England defeat Wales in first World Cup warm up

Despite childish protests from the All Black camp in New Zealand, who virulently criticized the English for adopting an alternative strip colour similar to their traditional home kit, England have confirmed they will go ahead and wear it at their opening game against Argentina in September. The affair turned even uglier following the Kiwi Prime Minister John Key’s embarrassing outburst in which he called England “A bunch of wannabes” and that “There’s only one team that wears black with pride and that’s the All Blacks,” despite New Zealand wearing white on multiple occasions as an alternative strip. Keith Quinn also weighed in, stating that England were “Thumbing their noses at a New Zealand tradition,” again, rather rich seeing as New Zealand receive continued support for tradition of the Haka, and there’s no reason why they should receive any special treatment. The reaction shows just how edgy the Kiwis are ahead of the World Cup, once again struggling with the weight of expectation heaped upon them, haunted by each and every choke of the last 30-odd years, which is almost a tradition in itself.

Controversy aside, the sense of anticipation at Twickenham was high, and the game started with a high tempo. England captain Lewis Moody went flying in and missed two tackles early on, before booming Rhys Priestman, who stepped up from fullback to fly-half following Stephen Jones’ calf injury sustained in the warm-up.

England struck first through Johnny Wilkinson in the form of a kicked penalty, but Wales soon replied with a converted try scored by George North after a sustained period of pressure. Mark Cueto perhaps was culpable for stepping out on the defensive line and giving Wales the extra man on the wing.

But Martin Johnson’s men battled with lively breaks from Delon Armitage, Matt Banahan and Manu Tuilagi, and were rewarded after James Haskell picked up from number eight at a five-metre and powered his way over the line. Wilkinson added to his points scoop with the conversion and followed it with a drop-goal to put England 13-7 up at the break.

England started the stronger in the second half and a devastating run from Manu Tuilagi carved his way through the densely-packed Welsh backline to score a well-deserved debut try under the posts, with Wilkinson duly converting. Wilkinson then added second drop-goal, this time with his right boot, and Wales were suddenly looking down the barrel of a 23-7 defeat, a scoreline which flattered England.

Wales kept pushing and were nearly rewarded through captain Sam Warburton, but Tom Wood, who came on for Lewis Moody after a recurrence of his knee problem, pulled out a fantastic tackle to push Warburton into touch as he crossed the line. England made a hash of the subsequent line out, gifting the ball straight back, but after a period of intense pressure from the visitors, they themselves gifted the English defence a way out with a stray pass which went for a line out.

Wales eventually got their breakthrough, through Shane Williams who scored a routine try after sustained pressure in England Territory. At 23-12 Warburton, again was at the centre of the action, smashed though the England midfield and came close again to the try line but Delon Armitage brought his down 4 metres short of the line. With the English defence still reeling from Warburton’s break Wales seized the opportunity switching from left to right where George North went over in the corner for his fifth test try.

Welsh fullback Morgan Stoddart was carried off early on in the second half with a suspected broken left leg. The 26-year old, claiming his seventh cap, fell awkwardly with Matt Banahan, prompting Sky not to show the replays because of their distressing nature. It’s too early to rate his chances of recovery, but our thoughts go out to him and his family at this stage. Lewis Moody also limped off in the second half, which will worry Martin Johnson, although Tom Wood filled Moody’s boots in an exemplary fashion.

Overall Johnson will be pleased with this performance, the pack performed solidly, and it was good to see some new fresh faces performing competently at this level. Especially good performances from Manu Tuilagi and Delon Armitage will give Martin Johnson are more welcome headache with regards to his starting XV, and Tuilagi certainly has given himself a very strong shot at a starting in the centres, and is a certainty to be on the plane to New Zealand.

Next England head to the Millennium Stadium for the second leg of the England-Wales warm-up, with a show down with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on the cards the week after.

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