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Argentina v England Match Views

Englands Danny Care
By K
June 6 2009
Argentina 15 v 37 England 6/6/09- Old Trafford -Manchester Match Views

Argentina 15 v  37 England

6/6/09- Old Trafford -Manchester

Match Views

England played away from home at Old Trafford for the first time since 1997 in aid of funds for Argentina.  A crowd of 40,521, sponsorship plus a television deal with Sky helped raise an estimated £500,000 for the UAR's, which will be gladly welcomed I am sure.

The weather held, the crowd in jubilant mood, so much so that they did not want to see kicks they wanted kicks to the corner and action.

England did make use of the boot very well and kicking is part of the game of rugby, so I am afraid for those who don't like that tactic well they will just have to live with it, after all it wins games at crucial times.

Overall an enjoyable game to watch, some good rugby and excellent defence.  I thought Tom May was outstanding in defence (but maybe I am being a bit one eyed here as he is a favourite player of mine).

Englands Matt Banahan celebrates scoring a try on his debut

Englands Matt Banahan celebrates scoring a try on his debut
All pictures by Empics

A number of players stood out Matt Banahan with a debut try., Dellon Armitage with two tries  and Danny Care who was solid and to my mind just what a scrum half should be.  I am sure our fans /posters will have their own take on this.

 Englands Delon Armitage scores against Argentina during The Standard Bank Cup match at Old Trafford,

Englands Delon Armitage scores against Argentina during The Standard Bank Cup match at Old Trafford, Manchester.  

 

Shame Julian White got sin binned on his 50th match but hey it happens sometimes and as it was commentated that the No9  should not have been there, I suppose it was the manner in which White took the guy out right in front of the ref., that had a lot to do with his sin bin.

Looking forward to the next match in Salta and well done England much better this week.

 

England (19) 37
Tries: Banahan, D Armitage (2) Cons: Goode (2) Pens: Goode (4) Drops: Goode (2)

Argentina (9) 15 
Pens: Hernandez (4) Drops: Hernandez

England: D Armitage (London Irish), M Cueto (Sale Sharks), D Hipkiss (Leicester), T May (Newcastle), M Banahan (Bath); A Goode (Brive), D Care (Harlequins); T Payne (Wasps), D Hartley (Northampton), D Wilson (Newcastle), S Borthwick (Saracens, capt), L Deacon (Leicester), J Haskell (Wasps), S Armitage (London Irish), N Easter (Harlequins).
Replacements: S Thompson (Brive), J White (Leicester), B Kay (Leicester), J Crane (Leicester), P Hodgson (London Irish), S Vesty (Leicester), M Tait (Sale Sharks). 

Argentina:
H Agulla; G Camacho, M Avramovic, G Tiesi, F Aramburu; J M Hernandez, N Vergallo; R Roncero, A Basualdo, J Orlandi, M Carizza, P Albacete, A Galindo, J Leguizamon, J Lobbe (captain).
Replacements: E Guinazu, M Ayerza, E Lozada, A Abadie, A Lalanne, S Fernandez, L Amorosino.

 

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Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: Unofficial England Rugby Union (IP Logged)
Date: 06/06/2009 18:00

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: Cornish Pixie (IP Logged)
Date: 06/06/2009 21:03

Thought Will Greenwoods assessment of 7.5 out of 10 for the performance was optimistic and the scoreline was flattering. We lacked invention and seemed unable to string a run of phases/passes together with each of the 3 tries coming from a slightly fortuitous kick through by Armitage or Cueto. Goode's kicking display was probably his best since his return to the England team but he offers little else and May/Hipkiss whilst sturdy in defence are not the most inventive centre partnership we could field. When England tried to move the ball wide, the passes were either behind or being over run so each time the receiver had to check their run and the move slowed down - poor execution of rugby basics.
My biggest concern though was why with 60 minutes gone and the game pretty much won (lets face it, Argentina never really looked like scoring a try)why we didnt field May or Vesty at fly half to give them some game time. Because we didnt take that opportunity, if Goode gets injured in next weeks game or the build up to it, we will have to field a fly half in an away fixture in a hostile environment who has no international experience in the 10 shirt - i think this shows a distinct lack of foresight by the management team and is certainly not a trick that SCW would have missed.

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: Patrick (IP Logged)
Date: 07/06/2009 03:42

People can whinge and moan about how we didn't score 6 sensational through-the-hands tries whilst cutting Argentina to shreds in every other passage of play, but at the end of the day, this was a good solid win against a team who scrap for everything and seem to be a nightmare to play against. We obviously had a gameplan, and similar to what happened in the Six Nations when England targetted each game with new tactics in mind, they executed it well. Greenwood's assesment was fair, nothing was incredible, but it didn't need to be, get the basics right first. A good win to build on, against a team who let's not forget are ranked 4th in the world and have beaten the likes of France and Ireland countless times in recent years. All this without 9 first choice Lions players, playing 4 debutants and with a few new combinations.

Defense was outstanding, (sack Ford now!), so was the lineout, very solid at the scrum, Goode had his best game for England, very good (not that some will admit it). I thought the back 3 were all good for different reasons, great workrate from them. Easter was immense and Haskell and Borthwick weren't too shabby either. Cueto in particular has been superb this year for England. Unbelievable how he isn't in South Africa now, especially given a couple of the ones that were selected!

I agree that it would have been good to see a few replacements come on with twenty to go, rather than 7 minutes left on the clock. That was a missed opportunity and typifies Johnson's safety first approach, which given where England currently are, might not be a bad strategy for the time being.

Far tougher test next week though you expect!

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: Patrick (IP Logged)
Date: 07/06/2009 03:43

Oh and good to see Borthwick let Julian White lift the trophy at the end. Nice gesture. And what a fitting way for the man to spend his 50th cap, in the sin bin (Sm100). Congratulations to him

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: waltham (IP Logged)
Date: 07/06/2009 07:12

But compare England's performance to the Ozzies yesterday (OK so the BaaBaas didn't exactly make life too difficult for most of the match)... MJ has a heck of a long way to go. The Wallabies would have absolutely mullered England.

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: whingebasher (IP Logged)
Date: 07/06/2009 10:21

The Wallabies were very good.

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: P G Tips (IP Logged)
Date: 07/06/2009 10:52

Agree with Cornish Pixie - would have liked to see more passing from England. Also feel Vesty should have appeared earlier & at 10, not 12.

My other quibble is why Kay did not get on after about 60 minutes.

otherwise, pretty good.

PG

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: Chris B (IP Logged)
Date: 07/06/2009 11:20

My thoughts since getting home without watching a replay;

Frontrow; Had the better of the scrum, Hartleys lineout was poor, but he made up for it in the loose. 6 o/a
Borthwick: Shockingly bad, did precisely nothing nor showed any leadership to warrant his selection, let alone captaincy. 4/10
Deacon: Very impressive 7/10
Haskell: Anonymous 2/10
S. Armatidge: Unspectacular, but solid 6.5/10
Easter: Powers are fading fast, needs to pass the torch 5/10
Care: 50% Genius, 50% Madness 6.5/10
Goode: Bad(e). Needs to learn that pass instead of constantly kicking the chuffing ball. A decent defence would have monstered him 4/10
Banahan: Chased the ball up well, took his score well also. 7/10
May: Looked like a poor mans Jamie Noon, never a good start. 4/10
Hipkiss: Solid in contact, good running lines, didn't miss a tackle 8/10
Cueto: Played his heart out, deserved something out of the game. 7/10
D Armatge: MOTM (IMO) for good reason 9/10

Notable subs:
Crane: Much more dynamic then Easter, not long enough to show his worth 6/10
White: Needs shooting. I wonder how much he was paid for those 3 minutes on the field? 0/10


Overall: England are in dire straits to be frank. If that was the 2007 Argentina, they would have been monstered. The old boys network needs to go, the tactic of "take only the 3 points" needs to be forgotten and the Leicester-Bath-Newcastle-Wasps axis needs to be disbanded - The fact the crowd spent the 1st half more interested in Mexican waves and in the second literally booed every time England went for the posts sums this England team up perfectly. They were lucky really that Argentina were equally as clueless. 4/10

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WARNING!
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Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: tigeroo (IP Logged)
Date: 07/06/2009 11:40

Chris B's post - what absolute and total rubbish.I suggest you watch the replay and pay attention this time.

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: Chris B (IP Logged)
Date: 07/06/2009 12:52

Quote:
tigeroo
Chris B's post - what absolute and total rubbish.I suggest you watch the replay and pay attention this time.
What a nice thing to say, very constructive.

What were your opinions then?

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WARNING!
The above comments may contain traces of sarcasm and/or humour
They also may not reflect the opinions of the viewer
Reader discretion is advised

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: Cornish Pixie (IP Logged)
Date: 07/06/2009 14:06

Not sure can say the lineout was poor when we only lost 1 line out which was the very first one 2 mins into the game. The set piece wasnt a problem, it was the rest of the time that we struggled. You didnt see the front 5 carrying the ball (forward) with the occasional exception of Hartley. Easter and Haskell carried well but took the ball into contact too often which lead to the usual problems at the breakdown with slow ball or turnovers following.
Im not saying we should have scored six tries displaying blistering pace and soft hands cutting the defence to ribbons, but in 80 minutes we should have been able to put some cohesive attacks together and we did not. The only real break we made was Care leading to the second try and even then he threw a poor pass that Cueto luckily managed to deflect back in field for armitage to land on.

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: Cheadle Monkey (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2009 10:27

"England did make use of the boot very well and kicking is part of the game of rugby, so I am afraid for those who don't like that tactic well they will just have to live with it, after all it wins games at crucial times."

Sat in the ground. This was poor fare to offer. The scoreline flattered. Two lucky fly hacks from Cueto. Poor passing. Kick.. Kick.. Kick.. kick.. kick.. kick.. kick..

This wasn't a "crucial game". England have key players in SA. This should have been used to attempt to introduce some play from the backs. Especially after we had opened up a decent gap in the second half. But no.. kick.. kick.. kick.. kick.. kick.. and some of the kicking was bloody awful.

If this is all England have to offer with Goode at 10 then god help us when we meet the All Blacks in the future. They will punish the poor kicks.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:06:08:10:33:23 by Cheadle Monkey.

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: Battering Ram Winger (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2009 10:37

Well, I'll admit I was several sheets to the wind by the time the England match came on - Father's 60th birthday party and a the keg of Hopback Summer Lightning was being consumed all day, but my impressions were:-

1). Pack looked decent but still had some problems at the breakdown.

2). Midfield generated very little for the wide players - Care's break aside, I can't remember us beating the line with the ball in hand or through passing, everything stemmed from kicks. Hipkiss is better than Noon, no doubt about it, but he is still suffering from the English outside centre disease of being unable to pass.

3). As my uncle said, "Goode was alright, but I don't want alright playing for England". He kicked as we know he can kick on a good day, but his passing and running game was non-existent. I don't mind playing a controlling fly half, but they have to have other strings to their bow. Wilkinson may have been a monster with the boot but he could run and pass with great skill as well. Kicking ball to a lock on the wing when you have men outside you and quick ball is woeful.

4). I thought Wilson had a good game, myself, the scrums seemed to go well and he did a decent amount of work in the loose. Cueto showed his all round game well. Armitage played better and I thought Easter had his best game in ages as this was a tight affair that suited him. Argentina looked very rusty and disjointed, so I'm not sure what to make of it.

I'd give it a 6/10. Job done, but masses of work and several players to be shed come the next EPS.

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: clutch (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2009 11:13

The problem is Goode never draws anyone when he passes. He's not exactly subtle. Still, if we are going to play him, then he needs to kick his goals and drop the goals. So using that rational, he played fairly well. I won't be watching though.

Think a get more annoyed with Cipriani for being an "a hole". Otherwise he'd probably be in the team, and I wouldn't have to put up with Goode.

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: Cheadle Monkey (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2009 13:28

Goode tends to be stood still when he gets the ball and when he does run. I think he might have done this once .. twice? He heads off in the direction of the sideline.. reducing the space for backs to work in.

I don't think Cipriani is the answer. I don't think he likes to tackle. Which is the only good point I can think to say of Goode.

England look to have a problem for the 10 shirt.

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: Battering Ram Winger (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2009 13:43

Er, Goode's tackling is pretty rubbish as well. Mind you, tackling is not the first trait I look for in a fly half. As long as they hold their own, it's OK, you just have to compensate. And a team like Ireland with Ronan O'Turnstiles at fly half can win the Grand Slam.

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: clutch (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2009 11:14

Speaking of rubbish tackling, Hodgson is currently the best English 10(by a mile), and he's not even in the Saxons squad.

The problem is Johnson. Why is he selecting Goode exactly.

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: tigeroo (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2009 11:57

Because:

Flood is injured
Wilkinson is injured
Cipriani is off form
Vesty bottled the two high profile finals recently
Hodgson can't play international rugby

and because Goode is an experienced head who can at least steer the ship well. Just because you don't like his style of play doesn't make the decision to play him the wrong one. He's pretty much created 5 of our tries in the last two games, so he can't be doing that badly.

We know this England team can run in through-the-hands tries, we saw that when Flood was playing and we had the highest try scoring tally in the Six Nations, 16 was it? Now Johnson is tweaking the game plan to take advantage of which fly half is currently available. It's really not that hard to understand. But don't let the facts get in the way of a good old moan and whinge about England.

The booing of Goode was disgraceful by england fans. No wonder everyone goes on about Ireland and Wales having the best bunch of supporters.

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: Cornish Pixie (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2009 12:27

I wasnt sure that the fans were booing Goode, just booing englands decision to go for the posts when the game was won and a kick to touch would have generated an attacking platform.
Agree that due to injury or form there is no "complete" 10, but if you play a flyhalf like Goode surely you need to compensate for his lack of attacking flair with options elsewhere i.e an inventive centre, or at least a 13 who realises there are players outside him e.g. Matthew Tait and no Tindall, Noon, Hipkiss (sits back and waits for the response from all Gloucester/Newcastle/Leicester fans that there man is nothing like the other 2)

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: ironman (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2009 19:45

Its difficult not to be uncharitable about the way the crowd behaved , and how few of them turned up , shame on Manchester or the way the game was marketed (probably a bit of both) .

I thought it was an unexceptional but encouraging in parts performance. The front row did well and overall set piece was very solid if unspectacular , Kennedy and Kay if he's in better form would be a good combo esp if we get Croft in there too.

I dont think anyone is arguing that Goode is seriuosly a great option for England but he is an able substitute and capable of seeing us home to (stultifyingly dull wins).
More of a selection issue for me is 9 , its a blessing tubby Ellis is in SA as in my view hes the third best English nine I'd have Hodgson for his energy , consistency and speed of pass over the admittedly zippy but haphazard Care.

Cuets is a consistent international finisher and whilst he got more and better ball Halfpenny is not half the player he is. Armitage continues to mature nicely and looks a leader for England but the centre positions are a problem.
I agree that May and Hipkiss defend outstandingly but lets face it Tiesi was the guy with the slieght of hand on display on Sat.
Overall though not as gloomy as most of you eeyores , will be interesting to see how they cope with Sat.

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: whingebasher (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2009 21:09

Maybe the small crowd is a reflection on the quality of rugby they expected to see?

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: whingebasher (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2009 21:14

Quote:
clutch
Speaking of rubbish tackling, Hodgson is currently the best English 10(by a mile), and he's not even in the Saxons squad.
The problem is Johnson. Why is he selecting Goode exactly.

Johnson is not the disease. Hes the symptom.

To sort this mess and the mess of the last 6 years one needs to go one rung further up the ladder.

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: Slater582 (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2009 23:58

Higlights on Channel 5 right now according to my TV guide...

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: PoyntonShark (IP Logged)
Date: 10/06/2009 04:19

Quote:
Ironman
and how few of them turned up , shame on Manchester

Why not shame on the southerners for not being bothered to go if the match isn't played in their backyard?.

Do you really believe that the whole Twickenham crowd comes from London?

I know of at least one contributer to this board who travels to pretty much every game at Twickenham from the far north. England home internationls tickets are distributed largely via the clubs, that gives a relatively equitable share right across the country.

I agree the attendance was disappointing, and will probably result in England not straying outside of HQ (away game or not) for quite some time.

Cue all those who attended Old Trafford from south of Watford.

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We are the angry mob. We read the papers every day. We like who we like, we hate who we hate, but we're also easily swayed.

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: DrV'sHairyCraic (IP Logged)
Date: 10/06/2009 09:08

PS, We came up from Reading and are glad we did. Great pre-match atmosphere (postmatch was a bit lackluster), surprising friendly & helpful stewards & met a frindly Sharks fan who advised us on a good curry house in Cheadle.

And we saw a LI player got 2 tries & set up the other.

We'd certainly return.

Re: Argentina v England Match Views
Posted by: ironman (IP Logged)
Date: 10/06/2009 12:21

PS you make a very fair point about the club distribution of tickets.

Whilst I havent any stats on the matter my impression at Twickenham over many visits by road and rail and occassionally 28 mile cycle is that the crowd is predominantly southern despite the distribution. There are of course many more rugby clubs in the South and West than there are in the North (someone must have the numbers).
I just thought as you that its a real shame that England games outside of HQ (which potentially could have be good for the game and its development) are now much less likely.

Ive always enjoyed trips to Stockport but then my bro lives up there and I'm a LI fan smiling smiley

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