England is a team built on emotion. With their backs against the wall, Eddie Jones can drive a passionate rally, but today we got to witness a performance that shows the group’s progress.
That’s what I really want to see. I think England will win, but for me that wouldn’t be a success if there isn’t a good performance too – a clear step forward.
England know how to beat Australia. If you look at every test since Eddie was involved, except the first test here in Perth, they have physically dominated Australia in every game. It hasn’t been really close.
Marcus Smith has to play like he does for Harlequins and let his intuition take over
This England team showed again last weekend that when they are against the world they will fight and that is an honor for them, but is this group being pushed to develop? Where is the growth in the attacking frame?
Last week they kicked better and hunted better, they were more physical and they won. But they didn’t create anything that made you think ‘That’s good rugby’, apart from Owen Farrell’s field at 70 minutes.
There have been so many highs and lows under Eddie because England are an emotional team, but you can’t play such a successful season. Emotion is important, don’t get me wrong. You have to throw the sink at it.
Lawrence Dallaglio was one of the most emotional players I played with, but he didn’t cry and scream every game. He saved his tears for the big games, when he really came into his own.
I want England to show more layers today, in the way they play – and that means giving Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell the freedom to really click as a 10-12 partnership. That hasn’t happened yet. They are still trying to play the same game of spades, instead of letting Marcus play the way he wants.
Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell need the freedom to really click as a 10-12 partnership
Everything went well for him at Quins. Everything he touched has turned to gold. Then he joins England and I imagine the message is ‘make sure you sit back and kick the ball here – make sure the ball is put in this area’.
You can see that is at the forefront of his mind. During the second Test, he tried so many little kicks and dinks, some worked, some meant he missed runs for which he normally doesn’t need a second invite.
On the plus side, he will learn how to handle games alongside Owen, but it’s important that Marcus doesn’t lose what makes him special in the process.
When with Quins Marcus pushes the boundaries but with England he still finds himself and maybe thinks too much instead of letting his intuition take over and let go of the quick feet we are so used to seeing .
When you enter into relationships, sometimes they click right away, but sometimes you just need to work each other out a bit. Owen is very strong-minded and leads from the front. Right now Marcus and Owen are the best two to play at 10 and 12, we all just want them to find the balance they need.
Farrell will lead the squad in playing for power and emotion in the series decider
For the relationship to work, Owen will need to lead in a new way that will allow Marcus to step forward and inculcate in others how he sees the game, as it is clear that attacking space is his forte.
Owen will lead the squad in playing on strength and emotion as these are some of his strengths. It will be Eddie’s job, as well as that of the players, to really develop their attacking style today. He will feel the pressure build.
There has been a glimpse of the partnership, but when Owen was the first receiver, he passed the ball to Marcus so early and didn’t oblige anyone. Owen can. Vice versa, Marcus has had times when he could go see Owen, but it’s not quite synced up yet.
Hopefully this can be their breakthrough game together for Marcus and Owen. England had their backs against the wall last week and won, so now those two can be free to really imprint their style of play on this team.
England should be able to play like the Irish play. They have the perfect mix of power play, moving the ball and working as a collective. Andy Farrell is doing a great job there. England have the ability and skill to play like that.
England showed again in the second Test that when they are against the world they will fight
This last test is huge and if they can win it but also show progress everyone will get excited. If Danny Care comes in and plays like he does every week at Quins it will be unbelievable.
First test he was in, then out and then back in, but I hope he plays with a smile on his face, waving his hair and trying it early with a big swan dive. That’s who he is.
Hopefully he’s not trying to be England’s Danny Care and just trusting his individual instincts. That’s what they all have to do. I know what it’s like to be in an English squad and I feel like you can’t fully express yourself.
Of course you have to find unity as a team, but you also have to be yourself, so that’s what I want to see today from Danny, Marcus, Owen and all the players.