How on-song England can avoid turning into a one-hit wonder

Chris Jones pinpoints what must be done do to build on shock win

England's captain Chris Robshaw (C) holds their trophy and celebrates with his teammates

EPA

3 December 2012

Finally, we have irrefutable evidence that England can not only talk a good game but they can produce one against possibly the greatest team the sport has seen.

England’s record breaking 38-21 victory ended New Zealand’s 20-Test unbeaten record and sent shock waves around the rugby world with even the most committed All Black supporter having to admit the better team won by some distance.

While the All Blacks take a well-earned break after winning 12 of their 14 Tests this year, England are left to reflect on one of the most extraordinary victories Twickenham has witnessed and try to work out how to replicate that performance in their Six Nations opener with Scotland on February.

Having flattered to deceive against Fiji, England misfired to a 20-14 loss against Australia and then came up short 16-15 against South Africa but at the fourth time of asking, head coach Stuart Lancaster and his players delivered.

They ended the QBE Test series with two wins from four matches and that statistic cannot be forgotten by anyone involved with this squad.

If England are to live up to the prediction by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen that the hosts could win the 2015 Rugby World Cup, then a Six Nations title is the next target.

The matches with Ireland in Dublin and France at Twickenham will be of greatest concern while any trip to Cardiff to take on Wales — despite their miserable autumn — is fraught with potential problems.

However, over the last month, England have improved in keys areas and they must maintain that progress to ensure the rare win over the All Blacks becomes a springboard for success. Those key areas are:

Midfield

There were moments against the All Blacks when Brad Barritt and Manu Tuilagi resembled a potent attacking force in the England back line. They even inter-passed to set up Barritt’s crucial try and the moment stuck in the memory because we had not seen that before.

Yes, they have been a solid defensive pairing and Tuilagi had, occasionally, burst through would-be tacklers but the centres have not operated as a double act, anticipating breaks, getting on the shoulder of the other man to maintain the momentum of the attack. Barritt and Tuilagi have set their standards and must now replicate this in the Six Nations.

Line out

If you do not like the minutia of line-out play then do not strike up a conversation with Geoff Parling. Together with former captain Steve Borthwick, the Leicester lock has an unhealthy interest in the very physical game of chess that operates at the line out.

Parling’s work against the All Blacks on Saturday was absolutely crucial in England’s triumph and the quality of the ball he won was world class. He decides where the ball is thrown and varied the calls excellently. He is now a major target for opponents in the Six Nations.

Scrum

England have a world-class scrum that can disrupt the best in the game while supplying good quality ball for their backs. Dan Cole is the rock on which the scrum is built and there are a host of loose-head props to help stabilise the situation.

Tom Youngs made an impressive contribution in the tight and loose and has thrown down the gauntlet to fit again Dylan Hartley and England will be targeted relentlessly in this area.

Tactical kicking

England started poorly against New Zealand but Owen Farrell made up for those errors by finding the range to allow his chasers to hammer the catchers.

Freddie Burns took over and revealed a handy range of kicks that pinned the opposition into their 22 and these two young lads are now threatening to overtake the 53-cap Toby Flood in the pecking order. However, a return to the bad old days of aimless kicks will undermine England’s entire game plan.

The break down

England were aggressive, clinical and relentless in snuffing out the All Black ball stealers and produced the quick ball that all teams try to achieve. However, this will only force opponents to redouble their efforts to deny England this kind of ball — just as South Africa did a week earlier.

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