‘If I win, lose or draw, it’s a victory for all’ goes the official World Cup anthem. But that isn’t quite true. It’s only the winning that really counts.
It’s the morning after the night before that England fans didn’t want to wake up to. A devastating loss in the do or die game against the Wallabies means we’re out of our own World Cup – the first hosts to be knocked out in the group stages, and the first time England has never made it through to the quarter finals. Certainly infamy we didn’t want on the global sporting stage.
So what went wrong?
Kicking things off against Fiji on September 18th, England filled the nation with hope after a convincing, yet not unsurprising victory. But then the real test began.
Pool A, England’s group, was nicknamed the ‘Pool of Death’ thanks to its inclusion of three top-tier teams, which left many an England fan quietly doubtful of how far Lancaster’s side could go in the tournament. But any true fan knew not to express that doubt, and belted out Swing Low at full volume to fill Twickenham with the sonorous sounds of that optimistic reprise. Besides, as the hosts we got to pick our own stadium, the home of English rugby, to play our big games – and much was made of that home advantage.
When it comes down to it though, the stadium and the support can only account for so much. At the end of the day, the performance on the pitch is what matters. Points on the board make for progress in the World Cup, regardless of how many white shirts and painted faces there are in the stands. And when it was most important, England were simply outperformed.
Debate followed the so-close-yet-so-far defeat to Wales, which left players, coaches and fans alike full of what ifs. The decision not to kick for three points to seal a draw in the final moments of a game that had been firmly in English hands for the most part left many reeling – and ultimately led to a last minute loss.
Never mind. There was the chance to redeem themselves in the following game a week later. Learn from their mistakes, pick themselves up and come back even stronger against Australia, England’s biggest rugby foe. There was plenty of hype around the inclusion of key players, and a real sense of ‘we can do this’. Fans wore the rose, made them giants, and got behind the team in a way that only the English can. Optimism and a stiff upper lip. Could we repeat that glorious day in 2003?
That hope remained until perhaps the final ten minutes of the game when it was clear that an essential victory was out of reach. England were never really in the game. A few moments of brilliance got them achingly close to the try line, but on almost every occasion the Wallabies turned it over and kicked it back downfield. And with every kick, English optimism faded a little more.
Down 17-3 at half time, the game was already slipping away. But the latter half inclusion of George Ford and his clean playmaking seemed to turn the tables, and England seemed to be back in the game. Not for long, though. With Farrell yellow carded for a high tackle, the fortress crumbled. Australia kicked penalties, got points on the board, and to add insult to injury came back with one last try in the closing minutes to seal the deal. 33-13.
And that was that. England out of the English World Cup, forced to sit at the side and watch as everyone else enjoys the party. There was, of course, one more pool game to come against Uruguay, but frankly, when the fate had already been sealed, it felt a little superfluous.
After the match, England captain Chris Robshaw said that the team felt they had let the nation down. Sure, there is disappointment, upset and maybe even anger – that’s the nature of the game. But there is also the chance to come back bigger and better, and to make the critics eat their words. I for one will still proudly support my team, because I know that glory is always just around the corner if you want it badly enough.
Two Martini Breakfast 