As my post on Friday on prediction of the game said, England need to play the street-fighting game and suffocate the AB of the ball and pressure them into mistakes but rushing them when they have the ball. It worked a treat too, they also committed to the breakdown gave McCaw nothing to work from. The doggedness of the side and commitment was great to see. Never gave ABs any space to flow.
Here's my rating:
Alex Goode: Intelligent game and positional play defesilvely was spot on, never gave the AB any inviting gaps to run down , can tell the Backs coaches have been working on the positional play across the back line. What he offers is overall more then Ben Foden. But what he lacks is the outright pace that Foden has. I think he will keep his place in 6N gives us to many positives. 7/10
Chris Ashton: A couple of missed tackles but his running lines top draw! His positional and support play looking for the ball will mean he will always be a threat. Opposition find it difficult yo pin him as he goes looking for the ball and has energy to do his usual job defensively. People underestimate how good engine Ashton actually has he covers a lot of ground in a match. Great try. 8
Manu Tuilagi: Some great interceptions reading from the best passers of the ball. We saw this early in the tests but it came right against the AB. The issue is that opposition know that they need to have 2/3 ppl to bring him down. When he had the ball AB tactics (and other teams) is to close him in numbers QUICK, problem is Manu has learnt this too and finds gaps now to run rather then concentrating to "bash and go into contact" Carter/McCaw got caught out due to the power running. Very good try and setting up Barrit. Defensively positional play not as good as Barrit but that's why Lancaster likes the centre pairing they complement each other (ish). Good overall display. 9
Brad Barritt: People just don't realise how good and englands defence is made so good its down to the organisation and tackling/positional play of Barrit. Normal armchair observers keep banging on about he offers nothing in attack but he offers so much in Defence Lancaster will not drop him (he is asked to do that role) He showed with the ball and freedom he is REALLY QUICK, people don't realise Barrit is actually very fast. 8
Mike Brown: Great gritty play, never accepts he is tackled just grits his teeth and sucks up the pain and drives some extra yards. Very determined, he out of position and it shows at times but he is good enough at this level but maybe not in the position he is forced to play. Did his part in Attack and defence cannot fault him for that. 7
Owen Farrell: We talk about players who have that rare ability to raise their game and have that special ability/temperament to perform at their best under pressure this is Owen Farrell. Magestic first half and then he proved he could organise an attack. His kind of game, great tackling ability too. What if Farrell started against SA? Those 2 kicks flood missed? With Farrell he is just more reliable when kicking: 9
Ben Youngs: hmmm no other player (other then Botha) devides such opintion. Messed some box kicks but run the forwards well and was also on the look out to attack towards the end of the game. Still needs more consistency through the game, has some moments of brilliance then some really poor moments in the same game! 7
Alex Corbisiero: How important he is to the scrum we seem to be better when he plays. Had world class Owen Franks in trouble on occasions and is clearly a man who Lancaster has as a dead cert for the future with Cole. Led to penalty for being "lazy" and trying to get out of the way, needs to iron that out. Great effort considering he hasn't played much gave his all and was blowing hard with the sheer tackling/scrummaging effort he put in. 8
Tom Youngs: Another solid effort, cannot fault the commitment. Fantastic ball carrier, went for easier throws and Parling again helped him through it and kept it simple and instructions precise. Great tackling and his low centre of gravity enables him to dodge forwards tackles and makes more ground then others. Hartley does everything Youngs can do (some better) but more importantly he is better in the lineout throwing just because of his experience at a higher level for England. 7
Dan Cole: Another commanding display, scrummaging world class, and fantastic in the loose won a fantastic Turnover. His performance and consistency will make England a devastating scrummaging side. A sure Lions bet. 9
Joe Launchbury: What a performance! When you want to see what great players are made of you want to see them raise their game against the best. Joe did it. Unbelievable. first half, work rate, tackling, lineout, carrying - fantastic. A real find, he can only get better him and Parling gave the backs a fantastic platform. He was asked to play the street fighting game and that's what he did gave the AB no rest and kept in their faces. Made most tackles in game. How can you keep him out when he performs like this if Lawes is fit? 9
Geoff Parling: Another great performance. When you need Parling to perform he delivers. I am yet to see him have a poor game? I really love this guy I was wiry of him last year if he was good enough but considering he represented England at all age groups its not surprising he gets to the top is it? Another street fighting game from Parling, scraps/digs in deep and has unbelievable workrate. Him and JL caused to much problems for ABs. Again fantastic in the lineout, he got the boys working like clockwork. 8
Tom Wood: When you need a gritty dog-fighting game plan you can rely on Tom wood to bring the HEAT to the opposition. The aggression at the breakdown, the strong tackling made him a real handful. He is back to his best. His (and robshaws) intelligence in the breakdown nullified McCaw. Great work-rate and offered himself in attack. Great defensive positioning gave his opposite 6/7 little room to make any opportunities. Can't see anyone taking his spot for the 6N, only injury. 9
Chris Robshaw: When you need your captain to put in a majestic performance he does it –week in week out. NOBODY can criticise his commitment, determination and sheer will to win. Nullified McCaw using Wood and was always the "go-to" man when we need someone to carry. His workrate to get into positions and defend is just fantastic. 9
Ben Morgan: Had a good game ran well, but opposition did their work on him so closed him quick. Was again a "go-to" man to carry ball into contact areas and played well. Looks a bit vulnerable defensively due to his inexperience/positional play and reading danger but hopefully that come in time. 7
