England still hope to outbully Boks
21 Jun 2012
Stuart Lancaster believes England have been physically dominant at times and feels the new selections will give them a better chance of consistency in Saturday’s Test.
England were in a fiery mood during the first 40 minutes of this series, turning in an aggressive performance at the collisions. They were also more effective at the tackle point during the second half of the second Test, and so nearly effected a dramatic comeback after being 28-10 down.
Lancaster said on Thursday that the team had taken heart from these showings, although they realise a more complete effort will be needed if they are going to leave South Africa with at least one Test victory.
The England coach has made a couple of unforced changes to his pack that he believes will help the tourists in their gainline ambitions. No 8 Thomas Waldrom and lock Tom Palmer are expected to provide England with more grunt at the tackle, while James Haskell will be similarly tasked when he steps in for the injured Chris Robshaw.
‘It all comes down to an 80-minute performance,’ said Lancaster. ‘We’ve performed well in patches in this series, but haven’t put it all together. We have to start well this Saturday and then really build the momentum throughout the course of the game.
‘James Haskell has brought a lot of energy to the team, but energy is one thing and physicality is quite another. We are looking for him to play that role, both as a defender and as a ball carrier. Thomas will also have a big role to play in that regard, and both he and Tom Palmer impressed me [in that department] when they came off the bench last week.’
The Bok pack has been weakened by the loss of Willem Alberts, who sustained a knee injury in last week’s match. The uncapped Jacques Potgieter will start at blindside flank in Alberts’ place, and England may feel that they have an opening with the Boks fielding two rookies in their back row.
Lancaster admitted that he hadn’t seen much of Potgieter, but said that England’s focus was on winning the collisions and that who wore the Bok No 7 jersey had no bearing on that ambition.
He also said that England won’t be wanting for motivation. The Boks may have already won the series 2-0, but England are going into this match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium as if it were a one-off Test.
‘There is no such thing as a dead rubber in international sport,’ said Lancaster. ‘The next game is important just as every international is important.
‘There is always a better feeling when you end the season on a high, and that’s also what we are after this Saturday. It’s not going to be easy though, we will have to earn it.’
Another win for South Africa will ensure a 3-0 whitewash and extend their winning run against England to 10 victories.
Another loss for England mark their fourth defeat in eight Tests under Lancaster.
By Jon Cardinelli, in Port Elizabeth
130 Comments
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21 Jun 2012, 21:26 pm
@TASSIES(TASSIES)-94:
Hey, Tassies
A familiar face, how is it going? Know anyone going to the Port Elizabeth game?
Why is it not being played at Newlands?
21 Jun 2012, 21:27 pm
@David(David)-95:
The usual bit of work, bit of holiday thing. Never thought I’d stay longer than two years, like Saffas used to be allowed to. But then I met the girlfriend, and things changed.
21 Jun 2012, 21:28 pm
@carol(carol)-89: They’re all on the run. Should be across the border by now (do we have an extradition treaty with Botswana?) Why did they have to drag Nikita into this mess?
21 Jun 2012, 21:29 pm
Can hear the largish drops on my afdak outside. Not a good omen for tomorrow’s rugga down the road at Nuweland. Where I shall be encamped of course. Baby Boks vs Baby Blacks is a mouth-watering prospect.
21 Jun 2012, 21:30 pm
@PomNaaier-Bok(PomNaaier-Bok)-98:
Good Heavens, try the Cotswolds next time. We sufer mainly from sheep rustling and an invasion of media types who are too closely associated with Rupert Murdoch and people who run the country!
They just leave their children in pubs by accident! lol
Perhaps you should water the beer a bit!
21 Jun 2012, 21:31 pm
@TASSIES(TASSIES)-104: I’m down the road from Newlands too. Must be hearing the same large drops.
21 Jun 2012, 21:31 pm
@carol(carol)-101: nope. and No. Guess it a case of spreading the largasse or something to that effect. How’s the English summer? Apparently it might have rained once or twice. Or three or ninteen.
21 Jun 2012, 21:31 pm
@TASSIES(TASSIES)-100:
You get used to it. As long as you have a go at them occasionally. Lol.
21 Jun 2012, 21:31 pm
@TASSIES(TASSIES)-99:
Give us a shout when you are next allowed over ok?
21 Jun 2012, 21:32 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-103:
She seemed such a nice girl
Good boots and a lovely roll neck sweater!
21 Jun 2012, 21:33 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-106: just re-started KM.
We’re in for a wettie tomorrow. Better take your wellies.
21 Jun 2012, 21:33 pm
Nice chat chaps
Time for supper with the Welshman!
See ya
21 Jun 2012, 21:35 pm
@carol(carol)-110: Didn’t notice those.
Anyway, they’ve passed the point of no return now. Keo has them wrapped up like Charlie Manson’s family.
21 Jun 2012, 21:35 pm
@PomNaaier-Bok(PomNaaier-Bok)-108: just tell them you’re Bismark’s cousin. That should put a lid on their enthusiasm. Who the %$#@’s Bismark I heard them shout.
21 Jun 2012, 21:36 pm
@carol(carol)-105:
Yeah, I guess me occasionally giving them STROH isn’t a good thing.
Lol, DC won’t live that down soon.
21 Jun 2012, 21:37 pm
@carol(carol)-112: Supper? Midnight snack’s more appropriate. High tea. Late tea. Midnight tea. Very confusing.
21 Jun 2012, 21:39 pm
they probably spell that ‘straw’. That’s if they can spell at all.
21 Jun 2012, 21:39 pm
@TASSIES(TASSIES)-111: I’m in charge of the little’uns, so we’ll be watching from the snug comfort of my heated sitting room.
21 Jun 2012, 21:39 pm
okay girls. I’m also outta here. Speak saturday after the win.
21 Jun 2012, 21:40 pm
@TASSIES(TASSIES)-114:
Sal probeer.
Give an extra fist pump for me tomorrow at the game please. Should be a cacker. It looks like we have a lot of talent coming through.
21 Jun 2012, 21:41 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-118: wise man. And I’m going to walking home in the rain, very slightly merry its hoped.
21 Jun 2012, 21:42 pm
Yup, it’s quiz night tonight. Probably need to get downstairs for a bit.
Cheers everyone.
21 Jun 2012, 23:27 pm
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-75:
Not rugby fans,just thugs.
22 Jun 2012, 03:58 am
Nope, not optimistic about Potgieter’s selection…Like him as a player, but seriaas…..you cannot come into a test(!) match without playing competitively for ~7 weeks. He may risk serious injury (I really hope not). Have recently seen a guy banned for 6 weeks (not injured) coming into top notch games, and going off after 20 mins with long term back injuries etc – I TRULY hope I’m wrong, but the step appears too far
And its debut as well. Eish
Hopefully HM knows something I don’t
22 Jun 2012, 07:52 am
@PomNaaier-Bok(PomNaaier-Bok)-120: A cacker, hey? Nervous?
22 Jun 2012, 09:05 am
Sad to say but think – SA are in serious trouble here. Eng best team out of the 3 games and SA have no bench – And Spies and Olivier. Think we will be good the first 50mins – If we dont have more than 15 point lead – come the last 20mins we will be in serious K@K – if I go on what happened last weekend.. Bizzy and Beast do to much to ask them to play 80mins or give 100% after 60mins.. JDP will go off after half time, then we get wernen Kreuer who will be like a schoolboy getting some scrummaging lessons… Just hope Potgieter can produce a good game and fill at lest 60% of Alberts boots…
22 Jun 2012, 09:14 am
@rabooby(rabooby)-126: Ja,bench looking very risky this week,not an improvement at all and no real impact players of which to speak,hopefully boks will put in a full 80 min performance,if not,I predict an upset in wet english conditions.
22 Jun 2012, 10:20 am
England love talking themselves up. They have shown nothing to suggest that they are a world class outfit. Competative for 40 minutes and then start blowing their own horns, typical. England have been fortunate that an inexperienced Bok team has not completely clicked yet. Come year-end they will receive a 40 point hiding at Twickenham by this same side!
22 Jun 2012, 11:55 am
@Beast – 128
Not sure I can agree totally on that – I think Eng are young team and will get better and better. But agree that the Boks are young and are missing players and think HM can create a World Class team with the players he has at his disposal – If he takes a chance and leave some Blue B players out. But I think Eng will get stronger and will still pose a challenge come end of the year.
22 Jun 2012, 15:15 pm
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-125: Stupid ipad.
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