Hartley will enjoy his hols after England tour success
ENGLAND captain Dylan Hartley says he will enjoy his summer holiday all the more for having ended the 2016-17 season by leading his side to a 2-0 series victory on their tour of Argentina.
It was mission accomplished for Eddie Jones’ youthful England squad as they followed up their opening 38-34 win over the Pumas in San Juan with a more routine 35-25 success in Santa Fe.
“That’s what we came to do,” said Hartley, who played in all 160 minutes on the two-match tour.
“If anything, it exceeded our hopes and expectations because we learned so much about ourselves and the development of the team.
“Overall, to win two games, that was the objective and I think we can be really proud of ourselves.
“They were not the perfect games but we found ways to win them both.”
Charlie Ewels, Piers Francis and Will Collier all scored their first England tries, while scrum-half Danny Care got the other and his half-back partner George Ford underlined his importance to the team with another man-of-thematch performance which included five goals and a timely drop goal.
While experienced players like Ford, Hartley, Mike Brown and Chris Robshaw demonstrated their continuing value to England, Jones handed out 11 new caps and players like Sam Curry, Mark Wilson, Sam Underhill and Piers Francis seized their opportunity to press their claims for a place in his 45-man elite player squad which will be announced in the summer.
“It was an unbelievable effort, to have 20 new players on tour, but the collective effort from all the guys was amazing as well,” Hartley said.
The England team will fly home from Buenos Aires on Monday but Hartley will soon be packing his bags again as he heads back home to New Zealand to visit his family.
The Northampton hooker intends to take in the Test matches between the All Blacks and the British and Irish Lions during his holiday, and is disappointed that he will not get the chance to watch more of his team-mates from the Argentina tour.
Warren Gatland caused a stir by calling up extra players from Scotland and Wales rather than England because they were already in Australasia.
Jones has been among the critics but Hartley chose his words carefully.
“It depends how you look at it,” he said. “George Ford was outstanding (against Argentina).
“It seems they picked guys that are local, but I’m not in charge. I can’t say whether it’s right or wrong. I’ve got an opinion, but it’s probably best not to say it.”