Lancaster not dejected
23 Jun 2012
England coach Stuart Lancaster lamented his side’s inability to snatch a morale-boosting win but was encouraged by the improvements made over the course of the tour.
History will reflect that England lost the series 2-0 but Lancaster was at pains to stress that the success of the tour shouldn’t be judged on their results alone, particularly considering that this group is in the infancy of their development.
‘In terms of developing experience and learning about players, we’ve gained valuable insights about strengths and weakness in the players and the game plan. You can do that without playing games. So to have five on this tour was brilliant in aiding that,’ he said.
‘On this result in particular, I’ve got mixed feelings, we’re desperately disappointed not to have got the win. Our mindset going in was strong and commitment and courage was exceptional. But disappointed to not have won, particularly at the end when we could have sneaked home.’
Lancaster pointed to their improved defensive showing as being most encouraging. England were blitzed in the opening quarter of last week’s Test in Johannesburg, a period that ultimately was decisive to the outcome. Their tackle fight in that time was poor, allowing the Springboks to control the tempo and flow of the match.
Flyhalf Morne Steyn was prominent at Ellis Park, but he struggled in the absence of such a platform this evening. Lancaster pointed to this as being central to their success in blunting the Springboks.
‘The key for us was when SA had possession we were robust in defence,’ he said. ‘[Steyn] tried to move the ball around and kick for field position, but we covered more of our bases [defensively] than we did last week. So I’d like to think [his performance] was partly due to our pressure and organisation. That made it difficult for him this week.’
He added: ‘There was technical ill-discipline at the breakdown that gave the Springboks a foothold in game. But overall we withstood their attacking barrage much better and that augers well for when we’ve had a good break and when they come to Twickenham in November.’
15 Comments
23 Jun 2012, 20:34 pm
Well done Lancaster. You kept England primed and toiling away and I consider the third test a victory for you and your boys. Exposed us and taught us as much about our team as you’ve learnt from us.
23 Jun 2012, 20:38 pm
He should be – he just got moered 2 zip by a team only into their 3rd match with a brand new coaching setup. He is the head honcho POM coach now into his 13th test match.
23 Jun 2012, 20:59 pm
@RL(RL)-2:
Errr, he’s only coached England in 8 Test matches.
23 Jun 2012, 23:36 pm
“… we withstood their attacking barrage much better and that augers well …”
I would guess “augurs” rather than “augers”.
Overall it is much more fun playing a more thoughtful and self-aware english outfit.
24 Jun 2012, 00:16 am
@Spiesisworthless1(Spiesisworthless1)-1:
I agree 100%. If the Springboks had won they’d be complacent and just go on selecting the same old plodders like Steyn.
Lancaster worked this Boks team out,and nearly beat them with an inexperienced team which is getting better all the time.
24 Jun 2012, 07:25 am
Looks like the Boks have pretty much plateaued already. They weren’t any better in the third test than they were in the first one. Meyer only has a one-dimensional Plan A, and if it fails then the team has absolutely no clue about what to do.
The ABs squeaked a close last-gasp win largely by being complacent, but made amends by blanking Ireland by a record 60-0 with McCaw out of position and with no Carter at no.10, and no Cruden after 20 minutes and with their third-choice flyhalf playing pretty impressively for the last hour.
No prizes for guessing which side enjoys the Fear Factor going into the new 4N…
And finally there is a world champion team who play like real champions rather than faux pretenders.
24 Jun 2012, 08:42 am
Not a shabbby result for a Bok team in its infancy. Morne is the weak link at this stage, but only insofar as kicking is concerned. Elizabeth had a nightmare game and broke good momentum with fumbles at crucial stages of the game. Alberts and Frans Steyn’s absence was felt. Kanko brought a new dimension to the game with poweful runs breaking through several tackles. Aplon was solid but his size is a weakness at this level. The Kiwis will eat him alive.
24 Jun 2012, 10:05 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-6:
Yes, like the All Blacks ‘plateaued’ in the 2nd Test against the Irish? At least they had the chance to prove otherwise in the 3rd Test.
Meyer’s Boks to pulverise the All Blacks. The All Blacks will be SHITTING THEMSELVES after exposing there achilles heel in the 2nd Irish test. They KNOW the boks can do it 100% better than the Irish.
Just like the Baby Blacks got bent over backwards in the JRWC Final.
And HM’s beast will be a lot different come Rugby Championship time. The English tests were ‘get to know each other’ just a warm up.
And I so want to here your stupid comments when the above happens.
24 Jun 2012, 10:54 am
@The Analyst(The Analyst)-8:
Ah, ‘the idiot’ returns. The tackler actually made some very good points, which you chose to ignore because you can’t think for yourself.
The All Blacks beat a reasonable Irish side by an average of 40 points over three games, you ‘demolished’ England by 5, 9 and 0 points. Very impressive.
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-6:
All excellent points which seem to evade the stupid on these forums. It will interesting to see what back-row combination Hansen picks when Kieran Read returns – lot of competition there…
24 Jun 2012, 10:59 am
@papashanga(papashanga)-5:
I think this is about right. I’m sure the Boks will improve for the Rugby Championship, but from an outsiders point of view it will be interesting to see how far their current gameplan can take them… If the All Blacks show they can handle the big runners like Alberts and Frans Steyn consistently, HM may have to adapt on the hoof. That’s when he’ll really earn his corn.
24 Jun 2012, 11:16 am
It’s interesting that Lancaster refers to strengths and weaknesses in players AND game plan, whilst HM reckons there’s nothing wrong with his game plan, only a lack of execution.
This is a problem that Bok rugby has suffered from for years, where we believe that all we have to do is get everything in our game plan right without taking our opponents game into account.
Anyone who’s done any project planning is aware of the need for contingency plans when things don’t go as expected.
24 Jun 2012, 11:29 am
@David(David)-11:
Don’t get me wrong, I think HM’s plan is devilishly hard to stop when it’s going well, as in the 1st half at Joburg. However when a team comes up with some answers, as England did in PE, you feel SA drop fom A+ to C- very quickly. They don’t adapt well or have the guys at 9 and 10 who can read a game as it develops. That’s where the All Blacks are so good, you hardly ever see them at less than B+ in any game.
24 Jun 2012, 13:54 pm
I do like Lancaster hes a very humble and open minded guy
Not many coaches would have the bottle to play three 21 years olds at 10,12,13 (Farrell, Tuilagi, Joseph)
Throwing Joe Marler, into the deep end giving guys like Alex Goode a chance etc
I do like the fact he has given chances to youngsters or uncapped players like Tom Johnson who has been a revelation never thought he would step up to International rugby bodes well when guys like Tom Wood, Tom croft, Nick Easter, Lawes come back
English rugby is heading the right way just hope Lancaster makes the right decisions in terms of coaches
Mike Catt is on a temp with Andy Farrell resigning from Saracens he may go for Farrell which imo would be a mistake
Hes a defensice coach he wouldnt allow England to express themselves in attack
25 Jun 2012, 09:32 am
I believe the English rugby faithful can be very proud of Stuart Lancaster and Mike Catt and their team… they are on an upwards trajectory early into their new era… as I’ve said before I think things will continue to improve and they will win next year’s 6N…
I’ve never really liked the whole English rugby setup… whenever they come here their arrogance and attitude has always rubbed me up the wrong way…
but it’s been impossible not to like these guys… can’t fault them in anyway at all… collectively their after-match interviews have been the most gracious I’ve yet heard no matter who was doing the talking… very very impressive
all the best to them going forward… and may they maintain the humility and decency with which they have begun their tenure…
25 Jun 2012, 11:45 am
kinlaw_62 – If England continue this way they will be very strong come the next RWC. As for us Boks, the jury is still out on Meyer. As he seems to favour a very Bulls type approach, which nearly imploded in the 3rd test. If Ruan had not come on we would have lost to you. The Boks biggest cancer is Hougie/Steyn pivots, they are only good at the Bulls print, but are unable to change their game plan if they game changes. Whereas Ruan Pienaar and Lambie are way more adaptable. I hoep at some stage HM has the guts to try RP/Lambie as the Bok pivots, as M Steyn has gone as far as he can!!
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.