YOU CAN TRY AGAIN EDDIE
day. And we got caught,” said Eddie Jones. “The reality is something slightly wasn’t right and we couldn’t fix it on the field. That happens.”
But the future remains bright.
As George Ford said: “We’ve massively enjoyed our time together, we’ve become closer as a group and played some good rugby.”
Ultimately it was the pressure of the occasion which did for them – just as it did for South Africa in their opening game loss to New Zealand.
But the Boks were better for that experience and a talk from coach Rassie Erasmus about what real pressure is. “In South Africa it is not having a job,” he told them.
“Pressure is having a close relative who is murdered. Rugby should not be something that creates pressure, rugby should create hope.”
England felt pressure and had little hope. Their challenge is to use the lesson they have been taught to free them next time.
ENGLAND SOUTH AFRICA 56% ............ Territory .......... 44% 56% .......... Possession ........ 44% 123 .................. Runs ................. 89 135 ................ Passes ............... 89 14 ........ Defenders beaten ....... 12 2 ............ Clean breaks ............ 11 12 ................ Offloads ................ 4 94 .............. Rucks won ............ 63 3 .... ........... Scrums won ............. 11 7 ............ Lineouts won ........... 6 10 ....... Penalties conceded ....... 8 128 ................ Tackles ............. 206 10 ........... Tackles missed .......... 10 3 ........... Turnovers won ........... 2
FROM BACK PAGE history. But he confirmed he would see his contract through until 2021 and Rugby Football Union boss Bill Sweeney suggested he wanted him to carry on through to the 2023 tournament in France. Sweeney said: “Despite the result Eddie is one of the world’s best coaches, if not the best. “I think he has done a fantastic job with this squad – look where we were four years ago – and it’s not job done yet. “Both parties have got to be completely happy with it but if you’re going to go through to France 2023 it’s nice to have that unbroken stretch.” South Africa flanker PieterSteph du Toit was named World Rugby player of the year.