Ahead of this second Test Eddie Jones asked for a a number of things. First and foremost a conclusive victory, second keeping the match structured and not playing into Fiji’s hands and third seeing individuals take their opportunities. By all accounts his England side achieved all three and as a result continue on with purpose on their unbeaten run.
“So I am really happy with aspects of our game today. Collectively the 23 put in a good effort, there was good intensity – we dropped off at certain times but it is always difficult when you get a big lead, to maintain that intensity. But that is the next step of a team going forward – that is what we want to achieve.”
“If we want greatness in our team we have to maintain that intensity after racing into an early lead. There were some great individual performances but there are obviously areas we have to improve on against Argentina which is going to be a tricky game.”
So what of the game at hand? As mentioned the performance, as a whole, had the type of structure that was required. England's framework stayed strong and as a collective they exploited the weaknesses in defence that were present. Fiji did put some good points on the board but by in large England controlled the match and delivered what was required.
In terms individual performances then a few definitely need commenting on and the first is the outing of George Ford. There's plenty of talk about his club future at the moment but as you'd expect from the consummate professional that he is, he doesn't let any of this outside noise faze him. Each week we are seeing his natural skill-set light up the Twickenham stage and despite men twice his size looking to take his head off the fly-half played as flat to the line as he always does. This ability and the decisions that he makes while doing that makes England's attack tick and alongside the ever present and ever brilliant Owen Farrell and Ben Youngs who is showcasing outstanding form England are blessed with their decision making axis.
On the wing Elliot Daly showed exactly the type of versatility that the coaches want to see from him. Despite little game time there the Wasps man looked at ease in the 11 jersey. He came off his wing at the right times, turned on his speed and outside break and generally looked top-notch. Eddie Jones is really looking to develop Elliot as a utility back and a key weapon in his armoury to ensure that England can cover across the back field with ease.
Semesa Rokodugni’s performance will also have given England's head coach something positive to think about too. The Bath winger put aside the nerves that Eddie Jones said were there and played with passion and his trademark intensity and spark. Out there on the park we saw the fruits of good man management from Eddie Jones to find the right match to re-introduce Semesa back into the mix and without question there’s an argument to hand the Bath winger another start on Saturday.
In terms of the next step Argentina present an altogether difference challenge to South Africa or Fiji. The Pumas’ single-point loss to Scotland will galvanise a side that can deliver some outstanding rugby and Eddie Jones was clear about their recent development:
“They have gone from being a very structured team, strong at the set-piece and very good at the kick and chase game, to a side that still has remnants of that but they’ve added to it the ability to play unstructured rugby. They’ve got an unbelievable running threat off nine, so it makes you defend tight around the ruck, and they have the ability to play off 10 as well with Sánchez.
“Unlike most teams they have two distinct threats so it really tests your defensive line - you have to make sure you’re tight enough around the ruck to worry about the nine, but you can’t be too tight or give them too much space on the outside. It’s a really good defensive challenge for us this week, not dissimilar to playing against the All Blacks, in a latin way.”
Selection wise England's head coach said after he has some ‘good questions to answer’ but in all honesty I believe that he has a XV and 23 inked down on paper already. The question is are those that had starting opportunities against Fiji, Alex Goode, Semesa Rokoduguni and Teimana Harrison, in his thinking?
If I was a betting lady I’d say that perhaps only the Bath winger may truly be in the selection mix for a start against Argentina. Why? Well because Mike Brown seems to remain strongly in the forefront of Eddie Jones’ plans - Alex Goode's performance was assessed as 'he did well' alongside the word 'good' but reading between the lines it didn't light the fire of the Australian. Also I believe that Tom Wood’s outing was stronger than his club counterpart while Elliot Daly and Jonathan Joseph should duel for the 13 jersey with Jonny May arriving back. In the case of the 13 jersey the latter’s ‘first-class defence’ and ‘very good’ performance against Fiji (Eddie Jones’ words not mine) may see him prevail.
If I was a betting lady I’d say that perhaps only the Bath winger may truly be in the selection mix for a start against Argentina. Why? Well because Mike Brown seems to remain strongly in the forefront of Eddie Jones’ plans - Alex Goode's performance was assessed as 'he did well' alongside the word 'good' but reading between the lines it didn't light the fire of the Australian. Also I believe that Tom Wood’s outing was stronger than his club counterpart while Elliot Daly and Jonathan Joseph should duel for the 13 jersey with Jonny May arriving back. In the case of the 13 jersey the latter’s ‘first-class defence’ and ‘very good’ performance against Fiji (Eddie Jones’ words not mine) may see him prevail.
For now it's time for this England squad to rest and recover ahead of another big week. With two Tests down and two to go the side will continue to seek improvements and I've no doubt that their head coach and his coaching team will ramp up the intensity and focus again to look to maintain their unbeaten run together on Saturday.
