Autumn Internationals 2016: England Player Ratings versus Argentina

-
29

Chris Robshaw

A brilliant, backs-to-the wall display by England after they were reduced to 14 men following Elliot Daly’s red card. A most bizarre match: six cards in total – a red and two yellows for each team – no scrum until the 35th minute, a kick off that went backwards and maybe the longest first half ever, but one which will have taught Eddie Jones a lot about his team.

1 Mako Vunipola – 6
Defensively excellent – making a huge number of tackles. However, has to take some responsibility as part of a front row that was shunted back at a rate of knots in the scrum. Quieter in the loose than usual – surprising given his brother went off and England could have used some big trundles from him.

2 Dylan Hartley – 7
A very mixed bag for Hartley this week, he showed up more impressively in open play as he put in some big carries and made a crucial turnover. However, he did miss four tackles. Missed his first line out of the Autumn as well. He gets extra points though for his leadership – as one of the few guys who will understand how Daly felt, he rallied his players superbly.

3 Dan Cole – 5
Received a yellow card for his work in the scrum, albeit a little unfairly in my opinion. England conceded two tries either side of half time when Cole was sitting in the bin and they were down to 13 men. Did much better in the scrum when he came back on, getting his revenge and winning a penalty of his own. Tackled well but again, don’t think he carried once. Under threat for his place by Sinckler.

4 Courtney Lawes – 8
Singled out for praise after the match by Jones and rightly so. This was one of the best games Lawes has had for England – it wasn’t because of his trademark big hits (although we did see a couple of those), but his athleticism and fitness. As Jones said ‘He packed down and then was straight up to make the first tackle. Thats what wins test matches’.

5 George Kruis – 7
Ran the line out very well and put in a huge shift for a player just returned from a long injury spell. One excellent charge down stood out. An unshowy but vital contribution.

6 Chris Robshaw – 9
This was the perfect game for a player like Robshaw. His workrate has always been excellent but on Saturday is was phenomenal. He had a hand in almost everything England did and he was at the centre of a defensive effort which forced Argentina to concede possession an amazing 27 times. Was good in the kick chase as well.

7 Tom Wood – 7.5
Like Robshaw, this was a game built for Tom Wood. Showed Jones he definitely has more than an ‘average’ work rate. Topped the charts with an exceptional 17 tackles, although was penalised for a high tackle as well. Working well in the link role as he slotted into the backline and showed good handling on several occasions, including the lead up to May’s try. His best game for England since his performance against New Zealand in 2012.

8 Billy Vunipola – 8
Was huge for England before he had to sadly withdraw with a nasty injury. Tirelessly smashed into the Argentinian line, regularly pulling in 3 defenders. Made an important early intercept when Argentina were threatening. Apparently will now be out of the Six Nations as well – how England will miss him.

9 Ben Youngs – 7
His box-kicking was excellent. Distribution was generally sharp, probed once or twice around the fringes although not as effectively as against South Africa. Overall wasn’t quite as good as he has been in recent games.

10 George Ford – 8
I was so impressed with Ford’s tackling. He was targeted by Argentina’s big runners but stood up well and put his body on the line. In one early tackle he was isolated but not only managed to make the hit, he also stripped the ball. He was caught offside a couple of times in the defensive line. Passing was excellent and you could see he was making more of an effort to be a running threat himself.

11 Elliot Daly – 0
Oh Daly… one moment of madness in the 5th minute means I can’t give him a score. Against better opposition this could have cost England the game. There was no malice in it, but it was a really unnecessary challenge on Senatore. But let’s move on. As Jones said ‘He made an error of judgement. These things happen and you have to get on with it. I make an error of judgement every day when I go outside’. He will be back.

12 Owen Farrell – 7.5
Despite scoring 17 points, his kicking was a bit off target and he will be annoyed with some of the misses. Was defensively excellent though – one of the player to raise his game when Daly went off, suddenly there was a bit more aggression and he put in some huge hits. Link work with Ford was as good as ever and kicked from hand well.

13 Jonathan Joseph – 8
An exceptional defensive effort by Joseph, he did so well to shut down the Argentinian attack whenever it threatened out wide and none of his 8 tackles were easy. Flashes of his dangerous running but never really cut free – however this was not the game for that. An essential contribution.

14 Jonny May – 8.5
Another match, another try. May’s finishing is world class at the moment; 10 yards out with an inch of space, he is lethal. He made the most of some brilliant handling by Ford, Wood and Joseph to dot down in the corner. Did so well to work across both wings and dovetail with Brown after Daly left them a man short at the back. May was England’s best attacking weapon, ran like a greyhound when chasing kicks and was defensively excellent, using the touchline to help.

15 Mike Brown – 8.5
This was Brown’s best game in an England shirt for a while. He started a little slowly, but grew into the game and carried with real aggression, beating an impressive 7 defenders in his 87 metres gained. His defence was solid – especially given he and May had to work twice as hard with Daly off the pitch. Maybe could have done better when grounding the ball over the try line and scored, but given he created the opportunity himself from nothing that seems harsh.

Replacements
7 Harrison was on early for Billy and, despite one ugly dropped catch, generally acquitted himself well. Was never going to be the physical force that Billy is but his added work rate was useful and he tackled with strength and made a crucial turnover.

Sinckler was probably the pick of the rest and he made a couple of eye catching breaks in his two stints on the pitch. He really has speed for a big lad. Marler had a mixed performance, the scrum got better when he came on but it was cynical play to draw Pieretto into a stamp and a red card by grabbing his leg (not that I am justifying the stamp) – given there was only 5 minutes left it was worth the same as his yellow. Just daft. Interesting to see Slade make a cameo at fullback.

By Henry Ker

29 thoughts on “Autumn Internationals 2016: England Player Ratings versus Argentina”

  1. Couldn’t agree more about May’s workrate. It seemed like he was everywhere, popping up on both wings, for crucial contributions in both attack and defense.
    The pace and commitment from May and Joseph allowed us to stop a number of attempts by Argentina to go round the shortened defensive line. I’m a big Nowell fan but I think May would edge him if he can continue to perform like he has

  2. “However, has to take some responsibility as part of a front row that was shunted back at a rate of knots in the scrum”

    I thought the ref did not have a clue, so I think this is a bit harsh.

    a 7 for Harrison is way to high. I thought he looked out of his depth, his tackling is often behind the gain line, hence the 1st half try (he really should have done better), and perhaps if he had his head down in the scrum and adding some grunt, rather than popping it up like a meer cat, we might not have been “shunted back” (however unfairly) in that 1st half.

      1. Ok fair enough. Thought Sinkler was very good, Care added tempo and Slade looked very composed out of position.

        I thought taking Wood off and not Harrison was EJ’s one questionable decsion, during the Cole sin bin.

    2. I agree about the scrum and the ref not knowing what was going on. I thought that the Argentinian LH started turning in ever so slightly in order to get a shove on.

      Also I never understand why refs never seem to look at elbows when the scrum collapses, if the prop’s elbow is pointing at the floor then they’re probably trying to bring it down.

  3. Definitely reads as an undeserved 7 for Harrison, but otherwise a great list in the generally God-awful world of player ratings (think The Guardian gave Daly a 4/10?)

      1. I think Slade at fb was out of necessity as Brown was carrying a knock and Daly was *ahem* unavailable. Cant see him getting much game time there in normal circumstances. That said, he looked effortlessly composed when he came on.

  4. Think Brown shouldn’t be that highly scored. Had a couple of moments in attack but hes very predictable and should pass more than he does. I don’t think Goode or Brown are the answer for England, but not sure who is.

    Big blow to lose Billy, don’t think Harrison cuts it at this level. Clifford looked v good against Bath with ball in hand and offers something at the breakdown.

    1. I think that’s a key point, Brown and Goode are good enough, but at current there’s no body better.

      Perhaps when Watson is back he could be given a run there? Or Daly there with Watson coming back onto the wing?

  5. I think May deserves a 9 as he seemed to appear on both wings just when needed. I was beginning to think there was two of him on the pitch.

    I think a back three combination of May, Roko and Daly would be pretty good. Watson will have to earn his place back when he’s fit.

      1. That video is a great find, what must have Mako been thinking when all of a sudden May is shoving his head up his ar5e!

    2. I have had to retract some previous criticism for May as he has looked much improved this time around. Yet to be really tested in defence but awesome in attack.

      Roko made an incredible run against Quins on Sunday and am sure he will come for Daly.

      Daly has been decent but don’t think he has shown enough to lay claim to the one of those spots outright. Watson was prolific before injury and a back three containing him and May has so much pace its scary.

      After Australia, it would be interesting to see someone else trialled at 15, whether it is Daly, Watson or Slade.

    3. Roko is miles behind both Watson and Nowell for me. I know he is the in winger at the moment, but he does have significant weaknesses in his name, namely his defensive positioning.

      Watson and Nowell come straight back in for me. With either Watson at 15 with May still starting, or potentially with Daly at 15 at May out of the team.

      Roko and Yarde are the next two in line, with Brown still a good enough option if Watson/Daly doesn’t go well in the 15 shirt.

      1. I like Nowell, his workrate is top class and he has some nice footwork to beat defenders but his lack of pace on the wing nudges him behind May for me in the pecking order.
        May, Watson, Daly would be my back three which is packed full of pace and finishing ability and all have decent defensive records

      1. (Jack) Nowell offers versatility, covering Centre, Wing and Full-back. He may not be the quickest but he has great footwork and work rate to match. Hopefully once fit he gets up to speed and I would hope to see him in the match day squad at least.

        We are very lucky to have Watson, May, Nowell all competing for the wings, as well as Daly, Roko and Yarde pushing them.

  6. I’d like to see the following back 3 trialled against Italy in the 6Ns; Haley, May/Nowell, Watson.

    I really like the look of Mike Haley, between him, Watson, Nowell and May we have some very good young back 3 players.

    How incredible has Chris Robshaw been this autumn?! Man of the series for me.

    1. Not seen much of Haley but heard a lot of praise so would be interesting. Brown and Goode just don’t seem up to the task of England 15 so a new name in the hat would be welcomed imo. Watson trialled at 15 would also be interesting.

      Robshaw seems so unburdened now he isn’t the captain and is getting back to basics. His work rate has always been a facet but he has great hands for a forward.

      1. Didn’t Robshaw come straight in as Captain under Lancs? What could’ve been if he’d been given time to settle before having that responsibility?

  7. If this was a “brilliant” performance Henry, I wouldn’t want to watch England when they were workmanlike and unambitious. Conceding 65 per cent possession to a very ordinary and tired looking Argentina side, and winning by playing to get penalties may be pragmatic. It is certainly not “brilliant”.

    1. Ummm…you are aware that England played all but 5 minutes of the match with 14 players and a further 14 minutes with just 13?

      At this level, against a tier one team, to come away with a win, and a win by 13 points, is a brilliant performance irrespective of how those points are gained.

      1. yes i’m not sure what you expected Andy but surely you recognise that when playing with a handicap it makes sense to resort to a more pragmatic style taking points when they are on offer and playing in the right areas.
        To beat a top 10 said with 1-2 less players throughout is a good performance

        1. I agree that it was both a solid and gutsy performance. I still think that Argentina were nowhere near the level they were a few months ago, and that we beat a tired and depleted team. It is also not brilliant to lose a player through indiscipline after ten minutes and another at a time when we needed all hands to the pump. Brilliant should be reserved for a flawless performance that wins a world cup final against the All Blacks.

Comments are closed.