Hansen Questions Borthwick's Tactical Vision After England Defeat

Former All Blacks coach Sir Steve Hansen has expressed skepticism regarding England head coach Steve Borthwick's tactical approach, suggesting Borthwick may not have a clear strategy that leverages his players' strengths. This commentary follows England's recent 45-21 loss to South Africa in the Nations Championship.

Hansen’s assessment, reported by Planet Rugby, indicates that while Borthwick is under pressure, a coaching change might not be the immediate solution, urging a focus on tactical clarity instead.

England's Shifting Game Plan

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus noted prior to their fixture that preparing for England was challenging due to their frequent tactical shifts. Erasmus described Borthwick as a coach who chases trends, making their next move difficult to predict. Despite this, the Springboks secured a decisive victory in Johannesburg.

Erasmus inferred that while there was expected representation from Northampton and Leicester clubs and a general understanding of English structures, England's match-day approach could deviate significantly from expectations.

The Springboks capitalized on this unpredictability, establishing a 17-0 lead early in the match with tries from Thomas du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe, and Kurt-Lee Arendse. They further exploited England's ill-discipline, converting penalties during sin-bin periods for Tommy Freeman and Guy Pepper into points.

Consequences of a Slow Start

Hansen highlighted the severe penalty for starting slowly, particularly against a top-tier team like South Africa. He stressed that a 17-point deficit so early in the game is extremely difficult to overcome, regardless of the opponent. You can’t start slow and expect to win, according to the former New Zealand coach, emphasizing the need for England to rectify this issue.

This defeat marks England's fifth consecutive loss, a significant downturn for a team that previously enjoyed a 12-Test winning streak before the Six Nations. Despite a poor showing in that Championship, the RFU board maintained its support for Borthwick after a comprehensive review of the coaching staff.

Pressure on Borthwick primarily stems from media and fan expectations for wins, Hansen acknowledged. However, he urged caution on coaching changes, questioning what a new coach would realistically achieve given the underlying tactical and performance issues. More world rugby coverage often features similar coaching critiques.

Selection and Personnel Concerns

Adding to the discussion, former Wallabies head coach Ewen McKenzie raised concerns about England's team selection. McKenzie questioned whether the tactical approach adopted against the Springboks was truly suitable for the available playing personnel, implying a mismatch between strategy and player strengths. His observations suggest that selection choices may not be optimally aligning with Borthwick's game plan, contributing to the team's struggles on the field.