Yeah I just don't get this tactic. Although England beat Australia 3 - 0 when they toured, I did feel perplexed at this tactic of continually kicking the ball to Folau, one of the best receivers and counter attackers out there. He'd always catch it cleanly, return it and gain ground. You would think at some point the penny would drop "oh we better stop kicking it to him". And I remember a Scotland game where they kicked the ball to the Italians, who counter attacked and scored. 5 minutes, later, Scotland get the ball and did exactly the same thing. I would call it schoolboy rugby, but when I was playing schoolboy level, we adapted. If the back 3 were strong and quick with good skills, we'd keep the ball from them, not continually kick it down their throats in the vein hope they'd drop it. I don't think I've seen Folau drop one single high ball, yet teams keep on kicking to him, hoping he will one day.
If England continue with this tactic against the ABs and Boks, they will be ripped apart. You fight so hard for possession and just give it away.... there are times when box kicks are the way to go, but it seems to be a primary tactic of the English as well as other teams. Boks were just as guilty and were punished for it. England have some great forwards, why not use them. If they can hold onto the ball, recycle it, go through the phases, they'll make ground and more importantly keep possession. I remember one Bledisloe cup game and I watched the ABs "aimlessly" drive it at the Wallabies defence, seemingly not getting anywhere, but they got through 20+ phases and eventually gaps opened up and they scored. If you can get players like Vunipola running at say Richie Mounga, he's got 40kg on Mounga. He's going to make the gain line. If he doesn't the first time, he will the second time.