Poor Poms down Italy

Poor Poms down Italy

7 Feb 2009

England produced a stuttering display in their 36-11 win over Italy at Twickenham.

This is still the same poor England side who were beaten convincingly by the Springboks and none of the players put their hands up for Lions selection.

However, the Italians gifted them three tries in the opening half hour.

Nick Mallett’s experiment of using Stade Francais flanker Mauro Bergamasco at scrumhalf was a dismal failure. Any Italian attack was thwarted by his slow service, his lack of a decent boot was a weakness, while his absence at the back of two rucks led to the first couple of tries. The third English try to Riki Flutey was directly from a wayward Bergamasco pass.

Bergamasco was finally subbed at half-time, but by then Italy were down 22-6 and the 16-point deficit was too much to pull back. Italy dominated possession in the opening half, but couldn’t do much with it, while this trend continued in the second.

England did not look capable of  constructing any tries without the help of an Italian error, it was only in the 78th minute when wing Mark Cueto scored due to decent English play. The only reason their defence conceded the solitary try was due to the lack of momentum from the Bergamsaco fiasco in the first half.

Much was written about the return of Andy Goode to the flyhalf position and he got the best possible start as he scored in the second minute. It was self-inflicted from the Italians as two earlier mistakes gave the opportunity to Goode, who grubbered and dived over the whitewash.

From the fairy-tale beginning Goode’s performance was far from spectacular as he missed two penalties, knocked on elementary passes, and lacked authority in his general play.

Martin Johnson shouldn’t be fooled by the scoreline and the English will need to improve greatly when they take on Six Nations champions Wales in Cardiff next Saturday.

England – Tries: Andy Goode, Harry Ellis (2), Riki Flutey, Mark Cueto. Conversions: Goode (4). Penalty: Goode.

Italy -Try: Mirco Bergamasco. Penalties: Luke McLean (2).

By Grant Ball 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 


200 Comments

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  • 151.scar: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:15 pm

    england is to rugby what keaunu reeves is to acting

  • 152.carol: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:18 pm

    #150 Fern: Well a brown and white one is called a skewbald and a black and white one is called a piebald .They go for premium prices now, very fashionable!

  • 153.carol: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:19 pm

    # scar: Climb back into your snowdrift Mr. Scar!!

  • 154.carol: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:21 pm

    Grant10 you return….

  • 155.dquinn25: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:21 pm

    # scar: your right, pop quiz hot shot your team cant score with out the opposition handing tries to you what do you do what do you do

    italy made england look average today they played a huge part in their own downfall england only scored 1 structured try and the final score hugely flattered them

  • 156.grant10: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:22 pm

    how is weather at Ireland game…can someone give score updates?

  • 157.carol: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:24 pm

    #156 grant10: Dry, cold and not too windy. 3 – 0 to Ireland.

  • 158.grant10: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:25 pm

    #157 carol: heeeehaaaa….go paddies!!

  • 159.Fern: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:25 pm

    #152 carol:
    this was white,brown and black.
    fowl tried to eat my hand

  • 160.carol: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:31 pm

    #158 grant10: France score try and it is converted. Now 3 – 7

  • 161.carol: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:32 pm

    #159 Fern: Very nice then, Mmm, man eating foals…..not so good ;-)

  • 162.grant10: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:32 pm

    #160 carol: bloody hell!!!

  • 163.carol: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:33 pm

    Now Ireland 6 – 7 France

  • 164.carol: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:34 pm

    Do you want commentary as well Grant?

  • 165.Puma: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:34 pm

    Much better game this to watch. Come on Ireland.

  • 166.grant10: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:34 pm

    #160 carol: i am so tired…braai and party till 1 30 am this morning…then up at 7 am to take blondes sister and husband for our walk and swim this morning…long ,lazy lunch and lots of beers on the wine farm Groot Consatantia…will be sound asleep soon!

  • 167.Fern: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:35 pm

    #161 carol:
    did you not know we get man eating fowl’s here?
    the baby horse tried it as well.

  • 168.grant10: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:35 pm

    #164 carol: LOL…scores will do fine…nothing in it now!!

  • 169.carol: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:37 pm

    #166 grant10: Fantastic, but isn’t that what weekends are about? Don’t fight the snooze, you are at an acceptable age to snooze when you dam well like!!

  • 170.grant10: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:37 pm

    #164 carol: are you going to watch the game tomorrow??

  • 171.carol: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:38 pm

    #167 Fern: Nothing would surprise me here!

  • 172.grant10: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:38 pm

    #169 carol: LOL…the blonde needs her 8 hours as well so its cool…yip, do enjoy the odd party!

  • 173.grant10: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:39 pm

    come on Ireland…make my day!!

  • 174.JimT: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:40 pm

    #164 carol: Hi everyone. No games broadcast for us until tomorrow :-( I can’t resist checking the scores anyway. So I’m up one 6N pick & maybe on the way for a 2nd? Margins a little off though didn’t expect Italy to provide so many give-aways :-(

  • 175.Puma: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:41 pm

    #173 grant10: Much better game this grant.

    See you went to Groot Constantia today. Great restaurant there. Always go there when in Cape Town. Beautiful views from there too.

  • 176.carol: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:41 pm

    #170 grant10: Hope so, had to repel visitors earlier who wanted to doop by and disturb my rugby!!
    France looking dangerous at times, score remains the same….

  • 177.grant10: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:42 pm

    #174 JimT: mallets risky move with a non specialist 9 backfired badly!

  • 178.Puma: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:42 pm

    #174 JimT: Hello Jimt. Italy were just rubbish. Gifted England 3 tries. Never mind England will take it thanks. One good try by England though.

    This game much better to watch so far against France and Ireland.

  • 179.carol: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:42 pm

    #176 carol: doop = drop!

  • 180.Puma: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:43 pm

    #177 grant10: Dreadful move by Mallet that not playing a specialist scrumhalf unless there were none?

  • 181.JimT: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:43 pm

    #29 carol: yes that’s right you’re shallow :-)

  • 182.carol: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:43 pm

    #174 JimT: Hi Jim, yes Italy were not looking too hard to beat at any point.

  • 183.Puma: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:44 pm

    Still a close game. Come on IRELAND

  • 184.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:45 pm

    Hey… move over to the France thread…. the game is on there…

  • 185.carol: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:46 pm

    #181 JimT: I am, you should see the pictures of the French rugby team that were sent to me, BLIMEY !!
    I forwarded them to girlfriends at work who complained they couldn’t concentrate for the rest of the day! Chabal was not pictured!

  • 186.carol: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:47 pm

    #184 grootblousmile: Oh thats where you are!!

  • 187.Puma: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:47 pm

    #184 grootblousmile: HAHAHA.. I was going to tell everyone that here now. Off to the Ireland and France thread.

  • 188.carol: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:47 pm

    Come back “Quick Links”..

  • 189.Wezwp: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:49 pm

    We one week away from the super14. I’m so excited, been looking forward to it for ages.

  • 190.grant10: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:49 pm

    #175 Puma: very special groot constantia…visitors are my girlfriends sister and husband from La Lucia…they are so in love with clifton and cape town…have had a great time!

  • 191.grant10: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:50 pm

    #189 Wezwp: me as well Wez!! Are you going to game?

  • 192.JimT: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:50 pm

    #177 grant10: Yes, I think made my picks too early, didn’t factor that mistake in my calculations. Still too many giveaways by the sound of it. Come on France!!

  • 193.Wezwp: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:50 pm

    Hey Carol sweety. Have you ever met Rafael benitez?

  • 194.JimT: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:52 pm

    #182 carol: Well we all knew that. I think you did better on the margin perhaps?

  • 195.JimT: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:53 pm

    #185 carol: Oh no, not more pornography? :-)

  • 196.Puma: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:53 pm

    #192 JimT: JimT move over to the Ireland and France thread we are all there.

    #190 grant10: Love Groot Constantia. Great place also Clifton actually the whole of Cape Town love the place.

    Now everyone MOVE OVER TO THE IRELAND AND FRANCE THREAD. Most are on that thread.

  • 197.Wezwp: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 19:54 pm

    I usually do go to a few games, but i doubt if i’ll make it for the opening clash against the sharks.@Grant. Btw are you a season ticket holder?

  • 198.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 21:24 pm

    #40 RedLion: they beat Scotland and margins of defeat have generally got closer. Mallet is a superb coach, possibly the best of all, I’d happily have him for England

    #124 Wezwp: good point, England have never lost to Italy

  • 199.Tbozknows: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 22:58 pm

    I think it is safe to say France, Ireland and Scotland are the form teams. everybody else is rubbish. England were terrible, they produce such slow ball…

  • 200.Tbozknows: Reply to this comment
    7 Feb 2009, 22:59 pm

    #199 Tbozknows: Mistake I mean France, Ireland and Wales..

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