Post Match Reaction: South Africa 22 England 17
A brutally physical encounter saw South Africa triumph thanks to tries from Jean de Villiers and Morné Steyn. England grabbed a late consolation through Ben Foden but ultimately it was not enough, although they will take confidence going into the 2nd Test.
What did you make of the game?
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Some real plus points, I wasn’t expecting England to win this they are too inexperienced but that is not a selection moan, they can only gain experience form these types of games.
The forwards are forging well and with a few changes we could have a really good pack.
team spirit was excellent too.
Attack is still the main issue, neither Youngs, Farrel, Barrit or Tuilagi would say that passing is their biggest strength and that doesn’t give the attack much chance.
Flood must be brought in, he has weaknesses but he can pass a ball, a talent that is rare at the moment.
I like Barrit and Tuilagi but they are not working together, I would bring Allen in for Barrit or Joseph in for Tuilagi, depending on what kind of game we want to play.
The back three still look good with the few ops they get.
Personally, my team to play test no.2. Really rate Morgan and Marler, but think they would be more benefical as impact subs when playing at altitude (bring on in last 25 mins to punch holes in hopefully a more tired SA team). Same with Farrell, think he is very good, but our midfield is not being used, mainly because of the non-existent passing game, so Flood would get the nod for me. And Barritt is left out due to injury, nothing else. Thoughts?
England Team – Test Team
1. Corbisiero
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Botha
5. Parling
6. Johnson
7. Robshaw
8. Haskell
9. Care
10. Flood
11. Foden
12. Tuilagi
13. Joseph
14. Ashton
15. Brown
16. Mears
17. Marler
18. Robson or Palmer
19. Morgan
20. Dickson
21. Farrell
22. Allen or Turner-Hall
Tommy completely agree with your selection but unfortunately Brown has flown back to the UK with a thumb injury. Seeing how physical they are think it would be suicide to start Wade so you’d either have to start Monye or move Manu to the wing and start Allen
Spirited performance but the second test is now hugely important from a performance and selection point of view. Lancaster HAS to make changes other than the Brown/Barritt enforced one’s. We got completely outmuscled and I don’t think we have the players to compete with them in an armwrestle so we need to get more creative.
The game reminded me of school rugby where if you had a really big bloke you just shipped the ball to him every time. This was so predictable and easy to read I think that we need to move Manu to 12 let him draw two guys and then pass (if he can?) to Joseph to slip through the gap.
Robshaw is rapidly catching up with Warbs, Popcock et al he had an awesome game and think that actually MJ ignorance in not selecting him before was a blessing in disguise as he was allowed more time to develop. Morgan is not match fit that said I’m a little worried about starting Hask at 8 as previous experiments have exposed his lack of skill would be tempted to put in Waldrom in stead?
If we make the right selection I think we stand a chance. Think that the Bokke are feeling a bit too confident with the win and the altitude and we could catch them resting on their laurels. What ever happens its like the 6 nations as long as there is progress and we keep them honest I’ll be happy.
Would you consider keeping Foden on the wing and starting Goode or Abendanon at FB?
In a word no! Need to have Fods experience at 15
Completely agree with the team and Ben’s comments. Robshaw could scrum at 8 for offensive scrums as this is where Haskell’s control has let him down before. But I think Haskell brings a higher work rate than a half fit Morgan plus Highlanders have been playing a high tempo game based on continuity, fast rucks and offloads that we would benefit from learning to emulate.
With Brown out I think I would probably give the nod to Monye with Allen on bench if centre pairing not working out.
Like Ben I’m not going to be too disheartened if we don’t get a test win, provided we see some progress in our game. If we just defend ourselves to 2 more honourable defeats then I would be worried about our trajectory.
I like Morgan, I would stick with him, but I do believe the bench will have to be used sooner in Jobo.
Everybody is talking of the backs and there are problems but if we are to be honest th forwards were out played and the backs never got a good platform, if Foden is to play on the wing I would still like to see him come into the libe more bit as Brown is injured, it looks like he will go back to 15. Barrit being out does force a change in the backs, the safe bet is playing turner-hall and Manu but I think the most exciting is playing JJ.
Farrel needs a breaska nd time to develop we need a passer in the line and somebody who can take it to the gainline and make the pass. Flood has to be in.
My team.
1 – Corbiseiro
2 – Hartley
3 – Cole
4 – Botha
5 – Parling
6 – Johnson
7 – Robshaw
8 – Morgan
9 – Dickson
10 – Flood
11 – Ashton
12 – Tuilagi
13 – Joseph
14 – Monye
15 – Foden
Haskell
Palmer
Marler
Youngs
Mears
Farrel
Allen
The bench needs to be coming on at th 50-60 mark
Pretty much agree with Ronnie selection other than s/h. Having watched Care v Youngs in the Premiership final it just has to be Care in spite of the history he carries. I would also be tempted to stick with Marler who coped well for a first cap