Andrew rushes to England's defence
Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:06
England Elite Rugby Director: Rob Andrew
England's elite rugby director, Rob Andrew, insisted the England team were engaged in a "long-term" project following a crushing trio of defeats at the hands of the Tri-Nations last month.
England, under new manager Martin Johnson, were beaten 28-14, 42-6 and 32-6 by Australia, world champions South Africa and New Zealand on successive weekends at Twickenham.
Their performances, which saw the Springboks inflict England's heaviest home defeat, suggested a huge gap but former England flyhalf Andrew said now was not the time to pass judgment on England.
"We said right from the word go it was a three-year project," said Andrew, who oversaw the appointment of Johnson after England controversially axed former coach Brian Ashton, who saw the team to the 2007 World Cup final.
"That's why we changed the RFU [Rugby Football Union] contract structure and gave Martin a three-year contract until December 2011," he also told reporters at Twickenham on Tuesday.
Andrew and Johnson, who was alongside him, said the inexperience of the current side had to be taken into consideration.
"On Saturday, New Zealand had 647 caps and we had 275. Look at the experience that isn't there from the 2007 World Cup - there isn't a side in the world that's lost 10 players from a World Cup final," Andrew said.
"We are where we are. We haven't got old guard to go back to."
However, England deliberately opted against fielding such experienced players as Josh Lewsey, Danny Grewcock, Mike Tindall and Andy Gomarsall during last month's Tests.
"We are picking the guys who are playing the best in the Premiership," manager Martin Johnson explained. "Danny Care is the best scrumhalf in the Premiership but there is a balance to be struck."
And England's 2003 World Cup-winning captain added: "We are picking the best team but of course we've got 2011 in mind. I didn't expect to go into
[November's] series and lose by the margins we did.
"But I didn't want to give ourselves that excuse [of building for the 2011 World Cup]."
Former Australia coach Eddie Jones said on Monday that England's structure was "crazy" and didn't allow for player development.
"A lot of what Eddie says is right," Andrew said. "Mathew Tait, Tom Rees, Tom Croft, Danny Care and Danny Cipriani [who all played for England last month] are the first generation out of the academy system.
"But we do need the Premiership to help with player development, added Andrew, who said the Anglo-Welsh Cup competition should become an Under-25 tournament.
England did complete an Under-20 Six Nations grand slam this year before reaching the final of the Under-20 World Cup, where they lost to New Zealand.
"Our Under-20s are at world level, but we need them to move on," said Andrew. "That's part of the issue with dual registration in the First Division. We want players to get 80 minutes.
"We've got to avoid falling into the trough of not having enough players coming through."
Former lock Johnson said: "It's very difficult as a 20-year-old in the front five to get a game in the Premiership.
"When I was playing we got our stripes in the pack at 20 but often now they are not getting a game until they are 23 or 24."
AFP
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