Wales v England Player Ratings
By Patrick
February 15 2009
Although many predicted a rout of twenty or thirty points against Martin Johnson's England, the reality turned out to be far different, as England put in a much improved display after their struggles against Italy. In the end though, it unfortunately wasn't good enough, and whilst lack of discipline is a worry, from an England perspective there were many positives to take from the match.
Wales v England Player Ratings
ENGLAND Delon Armitage - 7 Much better display from Armitage this week, showing glimpses of his Autumn form. Solid under the high ball, good support work and took his try very well. Aimless kicking still an issue. Paul Sackey - 7 Again, potentially returning to his best. Always a threat either with ball in hand or without, claiming a good try and very nearly a second. Mike Tindall - 5 Quiet game in attack but put in some big hits in defense, particularly early on. His yellow card was disappointing. Riki Flutey - 7 By far his best game in an England shirt, sidestepping his way through the Welsh defense and causing problems throughout. Had a hand in both England tries and will look to continue his development in the number 12 shirt for England. Mark Cueto - 6 Didn't see much of the ball but was solid defensively and a reassuring presence on the wing. Andy Goode - 6 Although there was far less kicking this week, it still wasn't of the quality you'd expect of an international 10. Took the game to Wales and showed some nice touches, but his sin binning didn't help. Harry Ellis - 7 With help from the forwards, provided slightly quicker ball this week, shackled opposite number Mike Phillips very well and his quick thinking nearly led to his side's third try.
Andy Sheridan - 6 Adequate at scrum time but a few good charges with ball in hand created several dents in the Welsh defense. Lee Mears - 6 Once again provided excellent lineout ball, although he didn't have many opportunities there or in the loose. A quiet game. Phil Vickery - 6 Solid at the set-piece and never gave an inch. Popped up in the loose more than once and had a hand in both tries. Steve Borthwick - 4 More vocal with his team mates this week but for an international captain that's not enough, needs to up his game considerably and there are also question marks about his ability to control a game, carry the ball, and talk to the referee. Nick Kennedy - 5 Not quite the same impact on the game as recent matches, and hardly challenged the Welsh lineout. Will have more influential days. James Haskell - 6 Far quieter with ball in hand compared to last week but created several important turn-overs on the floor. Joe Worsley - 8 Man of the match by far with a herculean defensive effort which included keeping danger-men Jamie Roberts and Andy Powell quiet all day. Had a few runs in open play as well. Nick Easter - 5 Lack of pace potentially exposed as he looked to take contact far too often. Never gave up trying though.
Replacements of note: Dylan Hartley - 4 If he wasn't getting driven back in the tackle, he was knocking on or getting turned over. Toby Flood - 6 Did well when coming on for Goode and looked a real threat in attack, but his penalty miss was crucial. Tom Croft - 6 Good effort after coming on late in the second half
WALES Lee Byrne - 5 Defensively absent for both Sackey's try and his nearly try, and his aerial challenge on Armitage should have seen yellow had the referee used the second eye he was born with. Leigh Halfpenny - 8 Growing into an excellent international winger, had an impressive game and took his try very well. Tom Shanklin - 6 Started well but rarely broke through England's defence. Strong in defense. Jamie Roberts 5 - Kept quiet superbly by England Man of the match Joe Worsley. Mark Jones - 6 Didn't see much of the ball and question marks will be raised about his match fitness for the game. Stephen Jones - 8 Provided invaluable points with the boot which saw his side finish on top. Kicking out of hand was top notch as well. Mike Phillips - 4 When his A game fails to materialise, he looks slow and ponderous. Passing not up to test standard, took contact far too often, and by far outshined by Ellis.
Gethin Jenkins - 8 Was wonderful in defense, scrummaged well and was at the heart of everything Wales did. Matthew Rees - 6 Did his job well for the improving Welsh lineout. A quiet game in the loose. Adam Jones - 6 Managed to nullify opposite number Andy Sheridan but was otherwise quiet. Ian Gough - 7 Excellent work winning ball at the lineout, and never stopped looking for work in other phases of play. Alun-Wyn Jones - 6 A solid game this week, with the Welsh lineout continuing to improve. Ryan Jones - 7 Led his troops well. Quiet in open play but superb work at the lineout. Martyn Williams - 7 Not the sort of world class performance we know he can produce, but kept plugging away and created a couple of turn-overs for his side. Andy Powell - 5 Had plenty of ball, but always looked for contact rather than space and didn't manage to break the gain-line once. Similarly to Phillips and Roberts, is in danger of becoming a one trick pony. Will have better days.
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and Worsely 9
overall the defence 10
Totalling up the player ratings England were better than wales according to you !! Must be the only one, even the one eyed wags at the bbc could see that wales were the better team !
you have one post to your name - watch it mate otherwise that will be your last.
we don't mind a bit of banter on here as you will have noted from my fencing with cardiffblue but it is all in fun
However, the tone of your post for your first post is out of order
They must have been scored by someone with rose tinted glasses.
I'd knock a pint off most of the England ratings above, amusing a 5 means average.
Borthwick must be a 3-4 at best.
Sheridan 7
I actually thought Easter was better than usual, but his lack of pace is hampering us badly.
I wasn't all that impressed by Ellis, but I've seen worse.
I wouldn't give Vickery a 7. What little I saw of him in open play was poor, mainly because it was consistently popping up in the way of decent ball at first or second receiver.
Tindall's defence was responsible for Wales' biggest break at the start of the second half, and his inert performance in attack was embarrassing. tait looked more dangerous in England's last passage of play than Tindall did in 80 whole minutes.
Ellis a 7? Was he playing yesterday? Phillips a 4 ? He was not that bad Pat.
Andy Powell was ineffective yesterday I agree a 5 would be fair but to call him a one trick pony? Patrick I suggest you try and watch a few more Wales AI games/Blues games first. Then come back and say that.
Granted Lee Byrne had a quiet game yesterday but a 4? Jeezzzuzzz Pat you can't give Byrne a 4 because the ref didn't yellow card him!!!
You gave England a higher overall score than Wales yet Wales won the game.
Having more time to think about it, I admit a 4 for Byrne and Powell is harsh. 5 for average is more deserved.
And bring Sheridan, Vickery and Borthwick down a point... there you go. Wales are now clearly ahead.
I didn't spend time calculating team totals. Certain Welsh players were outstanding (Halfpenny, S Jones, Jenkins etc) and others were poor/made no impact on the game (Phillips, Powell and Byrne).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:02:15:22:12:28 by Patrick.
What a gent.