England

England got off to a great start on their Southern Hemisphere summer tour with a resounding victory over the New Zealand Maori on a very wet evening in New Plymouth.

Team England proved once again that they have strength in depth within the squad and went some way to slaying the myth that England don’t travel well and cant win away from home. Of course there will be those who say that the Maori match did not count.

Humbug – I say! Of course it counted.

This was no push over side that the Maori had put out. Indeed some players like. Taine Randell and or Christian Cullen were hoping to catch the eye of the New Zealand All Black Coach Jon Mitchell and remind him just how good they are? However, given the conditions and a slippery ball both teams had handling errors and nobody really shone through.

Team England led by Captain Vickery came out and did a very professional job the strength of the pack showed and they were patient especially with the first try by Simon Shaw, who in my opinion had a wonderful game.

Andy Gomarsall showed his class also and I feel he deserves his place on the bench for Saturday against the ‘All Blacks’.

Coach Clive Woodward thought that Paul Grayson had a steady game and is perfect back up to Jonny Wilkinson! Well I’m sorry but I disagree on that one, I thought his kicking to touch was ok but his ball handling and distribution woeful. Alex King should have come on much sooner, perhaps Clive felt happier with the more experienced Grayson or maybe King did not shine through during training?

Roll on Saturday as the England Bull Dogs travel to Wellington to take on the might of the famous ‘All Blacks’ and face up yet again to the challenge of the ‘HAKA’.




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