'An absolute mess': Steve Borthwick comes underfire as 'big questions' asked

Steve Borthwick’s role as England head coach is under intense scrutiny after a last-minute 42-37 defeat to Australia at Allianz Stadium marking England’s second consecutive failure to close out a winning position.

Max Jorgensen scored three minutes into overtime to seal a scarcely believable victory for Joe Schmidt's Australia. Marcus Smith had seemed to orchestrate a comeback for Steve Borthwick’s side, setting up two tries for Ollie Sleightholme. Maro Itoje then scored in the 77th minute, appearing to clinch a win for England after Andrew Kellaway’s earlier breakaway try for the Wallabies. Yet, with the game heading into its 83rd minute, Australia engineered a final chance, and Jorgensen scored, assisted by rugby league star Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i in an impressive union debut.

Last week’s loss to the All Blacks raised concerns but England’s repeated inability to finish games has intensified calls for answers as fans and pundits question Borthwick's leadership.

England fans took to social media to voice their frustrations. Former England international Andy Goode wrote “Wow what a finish from the Wallabies fully deserve that victory Defensively England were all over the shop at times Big questions for Steve Borthwick to answer when we had one of the best defensive coaches in the world just leave.”

His remark was reflective of widespread discontent among a section of fans over England’s defensive weaknesses and baffling inability to finish out matches.

Indeed criticisms went beyond Borthwick’s strategy as Mana Rugby suggested a change in leadership saying: “If England lose to this Australia team at home Steve Borthwick and all his assistants should be sacked – defence and attack so poor Make Felix Jones the head coach.”

Some fans pointed to the loss of key backroom staff as a factor with one fan quipping “Say what you like about Steve Borthwick but apart from losing winnable games having his team play rugby at 75 per cent speed and having his best coaches leave his team he is doing a great job.”

Longtime England followers noted the irony of England’s current struggles after Eddie Jones who led the team to a World Cup final and Six Nations wins was sacked. Richie Allen observed “England were more than happy to slate Eddie Jones as they sacked him... Careful what you wish for – cause Borthwick’s England are an absolute mess.”

Another angry fan wrote: "We had one of the world’s best defence coaches and after a handful of games he left because he couldn’t work under Borthwick. How many games does he need to demonstrate that he hasn’t a clue what he’s doing."

A similarly irate supporter blasted Borthwick, saying: "Pathetic from England. Losing to this Australia side is unforgivable. Steve Borthwick needs to be sacked."

With Borthwick two defeats into England's Autumn Nations Series, the pressure on Borthwick to deliver is getting close to boiling point.

After the game Borthwick told TNT: "There will be no shortage of motivation to get back out there against South Africa".

'There will be no shortage of motivation to get back out there against South Africa'

Steve Borthwick backs his players to bounce back after Australia defeat#ENGvAUS | #AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/n8eO0vYC7p

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 9, 2024

He isn't wrong, not least for himself, as his job may now depend on it.