England vs. South Africa 25/11/06 Match Review

Well!  What can I say that has not already been said in the months, weeks prior to this match!  England were hapless and hopeless.  

Last weekend I sat and watched them win against a really young Bok team and thought then, we were very lucky to win that match.  Today in the comfort of my armchair I watched and thought in the first half we did look as though we were in control and had confidence in one another and then everything unraveled once again before my eyes.

Yes of course, it is a team game!  However, once again and I am sorry to upset club fans but if the kicker whoever he may be, or whatever number he has on his back misses the conversions or attempts at drop goals at this level, in my book it is not acceptable.   I need only point you in the direction of the South African player Andre Pretorius's game today to hammer home my point.

It is a game of 15men plus subs., but in my opinion some players have KEY roles, the fly half is one and also the scrum half.  I thought Richardss was doing fine to be honest, why he was subbed (well frankly I am bored go and ask Robinson why?)  As for putting Toby Flood on in the last 5mins, what the heck did he expect him to do in those few mins., hardly warmed up.

England have problems both on and off the field.  The biggest problem is nobody cutting the line, nobody running onto the ball, handling errors, panicking, a team that has not bedded in and established.  Caste your mind back to 9-10months before England won the RWC 2003, they were established on a winning roll and most of all and probably the most crucial thing, every player had confidence in each other's game.  In fact England oozed confidence then and had belief in one another.

This team (or whatever team Robinson puts out) does not seem to know what each other are doing and frankly we never looked like we could score a try!  So when Cueto did score from (and I have to admit), an intelligent kick across field from Andy Goode,  please someone tell me how the Referee, who was right on the spot could miss the ball being grounded?  Surely the camera angle was wrong, surely the referee looking straight down at the man, ball and line could not make such a crass mistake.  Eeee Gods!

Hats off to South Africa and Jake White, they have looked at last week, brought in reinforcements told certain players like Pretorius you want to go to the Rugby World Cup next year - then start performing and they have gone forward this week fantastically.

England sadly, have gone back again!  I can't honestly say that anyone stood out for England, we had a few good moments in the first half but more my luck than management and there we come to it 'THE MANAGEMENT'   What management I hear you all scream and I agree!   What I want to know now is, when will this all end and how can we stop the rot.

Rob Andrew has the balls to sort it out and all I ask along with many other fans is,  please do it and do it quickly.

The Match:

England led 14-3 after half an hour, a Mark Cueto try and three Andy Goode penalties but let this lead slipped away along with the hearts of the crowd.  South Africa fought back well and went in at half time leading England 14-16 South Africa.

England had lots of  possession but showed they could do not a thing with it and it was the South African's turn this week to come back into the match turn it around and WIN!  Final Score England 14-25 South Africa

Sadly while the Springboks celebrated, England were once again booed off by the Twickenham crowd.   England started the Investec Challenge matches losing and apart from one small blip last week, ended the series losing.  Happy Days eh?

Well done South Africa!

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