"World Cup hopes over" - Three England players who flopped in series decider - Ruck

“World Cup hopes over” – Three England players who flopped in series decider

England sealed a memorable come-from-behind series victory over Australia after they won 21-17 at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.

We take a look at the player ratings of the team – and who underperformed in the eyes of the rugby scribes. Some we agree with – other we don’t

#1. Danny Care

  • Age: 35
  • Position: Scrum-half

A disappointing tour culminated with the playmaker replaced before half-time in the third test. With Ben Youngs back in contention in the Autumn, will Care get another chance to impress? Probably not. This was Care’s last shot (possibly ever in an England shirt) at impressing ahead of the Rugby World Cup next year.

Telegraph 4/10: “Charged down 20 seconds in by Frost but box-kicking improved. Koroibete thundered through him on one run and after 37 minutes Eddie Jones had enough, hooking him with no injury.”

Inews 4/10: “Brutally hooked after 36 minutes for Jack van Poortvliet but it was hard to argue with Jonesโ€™ reasoning given the veteranโ€™s poor first half, when he had his first box kick charged down, looked too eager to kick away and was flattened by Koroibete.”

Rugby Pass 5.5/10: “Unceremoniously hooked by Jones shortly before the break after a mixed display in which he was unable to conjure much from some scrappy possession.”

DID YOU KNOW? At age 11 he was invited to join the Academy at Sheffield Wednesday Football Club where he formed a strike partnership with Jamie Vardy

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