England vs Samoa -  26/11/05   -  Match Review

Well, for those who thought England would put masses of points over Samoa - sorry but I can't help but saying I told you so!

This game for me was a bit of shambles today!  Not only should we have done better, in fact at times I thought we were sloppy.  We also played against 13 men for a good part of the second half, yes we got the tries but it was not convincing at all.  Having said that, respect must be given to Samoa's defence but they were tiring in the second half and infringements and niggles were creeping in as well as some very dangerous play.  

England wingers must have been feeling cold as they hardly got a sniff at the ball and Cueto seemed to have been singled out for some pretty rough stuff.

Samoa looked really sharp at times and they gave England a couple of frights on the break but just seemed to lack the final pass, just as well for England as at 10 - 3 in the first half , if the Samoans had scored at that point, their tails would have been up and it might have been a different game second half.

Second half England did put on the pressure but unfortunately England's discipline in the shape of Lewis Moody must be called into question.  I can understand Cueto's reaction to the high tackle on him, and although he went over to eyeball Tuilagi the perpetrator of the dangerous tackle, Tuilagi threw another punch at him, Cueto did walk away I don't remember seeing him throwing any punches but Lewis Moody just seemed to lose it.  Yes he came off with a bloody nose but you can't take the law into your own hands like this and as an England player he will cost us points in games if this continues.  Lewis could be looking at a lengthy ban for this.   Throwing punches can receive from 2weeks, 3months, 6months or a maximum ban of 12months - so we shall see. 

On a more positive note, I applaud the try scorers. Debut tries by Tom Voyce, getting two and  TomVarndell as well as superb tries by Charlie Hodgson and Harry Ellis.  And I have to say both Charlie and Harry Ellis looked very relaxed and comfortable in their England positions.   Harry Ellis showed zip, spark and it was a pleasure to watch him.  Charlie was fantastic, he directed the game and I would agree with the pundits at Sky was deservedly Man of the Match.

With respect to the pack, it was really unfortunate for Andrew Sheridan as he had to come off after only 21mins due to injury but this gave us a chance to see what Perry Freshwater could do and how do they put it 'the boy did good'  I also felt Thomson as well as Borthwick, Stevens and Louis Deacon all had a good games.   Pat Sanderson was once again very solid and I feel he will now be a permanent fixture in the England side

And then we come to Tindall - apart from the first Voyce try when he off loaded the ball to Ellis helping to create the try, well that was about it really!  Tindall is not the player he used to be and we saw far too many errors for my liking today.  As for Simpson-Daniel he is a excellent player but today just did not seem to be with it, at one point having his back to the ball as Lewsey was throwing the pass to him.  Captain Corry, Again I thought showed courage especially for kicking to touch rather than going for goal kicks

Everyone got on from the bench at some stage during the match and all the players did their best to perform and be noticed by Andy Robinson.  I am also with the many who are not sure at times what Any Robinson his thinking maybe that is part of his plan to confound the opposition.  However, I hope it is not at the expense of England's Rugby World Cup build up and defence.

My Man of the Match: No: 10 Charlie Hodgson  closely followed by Voyce who is another class act.

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon