After opening their season with a performance against London Irish that could only embarrass Saracens title pretensions, the Men in Black set their stall out against Sale Sharks in a manner that suggested they were looking to build a reputation for flowing rugby and dazzling handling. The end result did not have quite the same flourish, but nonetheless gave Saracens their first win of the season thanks to tries from Schalk Brits, Deon Carstens and David Strettle.
Brendan Venter kept the entire starting XV from the Irish game, bar Carstens in as a last minute replacement for Rhys Gill, but the style was substantially different. Saracens frequently looked to run the ball and in contrast with last season’s opening gamut of stodgy rugby, Alex Goode went to the corner four times within the first twenty minutes – all from kickable positions.
Part of the reason may have been the sin-binning of the Sale flanker for a professional foul, but Saracens spent much of the game running from deep and testing themselves in possession, as if they were in training going over the mistakes of last week. It would have looked foolish had it not delivered, but eventually a long lineout to Mouritz Botha on the Sale tryline set up a ruck from which Brits barged over.
In an alarming reminder of last season’s Premiership Final, Sale scored direct from the restart as Saracens missed the ball completely and it popped up after several quick hands for former Sarrie David Seymour to dive over. The error was compounded with an mistake a few moments later when Brits attempted a long throw at a lineout on his own five-metre line. Too long, alas, and a penalty was conceded, which Sale took.
Despite these defensive frailties, Saracens were the dominant force. Their tackling heaped pressure on Sale and with their scrum frequently in the ascendance, the likes of Peel, Cueto and Cohen were largely frozen out of the game. Peel in particular had a poor first half, being charged down by Botha between one of Saracens’ many penalties. Sale’s ill-discipline meant they were never long in front and Richard Wigglesworth clawed the lead back from his old club after Sale were pinged for holding on.
The end of the first half had a certain ebb and flow to it. A Luke MacLeod chip over the defensive line was collected by Chris Wyles, who sent an up and under that he would have reclaimed had he not been called back for taking the man in the air. Sale converted the penalty from halfway, but Wyles constantly ran the ball back to them when they attempted to clear their lines and put Noah Cato into space on several occasions. Sale conceded again when Saracens turned a scrum.
Although the score was 13-13 at half-time, and the faithful were wary of complacency, Saracens turned their dominance into points in the second half, with the introduction of Strettle and Borthwick helping matters. With the half only five minutes old, Alex Goode chose to run the ball from a turnover in his own 22. Brits made a few yards of space before passing to Strettle, who rocketed off down the touchline and shrugged off his opposite number. Despite a quick one-two, Strettle could not get over the tryline on this occasion, but Carstens was in place to finish Saracens’ second try from short distance.
Strettle would have two more opportunities, one of which he took. The first was occasioned by a clumsy dropped pass from Sale. Strettle kicked on and though he was able to pick the ball up in space, he ran into the clutches of two defenders. Saracens were marshalling the game fairly well and with Borthwick on the lineout appeared both more reliable and more dynamic (the introduction of Reynecke helped matters when Brits went off injured – not without walking off to garner the crowd’s applause).
Sale were able to edge back however when they replaced their entire front-row and won two scrums in succession. Their passing in the loose, however, was utterly predictable and it seemed as if the game could go on quite a while without them getting site of the tryline as Burger, Brown and on occasion, little Michael Tagicakibau threw themselves into the works. It is difficult to see where Sale can build with their current squad, lacking as they are the forward brawn to supply and keep ball. They were able to keep Saracens out for another thirty minutes, but when the time came a sweeping move saw Strettle pop up as a centre and dive over practically unopposed.
Saracens will have been happy with their performance, although they are obviously off the pace as far as contention for the title goes. Whether this is rustiness or lack of nous will only be found out when the big boys come to play – Leicester and Northampton in the next two rounds, and the Heineken Cup thereafter. Goode looked comfortable on the ball and justified some of Stephen Jones’ effusive praise in today’s Sunday Times. The defensive and scrimmaging performances were both nine out of ten, while Saracens still seem to be unwilling to challenge their opponent’s lineout, even with Borthwick. In short, Saracens will have to be more ruthless to make any reputation, although they have done some damage to Andrew Sheridan’s for now.
Last year England finished second in Martin Johnson’s first Six Nations, well in keeping with their habit of finishing more strongly than they seem capable of, but widely considered a travesty. Since then the England manager has been continually criticised for his selection policy, the lack of fluency in England’s attack and his inability to communicate with the media, much of which is justified.
Johnson’s inexperience has certainly contrived to give the impression of a bunker mentality; a mix of ‘don’t you know there’s a war on?’ and ‘we’ll come right in the end,’ but he has been up against a media, which if not quite on a witch-hunt, has certainly been extreme in its views. It is surprising then, to see Eddie Butler soberly concluding on the general hysteria at the end of this Six Nations. I look forward to Stuart Barnes’ confession that England missed Steve Borthwick at the lineout in Paris, but I’m not holding my breath.
There is little denying that England have been unimpressive this season. They managed just five turnovers and six tries, in contrast to the sixteen racked up last year. Facing Scotland and France (both rejuvenated this year) away has presented a considerable challenge, and yet both should have been despatched.
One of the most severe criticisms levelled at Johnson is that his selection policy favours defensive players and more sinisterly, the old-guard who were playing in 2003. Actually, Johnson has been dealt a cruel hand by the injuries to Tom Croft and Tom Rees, while James Haskell has been off the boil since his two tries against Wales a month ago. Lewis Moody and Joe Worsely are conservative choices, notable for their tackling rather than their scavenging on the floor, so it is something of a mystery why Steffon Armitage hasn’t been given an opportunity at 7, especially when Nick Easter could make way for Worsely or Haskell.
In the front row, perhaps the most vulnerable position for the inexperienced player, Dylan Hartley and Dan Cole are slightly more mobile props who let England down in France but have otherwise been relatively solid. Hartley in particular looks like a prospect but is still young and hotheaded. In contrast to the back row, injuries have prevented Johnson from falling back on the old guard in the front row.
Outside of the backs, it is the second row that has met with most criticism. Steve Borthwick’s has been hounded throughout his captaincy, probably as much as a result of his lack of passion in post match interviews as his lack of ground made in the loose. The fact that England’s set-piece has at least been relatively solid is a small mercy, however, and it is more that the absence of Simon Shaw has exposed the lack of impact Louis Deacon makes. Again, a good case can be made for Courtney Lawes but Tom Palmer also seemed to serve the pack well against France.
Then there’s Jonny. Wilkinson bore the cost of a stultified backs division by being dropped for only the third time in his England career but England still have no strategy for their number 10 spot. Arguably, Toby Flood and Shane Geraghty battle it out as Danny Cipriani heads Down Under. Flood has enough in defence to please Johnson and while he doesn’t have Geraghty’s pace or inside ball, he knows where an overlap is possible and takes some wrestling to get thrown to the floor. In contrast, Wilkinson’s reputation for taking contact is hiding his unwillingness to run with the ball and when he came on against France he tended to kick possession away.
The niggling doubt that Flood or Geraghty will be found out plagues the England management, as does the thought of playing a World Cup in eighteen months without a team that is used to each other. Danny Care has been given an extended run at scrum half after Paul Hodgson and Harry Ellis had similar opportunities and has certainly not disgraced himself. Ben Foden has eventually been rewarded for his performances from the bench and Delon Armitage given some competition.
One player who has had an ineffective tournament, however, is Riki Flutey. Mike Tindall will take the plaudits for his performance yesterday, and Johnson will be criticised for the strange decision to remove him from play, but it was his man inside, who has so rarely been attacking the gain line as he is supposed to, and who disappeared for large chunks of yesterday that will cause headaches. Will he be back to form for next years Championship? The autumn tour of the Southern Hemisphere is a good place to test him out, but it must be a make or break moment.
Whether Johnson will keep the faith with Matthew Tait, who plays with heart and guile but has little of the power that Tindall, Dan Hipkiss or even Flutey offer is another tough call. Being thrown on yesterday did nothing for him but there remains the chance that he could produce a slashing break out of nothing like he did in the 2007 World Cup Final.
Johnno’s England have been more varied than they have been given credit for, but the time Johnson takes to make decisions is worrying. Personalising the problems has not helped, as it is fair to say that almost all players in the squad offer something. The trouble is that changes in personnel could well be the difference England need to get on the front foot. The forwards need to be rumbling forward or looking for turnovers and we have not yet caught up with the general view of the other five Nations that kicking possession away is not always the best policy. Wilkinson can still rise to a challenge but England’s safety-first approach is in danger of becoming inflexibility. I’m no fan of reckless running rugby (fact is, both Ireland and Wales suffered as a result of it at times). All I am saying, is give Flood a chance.
Sarries stutter and Quins pay the penalty, again (groan).
Twickenham was resplendent today for the gala opening of the 2009/2010 season. Perhaps there was a sense of rebirth in the air – so many changes, but a few big issues not quite resolved so tinged with worry – how will it turn out? Well, we had two games I wouldn’t chose to introduce someone to the game with, but for those of us with rugby in our blood, it was sweet to have it back.
Sarrie the Camel and I share a Guinness and some pre-match banter
Saracens 18 London Irish 14
Clinical is not usually a word you associate with Saracens and yet, in twenty first half minutes, they had two real chances and went in leading 18-3. Frustrating, nervy and perhaps even complacent are more to the point, and it was not a little hard to bear seeing these false friends take their seats after the interval to watch a half almost completely dominated by Irish, who came close to snatching victory. Indeed, but for new arrival Ryan Lamb’s lost kicking boots, they would have run out comfortable winners.
Irish always had a hold on the game through their dominance of the scrum. Saracens conceded too much possession and too many points from their inability to match their opponents, although the solidity of their lineout was encouraging. However, with England international Nick Kennedy, Irish’s lineout ball was equally secure. Moreover, their forwards chased the ball with real hunger, keeping possession and turning it over on occasion.
Hodgson breaks through
If Irish had a solid base on which to build, they proved unable to live up to the billing as last year’s most attractive team. While Paul Hodgson at scrum half was lively, the extent of their backs’ strategy was to pass the ball as quickly as possible to the renowned Delon Armitage, who really offered nothing above and beyond the fallback plan of hoofing it up in the air, except for the distance he could achieve and was sin-binned for reacting angrily to a late tackle.
This happened a lot
Irish seem to have suffered from the loss of Mike Catt and Shane Geraghty, their fly halves from last season, when they passed the ball with confidence and precision (partly thanks to the innovative coaching method of training blindfolded). Lamb failed to impose himself and missed at least 11 points with the boot – unforgivable in such a close game.
Saracens, all-considered, did well to win a game where they were predominantly on the back-foot. It was an atypical performance for a side nominally with home advantage. However, there were two moments of magic in the first half, both the result of quick thinking from fly half Glen Jackson. First, Saracens were awarded a penalty in the Irish 22. A kick at goal appeared inevitable, and indeed the touch-judges were making their way behind the posts when Jackson tapped and went from 15 metres, jinking inside the defender on his way to the line. Within ten minutes Saracens were again in striking distance when, fed by the irrepressible Neil de Kock, Jackson kicked cross-field, for Andy Saull to dive on.
Jackson was outstanding today
Irish came back after the half-time pep-talk and Gary Stowers completed a forwards-move to give them something to fight for. But though they weren’t short of chances, Saracens defended solidly (if not brilliantly) and as more of Lamb’s kicks went astray, Irish’s luck ran out. Even with Saracen No. 8 Ernst Joubert in the bin for the penultimate ten minutes, their incisiveness was limited.
Irish's score came through their dominance in the scrum
Man of the Match: Although a sentimental, and in one sense fair choice would be Saracens’ Glen Jackson, when Peter Richards came on at outside-centre, Irish were a different prospect. Richards is a player who wants the ball at every opportunity and almost always takes it forward. Irish would be wise to start him – he could make their season.
Blatantly Biased Bit About Saracens
In the first game of any campaign, a good result is preferable to a good performance. But unlike the rusty Irish, Sarries were relatively on their game, at least in the first half, and showed spirit in the second. That spirit will have to be backed with a bit more control if Saracens are to march up the table this season. Our weakness in the scrum was a worrying development, suggesting that the loss of Cobus Visagie was the decisive event of last summer. We have yet to see the ball skills of Schalk Brits, and his sin-binning was not especially helpful, although par-for-the-course for a hooker (the position most likely to be prefixed by‘abrasive’). The backs were practically faultless, with Wyles in particular showing some distinction, but some of Jackson’s kicking from hand was uninspired.
Maurice Botha, He-Man and apparently useful acquisition (or maybe just noticeable)
On another note, despite being played twenty-odd times, the new Saracens ‘anthem’ (which must be a first for Right Said Fred) is good, but three pints of Guinness does that to you. Stand Up!
Harlequins were always going to be playing with a heavy weight on their back. We can only imagine how disruptive having their coaching staff and club name dragged through the (well-deserved) mud must have been. It would be a fairly reasonable thing to respect their character to come out fighting in a difficult opening game, or at least it would be, if it hadn’t meant playing with 14 men for 78 minutes. When second-row George Robson had a Zidane-esque moment of madness at some unknown provocation (and headbutted Joe Simpson, in plain English), he let his already way down teammates down even further, although the fact that half of them were throwing punches probably didn’t help his appeal. And much as it spoilt a potentially exciting game, you really can only ask the referees to enforce the rules of the game (strictly too, when necessary – i.e. now more than ever).
For all its potential, there really were some moments of positive excitement about this game. Quins were far from dull – in fact, they were the brighter team attacking, and scored first when British Lion Ugo Monye raced in after David Strettle soared down the wing, drew the defenders and slipped the ball inside to his full back. Their disadvantage was most evident in the two tries Danny Cipriani worked for the otherwise sloppy Tom Varndell.
Varndell scores from Cirpriani's cross-field kick
For the first, the Boy Wonder took the ball from a scrum, ran across the blind side defence and put the winger in a one-on-one from a few metres. 5-5. Minutes later, however, Quins were again in front when the brilliant Danny Care chipped the ball across the field for Gonzalo Comacho to collect in the goal area. Varndell scored a second after Wasps stole lineout ball and Kelly Brook’s ex-boyfriend kicked across field (yes, it’s quite a popular move now). Quins’ line was too stretched, and they went in at half time a point down – really rather respectable but a poor return on their effort.
The second half was a protracted affair – slow set-pieces and tedious kicking. Wasps’ advantage was translated into an ultimately comfortable margin when the referee awarded them a generous but probably justifiable penalty try in the last five minutes. On balance, it looks like Quins will be the better team when they recover from their current woes – they certainly have the motivation and as crucially, the players. What they may lack is the nous of Dean Richards, a man who dragged them up the mountain (from Division One to last year’s play-offs) but now threatens to pull them back down. Wasps on the other hand were poor in defence – once their strongest area. Too many gaps opened up, and Serge Betsen can’t fill them all, although he does cover Cipriani at set-pieces. The Future-of-English-Rugby was good today, but he still lacks awareness of some of the opportunities Wasps created. Moreover, by not taking his team’s place kicks, he suggests that his ankle is still not fully healed.
In the absence of Shaw and Worsely Betsen will be key to Wasps' sturdiness
I saw nothing that made me reconsider my fairly low expectations of Wasps this year – they will miss Flutey, and though Shaw and Worsely will tighten them up they don’t look like the commanding outfit they were in the Dallaglio-era. However, I don’t doubt that with Simpson, Cipriani and Sackey they will score some great tries.
He's overrated, but that doesn't mean he's not good
Man of the Match: Monye and Strettle both looked fit and alert, Cips was alright (I suppose) and Betsen was hard to miss, stalking the field in a fluorescent scrum-cap. But Harlequins’ efforts were predicated on good, quick delivery. Danny Care quietly, but noticeably was up to it.
The Season So Far
Of course, it’s early days, but there were a few interesting indicators today. The first concern is discipline. The national team were beholden to their penalty-count last year, and English rugby looks no cleaner this season. There were three sin-binnings and a sending-off, a penalty-try and countless scrums (often reset) and penalties today (plus a yellow-card yesterday in a game where all the points came from nine penalties). Whether the refereeing of the game is getting stricter, or players are becoming more cynical, there is no positive spin to be put on it.
Secondly, the attractiveness of English rugby is still in decline. There were moments today – maybe not sublime, but pleasing to the eye. However, the endless, aimless kicking that marred both games today is to rugby what the Somme was to the art of generalship. Everyone wants to see a running game, which isn’t going to happen for the same reasons that not every football team plays like Arsenal (and Arsenal haven’t won anything in years). But if you have to play a pressure game, at least kick well. It’s easier to be negative when you’ve seen two scrappy games. It was good not to have to see uncontested scrums, but too many end up in penalties or free kicks anyway.
Still, Saracens second in the table is something that I think we can take forward.
Tri-Nations
Rather surprisingly, Australia have put an end to South Africa’s unbeaten run in the Southern Hemisphere competition. Actually, Australia’s record against the Boks in Australia is very good, but seeing the South Africans take their foot off the pedal before the competition is completely sealed is an unusual sign of complacency and to be honest, an indictment of coach Pieter de Villiers.
If You’ve Read This Far
You must be a real fan, of something. Anyway, I enjoyed this article about putting values back into the game, which is not a kneejerk reaction to ‘bloodgate’ but apparently a pretty serious attempt to cut down of increasing incidences of disrespectful behaviour towards referees and sportsmanship.
