England’s kick pressure strategy may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it seems to be working for them at the Rugby World Cup. While some fans may be frustrated with their kicking game, England’s approach has proven effective in securing wins. The team’s recent victory over Japan showcased their ability to withstand pressure and limit their opponents to just one try. The humid conditions in France have made handling and contact difficult for all teams, leading to errors in almost every game. Despite the boos from the crowd, England managed to secure a bonus point win. So why are they kicking so much?
One reason is the limited time that the coaching staff has had with the squad. Without a four-year cycle to build complexity and cohesion in their attack, England has opted for a kick pressure game that has yielded positive results. Kicking for more metres than the opposition is often a winning strategy in rugby union, as demonstrated by the top teams in the tournament. France, Ireland, and South Africa all have strong kicking games that they utilize effectively.
But kicking well is not as simple as it seems. In rugby, the dynamics of the sport and the lack of comprehensive analytical study make it difficult to determine the true impact of kick metres on success. However, given the physicality and intensity of the breakdown contest, it makes sense for teams to play phases outside their own half. The risk of a turnover increases with each phase, and playing conservatively can prevent costly errors.
England is not the only team employing this strategy. Fiji’s recent win over Australia showcased their ability to control the game through extended periods of punting, draining time and preventing penalties. Creative attacking kicking can also be a weapon, as seen in George Ford’s lob wedge for Freddie Steward against Japan.
England has shown intelligence in their use of players like Steward and scrum half Alex Mitchell as high kicking options. By kicking accurately and chasing well, they have been able to create counter-attacking opportunities. France, on the other hand, excels in exploiting spaces and mismatches after the kicking exchange.
The question for England is whether they have the players to execute this strategy effectively. Marcus Smith has impressed as a full-back and could be given a starting opportunity, while Owen Farrell’s return adds intrigue to the midfield options. England acknowledges that their attack needs improvement, but they believe that their kicking game is an integral part of their overall strategy.
While some may argue that kicking for position is a conservative approach, it has proven successful for the top teams in the World Cup. England is working on refining their kicking game to ensure that it is in the best position possible. So, despite the criticism, England is unlikely to deviate from their winning strategy anytime soon.