- England beat Japan 52-17 in Tokyo the primary sport of their summer time tour
- Subsequent up is a visit to New Zealand for 2 Checks in opposition to the mighty All Blacks
- England must Bathtub centre Ollie Lawrence as greater than only a ball-carrier
Job completed for England in Japan. Now the true problem awaits. Steve Borthwick‘s facet will journey to New Zealand this week for 2 crunch Checks in opposition to the All Blacks on the again of a powerful victory in Tokyo.
Their show — whereas not excellent — solely served to rubber-stamp my perception that it is a good group made up of fine gamers. The victory was the right platform to take to New Zealand, the place issues might be quite a bit more durable.
England had been far too good for Japan. Eddie Jones is beginning once more with the Courageous Blossoms, however they regarded properly off the tempo regardless of loads of intent. Jones goes to have his work minimize out.
The late pink card for alternative Charlie Ewels and the yellow obtained by Marcus Smith weren’t ideally suited. His clear-out on Michael Leitch was harmful. Ewels is not a nasty participant however he is now been despatched off in his final two England Checks and I doubt we’ll see him in New Zealand now.
The opening 10 minutes was worrying. There have been 4 penalties, Chandler Cunningham-South dropped the kick-off, and Henry Slade missed contact.
Marcus Smith was certainly one of eight England try-scorers in a 52-17 win over Japan in Tokyo
However to their credit score, England bought going after that. I assumed Smith had an excellent sport at No 10 and his partnership with Alex Mitchell should proceed in New Zealand. They’re a very nice mixture.
Smith all the time seems an excellent participant when his group are going ahead and that is what occurred in Tokyo. However in opposition to the All Blacks England will not be as dominant, which can present Smith with extra of a problem, though it is one he can rise to.
I used to be very impressed with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the wing. I believe he is particular. He scored one other attempt from a beautiful Smith go however there’s one thing about his sport that makes him stand out in every little thing he does. He should additionally begin in opposition to New Zealand. I would wish to see a bit extra from Ollie Lawrence. England want to make use of the Bathtub centre as greater than only a ball-carrier as he’s higher than that.
Lawrence is huge and highly effective however that does not imply he must be deployed as somebody simply to bash the ball into contact which is how England used him in opposition to Japan. You want extra than simply energy in modern-day worldwide rugby.
The good New Zealand centre Ma’a Nonu began out as a crash-and-bash service provider, however advanced his sport beautifully. Lawrence could be a related participant for England however he must be used appropriately.
Ollie Lawrence is huge and highly effective however there’s loads extra to his sport than being a basher
England’s assault labored properly at occasions. I preferred Ben Earl’s tip-on go for Cunningham-South’s opener and I additionally loved his rapidly taken penalty within the second half. Extra of that please Ben!
There was quite a lot of debate concerning the England fly-half spot. However I believe Smith deserves to maintain maintain of the shirt for the remainder of the tour.
He was changed by Fin Smith as soon as his yellow for an early sort out had elapsed. However Fin did not assist his trigger with an instantaneous missed sort out that led to a Japan attempt.
England conceded 15 penalties in Tokyo and in the event that they do this in opposition to the All Blacks, they will be in huge, huge bother. On the entire, although, England will be happy with their summer time opener.
Borthwick’s group had been spectacular and managed and can arrive in New Zealand assured of additional success. I can not await the All Blacks sequence to begin.
