Stuart Lancaster is focusing on the final test – Rugby News Update
Stuart Lancaster, the head coach of England believes that his team can win the third and final test at Port Elizabeth this Saturday.
England is currently on tour in the southern hemisphere, where they are playing the Springboks in a three-match test series, along with two other midweek games. They have lost the first two tests, and this weekend provides them a chance to salvage a win
against the formidable opponents. However, they will have to do without their mercurial captain Chris Robshaw, who has been ruled out due to a thumb injury.
Lancaster said, "The good thing is the overriding feeling in the dressing room was frustration. I would be disappointed if the players came in and said, 'We did a good job and almost won'.”
He further added, "Great sides want to win all the time and these players are hungry. We'll bottle the frustration, drive it through training this week and then have a crack at it in Port Elizabeth. That is the great part of this three-game series."
England has had a grueling last year, with participation at the 2011 Rugby World Cup followed by the 2012 Six Nations Grand Slam, along with all the players playing for their domestic clubs, with some participating in European competitions. The players have
not had a break, but the head coach believes that the players will be fired up for one last game.
The second test at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, started in the worst possible way for England, and they were behind after 2 minutes, and went into half time with the score at 25 – 10. They were completely out played in the first half, and a late rally by England
brought respectability to the score line, as they lost 36 – 27.
Lancaster is taking heart from the last performance and believes they will give it their all to avoid a series defeat.
Regarding the changes for the next test, he said, "It is too early to say. I have had some quick thoughts but the first thoughts are getting from the problem to the solution.”
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