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November 15, 2009

Posted on 11/15/2009

England team play like scared children

Writing in The Sunday Times, Stuart Barnes despairs at England's management team and direction.

"The weight of planning is burdening a side for whom excitement is anathema. Hence, the aimless kicking of the England team. Against Argentina it was enough, but next week against New Zealand will be different.

"Twickenham will always love Jonny Wilkinson. He plays with immense integrity but his tactical kicking bordered on the inept in the first half. Poor against Australia, it was woeful yesterday. A repeat effort against New Zealand will be punished by an All Black team who thrive on turnover and loose kicking. Wilkinson’s first-half kicking would be gift-wrapping.

"There is a lack of true leaders in this team and that, more than anything else, has been the factor behind England’s failure to make any progress under Martin Johnson. Steve Borthwick’s captaincy comes under regular scrutiny. He calls a mean lineout but when the script invariably is torn up by opposition who refuse to perform their expected role, he is forlorn."

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