England needs more than just fight!
Ireland win the 6 Nations, whilst England need to regroup with the World Cup on the horizon. Mike Penistone looks at what England needs to do next.
Time for some brutal honesty.
Is Borthwick a coach or a manager?
When the pre-game focus is on “fight” rather than performance, you must ask the question.
England shouldn’t let Steward's sending off camouflage the real issues.
In a post-game TV interview, Jonny Wilkinson said, “it’s just not happening out there.” What is not happening Jonny???
Of course, any coach will tell you, unopposed or limited contact team runs at training have little value. Many players have told me over the years, they think the team run is a waste of time.
Sir Clive said, “England needs to show more ambition.” What he really intimated was why is Owen Farrell still on the field? Someone with running skills had to replace him. You know who.
Farrell has created a new position fly-half, quarter back, only he punts it rather than throws it. In post-game interviews he cannot articulate what England was trying to do.
If we allow kicking for “chaos rugby” then the running game is threatened at all levels in England.
Let’s re-visit team play.
Practice sessions.
- Patterns of attack must be learned and practised.
- Key players will see when a particular pattern can be used.
- The roll of the “playmaker” is important, he will have good vision and understanding of his team’s capabilities.
- However, the playmaker will not override the individual reacting to cues that trigger the individual to use his skill in a particular situation.
- “Using the ball is a blend of understanding with attitude; of team awareness with individual virtuosity; of practised patterns with spontaneous reaction. The blending is elusive and short-lived”.
There is little evidence of this level of understanding in England performances.
When your key playmaker is lacking individual skills, including running skills then you have a selection issue!
France and Ireland at points in this 6 Nations have reached this level. Ireland certainly did in NZ.
England have Japan and Argentina in their group. A progression may see them play Wales or Australia in the quarters. Neither are world class although Australia has a good team within its squad but it hasn’t been selected yet!!!
I think it’s important to focus on winning games by scoring tries and that necessitates being a threat with ball in hand anywhere on the pitch.
Or am I just dreaming, England?
Mike Penistone
www.rugbycoachingconsultancy.com
Coaching thought. “Will referees stop coaching the defence please.”
“So far in Super Rugby there has been a 20% increase in kicking”. (Justin Marshall)