Argentina v England: Five takeaways as Steve Borthwick’s side overcome ‘consistent issue’ to produce remarkable display
Tom Willis on the charge against Argentina and Los Pumas fly-half Santiago Carreras.
Following a 35-12 victory for England over Argentina in La Plata on Saturday, here’s our five takeaways from the mid-year international at Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi.
The top line
Argentina could not back up their stunning victory over the British and Irish Lions as England’s superb second-half display saw them claim a comfortable win.
After a dire opening period, which was characterised by English ill-discipline and staggering defence, as well as Argentinian handling errors, it proved to be a completely different story after the interval. There were just three points in the first half – courtesy of a George Ford drop-goal – but there was over a point a minute after that.
A quick-fire blitz from the Red Rose laid the platform as Tom Roebuck’s brace and Freddie Steward’s try gave them a 22-point lead. Although Pablo Matera and Pedro Rubiolo responded for the hosts, Steve Borthwick’s team were excellent in the final quarter as two Ford three-pointers on his 100th cap and Cadan Murley’s score sealed an impressive win.
Discipline
It has been a consistent issue for England under Borthwick and once again it reared its ugly head as they felt the wrath of Angus Gardner’s whistle in the first half. Time and again, the visitors could not help themselves as they infringed on several occasions to earn themselves two yellow cards.
Alex Coles was the first to be sent from the field as terrible technique in the tackle saw him connect head-on-head with Los Pumas number eight Facundo Isa. Fortunately for Coles, the low degree of danger saved him from a red but it is the type of ill-discipline which will prove costly against better sides.
As can stupid technical infringements at the breakdown and around the offside line, which was where Seb Atkinson was punished. Granted, the young centre was the unfortunate one to pay the price for a series of team indiscretions, but he needed to be sensible, especially with Coles already on the naughty chair, but he was too eager to make an impact.
England evidently learned their lesson, however, as after the break they cleaned up their act and it was Argentina who struggled to keep on the right side of the referee. Their ill-discipline did not yield any yellow cards but it gave the visitors the position they needed to cut their opponents apart in the 22.
Profligacy
England did everything they could to help Argentina before the interval. Borthwick’s side effectively handed them the territorial keys by infringing so often, but the hosts were utterly abysmal with ball in hand and it is staggering that they failed to score when their opponents were down to 13 men.
Immense credit must go to the visitors’ defence on the try-line as they showed tremendous fight and power to withstand Los Pumas’ onslaught, but it was all a bit too frenetic from Felipe Contepomi’s men. It wasn’t just the missed scoring opportunities from close range, which saw them held up on three occasions in the first half, but the constant knock-ons when they entered the English 22 that halted momentum.
Considering how clinical and effective they were against the British and Irish Lions two weeks ago, this was a huge disappointment from the South Americans. It rather sums up the Argentinians, who appear unable to back up a big performance with another. Tomas Albornoz’s absence did not help, with Santiago Carreras poor in his decision-making throughout the clash, but it was more than the control at half-back which hampered Los Pumas.
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From dire to delightful
To some degree, we bemoaned the display of both teams in the opening 40 minutes, but it was a completely different story after the interval. At the start of the half, there was real intent from England, who had played barely any rugby prior to that. Half-backs Ben Spencer and Ford clicked into gear and three tries in 10 minutes against an ill-disciplined Los Pumas proved decisive.
All three were very well constructed as Ford found holes in the opposition rearguard and Steward and Roebuck took advantage. The full-back provided the assist for the wing before the rangy Leicester Tigers man went over himself minutes later to open up a 15-point buffer. And when the Sale Sharks poacher completed his brace, it left both the Argentinian players and fans utterly stunned.
It was in stark contrast to Los Pumas, whose inability to turn possession into points rather cost them this game. There was a certain irony that they would manufacture two absolutely beautiful tries with some spellbinding handling, which almost set up a thrilling finish, but Borthwick’s men were simply far too composed and controlled in the latter stages to let Argentina back in.
Lions watch
Or perhaps more accurately, Lion watch. There were a few England players on show who could conceivably head to Australia if there are any more injuries, such as full-back Steward, Ford at fly-half and Ben Curry at flanker, but the famous touring side are pretty well covered in those positions.
However, at number eight, it is very open and Tom Willis will surely be on the plane should, god forbid, one of Jack Conan, Henry Pollock or Ben Earl suffer tour-ending issues. The Saracens back-row was absolutely incredible for the Red Rose on Saturday, with his destructive carrying and outstanding defence often relieving pressure in the first half.
In the second period, he was just as good as he surely cemented himself in that slot for England going forward, even with Earl currently out in Australia. He would have no doubt impressed Andy Farrell and, while most of the Lions talk has been about his brother, Jack, if there is a back-row replacement, Tom will no doubt be high up the list.