For those who don’t know, Aotearea is the Maori name for New Zealand and means Land of the Long White Cloud. If you have not been there, put it on the bucket list, a devastatingly beautiful landscape, soaring peaks and volcanic lakes stretching out as far as the eye can see. Also home to the consistently best rugby team on the planet (South Africa may disagree).
Without tempting fate, this England team has arrived with more expectation than hope. The new leadership has instilled a culture and attitude in this group of players. You can see the positive effect that Johann Van Graan has had on Bath with his reference to family and values. It was trust and loyalty which Geoff Cooke brought to the England Squad of the late 80’s under Will Carling leading to 3 Grand Slams in 5 years.
They are small things – the tone adopted by the new Captain Jamie George rings true. Celebration of tries is muted. The ‘players meeting’ in York following the Scotland defeat, demanding that they be allowed to drive the direction of their play, appears to have been a turning point. Another generation of talented players could not bear to see their careers slipping by like so many of recent times. This has been a fault of past history too – so many to choose from, coaches have been like kids in a candy shop. Borthwick seems to have learnt and wants to give his chosen squad the game time they need. He himself was a victim of random selection policy.
To the game itself in Tokyo – a normal order seemed to be installed. The impossibly young Japanese side swung the ball around in frenzied fashion, and England absorbed it calmly. They knew they would win every collision when they came. Marcus Smith is the cricketing equivalent of a flat track bully and put away the Brave Blossoms with something to spare, casting them onto the breeze if there was any in the humidity of Tokyo’s National Stadium. In truth, England as a team swatted away the Japanese threat and recognised a team in rebuild after the World Cup. Their play was conservative but a loose approach was playing into the hands of Japan.
I share some of the caution surrounding Smith’s big match temperament (too Harlequin they say?!) but only because he has not been given the chance. No better place to build the learning curve than in Dunedin and Auckland.
This is also where the belated midfield selection of Lawrence and Slade can make claim for a sustained run, presumably backed up by Freeman (and occasionally Earl by the looks of it…… careful with that). This is really important for the stability of the side. I am still struggling to see where the next generation get their game time – Ojomoh, Joseph for example – but that’s for another time. As for Feyi-Waboso, I am in awe of his competitive appetite and strength alongside traditional winger skills. The All Blacks will test him but he is smart, humble and ambitious.
The other big area of growth will be in the back row where the balance has been questioned. There wasn’t much phase play in Tokyo – no need actually – and this will now be needed together with the pace that Theo Dan can supply. All part of the development given we have a squad where expectation is the norm. This in turn builds pressure which will be a strange experience for some of them. It could start to reference the Clive Woodward mantra of thinking correctly under pressure (TCUP) that characterised the World Cup Winning team of 2003. It should not be forgotten that the Martin Johnson squad was the best in the world for two years in the lead up to the tournament, beating New Zealand in their own back yard with only 13 players on the field at one point and putting 40 points on Ireland at Lansdown Road. This is what it takes. I was part of Club England (RFU committee run by Fran Cotton) which helped guide that growth with Woodward and Robinson. They were special times.
The culture change being driven by George, Borthwick, Sinfield, Wrigglesworth et al is an essential dynamic. Let us see whether they can move this squad on from the fatuous mind games of the previous administration. The changes (not before time) taking place back at the RFU will assist in this. So far I like what I see. It is fresh, a no fear policy and with the new faces in the squad a real opportunity to make their own memories. It will also take leadership across the field and others must follow the lead taken by Marcus Smith. I met him once in Paris when Harlequins edged out a star studded Racing 92 in an incredible European match. He was very grounded, and had a look in his eye which spoke of a real desire to make a difference and knew that he could. I was impressed.
Let the passion breathe, unlock the talent and let it play, to break the mould of the last decade. We may just sneak a win in Dunedin against a new, undercooked and nervous All Black team with an unproven coach. A First Test is always a rugby tourist’s best opportunity. Then watch it all unfold in Auckland, what a rugby contest that will be.
