England hopes riding on Samoan smasher
15 Jun 2012
The decision to play Manu Tuilagi at No 12 is based on England’s desperation to win the collisions and subsequently nullify the Springboks’ tactical kicking strengths at altitude.
On Thursday, England coach Stuart Lancaster announced that flyhalf Toby Flood would start the second Test against the Boks and that Tuilagi, who has yet to play a Test at No 12, would be on his outside.
These selections, as well as that of Test rookie Jonathan Joseph at No 13, have been described as bold at best and desperate at worst. There is a sense in the English rugby fraternity that the coach is guilty of too big a gamble in a match that could decide the series.
Lancaster, however, feels that these players could hold the key to a famous upset. It goes without saying that the England pack will need to out-muscle their South African counterparts if they hope to win, but on the back of a strong display at the tackle, England will also play Flood and Tuilagi closer to the gainline.
‘Toby is the most experienced player in the group, and he has a good relationship with Ben [Youngs, scrumhalf] and Manu having played together with them at club level,’ Lancaster said. ‘We are expecting that Leicester triumvirate to serve us well.’
The 46-Test veteran will play the role of decision-maker, while Tuilagi will be tasked with providing the team with go-forward in that No 12 channel. The Bok midfield proved difficult to breach in the first Test, and it could be that the less physically imposing Morné Steyn, who is a notoriously inconsistent defender, will be targeted.
Bok coach Heyneke Meyer said earlier in the week that he expected the English to alter their tactics. Lancaster confirmed that the visitors intend to play more ball-in-hand rugby. The England coach believes the selections in the backline are geared towards this type of strategy.
‘I believe it’s important to have two ball players in our backline, but you also have to select according to what’s required on attack and defence,’ he said. ‘We recognise the threat of the Bok midfield, and we know that we have to win that gainline battle.
‘Manu’s the type of guy who can get us over the gainline. In the subsequent phases, we have the players at 10 and 13 who can then play with more width. That’s the thinking behind the combinations.
‘The injury to Brad Barritt has forced the change in midfield, but it’s also presented us with an opportunity. It’s Toby’s time to play at 10, and in Manu and JJ [Joseph] we have some really exciting young players.
‘There will be a different emphasis on the way we play this week, but we will still look to play in the right areas of the field. If it’s on to play, we will definitely give it a go.’
There remains some concern in English rugby circles regarding Tuilagi’s aptitude as a Test No 12. He hasn’t played many games for Leicester in that position, although it was as at No 12 where he troubled the touring Springboks in 2009.
The Tigers went on to win that game 22-17, and the Samoan-born centre hasn’t forgotten what it feels like to beat the Boks.
‘I really enjoyed that match,’ he said, ‘and I’m looking forward to playing that physical, in-your-face game when I play at No 12 again this Saturday.
‘We really want to keep the ball more and create opportunities, and I’m very focused on what I need to do. It’s a huge challenge, but I’m really excited about it.’
Like Lancaster, Flood has full confidence in Tuilagi’s potential as a tackle-breaking, ground-gainer.
‘Manu understands his game very well. He will be in the game a lot more this week, he’s the ball-carrier the rest of us will play around.’
Flood suggested that the team that gains the ascendancy at the collisions will enjoy benefits in other aspects of the contest. Defensively speaking, England will aim to pressure the Bok forwards as well as the Bok halfbacks. If they are successful, they may limit the hosts’ tactical kicking strengths.
‘We will have to be aggressive and pragmatic, and we must ensure that we don’t give them any opportunities,’ said Flood. ‘It’s always difficult going toe-to-toe with the South Africans. They can play expansively but that is often on the back of a big game up front, they want to gain momentum first.
‘They also kick very well. They have Pat Lambie and the Steyn brothers, as we like to call them, so obviously they are well equipped in that department. They also understand how to use that altitude to their advantage.
‘For us, it all boils down to nullifying their kicking game this weekend. And to do that we first have to put pressure on them up front.’
By Jon Cardinelli, in Johannesburg
42 Comments
14 Jun 2012, 16:44 pm
Game Over for England…Bokke by 20!
14 Jun 2012, 16:52 pm
In 2009 he had Meisiekind opposite him. Doubt he’ll have as much fun against Frans Steyn…
14 Jun 2012, 17:24 pm
The Chiropracter will be seeing the Acupuncturist (Fransie) for treatmrnt. Then Meisiekind will give him an ego massage in the last 20.
14 Jun 2012, 17:29 pm
Send Meisiekind to kamp staaldraat!
14 Jun 2012, 17:32 pm
Still think he would be more destructive playing as 13 as the first receiver on second phase, particularly in a split backline.
Wrong move here by England.
14 Jun 2012, 17:33 pm
Send Tuilagi to kamp staaldraat!
14 Jun 2012, 17:36 pm
A rejigged back line against a Bok team on the up. I think England are on a hiding to nothing
14 Jun 2012, 17:37 pm
Send England to kamp staaldraat!
14 Jun 2012, 17:43 pm
Stuur die Chiropracter na Kamp Trekdraad!
14 Jun 2012, 17:48 pm
Wat is n draad trekker?
14 Jun 2012, 17:49 pm
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CGMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fkyknoord%2F4541609152%2F&ei=CgjaT_rSIOe46QHFrqXLAg&usg=AFQjCNHhKU00OE5tezkUkhjicFpjjoiFig&sig2=pNdh8i8NQm997gXMCv1xmA
14 Jun 2012, 18:00 pm
@RWC’11 was fixed(richardmarais)-10: a wire puller like HG or Mad Eye.
14 Jun 2012, 18:06 pm
@RWC’11 was fixed(richardmarais)-10:
a dirt trakker with vaseline
14 Jun 2012, 18:11 pm
I must say I always enjoyed watching Aaron Mauger. His all round skill set set him apart from any other 12 during his Test career. That said, I’d bet my savings on Ma’a Nonu every time. Different players & relative strengths, same result. Someone made a good point on here by saying SA started to struggle when other nations could match or better our robust, abrasive approach with big, strong players of their own
14 Jun 2012, 18:12 pm
what happend to tackler?
14 Jun 2012, 18:17 pm
@viewer(viewer)-14: Agree. Also because of the attritiona/confrontational nature of the SA game (look at the derbies), player management and depth is important for us. More so than sa Australia who can still produce with a smaller player pool. Lots of our players always play with injuries and niggles and are never at 100%. That’s why I think we have a relatively good record at RWCs, because players can be rested and conditioned for it.
14 Jun 2012, 18:37 pm
Signs of panic and irrational selection error from Lancaster?
Comes Saturday evening, a campaign of ‘Bring on Mallett’ will start on The Telegraph and Co
14 Jun 2012, 18:41 pm
Moving Tuilagi to No.12 is an odd decision, considering that he smashed De Villiers at 13. Why not just keep him there? Steyn at 12 was much more proficient at keeping Tuilagi at bay. The big guy is a real threat, but so is Steyn. Go Bokke!!!
14 Jun 2012, 19:00 pm
The Boks must run at Manu all day, quick feet will beat him most times, pity we don’t hv Aplon…
14 Jun 2012, 19:08 pm
Didn’t Domdoos Mallet say Tuilagi would run circles around our centers all day long ?
14 Jun 2012, 19:12 pm
Is it my imagination, or are the tea drinkers stocking their ranks with international players ? Tuilagi, Barrit, Botha ? Just like their cricket team ? What – no decent cricket or rugby players in England ?
Oh I say old chap…..
14 Jun 2012, 19:24 pm
Big Bok Brekers must just reign in all their preconceived ideas that England going to be a walk in the park after we had the wood over them in the 3rd quarter last week.
I too would have brought Tuilagi closer to the inside channel if I were Lancaster. in fact I been suggesting it all week since even before the last test.
Joseph at 13 is a fine silky visionary runner, who will make some hay off Tuilagi’s busting bursts at 12, and Tuilagi is a monster of a hit man even more devastating than Nonu at inside center. This is where England’s game will either make or break this weekend and its now a straight shoot out between Steyn and Tuilagi who bosses the inside channel collision course.
With Care, Flood, Tuilagi, Joseph, Ashton, Strettle, Foden and Goode off bench, if their forwards can provide some good ball.. it could be quite a game coming up on Saturday, with little Lambiekins in the firing line and Basson covering off bench.
14 Jun 2012, 19:26 pm
Watsup Duskeeee
14 Jun 2012, 19:55 pm
They will use their poached Samoan to run at Morne Steyn all day long, just like the Welsh used Roberts to trample over M. Steyn in RWC 2011…. eina.
14 Jun 2012, 19:59 pm
Looks like Morne worked on his defence, don’t think Manu will be running circles around Morne as expected
14 Jun 2012, 20:13 pm
@RL(RL)-24:
That by itself won’t win a game for them.
14 Jun 2012, 21:17 pm
I think it’s just a ploy to have him run at Morne. Morne is a serious liability in the team and if he still doesn’t discover his kicking boots he really needs to go. He is average at best…
@WPStormer Shadow(WPStormer Shadow)-25: Based on what?
14 Jun 2012, 23:08 pm
Everyone thinks this England team is desperate and on their last roll of the dice. The thing is this tour is all about development and trying new things. There is no experience to fall back on, its all young new kids. Moving Tuilagi to 12 is just as much about seeing what he can do there as it is about seeing what Joseph can do at 13 at the same time. Its a very exciting back line, Lancaster will be having a good look at how well plan B can work, because England are far more used to playing the forwards kicking game. This week there is only one kicker in Flood and so provided there is some ball provided by the forwards it should be very exciting and completely different to last week’s game. Its quite refreshing to see experimenting going on, because for far too long England have only had one way to approach a game and if it doesn’t work, they look totally clueless.
Come the November tests and next years 6 nations, England will be far more settled and in a better position to challenge the Southern Hemisphere super powers.
14 Jun 2012, 23:45 pm
It’ll be good practice for Morne who will soon have SBW, McCabe and Iaone running at him
15 Jun 2012, 00:40 am
Morne has been solid in defence this year and he´ll have Marcell backing him up from the side of the scrum and Frans on the other side.If you ask me Tuilagi is in for some bone crunching himself.
This is going to be good.
15 Jun 2012, 06:38 am
@RWC’11 was fixed(richardmarais)-15: Heh heh…
15 Jun 2012, 07:42 am
Francois Steyn is licking his lips at getting a shot at this guy.
15 Jun 2012, 08:29 am
Keo headlines now courtesy of The Beano.
15 Jun 2012, 08:37 am
The English believe that the strong running of Tuilagi could open up the game for the outside backs – same as many believe Steyn will do for the Boks – let’s see if Steyn can stop Tuilagi and vice versa.
15 Jun 2012, 09:51 am
Now that theyve got rid of that whinging Yappie plant, theyll be much stronger and smarter. They dont seem to like the big brown brothers running at them so this could be fun.
15 Jun 2012, 09:59 am
@PrickBoks going South(PrickBoks going South)-35: Oh yes so much fun, hope you enjoy it poeffy pant.
15 Jun 2012, 10:06 am
@PrickBoks going South(PrickBoks going South)-35: haha, howzit blackpantie, the “brown brothers” part and your ju-doos iscariot give it away.
much like baxxies used to be your favourite little line.
you are as banal as ever.
wake up.
15 Jun 2012, 10:11 am
@PrickBoks going South(PrickBoks going South)-35:
What whinging yappie plant now?
15 Jun 2012, 10:33 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-38: dear old blackie missed us all so.
at least he is talking to me again lol.
canadian? LMAO!
15 Jun 2012, 11:04 am
@PrickBoks going South(PrickBoks going South)-35: YAAAWWWWNNNNN…and the idiot is back…
15 Jun 2012, 11:11 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-37:
justice for BLACKIESSSSSSSSS.
~bellywobble guffaw~
15 Jun 2012, 23:28 pm
Big brown brothers running at them? Should we be scared? Wetpantie, mommies calling, run along like a good boy…..
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