The stuff of Sporting Champions
When Ireland won at Twickenham in their first match following England’s Rugby World Cup triumph in 2003, we joked that only Ireland could peak the best side in the world after the World Cup had ended! Admittedly the only training that the returning champions had been doing ever since was right or left-handed drinking! But even so……
It is no joke now because, despite their dismal record in World Cups, Ireland is now the best team in the world in my opinion with their multifaceted attack systems, the impressive running and passing of the forwards at pace, allied to their strength in the darker areas of close-quarter contest. The All Blacks had no answer and while they will have an inquest I don’t want to take away from Ireland’s achievements, they were that good.
Andy Farrell has really found his place at the top of the coaching world after a variety of roles and he definitely brings the best out of his players, whether the veteran Peter O’Mahony or the new arrival Mack Hansen. Olly Redman at the RFU who is managing the process for Eddie Jones’ successor doesn’t need to look too much further and don’t forget Mike Catt who is presumably the architect of their attacking play.
Self-belief and an inner spirit were enough to see England through against an Aussie side which has attracted so many injuries it was a miracle they have stayed in these games but the 8-man benches are there for a reason – they are good to watch at times but a pale shadow of previous Australian teams. England’s series win has definitely given them a platform of confidence and with the Sarries men back on form allied to some young guns coming through – Freeman and Van Poortvliet notably – there is reason for optimism.
However, Porter in the centre will look back at his first two matches for England and wonder what was the point. He didn’t touch the ball and clearly, it was planned that way. A total lack of midfield strategy may be ok at times and with quality ‘scrappers’ like Nowell and Steward you can get away with it. The double flyhalf approach does not suit Smith, but he may have to get used to it. The eventual return of Slade and Watson looks good on paper because they are class operators when fit, but they have to be given a chance to play. Marchant still has a role to play but he has been dropped so many times he will break Redman’s record soon and as for his broken confidence……. Selection remains Jones’ Achilles heel, but when he takes no advice from anyone even if the final decision is his then this is inevitable.
Finally, far from the rugby fields of the South, Cameron Smith’s remarkable golfing triumph in the 150th Open has to be the stuff of legends as he overhauled Rory McIlroy with flawless play under immense pressure. There is an Australian whose nerves of steel were matched only by the quality of his play. McIlroy’s energy was drained by his playing partner Hovland who had a day to forget and so couldn’t respond with the putter when he needed whereas Smith looked like he would never miss – and didn’t!
We have been spoilt by more sporting brilliance this last week, sullied only by off course/pitch politics and further warning signs on player welfare in both rugby and cricket. Sports administrators are failing too often and cannot ignore the concerns of their top players. Ask Ben Stokes and Ryan Jones.
Read more of Simon Halliday’s blogs HERE.
