Preview: England v Pacific Islands
Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:54
Ready to go: Danny Cipriani
Every test match is always eagerly anticipated but the clash between England and the Pacific Islanders has a lot to offer in terms of 'first times' and exciting matchup's as Martin Johnson finally gets his new era underway.
When Johnson sends his new England team, under new captain Steve Borthwick, out on to the Twickenham pitch for the first time the ‘era of Johnno’ would officially have began. Standing in opposition to them, also for the first time, will be the combined forced of Samoa, Tonga and Fiji – the Pacific Island’s.
The visiting team though will not be one which is completely unfamiliar to their opponents. With a number of the big names of the Islander’s side plying their professional careers in the UK, Johnson and his men are well away of some of the exciting stars they will be up against.
That though only adds to the occasion. With four new caps in the England side, Delon Armitage, Ugo Monye, Nick Kennedy and Riki Flutey, England are clearly ready to start a new chapter in their history. In fact, when you consider that Jamie Noon, with 33 caps is the most experienced back in the starting line-up (and that by some distance 15 appearance), one realises that Johnson has chosen talent over experience and form over reputation.
Of course that is not entirely true, with the injuries to players like Jonny Wilkinson and James Simpson-Daniel having ruled them out, but particularly given the tone and ‘clean slate’ mentality that has been coming from the England camp this week, the fans and I wait to see just what it all comes to.
Known for their exciting and powerful backline runners, bone crunching defence, and sublime handling skills, any Islanders side poses a threat. Historically though their failure to dominate the tight and set phases has handicapped them against the bigger nations – can this combined group though finally break that trend?
On man who will be hoping they can, and that his forwards can provide him with some good ball, is Leicester Tigers and Fiji star Seru Rabeni.
Having just returned from a six-month ban from the game, the strong running No.13, says he is eager to get stuck into international rugby and has no doubt his team has the quality within it to get the job done.
"The Pacific Islanders have some great talent in the squad,” said Rabeni who has collected 26 caps for Fiji and a further six for the combined islands side.
"We do not have many chances to play against England with Fiji or the other individual nations so it is a great opportunity for players to test themselves against the best in this country and put the Pacific Islands on the map. If you want to be a good player you have to play against these guys.
"We have not had good results on our previous two tours but this time we are looking to create something special and get some results.
"The Pacific Islanders is a similar concept to the British Lions, bringing nations together into one team, and we all want to do well and represent the three countries.”
Although he is not making his debut for his country this weekend, one man determined to secure his place in the England team is Leicester Tigers emerging star Tom Croft.
The 23 year-old (Happy birthday for Friday by the way), who has four test caps to his name, starts at blindside flank on Saturday alongside Tom Rees and Nick Easter in a loose forward combination which has a real mix of styles and experience.
Looking ahead to the game Croft says he is certainly expecting a tough contest, and a physical battle, but that he and his teammates were ready to deliver.
"It's a massive game. They are a very physical and skilled team and it's going to be tough. A lot of the players are in the Premiership along with us.
"It's the first of four huge games but we can't look too far into the future otherwise we will trip up in the present. We are thoroughly concentrating on the first game to make sure our drills are right, our scrums and line-outs, and hopefully we can get to Twickenham and play some positive rugby.”
While positive rugby may be the aim Johnson has also made no secret about the fact that he has taken the job at the helm of England rugby in order to restore their winning culture. Whether it is by one point or 50, Johnson is has made it clear to his men that they have a job to do.
That said though, with Cipriani now looking set to establish himself at the centre of the new England - and Flutey, Noon, Monye, Armitage and Sackey all there to help him – it is an England team with firepower. Time will tell whether this team can produce what their potential shows they are capable of but one thing they clearly know, and we should all expect, is that this weekend will be no tropical holiday, it will be a Test match in all senses of the word.
Players to watch:
For England: With four debutants the spotlight is sure to be on them, and fair enough. Particularly the two in the back three, Armitage and Monye may have massive potential but can they produce on the big stage? Elsewhere though the two Danny’s should provide the headlines - Cipriani and Care are a hugely exciting duo and my attention will certainly be on seeing how they combine.
For Pacific Islanders: Obviously the Premiership boys are the ones who will be of greatest interest. Especially exciting though should be the midfield combination of Mapasua and Rabeni. Two top class players up against a new midfield combination they could have a big part to play. In the tight phases, where Pacific Island countries often struggle, look for Filipo Levi to stand up as well as utility player Epi Taione off the bench.
Head-to-Head
The clash I’ve been tipping all week is in the midfield – Flutey/Noon vs Mapasua/Rabeni - so I won’t go into it again – but keep an eye, it should be good. Elsewhere Danny Care against Saracens scumhalf Mosese Rauluni should be a great little battle. Care is in phenomenal form while Rauluni always seems like he has a point to prove. Leading the side as well he will no doubt be keen to try disrupt Care’s game all day. Last one that should provide some entertainment – Finau Maka and Nick Easter clash as two powerful No.8’s, but who will have the edge?
Recent Results:
This will be the first time these two teams meet in the international game.
rugby365 prediction: So much is always expected of a Pacific Islanders team and, particularly out wide their fire power is always as dangerous as anyone else’s out there, but rarely do they put a complete performance together. The test though will be greater than ever for England. While the ‘Johnno era’ could well prove to be successful the first day out, especially with so many new caps, will always be a nervy affair. England will win, and get stronger as the day goes on but it will be a battle. Finishing with a flourish, England will be flattered by an 18 point win.
Teams:
Pacific Islanders: 15 Kameli Ratuvou (FIJ), 14 Sailosi Tagicakibau (SAM), 13 Seru Rabeni (FIJ), 12 Seilala Mapusua (SAM), 11 Vilimoni Delasau (FIJ), 10 Pierre Hola (TGA), 9 Mosese Rauluni (FIJ, captain), 8 Finau Maka (TGA), 7 Nili Latu (TGA), 6 Semisi Naevo (FIJ), 5 Kele Leawere (FIJ), 4 Filipo Levi (SAM), 3 Census Johnston (SAM), 2
Aleki Lutui (TGA), 1 Justin Va'a (SAM)
Replacements: 16 Sunia Koto (FIJ), 17 Kisi Pulu (TGA), 18 Hale T Pole (TGA), 19 George Stowers (SAM), 20 Sililo Martens (TGA), 21 Seremaia Bai (FIJ), 22 Epi Taione
England: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Tom Rees, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Nick Kennedy, 4 Steve Borthwick (captain), 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Lee Mears, 1 Andrew Sheridan
Replacements: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 Phil Vickery, 18 Tom Palmer, 19 James Haskell, 20 Michael Lipman, 21 Harry Ellis, 22 Toby Flood
Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Twickenham, London
Kick-off: 14.30 (14.30 GMT)
Weather: Heavy rain expected for most of the day. Low of 7°C, high of 13°C
Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)
Touch
judges: Stuart Dickinson (Australia), Tim Hayes (Wales)
TMO: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
What do you think? How will it all play out? Who will star? Let us know what you think.
