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'They panicked': Why England should've risked it for the win vs ABs

England's fly-half Marcus Smith claps the fans after the Autumn Nations Series International rugby union match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham stadium, in London, on November 19, 2022. (Photo by Ian Kington / AFP) (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)

Former Blues captain James Parsons believes England “panicked” against the All Blacks last weekend, as they decided to settle for an anticlimactic 25-all draw.

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After an up and down international season, which has included first ever losses in New Zealand against Ireland and Argentina, the All Blacks were looking to make a statement at Twickenham.

With plenty to prove less than a year out from the Rugby World Cup, New Zealand had the chance to extend their unbeaten run to seven Test matches – and their next opponents were one of their fiercest rivals.

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The All Blacks raced out to an early 14-nil lead after tries to Dalton Papali’i and Codie Taylor, and they never really seemed to be at risk of squandering their advantage.

A sublime Rieko Ioane try after the half-time break appeared to be the final nail in the coffin for England, who were trailing 22-6 soon after.

But All Blacks star Beauden Barrett played the role of both the hero and villain in the dying stages, as he was yellow carded just a few minutes after a successful drop goal.

England capitalised on the one player advantage, and scored three tries inside the final nine minutes to draw the scores level at 25-all.

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While they were playing with all the momentum, and with the energy and passion of the Twickenham crowd ready to spur them on to something incredible, England decided to end the Test there.

After the kick-off, Flyhalf Marcus Smith kicked the ball into touch and brought an end to what was a thrilling end to the blockbuster clash.

Speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, former Blues captain Parsons said that England were in control and could’ve gone on to win the Test before settling for a tie.

“They’ve done it with ease like that last eight minutes, in terms of counterattacking,” Parsons said.

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“One of the biggest players that probably came off was Dalton Papali’i, who was slowing their ball down all night and once he came off, they were just getting that front foot ball.

“Their actual ability to have front foot ball from that kick-off is right there, it was a short kick-off, they were 60 out.

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“I don’t quite buy that, I think they panicked, and they just thought ‘geez we’ve done really well to get it to a draw, let’s just take it and get out of here.’”

Flyhalf Marcus Smith played a crucial role in England’s comeback late in the Test, and appeared hellbent on leading his team towards a famous victory.

The star pivot quickly knocked over the final conversion before running back to halfway, seemingly focused on the history that awaited both himself and his teammates.

But instead, it seems the team made the decision to end the Test there, as he given the duty of kicking the ball into touch – despite appearing a least a little bit hesitant to do so.

“If you watch Marcus Smith when he kicks that conversion, he does not waste any time. He kicks it, he turns around and he sprints back to halfway,” he said.

“You could see when he kicked it out, I felt like it might’ve been a directive because he was not happy, and you could see forwards saying ‘get it, get it out, get it out.’

“I don’t think everyone in that team was in all agreeance but sometimes you have to disagree and commit as teammates and that’s what Marcus Smith did.

“All his body language said he wanted to have a W next to their name.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith' Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'
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