PFF NEWS
PFF
Online Slot Machine Games Philippines
Date: 2023-11-30 05:23:36 | Author: PFF | Views: 965 | Tag: league
-
The England players will remember the feeling league
Look back on the images of that night in Yokohama and see the empty eyes, despair writ large on wounded faces as South Africa celebrated beyond them league
The Springboks had not just secured World Cup victory but romped to it, an England side coursing with optimism after a stunning semi-final performance against New Zealand left lifeless and limp league
To some extent, it is a low from which England have never recovered league
The last four years have exposed deep flaws both within the national team and the game more widely, with talks of an even more radical domestic overhaul league
The 23 Englishmen involved then were the youngest collective to reach a World Cup final: the promise and potential of that group has been frittered away, Eddie Jones indulged past the point of no return and then sacked with less than a year until this tournament league
The gamble that the Rugby league Football Union (RFU) took when disposing of Jones at the end of the autumn last year relied entirely on getting to this point, the union recognising that a relatively friendly draw meant progression to the last four would remain eminently achievable even with a late change of coach league
Unlike Wales and Australia, who balanced the same equation when making their own regime changes and entered this tournament in a similar state, England have at least given themselves a shot in a semi-final league
The meticulous Steve Borthwick proved the right man to plot an emergency course league
Barring a total thrashing on Saturday night, his side have avoided embarrassment, navigating out of the choppy waters of August and through calmer September seas league
RecommendedSteve Borthwick explains Marcus Smith’s absence from England team to face South AfricaSouth Africa inspired by struggles of whole nation – Siya KolisiThe England blueprint to upset South Africa and reach Rugby World Cup finalBut there’s a Springbok storm on the horizon league
Given the different strata the two sides seem to occupy, it is unsurprisingly that few give them hope against South Africa, but England have fed off an underdog mentality throughout this tournament, insisting they’ve been written off too soon league
England believe they have the bite to back up that bark league
“Obviously it was disappointing four years ago,” said wing Elliot Daly, among 13 England matchday squad members in 2019 taking on the Springboks again league
“But I think the feel around this team is that it’s a very different team to then league
“Obviously, I had a bit of time out from the squad and, since coming back in, there’s a different feeling within this group league
We are going to try and harness that league
We’ve had the last year, two years of planning going into this, to hopefully perform our best on the weekend league
”To make next week’s showpiece will require a performance at a level above anything they have produced in France so far league
While South Africa will be wary of a team with little to lose, they are league better than this England team in virtually every facet, their gameplan more complete and cohesive league
Keep their heads and a final berth is theirs for the taking league
‘There’s a heightened sense of awareness, a heightened sense of what needs to be done,’ says lock Maro Itoje (AFP/Getty)The focus, as always with a Springbok side, will be on the majesty of their muscular pack and the extent to which England can match their might both at the set piece and tackling punch league
But their ability to offer diverse attacking threat can sometimes go overlooked – the backing of Manie Libbok at 10, a baton-waving maestro to Handre Pollard’s ticking metronome league
This is a complete and very good rugby team forged over five years in Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber’s kiln league
England, by contrast, are having to do it all in the pressure game league
Recognising that there is no time to throw all of their irons in the fire, England have focused on what they call their “building blocks” – the set piece, fitness, and a kick pressure game league
The plan is to physically peak again for this contest, having sagged slightly against Samoa after their pool stage rest week and building back up against Fiji league
Strong final quarters have been a theme of England’s tournament but there is no doubt that they will need a full 80-minute performance, which the squad admit they have yet to produce, to topple the world champions league
“The belief is strong in this team,” Steve Borthwick insisted league
“I sensed that all the way through since I got involved again with the team league
England’s head coach Steve Borthwick leads a training session (AFP/Getty)“There are players who have performed to the very highest of levels league
Players who have played knockout rugby, finals rugby before league
”In 2019, Siya Kolisi stated that he felt South Africa had beaten England in the World Cup final because of their greater motivation, a sense that they were playing something bigger league
The Springboks captain has revisited that motif this week but England don’t lack for belief – and insist that, this time, it will be different league
“There’s definitely a different energy around the place this week in comparison to other big games I’ve played,” articulated Maro Itoje league
“There’s a different feel league
There’s a heightened sense of awareness, a heightened sense of what needs to be done league
“I think people are aware of what’s at stake league
People are aware of the importance of doing your job, the importance of doing your role within the team league
There’s not many opportunities to be at this stage or at this level league
This is an experience for us to take the bull by the horns league
”More aboutEngland RugbyRugby World CupSouth Africa rugbySpringboksSteve BorthwickJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/3Why England believe against South Africa this time, even if you don’tWhy England believe against South Africa this time, even if you don’t‘There’s a heightened sense of awareness, a heightened sense of what needs to be done,’ says lock Maro ItojeAFP via Getty ImagesWhy England believe against South Africa this time, even if you don’tEngland’s head coach Steve Borthwick leads a training sessionAFP via Getty ImagesWhy England believe against South Africa this time, even if you don’tThe England players in a group huddle as they prepare for Saturday’s semi-final against the defending champions PA✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today league
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsleague BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy league
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply league
Hi {{indy league
fullName}}My Independent PremiumAccount detailsHelp centreLogout @keyframes spin{0%{transform:rotate(0)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}} league
Marlie Packer hailed the dawn of a new era after England eased past Australia 42-7 in their WXV opener in Wellington league
It was the first opportunity for the Red Roses to play on New Zealand soil since their heartbreaking World Cup final defeat to the Black Ferns a year ago, and they were comfortable, scoring six tries in all league
The launch of WXV – a new international competition designed to revolutionise the women’s rugby landscape – gives the world’s number one side a chance to cement their status at the top of the world rankings, in spite of falling just short last year league
On their way to the final, they had knocked off the Wallaroos 41-5, and almost exactly 12 months on, it was an identical margin of victory, although Packer fell just short of the hat-trick she managed in that quarter-final league
RecommendedRevolutionising the women’s international rugby landscape – what is the WXV?Red Roses name squad for WXV without input from new head coach John MitchellWorld Cup winners New Zealand to host inaugural WXV tournamentEngland will feel they should have won by more, especially as they failed to score a point in the final 20 minutes despite playing with an extra player, but this was still a comprehensive victory with meetings against Canada and world champions New Zealand to come league
“It was a great victory league
The Aussies gave us a really good game,” Packer said league
“We talk about courage and being courageous and we’re going to grow into this tournament and today was the start of that league
“It’s a fantastic competition and we’re all excited to be here playing the top teams in the world, coming off the World Cup last year and keeping the legacy going in New Zealand league
“I know the girls are really enjoying it over here league
The camp is feeling really good we’re a new-look England side and enjoying the way we are playing league
“We have new coaching staff and we’re pleased that John Mitchell is here now and we’re looking to keep growing and building into next week’s game league
”England made the perfect start, with Hannah Botterman crashing over from close range after just five minutes from a clever lineout move league
Holly Aitchison converted to make it 7-0 league
England stormed to victory in WXV opening match (AFP via Getty Images)Australia were looking very smooth with ball in hand, regularly opening up space out wide league
But each time they seemed as though they might turn it into points, someone would get back to make the vital intervention league
England, by contrast, were much more clinical, Alex Matthews and Jess Breach with the steal and then break to put Ella Wyrwas in to score, Aitchison converted from out wide league
Try number three came after a big Packer charge saw Annabelle Codey sent to the sin-bin for an upright tackle league
Against 14, England were never going to be stopped, the captain delivering the punishment from a rolling maul league
That was soon followed by another, Breach with one of the easiest finishes off her international career as she coasted over untouched on the left after Australia had again struggled to contain a rolling maul league
Aitchison converted both and England led 28-0 at half-time league
Botterman was denied her second try shortly after half-time, but a rolling maul a few minutes later allowing Packer to double up, Aitchison again converting league
Marlie Packer inspired England to victory against Australia in new WXV competititon (AFP via Getty Images)Successive penalties against Packer allowed the Wallaroos to set up a lineout five metres out league
While it did not pay immediate dividends, a quick tap penalty from Layne Morgan saw replacement Ashley Marsters burst over from close range to get the Wallaroos’ first try league
Carys Dallinger converted from out wide league
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly squashed league
England got back into the Australian 22 and former sevens standout Meg Jones showed her quick feet to dart through for the Red Roses’ sixth try league
To add insult to injury, Codey put in a needless late hit on Wyrwas in the build-up, earning her second yellow card as a result and leaving Australia with 14 for the final quarter league
That should have been the cue for the floodgates to open, but England were unusually sloppy in the final 20 minutes, and did well to avoid conceding again themselves at the end after Sarah Beckett was also sent to the sin-bin as England conceded four penalties in one passage of play league
New head coach John Mitchell joined up with the team on Thursday after his role with Japan’s men’s team ended at the Rugby World Cup pool stage, and watched England romp to an impressive win league
All matches will be broadcast live so back your nation on ITV X league
More aboutEngland Women's RugbyJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/3England lay down marker as women’s rugby enters new eraEngland lay down marker as women’s rugby enters new eraEngland stormed to victory in WXV opening matchAFP via Getty ImagesEngland lay down marker as women’s rugby enters new eraMarlie Packer inspired England to victory against Australia in new WXV competititonAFP via Getty ImagesEngland lay down marker as women’s rugby enters new eraThe WXV is a new-look women’s rugby competitionAFP via Getty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today league
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsleague BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy league
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply league
Hi {{indy league
fullName}}My Independent PremiumAccount detailsHelp centreLogout @keyframes spin{0%{transform:rotate(0)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}} league
