World of Sport Reporter: @worldofsport
England stuttered their way to a 21-8 victory over Argentina at Twickenham today. A try each from Nathan Hughes and Semesa Rokoduguni for England, while a consolation try from Nicolas Sanchez with 2 minutes remaining ensured a comfortable win for England.
It was a frustrating afternoon for Eddie Jones’ boys, and there wasn’t much fluidity in the performance, but it was a first game together since June for England and although there is much improvement to be made, a winning start to the Autumn Internationals, has given England momentum.
Eddie Jones knows England have to improve next week vs Australia
The first 20 minutes didn’t produce much action but a couple of penalties from George Ford and one from Emiliano Bofelli handed England a 6-3 lead. The game opened up in the 23rd minute when Joaquin Tuculet was sinbinned for a dangerous tackle on Mike Brown.
Martin Landajo put a high ball up in the air which was safely collected in the air by Brown. Tuculet was a little late into the contest, but almost got the ball. Instead, his arm locked with the airborne Brown, who was then felled dangerously by the Argentinian. It was a harsh yellow card, but the rules are there to protect players, and so he had to go off for 10 minutes. For Mike Brown it was the end of his afternoon as he was replaced.
Nathan Hughes scores the first try for England
England took advantage of the extra man and scored the first try of the game a couple of minutes later. From the Pumas 22, England were pressing and George Ford threw an exquisite dummy looping pass out wide to Nathan Hughes, who gleefully ran onto the ball and carried it over the line. Ford didn’t add the conversion but were leading. He did convert a penalty a few minutes later to extend England’s lead 14-3 at half-time.
The second half was as frustrating as the first, and Argentina will be kicking themselves for missing some relatively easy penalties, as the scores should have been closer.
Rokoduguni scored his 3rd try in 3 games for England
England were always in command, but couldn’t seem to build any tempo. It took until the 66th minute for any points to be scored in the second half. A tight call by the video referee awarded Rokoduguni a try.
It was a long wide pass from Henry Slade that looked to have gone slightly forward, but the video ref said it was inconclusive that it had gone forward and so the try was awarded. George Ford put the conversion over to put England into a commanding 21-3 lead.
Argentina began to push as time was running down, and started to put phases together. And in the 30th phase of play Argentina finally crossed the line. It was good, patient build up play by the Pumas that led to Sanchez scoring the try, but being 18 points down with only a few minutes remaining, it was too little too late. With Argentina missing the conversion the score stayed at 21-8 and that was how the game ended.
It wasn’t the best of games. The weather was wild, and both teams hadn’t played for a while. Argentina will be ruing some easy penalty misses, which could have put a different complexion on the game.
Dylan Hartley almost scored a try
England captain, Dylan Hartley wasn’t completely satisfied with his team’s performance. "Defensively we want to keep a clean sheet,” he said. “So we are disappointed with conceding at any point in the game. There's stuff to work on. Ball in hand, I think we need to get into the right areas of the field and then treasure the ball. Too many times it ended up in touch, the ball was a bit greasy and we knocked it on, so ball retention is certainly something to focus on going forward."
It was a day for the forwards to shine and Mako Vunipola rightly won man of the match. The England number 1 was colossal as ever defending without the ball, while gaining many yards and showing glimpses of fine handling skills with ball in hand.
Sub Alex Lozowski showed glimpses of class
Sam Underhill can be pleased with his performance, too. He didn’t put a foot wrong, and was continuously in position and made some fine tackles too. Henry Slade had an indifferent afternoon. Showing glimpses of his magic, but also a little wasteful at times, the Exeter man, should have done enough to retain his place next week. Alex Lozowski was impressive in the final 20 minutes after coming on.
Next up for Argentina is a trip to Rome, and they’ll be expected to get a win against Italy. Next for England is Australia next Saturday. It will be a step up in class and England know they will have to perform much better than today.
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rusty indeed - lucky the argies were off colour in this one.. autumn weather!