Quote Backwoodsman="Backwoodsman"I did read the article thank you very much, hence me commenting on it.
Brown complains about players leaking to the press, his reaction is to go to the press thus adding fuel to the fire..
He was as you quite rightly comment one of the stand out players coming into the World Cup. This in spite of receiving concussion on several occasions.
Unfortunately he had a shocker of a tournament, he knocked at various times at crucial stages of vital games. Something I had not seen him do previously.
You claim he was not responsible for the try in the Wales game. If you recall the ball was passed along the Wales back line. It was then cross kicked into the space behind the England back line. Brown was nowhere to be seen, who do you think should have been sweeping up at the back. Maybe the England prop forwards ?.
Incidentally quite a few people wanted Alex Goode the Saracens full back to play in the World Cup. This due to Browns admirable but well intentioned habit of playing up around the ruck and maul area.
England lose turnover ball and brown is out of position, but we have already covered that haven't we.'"
Pretty much every assessment (by actual people who understand the game) of that Wales try, put the blame on Brad Barritt rushing up and creating the dog leg in defence. A criminal lack of defensive discipline especially on halfway where there was virtually no threat until he bolted. Once Wales were outside and then behind the England defence they were able to execute a very well worked try.
It's the duty of the opposite side winger to come across and cover cross kicks, and the scrum half also acts as a sweeper. Thought that was obvious.
Most quality full backs like Brown like to play around the ruck area - ever watched Willie Le Roux? That's where you want your best attacking players. Long gone are the days when RU full backs had to sit 25 yards behind play all day waiting for kicks. The ruck is more predictable than it was 20 years ago when I played FB so you are much less likely to turn the ball over. The FB and the Wings work together, they are all basically FB's these days. Jonny May and Watson both have extensive experience at FB and know what to do and how to cover each other.
Penalties for not releasing are entirely the fault of the supporting players, you simply can't surrender the ball to the opposition, especially in your own half. Better 3 than 7 points.
And why do you think turnover ball is so dangerous? Everyone on the defence is out of position. Such a shame the best England manage most times is to kick it away.
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