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0 Comments | Evening Standard; London (UK), Nov 20, 2009 | by Chris Jones

MARTIN JOHNSON has ditched subtlety and gone for power in a bid to stun New Zealand tomorrow and buy more time for his struggling regime.

Shane Geraghty, the outstanding attacking force in English rugby before joining the team, and Tom Croft, nominated as world player of the year, have been dumped for this final Test of an autumn series that has revealed serious flaws in Johnson’s system.

In a bid to at least be competitive with the No1 side in the world, the team manager has given Geraghty’s centre role to Ayoola Erinle and Joe Worsley, the London Wasps flanker, is once again asked to lay down his body in the service of his country, with Croft’s line-out excellence a luxury they cannot afford.

With Johnson opting for a more physical approach and Lions hero Simon Shaw (right) returning at lock, England have assembled a pack capable of emerging victorious against the All Blacks. But they could be exposed if the weather allows Richie McCaw and his players to initiate a wide game.

You can understand Johnson’s shortterm thinking going into the potentially damaging match, with England’s backs giving away more than twice as many caps to their All Black opponents while up front his muscular pack are more experienced.

Add to the equation the fact that England have rarely threatened the opposition try line with ball in hand and the probable game plan starts to formulate; Jonny Wilkinson kicks, Erinle chases, the All Blacks concede a penalty and the star No10 kicks the points.

Johnson insists that England have put together an opening salvo designed to unsettle the All Blacks and get the scoreboard ticking over to boost fragile confidence that will totally evaporate if the first-half indecision and poor kicking seen in the 16-9 win over Argentina is repeated.

The boos that tumbled down from the Twickenham stands were a genuine reflection of the fans’ distaste for this unpalatable fare and England have the players to be better than that.

With Johnson giving his coaching team his total backing, another substandard performance will leave them exposed. Rob Andrew, the Rugby Football Union’s elite rugby director, will hold a debrief with Johnson next week and a win, or at least signs that everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet, will be required to avoid possible changes in the ranks.

If England again fail to produce quick ball from the breakdown — McCaw will have to be nullified at every collision — and their driving/maul game doesn’t work, this will push forwards coach John Wells closer to the exit door, with scrum expert Graham Rowntree the choice to take over a wider brief.

Backs chief Brian Smith accepted responsibility for ordering England to kick in the strong winds against Argentina when keeping the ball would have brought shape to the contest — and this only changed when half time arrived and he could speak directly to the half-backs. The evidence on Saturday was clear; the England players have not been liberated by the current regime and feel the need to stick to the orders they are given in spite of the unfolding evidence before their eyes.

It is time for Wilkinson to show the coaches and his fellow team- mates why he has played 72 times for England and become the focal point for a much needed attempt at rugby redemption. Of course, the All Blacks recognise how important he is and will try to bury him at the bottom of rucks to help fracture England’s defence.

Wilkinson’s combative nature drags him into these situations and if he can be isolated then the All Blacks will expose a largely inexperienced back division and allow Ma’a Nonu and the hugely talented Conrad Smith to work their midfield magic under the direction of Dan Carter, the brilliant No10. The only way to get Carter — who is returning from a week-long ban for a high tackle on Wales scrum-half Martin Roberts — is for the England pack to limit the amount of quality ball their All Black rivals can generate.

England want to create controlled mayhem with fearsome aggression believing that if the opposition have a weak spot it is in the front five, particularly the line-out. They are on the back foot, needing an heroic performance from their pack and Wilkinson’s boot. It all sounds so familiar and unless Johnson can inspire his men to get a result tomorrow, this will be an unhappy festive period for his coaching staff.

PLAYER TO WATCH DAN CARTER (New Zealand) The All Blacks become a different team when Carter is wearing the No10 jersey. He is absolutely crucial to New Zealand’s hopes of ending their 24-year wait for World Cup glory when they host the tournament in 2011
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