SARRIES AT THE WORLD CUP- R1

And so my one girl quest to keep the site alive continues (thank goodness we're actually playing a match next weekend). This time here is my take on how Saracens players past and present performed in the First Round of the World Cup.

Brad Barritt was the only starter for England against Fiji. It wasn’t his best game for England (but to be fair that was true of most of the team) and it would be a gamble that even Bomber won’t take to start Burgess against the Welsh. Wiggy, Farrell & the Vunipolae came on as impact subs and all did well. Wiggy steadied the ship with his quick passes and intelligent kicks. Farrell looked completely at home at fly half and kicked his goals – England are lucky to have 2 such talented young 10’s. Mako and Billy shored up a creaking scrum, Mako looking more assured than Marler and Billy really putting his hand up for a starting place next week and scoring the bonus point try at the death.

Glen Jackson (formerly of this parish) took charge of the Ireland/Canada game. Not the most challenging to referee but he did a professional job (as always) and now gets to take charge of the Australia/Wales game on Wednesday following the return to New Zealand of Chris Pollock for personal reasons.

The stand out performance of the round came from Steve Borthwick, now forwards coach of Japan, who along with Eddie Jones (also of this parish) masterminded surely the biggest upset of any rugby world cup when Japan beat the Boks with a try from Karne Hesketh (who had just come on) deep in injury time. (Seriously, have you ever seen 15 Japanese that big?) Japan went shoulder to shoulder with South Africa throughout the game but it looked like the Boks had won it with a late penalty however The Blossoms never give up. They had a try disallowed but instead of a taking the penalty kick (which would have drawn the game) they went for a scrum. Whether Borthwick told them not to take the points seems unlikely but the result, as they say, is history. This of course could have relevance to England as maybe it is the runners up in Group A who will play the Boks  (or the Scots or the Samoans) and the winners could face the mighty Japanese. Schalk Brits played a blinder – by sitting in the stands!

A future Sarrie was on show for Italy against France at HQ but sadly Samu Vunisa didn’t really set the Twickenham turf alight. On this showing he won’t be pushing Billy for the No 8 shirt.

On Sunday we saw the “other” Sarries team  - USA – captained by Chris Wyles and featuring Haydn Smith and Thretton Palamo (who is apparently loaned out to London Welsh for the season although after this performance Sarries may think again). Palamo looked strong and threatening and pretty useful at outside centre, his ponytail swinging in the breeze. Smith was a bit anonymous but Wyles played for his country as he does for Sarries in the style of Chris Ashton, leading by example, popping up where you least expect him and scoring the first try (which actually started with a rather poor Wyles kick).

Finally we saw Bish Bash Bosch who played his part in a very good Argentinian performance against the All Blacks. Sadly there were no heroic kicks from half way today and no score from ‘cello but he did OK up against Nonu and later Sonny Bill.

So the first round of matches is completed and round 2 begins on Wednesday. Anyone like to do another Sarries round-up ?