Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea
Marcus Smith insists England can take comfort in the career trajectories of Usain Bolt and Dan Carter as they come to terms with another near-miss against New Zealand.
George Ford, Smith’s replacement at fly-half, missed last-gasp penalty and drop-goal attempts as the All Blacks left Allianz Stadium on Saturday with a 24-22 victory.
Including their two Tests in July, England have lost three successive matches to New Zealand by a combined total of 10 points, continuing their trend of falling to narrow defeats against top-four opposition.
As they turn attention to Saturday’s appointment with Australia, Smith looks to sprint great Bolt and All Blacks star Carter as examples of how it can take time to reach the pinnacle of a sport.
“It’s not a coincidence that people win towards the end. Dan Carter played his first World Cup final at 33, sometimes it’s life,” Smith said.
“Usain Bolt, in his first Olympics (2004), didn’t get out of the group stages. Now everyone admires him as a legend.
“International rugby is very different to the Premiership and the experiences we’re experiencing now are very painful, but we’ll be better for them.
“Keep the faith. We’ve fallen again on the wrong side of the result, but we’ll learn from it 100 per cent.
“These experiences will tighten us as a group and it will be worth it in the long run. We will be better for it.”
Smith and Ford were at the centre of the most contentious moment of the afternoon in the 62nd minute when a fly-half who was hitting all the right notes was replaced by one who had not played in over a month because of a quad injury.
Ford has been and will continue to be a vital presence for England, but his missed tackle for Mark Tele’a’s 75th-minute try, as well as a wayward drop-goal and penalty that struck the right post, were evidence of a player in need of more game time before being thrust into such a decisive stage of a Test.
Smith has no issue with the substitution, stating that it was the “coaches’ decision and I’m right behind whatever decision they make”.
He also gives Ford his full support, not least because the Sale veteran was hardly given the ideal platform from which to launch his drop-goal.
“Sometimes that’s the life of a kicker, we’ve all experienced that. It’s part and parcel of the job,” Smith said.
“I’ve learned so much off George. He’s an unbelievable kicker, both off the tee and out of hand. It was one of those days.
“It’s nothing to do with him why we didn’t win the game. It’s a team effort. Every kicker in the world has experienced that.
“As kickers we always practise the drop-goal, but it’s very different when you’re out there in front of 80,000 people and the All Blacks shouting ‘Drop-goal! Drop-goal!’.
“It’s an extremely tough kick. Fordy is a master of that drop-goal kick. We go through that scenario week-in, week-out. We practise it as kickers every single day but sometimes it doesn’t go for you. We’re all human and people miss.”
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Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.
Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.
As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.
Go to commentsGood grief
Beauden was his usual industrious self mixing deft touches with mindless kicks
6 or 7 max!!
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