Former England coach Sir Clive Woodward has described the controversial breakdown tactics used by Italy during their Six Nations game against England as “innovative and inspired”.
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Ten minutes after grabbing his first, Nowell finished off a second under the posts as Italy’s engines ran dry, and the hosts ultimately illustrated their credentials as title challengers in spite of a slow first half.
“But you’re playing against a brilliant team who are on-form and they worked their way through it”.
“But it wasn’t rugby”.
“We lost the ruck from the game and when you lose a
primary contest from the game it changes the game considerably and it ceases to become rugby”.
“I think we knew the challenge ahead today”.
Jones added that the referee Romain Poite had a “terrible day”. I don’t think it’s smart.
Smith, known around the All Blacks as “The Professor” because of his elaborate thinking on the game, told Fairfax Media that an underarm-type laws reaction would not happen in rugby, because it will not be required. “We had to adapt to that”.
Scrum-half Danny Care and wing Elliot Daly calmed England’s nerves with a couple of quick-fire tries after the re-start, although Michele Campagnaro bulldozed his way through to take Italy to within two points at 17-15 on the hour mark. “So we’re doing handstands”.
Italian defenders could therefore stand between England’s half-backs, creating confusion for the men in white. All you need is a tackle offside line.
Finally the screaming of the backs was heard and when the ball finally came their way, it was over in seconds, George Ford’s long pass sending Jack Nowell over. You look in front and there’s a blue jumper there.
“He had a bad day, let’s be honest. He wasn’t refereeing rugby”.
An uncharacteristically ungracious Jones slammed the Italian tactics: “If that’s rugby I am going to retire”, he said. But if people think that we’re just going to lie back, I’m not there to take a salary for four years and not make a difference. “It didn’t improve the game”.
On that occasion, Aussie Trevor Chappell’s underarm delivery to Brian McKechnie off the final ball of a one-day global at the MCG, with the New Zealanders requiring a six to tie, forced an immediate law change to outlaw such a delivery.
There’s never been so much debate about the worthiness of Italy’s place in the Six Nations, so it’s hardly ideal timing for the beleaguered Azzurri to be facing title-chasing England in the competition’s ultimate mismatch.
“Remember Trevor Chappell? Bowled under arm along the ground”.
Jones also said he was pleased with England’s progress in the tournament.
Jones’ side top the RBS 6 Nations table after their 36-15 win over Italy at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday. “They have got to carry around the burden of Scotland’s expectation for the next two weeks”.
“He and Sam are similar in the way that they have the off-loading skills, the skills they’ve brought over from rugby league”.
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“This is our next test, and I’m sure [Scotland coach] Vern Cotter won’t have those tactics”. I’m very proud of the players today.
