It was another frustrating, jarring defeat for Steve Borthwick's nearly men...
but England can take comfort knowing they have taken great strides in New Zealand, writes CHRIS FOY Borthwick's side suffered a 2-0 series defeat to the All Blacks in New Zealand The All Blacks wrestled back control of the contest after the break at Eden Park By Chris Foy In Auckland Published: 19:08 BST, 14 July 2024 | Updated: 19:08 BST, 14 July 2024 e-mail View comments Before heading to the airport for their 12,000-mile journey home, England ’s tour party took a ferry to Waiheke Island to enjoy lunch overlooking the Hauraki Gulf and sing a few songs. After being on the go for 13 months, it was a deserved opportunity to relax and unwind together, come to terms with another frustrating, jarring defeat and reflect on everything they have been through in the course of a marathon season. It didn’t end how they wanted it to, but given where they were last summer, England could take comfort from the sense that they are on the up.
So much has happened during a campaign which begun last June, when Steve Borthwick named his training squad for the World Cup. Not long after that, the national team appeared to be in a state of disarray following another two-wins-from five return in the Six Nations . They lost at home to Fiji, which wasn’t an ideal send-off for the global showpiece, amid grave concerns about their physical condition and their defence in particular.
So much has happened during a campaign which begun last June, when Steve Borthwick named his training squad for the World Cup It didn’t end how they wanted it to, but given where they were last summer, England could take comfort from the sense that they are on the up But the World Cup went better than expected. Ben Earl and Alex Mitchell came through to become key men in the first-choice side, then George Martin really announced himself in the latter stages of the tournament. England used several veterans, kept it tight and so nearly went all the way.
Their smash-and-grab mission was impressive in the trying circumstances. After that came a significant revamp, with Owen Farrell stepping away from Test rugby and Jamie George taking over the captaincy – which he has handled with distinction. There was a dramatic, overdue tactical liberation midway through the Six Nations and that process has continued on this trip, in the eight-try rout of Japan before agonising back-to-back defeats against New Zealand.
Read More New Zealand 24-17 England: All Blacks show their class in commanding second-half display Waking here to learn Ireland had edged out the Springboks in Durban, to draw their series against the world champions away from home, put England’s efforts in context. That is the exalted level they aspire to reach, but for now they are competitive but not yet canny enough to win more close encounters than they lose. England beat the formidable Irish at home but fell short against France in Lyon and twice here.
Marginal pains. As Borthwick flies home and takes stock, he will recognise that great strides have been made but there is a long development path ahead. The plusses are the emergence of fine new talent led by the deadly Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – who proved he could defend as well as run amok, Chandler Cunningham-South – as the blindside heir to Courtney Lawes, and Fin Baxter – who immediately asserted himself at Test level.
But there remain gaps in England’s repertoire and their playing stocks. The head coach knows he needs more clout across the front row. Dan Cole can’t go on forever and the scrum was under the cosh here.
George needs true challengers at hooker. A resurgence for Luke Cowan-Dickie would be a vital boost for Borthwick, along with more compelling performances by the next-generation No 2s; Theo Dan, Gabriel Oghre and Curtis Langdon. There were too many glaring errors on Saturday which undermined England’s herculean effort to put so much pressure on the All Blacks before clocking off for the summer.
In the past, the last fixture on tour has been a game too far, but not this time. They were in it and had a glorious chance to make history at Eden Park, but the cohesion was lacking in a weary team. Key men who missed this tour should be back, including Ellis Genge, Ollie Chessum – and George Ford There were too many glaring errors on Saturday which undermined England’s herculean effort to put so much pressure on the All Blacks The same opposition are next up in November at Twickenham.
George and Co will believe they can turn the tables there, to start claiming more of the statement wins which would validate their clear progress. Relatively refreshed and with home advantage, they should be favourites in the autumn, especially if Maro Itoje is fit and firing for Saracens. He has been a World XV player again on this trip.
Watching the lock-dynamo scale the heights again has been a highlight of these recent weeks. Key men who missed this tour should be back, including Ellis Genge, Ollie Chessum – and George Ford. The veteran Sale fly-half will want to show that, after producing a creative masterpiece at 10 against France in Lyon at the end of the Six Nations, he cannot be discounted.
Marcus Smith played well out here, but the debate will rage on, about who is the right conductor. Borthwick places so much emphasis on selection continuity and that principle should apply more to the primary playmaker role than most others, as it has such a bearing on the team’s eternal quest for fluency. But England will start next season with a familiar dilemma about that position, with a trio of contenders vying for inclusion.
Farrell will be out of the picture at Racing 92, but Fin Smith has emerged as a young alternative to the other Smith, Marcus – and Ford. It is a complex riddle which Borthwick needs to solve as one of his urgent priorities. He will have to re-consider his loosehead hierarchy too and breakdown issues exposed by the All Blacks will resurrect a debate about England’s best back-row balance, with Tom Curry capable of enhancing the team’s ruck presence.
Fittingly, as they re-cross the equator on the journey north, the Red Rose squad can take satisfaction from coming a long way, in performance terms, as well as geographically. But it is not enough. They were desperate to fly home with a prized scalp – just like Ireland – but it wasn’t to be.
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