Argentina’s head coach, Michael Cheika, has suggested that England’s tactical acumen was the underlying factor behind Los Pumas’ lackluster performance, leading to their disappointing 27-10 defeat at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
Despite facing stifling conditions and the early loss of openside flanker Tom Curry just two minutes into the game, the experienced England side managed to grind out a resilient victory.
In a solemn press conference conducted in both English and Spanish, Cheika left no room for doubt as he pointed out that England’s shrewd game management was the pivotal distinction between the two teams.
“Pretty much everything that could go wrong did go wrong. I think we let the play get too stop and start. England played the circumstances very well and full credit to them,” said Cheika.
“There was almost no play. There were so many stoppages. The play we did get we didn’t master every well. That was by design by the other team. They did it very well. They put us in that corner.
“We’ll take what we need from it and get on with the next game.”
Cheika added: “The world is not over. We still have work to do to qualify. Our players will take a lot from this experience.
“We have many first-timers in World Cup games and they will take a lesson of how we need to be ready when the whistle blows.”
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“Abject” – Three England players Steve Borthwick must change, and who should replace them
Despite this triumph, there remains room for improvement in England’s starting lineup, and we believe that Borthwick should consider implementing three changes to further enhance the team’s prospects moving forward.
#1. Tom Curry
Telegraph 2/10: “The flanker was overeager in defence after an injury, red-carded after a TMO bunker review for a slightly unfortunate head-on-head collision in the third minute.”
RUCK 0/10: “Sent off after just two minutes. Some may say unlucky, but the flanker really left the officials no choice.”
Planet Rugby 1/10: “Some said he was unlucky, but ultimately he was high in contact and paid the price. Fortunately, his team-mates bailed him out. “
Rugby Pass 0/10: “Was hailed in the build-up as the potential missing link for the England defence as he arrived in France without playing a single minute of the four-game Summer Nations Series. That idea quickly went out the window, though. “
The Guardian 2/10: “Palpably fired up before the match, having not played since May, but lasted less than three minutes before a red card, via the bunker, for an overzealous tackle on Juan Cruz Mallía.”
Replacement: Jack Willis