21 November 2009

England 6 v  19 New Zealand

As they say beware the wounded animal.  

Well yes we could say England were definitely wounded by the previous week's performance against Argentina and most definitely wounded by the stinging remarks received in the press by pundits and past players, some of whom had been there done it and got the RWC Medal to show for it.

On the whole I was pleased to see the effort, determination, passion and general overall improvement from last week but we are still unable to do anything with any chances we create, let alone get near to scoring a try.  Having said that I don't doubt the player's commitment this week not at all but some I would not have in the team Banahan being one of them, (sorry Matt but that is how I feel)!

The weather was awful, the ground very slippery but it was the same for both teams, so no complaints there.

England's Lewis Moody tackled by New Zealand's Dan Carter

My Man of the Match again was Moody who is playing with more maturity and finally seems to have stopped giving away penalties (err well I will forgive him the one).   It was good to see Joe Worsley and Simon Shaw back but not for long for Joe who was limping from the start and off after two minutes or so and it has been confirmed that he has torn medial ligaments in his right knee. Shaw made a massive impact also.

England's Simon Shaw (right) runs at New Zealand's Brad Thorn

The first half England attacked with everything they could muster but in so doing left themselves open to possible breaks and when the All Blacks break, they break!  Half Time: England 6 v 6 New Zealand.  The teams went in with two penalties scored apiece from Dan Carter and Jonny Wilkinson.

New Zealand's Jimmy Cowan dives in to score a try - All Pictures by Empics

England made a good start to the second half but the All Blacks looked to have stepped up a gear and New Zealand's Jimmy Cowan went in for the only Try of the match with the conversion by Dan Carter.

Thought Cueto looked solid under the high kicks and once again put in a good all round performance.  I also thought Hodgson played really well and would be my first choice scrum half. 

Like many others I agree that although Wilkinson is a demon tackler, overall he is playing too deep but as some have commented he will have been instructed to play like this and knowing his personality he will do what he is asked to do.    So we come back to the coaches again for the umpteenth time, what are they on you have to ask!  The players must have been given a game plan to follow and if they don't follow it they may not play for England again, that is the reality of it all.

What is that saying again ?......... oh yes! 

'Onwards and Upwards'

England: Cueto, Banahan, Hipkiss, Erinle, Monye, Wilkinson, Hodgson, Payne, Hartley, Bell, Shaw, Borthwick, Worsley, Moody, Haskell. Replacements: Tait for Banahan (72), Geraghty for Erinle (63), Care for Hodgson (70), Thompson for Hartley (49), Wilson for Bell (51), Deacon for Shaw (65), Croft for Worsley (2).

New Zealand: Muliaina, Guildford, C. Smith, Nonu, Sivivatu, Carter, Cowan, Woodcock, Hore, Franks, Thorn, Donnelly, Thomson, McCaw, Read. Replacements: Ellis for Cowan (71), Afoa for Franks (58), Boric for Donnelly (58), Kaino for Thomson (58)

England (6) 6
Pens: Wilkinson 2

New Zealand (6) 19
Tries: Cowan Cons: Carter Pens: Carter 4

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