Martin Johnson criticises England players after Australia defeat
England head coach Martin Johnson was left enraged after his side wasted their best chance to beat Australia since 2003, in their 27-17 first Test defeat in Perth on Saturday.
At half-time, England trailed the Aussies 14-0 following a dire performance in the opening 40 minutes, in which the visitors missed 30 tackles. After the break, though, England’s pack found their rhythm and sparked an unlikely fight back against the hosts.
However, the Wallabies notched three tries courtesy of Rocky Elsom and Quade Cooper to win the Test by a 10-point margin.
The dominant scrum was the most encouraging aspect for Johnson, but he couldn’t hide his frustration with his side’s abject overall display, and confessed that he’d had harsh words with his team after the final whistle.
He’ll be expecting a marked improvement against Australian Barbarians on Tuesday, before taking on the Aussies again in the second Test on Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, New Zealand destroyed Ireland in an incredible match in New Plymouth. The All Blacks ran in nine tries in the 66-28 victory, but had to pick up their game in the second half to ensure the score was marginally respectable.
Along with the scoreline, Ireland’s night was marred further when No. 8, Jamie Heaslip, was sent off for striking New Zealand captain Richie McCaw with his knee at a ruck. Heaslip’s moment of indiscipline means that he’ll now miss the next five weeks after picking up a ban – enduring that he’ll miss the remainder of Ireland’s tour.
With Ronan O’Gara also sin-binned for 10 minutes, the All Blacks ran riot over Ireland’s depleted side. A confidence-boosting exercise this was not; the Irish now have to pick themselves up for the New Zealand Maoris match on Friday.
The team performance of the weekend undoubtedly came from Scotland, who beat Argentina in Tucuman, 24 points to 16. And as for the individual performance, look no further than rejuvenated fly-half Dan Parks, who kicked all 24 of Scotland’s points to seal an unlikely victory.
It was the first time that any side had beaten Argentina at the Estadio Monumental Jose Fierro, and was a huge improvement from the lacklustre performances in the Six Nations last season.
Head coach Andy Robinson was understandably buoyed by his side’s impressive display, but maintained that there was still room for improvement ahead of the second Test against Argentina on Saturday evening.
Overall, then, a mixed bag for the English, Scottish and Irish on the first Tests of their summer tour. Improvement appears to be the buzzword for all three, though.
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