England must use width to beat Boks - Robshaw
EDDIE Jones could do worse than copy the Wallabies’ fast action style to stop the Springbok juggernaut in its path at Twickenham.
Chris Robshaw is hoping his old England boss will give the players licence to a thrill on Satuday when they go head to head with the world champions for the first time since the 2019 World Cup final defeat in Japan.
The former captain is desperate for England to gain minor revenge on a team which bases its global domination on brute force and physicality.
That strongman approach showed itself to good use in the series win over the Lions but faltered somewhat in the Rugby Championship where they lost twice to Australia and once to New Zealand.
Robshaw believes it would be futile for Jones’ men to try and match them in the beefcake stakes.
“No one does it better than South Africa so don’t try,” says Robshaw. “They only know one way of doing it, and being successful at it, and that’s a very territorial and physicallyorientated game and we
saw how well they do it against the Lions.
“South Africa players are a bit stronger generally and you don’t want to get bogged down in an arm wrestle if you can help it. But they can find it hard against opponents who are able to move them around and play with speed.
“We saw how Australia managed to beat them recently. They said ‘right, we are not going to try and match you, we are going to play an open game, try and stretch you and see how well you defend the wide channels’. I’d love to see England attempt to play that way – we certainly have the skilful players to do that in our backs. It would be a big switch from how England have been playing but I’m sure all England fans would like to see the team run and attack the Springboks.”
Robshaw is confident the partnership of Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell can do some damage.
He added: “With the likes of Marcus and Owen playing we can put some width on the game and spread it out to the wings. Marcus is not the biggest lad but he’s tough. He trained with England when he was 16 or 17 doing his exams. One of the second rowers whacked him but he got up and then ran round him next time.
“England went for speed and power against Australia and I hope they do that again when he picks his starting line-up for the Springboks. It was interesting to see him put Manu
Tuilagi on the wing. He has that initial pace and then the power. He’s never going to be a Jonny May but he can be a useful guy to have out there.
“Eddie is gradually regrowing and redeveloping his side with the final goal the World Cup in two years’ time so he is trying different combinations. There might be some experienced guys who don’t make it to France. Eddie is is giving other guys the chance and this is the right time to do it because there is a lot more pressure on the team to win games come the Six Nations.
“But now, against the likes of Australia and South Africa, you can find out whether these guys can compete against the best from the southern hemisphere.”