Doubt creeps in as England.stung at the death again
The Independent|November 10, 2024
Another week, another heartbreak for England and now serious questions must be asked about the direction of the Steve Borthwick project.
LUKE BAKER
Doubt creeps in as England.stung at the death again

A flawed Australia side exposed familiar failings and shone a light on some new ones for good measure in a helter-skelter thriller of an Autumn Nations Series Test match.

Whereas last week ended with George Ford missing a penalty and drop goal as the All Blacks celebrated, this clash ended with Max Jorgensen streaking clear down the left wing, arm aloft to snatch a 42-37 victory for the Wallabies in a game that England won, then lost, then won again before somehow finally losing.

The hosts scored 12 points early on at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, found themselves trailing by 10 early in the second half and the lead then changed hands multiple times in the last 10 minutes. But, ultimately, Borthwick’s men wilted in the final stages of a Test match on a day when they simply couldn’t afford another narrow defeat but fell to one anyway.

Perhaps it was always destined to come down to the wire, given that now just two of England’s last 14 Tests have been decided by more than a single score, but by any objective measure, they really should be beating this version of Australia, especially on home turf.

The same flaw – an inability to see games out at the death – keeps appearing and now there will also be serious questions about a defence that was continually breached by a relentless Australian attack. Defence has been one of the consistent bright spots over the past 12 months but it was found wanting on a day that could prove to be very damaging for English rugby.

In addition to concerns about their ability to finish games off, England have also been criticised for the failure of their attack to score enough points to consistently win Test matches. To their credit, they seemed to try a new approach at Twickenham – eschewing any semblance of kicking game to control things and instead trusting their ball carriers.

Esta historia es de la edición November 10, 2024 de The Independent.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición November 10, 2024 de The Independent.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE INDEPENDENTVer todo
Murray to coach Djokovic for Australian Open title
The Independent

Murray to coach Djokovic for Australian Open title

Andy Murray will coach his longtime rival Novak Djokovic before and during the Australian Open in January.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Jones's complex legacy adds intrigue to must-win clash
The Independent

Jones's complex legacy adds intrigue to must-win clash

It was with not inconsiderable disappointment that news came through on Friday afternoon that illness had laid Eddie Jones low and the Japan head coach would be unable to conduct a planned press conference.

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Mighty Springboks ensure Wales end year without win
The Independent

Mighty Springboks ensure Wales end year without win

Wales slumped to a 12th successive Test match defeat and head coach Warren Gatland saw the pressure ramped up on him as world champions South Africa won 45-12 at the Principality Stadium.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Jackson profits as Chelsea put the chaos behind them
The Independent

Jackson profits as Chelsea put the chaos behind them

In typically unconvincing fashion, Chelsea march on, thanks to the striker who is now, nestled nicely in Erling Haaland’s slipstream, perhaps the Premier League’s second-most-effective marksman.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Arsenal's heartbeat returns to restore missing quality
The Independent

Arsenal's heartbeat returns to restore missing quality

The Emirates rose to its feet as soon as it became clear Martin Odegaard would be departing.

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
City slump to fifth straight defeat after Spurs mauling
The Independent

City slump to fifth straight defeat after Spurs mauling

Five in a row has taken on a different meaning for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
‘No zero-risk flight paths remain over Middle East’
The Independent

‘No zero-risk flight paths remain over Middle East’

Aviation group warns of dangers ranging from attacks by Houthi rebels to overloads of air traffic control systems

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Satellites spy North Korea’s huge imports of Russian oil
The Independent

Satellites spy North Korea’s huge imports of Russian oil

North Korea has allegedly imported more than a million barrels of oil from Russia this year, flouting United Nations sanctions, according to satellite analysis.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Cop29 secures last-minute $300bn climate finance deal
The Independent

Cop29 secures last-minute $300bn climate finance deal

Delegates finally agree after a dramatic day of prolonged negotiations and loud protests echoing through corridors

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Rabbits with missing eyes and ears had deadly virus
The Independent

Rabbits with missing eyes and ears had deadly virus

Dozens of rabbits found dead with missing eyes and ears had a \"dangerous\" and \"highly contagious\" form of hepatitis, according to the RSPCA.

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024