Re-watching the 2nd test and it's clear to me the difference in the decision making by the ABs is first class. England players ATM don't have that instinct to make the right decisions in the crucial moments. Some examples:
1. 36 ignoring a 2 man overlap on the left to pass inside to Wood??!!! To rub salt into the wound his poorly executed pass is next to impossible to pick up, as it's thrown to round Wood's ankles. From there Rettalick picks it up and from there the AB players pass it quickly and efficiently right to left through the hands. Cruden exploits a gap between Wilson and Morgan, who get caught in the outside channel and sets up Savea, who in turn passes to Bin Smuth for the try. Just so, so simple and the AB players are on the same wavelength. England could have done the same, but for poor decision making.
2. The real turning point for me is Tuilagi's run at the end of the first half. Again poor decision by both Tuilagi and Brown to not run together. Tuilagi should have run towards the goal posts to fix BS A and Brown should have run a better support line instead of running away from Tuilagi, so he had an option to pass to. Credit to BS for the tackle and turnover, but a real chance blown to score a converted try and lead 17-3 at halftime, instead of giving away a penalty and going in 10-6 up. It would have changed the momentum of the match completely.
The counter attacking from the ABs is just so good and England just can't compete when this combined with excellent decision making under pressure. For me, this is the small, but big difference between the two. England can compete on equal terms or better the ABs when it comes to scrum, line outs, mauls and at disrupting at the breakdown. But it is those small margins, of decision making of all the players, which make the ABs a great side and England a only good one.
