belt and is ready to demonstrate his undeniable talent, step, and skill on the International stage.
13. Dan Hipkiss
Had a very commendable World Cup, and was unlucky to miss out on a starting spot in the Final. He has everything required: pace, power, good hands, and a step to wrong-foot defences. Together with Smith, should form a new-look, dangerous England mid-field.
14. Paul Sackey
Showed in the Semi and Final that he has grown of age, nullifying the threat of Habana and demonstrating his defensive qualities that have developed to sit alongside his attacking pace. Needs to become more dynamic over the first 5 metres to work his way out of tight spaces, but give him a free run to the line and he’ll beat almost anyone.
15. Mathew Tait
Finally we can say ‘what a player’. We witnessed his coming of age in the Final, where he was simply awesome. Having cut South Africa’s midfield to shreds (apart from that prowling beast, Matfield) he switched to full-back and showed this is the position for him for the future. With the retirement of Robinson (ego te salute) he is England’s best broken-field runner, with the boot to boom his way out of trouble if required. A truly exciting prospect.
Subs
Matt Stevens – unlucky to miss out on a starting spot, but a good impact player. His time will come, probably in the next couple of years, when Vickery retires.
Lee Mears – not an ideal choice, but adds dynamism and impact from the bench. A weak position for England at the moment.
James Forrester – a player out of the Haskell mould. He has been on the fringes of England thoughts over the past few years, but deserves the chance to show how he has grown over the past two years.
Andy Gomersall – a real ‘boys-own’ personal story, he carried England through the Quarter-final. Adds a cool head and control when needed off the bench.
Lesley Vainikolo – if England aren’t quick to snap him up he could be playing for Samoa. Admittedly he is yet to prove himself, but 5 tries on debut against Leeds certainly demands a few second glances. Should be included just to scare the opposition when warming up.
Toby Flood – has shown patches of being an incredibly talented player, both consistently for Newcastle, and when given his time for England. Is a player that needs to be given time and experience to develop within his comfort zone, which is ideal whilst being understudy to Wilkinson.
Nick Abendanon – almost made a cameo in the squad for the Final, and despite being dropped following the warm-up games, he is certainly another youngster that will force his way into contention over the next few years.
Ok, so I know I’m one forward short on the bench, but being a back I’m too excited about the talent there, to include another hairy brute.
Please add your comments and opinions. And please pass on any tips for how to carry out exorcisms of Victor Matfield ghosts.
By Justin Aylward
Preview: France v Ireland
V 
Does anybody remember the 2002 Football World Cup? I do. France were amongst the favourites having won the previous tournament, yet they failed to even register a goal before being dumped out in the pool stages. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if the same happened in RWC 07?
The sad thing is, sure we’d all have a laugh, but part of me says this World Cup just wouldn’t be the same if the French were ousted before the knockouts. Gone would be the enthusiasm of the host country’s public; forgotten would be the magic and flair of their backs; and lost would be the hope of a performance of typical Gallic flair and perfection rarely seen since the ‘99 semis. Sure, Chabal would pursue his calling as Javere in Les Miserables (wouldn’t he be ideal for the role), but the rest of us would be bereft of enthusiasm having witnessed the exit of one of the only teams who on their day could seriously challenge the mighty All Blacks.
So there we have it. France vs Ireland: Gallic Flair vs Celtic passion?
Well step back into history and this would certainly be an accurate summation of the teams. However, recent games (pre-World Cup) have shown the French to have gained an ounce of consistency under Laporte’s regime, whilst the skills of O’Driscoll, D’Arcy and Murphy have ignited the Irish and brought a refreshing creativity and attacking threat to the traditional power of their forwards.
The problem is that both teams have stuttered at this World Cup and shown none of their recent form coming into the competition – the question coming from the French press is has Laporte stifled the instincts of his players too much? Similarly, the question coming from other corners is why the hell has Geordan Murphy been left out of the squad? Obviously both sides are tending towards caution.
In complete contrast, the epic Croke Park battle in this year’s 6 Nations saw the two sides, if not at their peak for the entire 80mins, then not far off it. Only the same intensity will inspire one of these teams to victory, and with it the possibility of qualification for the knockout stages. Defeat, and ejection from the competition would be nothing short of catastrophe for either nation, yet the stunning Argentinean display on opening night has paved the way for a potentially mouthwatering clash with Ireland for qualification should the French win, or the possibility of a French capitulation before the last Pool D match is even played should the Irish win.
So French pragmatism vs Irish tenacity?
All fingers are crossed that both sides will shake off the distractions of the previous games and unleash their instincts in one almighty, passionate clash.
If France were to lose? Well, my disappointment would be masked with a smile. As they say across the Channel, C’est la vie!
By Justin Aylward
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