ARMITAGE: ENGLAND AIM FOR SIX NATIONS SUCCESS
Delon Armitage has set his sights on winning next sping’s Six Nations tournament despite Martin Johnson’s reign as England manager beginning with three defeats from four autumn internationals. The London Irish full-back, who made his debut in the 39-13 win over Pacific Islanders last month, believes that England “will come back firing” and that it is only a matter of time before the team click.
Johnson’s first series in charge concluded on Saturday with a 32-6 defeat to New Zealand, who became the first team to win a grand slam of the home nations without conceding a try, thanks to Dan Carter’s 17 kicked points, Mils Muliaina’s two tries and man-of-the-match Ma’a Nonu’s late score.
England managed just one try in their last three matches – the All Black reverse followed heavy defeats to Australia [28-14] and South Africa [42-6, a record home loss] – and Armitage thinks that the players need to study the defeats to the Southern Hemisphere teams to help sharpen their finishing.
“We are very disappointed to lose three games in the series, but there are plenty of positives that we can work on for the Six Nations,” the 24-year-old said.
“We are creating chances and we have good players getting over the gain-line. We have learned a good lesson from New Zealand, and the other teams, that if you finish your chances, you will win games.
“You want to play against the best and see where you are in terms of progress and what you need to improve on. It is only going to do us good.”
He added: “Hopefully, with the good, young team we have got, we will gel sooner or later.
“We will definitely have to improve for the Six Nations. We want to win the Six Nations – we are not there to make up the numbers. We will come back firing.”
Delon Armitage has set his sights on winning next sping’s Six Nations tournament despite Martin Johnson’s reign as England manager beginning with three defeats from four autumn internationals. The London Irish full-back, who made his debut in the 39-13 win over Pacific Islanders last month, believes that England “will come back firing” and that it is only a matter of time before the team click.
Johnson’s first series in charge concluded on Saturday with a 32-6 defeat to New Zealand, who became the first team to win a grand slam of the home nations without conceding a try, thanks to Dan Carter’s 17 kicked points, Mils Muliaina’s two tries and man-of-the-match Ma’a Nonu’s late score.
England managed just one try in their last three matches – the All Black reverse followed heavy defeats to Australia [28-14] and South Africa [42-6, a record home loss] – and Armitage thinks that the players need to study the defeats to the Southern Hemisphere teams to help sharpen their finishing.
“We are very disappointed to lose three games in the series, but there are plenty of positives that we can work on for the Six Nations,” the 24-year-old said.
“We are creating chances and we have good players getting over the gain-line. We have learned a good lesson from New Zealand, and the other teams, that if you finish your chances, you will win games.
“You want to play against the best and see where you are in terms of progress and what you need to improve on. It is only going to do us good.”
He added: “Hopefully, with the good, young team we have got, we will gel sooner or later.
“We will definitely have to improve for the Six Nations. We want to win the Six Nations – we are not there to make up the numbers. We will come back firing.”
Labels: All Blacks, Australia, Delon Armitage, England, Martin Johnson, Rugby Football Union, South Africa
