Eddie’s so grateful for Cipriani’s magic kick
DANNY Cipriani got the thumbs up from Eddie Jones after a moment of inspiration that swung the third Test in Cape Town England’s way by setting up a try for wing Jonny May which brought a six-match losing streak to a halt with a 25-10 victory. Jones commented on the 30-year-old fly-half's intervention in his first England start for a decade: “I said before the game we might not have many opportunities and that he’d possibly be good enough to take the opportunity, and he did. There was one opportunity for us to score a try. It was a beautifully weighted kick and we scored. So I’m sure he’ll be on the front page of The Sun.”
Cipriani said: “It wasn’t reaction, it was just instinct. The only winger in the world who could have got there was Jonny May. I felt very grateful to be out there.
“It wasn’t really a day for you to show your skill set, but I tried to stick to the team plan and structure and when I had a moment tried to do something that might benefit the team.
“Hopefully my performance showed how much it meant to me. There’s a lot more that can come. I have loved every moment and am commited to try and hold my place in the squad up to the World Cup.”
The England coach spread the praise for the victory around the squad, starting with winger May.
Jones said: “Jonny May has been outstanding all tour. He’s been incredible. He nearly gave them a try and then he saved a try. I thought at one point he was going to run into one of the corporate boxes at the far grandstand.”
He added that 20-year-old openside Tom Curry had also made big strides. “Tom has played three Tests on the hop against probably the biggest and most physical pack in the world. He’s got a lot of potential that boy.”
Next in line was veteran Chris Robshaw. Jones said: “I was glad to see Robshaw play so well today. He’s been out of form but bounced back here. He showed leadership.”
Joe Marler got a five star rating: “I thought Marler was superb up front. He was there at the last scrum, 80th minute of the game. Clive Woodward would be happy that he played 80 minutes.”
Jones said he considered South Africa to be World Cup contenders “a hundred per cent” after their series win.
“The difference between the Springboks now and six months ago is that they work much harder off the ball.”
Jones said of England’s 15 point win: “We just handled the big moments better today. We kept our composure, just focused on the next play, there was great leadership by the players.
“The team had been over-eager to play well. They probably felt the pressure of the scoreboard.”
Jones said that he felt a load off his shoulders.
“I feel better than I did the first two weeks, but it’s all on again. We’d like to play South Africa next week because we’re coming to a peak now.”
■ Former England fly-half Andy Goode posted on Twitter a video of Owen Farrell’s apparent dismay at Danny Cipriani’s superb kick to the corner which set up Jonny May’s vital try.
Goode tweeted: “Interesting to see @owen_faz’s reaction and body language to @DannyCipriani87’s awesome kick through for Jonny May’s try…”
@AndyGoode10