If you were looking for hot- stepping, glitter-ball entertainment, you would have been better switching over to Strictly Come Dancing. The opening tango between Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith did not quite live up to its billing. Sixes all round. No John and Johannes.
There was enough early promise to get through to week two, subject to Farrell’s ankle injury, but the partnership still has a way to go.
England scored just two tries — one from a turnover in the very last play — and need to work on holding their form to overcome the Springboks.
Owen Farrell made a big impact for Engiand against Australia in the Autumn Nations Series
Freddie Steward is congratulated by his team-mates after scoring a try against Australia
James O’Connor scores a penalty for Australia in the first half of the clash at Twickenham
In the early exchanges, it looked like the perfect first dance. A masterclass in attacking choreography, before England quickly lost their feel for the beat. The fans arrived at Twickenham desperate for the Smith-Farrell axis to work. Their new No 10 was the talk of the trains into west London.
For once, there is someone other than Eddie Jones dominating the conversations around English rugby. For six years, Jones has been the chief headline maker, effectively the face of the team, win or lose.
Now there is another personality who has captured the attention of the public. With eight minutes on the clock, Smith and Farrell switched roles at first receiver.
Sam Underhill made a powerful dent in the defence, leaving gold shirts scrambling. Manu Tuilagi stepped off his wing to attract the attention of the wide defenders, before Smith popped the ball to Freddie Steward. The full-back cut the perfect line to score a try loaded with promise. ‘The first try we scored was one of the best I’ve seen from an England side,’ said Jones. ‘Our handling and the lines we were running to hit the holes was absolutely outstanding.
‘It is not going…
Source : dailymail
