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Stuart Lancaster believes England can bridge gap in time for World Cup Stuart Lancaster believes England can bridge gap in time for World Cup
(about 2 hours later)
Stuart Lancaster insists England can still prosper at next year’s World Cup but both management and players admit tactical improvements are needed if Saturday’s Test against South Africa at Twickenham is to have a different outcome to the 24-21 defeat to New Zealand.Stuart Lancaster insists England can still prosper at next year’s World Cup but both management and players admit tactical improvements are needed if Saturday’s Test against South Africa at Twickenham is to have a different outcome to the 24-21 defeat to New Zealand.
Despite leading 14-11 at half-time, England lost control of the match in the third quarter and have won only two of their 13 games against the big three southern hemisphere nations under Lancaster’s stewardship. The coach said his squad’s self-belief remains unaffected by five straight defeats to the All Blacks inside 12 months.Despite leading 14-11 at half-time, England lost control of the match in the third quarter and have won only two of their 13 games against the big three southern hemisphere nations under Lancaster’s stewardship. The coach said his squad’s self-belief remains unaffected by five straight defeats to the All Blacks inside 12 months.
“I don’t think it dents your self-belief but clearly you want to win games by three points not lose them,” said Lancaster, aware that another defeat to South Africa could shake the faith of England fans. “There is pressure with every game because you have 80,000 people here and a country wanting us to win. There’s no doubt about it – Saturday is a big game but it was always going to be, win lose or draw.”“I don’t think it dents your self-belief but clearly you want to win games by three points not lose them,” said Lancaster, aware that another defeat to South Africa could shake the faith of England fans. “There is pressure with every game because you have 80,000 people here and a country wanting us to win. There’s no doubt about it – Saturday is a big game but it was always going to be, win lose or draw.”
He is also adamant England can still close the gap with the All Blacks by next autumn. “Yes, absolutely. I don’t think in any of the games we’ve played we’ve really felt we’ve been dominated. We don’t think the gap is very big at all with another 12 months inside us and another six or seven British Lions back fit.”He is also adamant England can still close the gap with the All Blacks by next autumn. “Yes, absolutely. I don’t think in any of the games we’ve played we’ve really felt we’ve been dominated. We don’t think the gap is very big at all with another 12 months inside us and another six or seven British Lions back fit.”
Lancaster said there may be “one or two changes” for the Springbok game, with Courtney Lawes doubtful after being concussed against New Zealand. Luther Burrell will be again be unavailable but those players who started against the All Blacks, though, are desperate to take out their frustrations on the Boks. “If we’re going to really challenge and become world champions, which is exactly what we’re planning to be, we going to need to execute an awful lot better,” stressed the Bath lock Dave Attwood. Lancaster said there may be “one or two changes” for the Springbok game, with Courtney Lawes doubtful after being concussed against New Zealand. Luther Burrell will again be unavailable but those players who started against the All Blacks are desperate to take out their frustrations on the Boks. “If we’re going to really challenge and become world champions, which is exactly what we’re planning to be, we going to need to execute an awful lot better,” stressed the Bath lock Dave Attwood.
The Northampton flanker Tom Wood believes England need to be craftier, rather than simply seeking to match South Africa physically. “We’ve got to box clever. It can’t all be about scrum and maul,” he said. “We need an all-court game with a balance to it. You’ve got to mix it up and keep them guessing. They’ve got a powerful pack so we’ll need to be on top of our game but when it comes to scrum and maul we are confident we can take any team on.”The Northampton flanker Tom Wood believes England need to be craftier, rather than simply seeking to match South Africa physically. “We’ve got to box clever. It can’t all be about scrum and maul,” he said. “We need an all-court game with a balance to it. You’ve got to mix it up and keep them guessing. They’ve got a powerful pack so we’ll need to be on top of our game but when it comes to scrum and maul we are confident we can take any team on.”
The full-back Mike Brown also senses the All Black defeat will make England even more determined. “We have to react positively but is also good to have these disappointments in the back of your mind because it fuels you to get better. I hope I get that opportunity this weekend because I’m pretty annoyed.”The full-back Mike Brown also senses the All Black defeat will make England even more determined. “We have to react positively but is also good to have these disappointments in the back of your mind because it fuels you to get better. I hope I get that opportunity this weekend because I’m pretty annoyed.”