England 31 v 12 Argentina QBE Autumn., Int., 2013
By Kath
November 10 2013
Well England got the Trophy and what an odd looking trophy that is? Bit like the game really.
QBE Autumn Internationals 2013
England 31 v 12 Argentina
On a very cold November day the Twickenham crowd stood and paid their respects to those who have fallen, not a sound was made during that silent minute.
And now to the match itself .
Hmmm? England were not convincing yesterday at Twickenham, it was definitely a tale of two halves.
Chris Robshaw winning the line out - All pictures Empics
The first half was good, England pressing everything seeming to click, line outs, scrum, passing, kicking to goal and tries.
Shame about the second half which was woeful as Sir Clive Woodward said after the match WHY?
Questions have to be asked of this England squad. Let me kick off with one...... Are we working as a team? Answer sometimes yes but other times I fear some players are forgetting why they are there. These are not premiership games guys', you can't stand and be protected by your team mates. YOU have to stand up and be counted every single one of you.
Why can't they play 80 minutes, do they need counselling in concentration perhaps? Frankly it was like two different teams! I suppose all the changes in the second half by Lancaster did not help the shape but really guys you are supposed to be the best in England and I did not see that today.
Apparently talksport.com have an Exclusive with Dan Luger who is calling for 'Ashton to be dumped' ...... err well I think you heard on our message board first Drop Ashton. Ashton scored a try yesterday but he should have two others and his defence is awful.
The other tries came from Launchbury (I do like this lad),
BillyTwelvetrees
and Morgan (who reminds me of Dallaglio a bit).
Plus plenty of penalties given away to the Pumas. Mike Brown is still for me outstanding and an inspiration on the field.
After the match all I could think of was...we are gonna get MUNCHED good and proper by the 'All Blacks' next week but having watched the France 19 v 26 New Zealand match I live in hope, as New Zealand had a bit of fright against the French and they looked rather shaky.
So maybe we stand a chance.
The crowd paid good money to watch that game, tickets are not cheap at Twickenham, thank goodness in the end they won. Argentina did up the anti in the second half but honestly not enough for England to play as they did. England need to go back to school and do a bit more home work, take the exam instead of putting forward modules!
Am I being too harsh? I think not, I expect England players to perform for 80+ minutes and more. They are professionals after all, or am I wrong ?
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Oh and the crowd had the one and only David Beckham in their company, think his kids must prefer the oval ball?
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But what is so apparent is the lack of threat in the backs. Mike Brown is our best attacker at the moment by a long stretch. We lack the out-and-out pace to scare teams, we lack the power to knock them backwards and we lack the guile to unlock their defences. I would single out Joel Tomkins (perhaps unfairly) as being a prime example of a bloke who just does not worry defenders or offer anything unique to an attack.
For that reason, I would bring in Eastmond. Why? We need some X-Factor in there. Somewhere. Anywhere.
My review, highlights and player ratings for the Argentina game are up here: www.ruckedover.blogspot.com