Johnson remains composed
2 Mar 2009
Keo.co.za brings you the latest news from the Six Nations.
Johnson remains composed
England fullback Delon Armitage claims Martin Johnson remained calm in the dressing room after his side’s defeat to Ireland despite his obvious frustration in the stands.
Johnson was captured on television producing a furious reaction to Danny Care’s late sin-binning – England’s second of the match at Croke Park and their tenth in the last four Tests.
Phil Vickery was also yellow carded and Johnson’s men also contrived to give away a total of 18 penalties during the contest.
However, it was Care’s stupidity that proved critical as the scrumhalf’s reckless barge on Marcus Horan gave Ronan O’Gara the chance to kick Ireland two scores clear with just 11 minutes remaining in the game.
Given Johnson’s reaction to that incident it seemed likely he would tear into his players in the dressing room after the game, but Armitage insists his coach kept his cool.
“He didn’t go off on one like people might think he would have done,” said the 25-year-old. “He was very calm about it because he could see it on the boys’ faces. We knew we had blown a big chance of beating Ireland.
“There was no point in ranting and raving about. We were already hurting bad. It is not that long since he was playing and he knows the feeling, what it is like to give a game away.”
This thread will be updated throughout the day.
3 Comments
2 Mar 2009, 08:46 am
poor poms
2 Mar 2009, 10:31 am
It all starts at the bottom, let the clubs play majority foreign players and your national sides will fail.. almost every time!
2 Mar 2009, 12:57 pm
Johnson’s RWC winning team was based on discipline so why this team just gives away penalties and cards like they do just shows that he has no control over these bunch of players!
Did you see BoD’s comment on Johnson as coach? Classic!
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