Sapporo (Japan) (AFP)
The basics are done ... England were a big hit for their entry into the World Cup, but waited a long time before getting the bonus point against Tonga, beaten (35-3) Sunday in Sapporo.
This time, it is clear: the first place of Pool C, announced as the "death" before the tournament, should be well played on October 12, in Yokohama, between France and England.
Because the two European tenors have ensured their entry in the Mondial-2019: the Blues, moribund for a year, thus opened the door of the quarter-finals by dominating the Pumas (23-21) Saturday.
The English, they, took off rather quickly, with a doubled Manu Tuilagi in the first period (24, 31). But then they stammered their rugby.
The Rose XV waited until the 77th minute to register the fourth try synonymous with bonus point, thanks to the hooker replacing Luke Cowan-Dickie.
- The foundations are solid -
Admittedly, not everything was perfect for the English but the essential is assured and the bases are solid, including the defense line that did not offer any space to Tongans. They also know they can count on a solid pack in closed scrimmage and sovereign in touch.
Defensively, the men of Eddie Jones were sturdy, like the "thin" Ford, 87 kg only, who managed to stop ... the other pillar Ben Tameifuna, more than 150 kg on the scale.
They can also count on a reliable scorer, Owen Farrell, author of 15 points (6/7).
On the other hand, they spread offensive deficiencies, with many hand fouls or poorly adjusted races, especially during the last forty minutes (10).
"It's two games where we do not take a test so we can be satisfied.We would still be more incisive when we have the ball, but it will come," said the coach of the XV of the Rose.
Too limited, the Tongans showed envy but ran into a wall, unable to cross the hermetic white curtain.
Coach Eddie Jones can now run, to spare his executives in the next game on Thursday against the United States ... before the two shocks against Argentina on October 5 and France, a week later .
© 2019 AFP