{"id":243,"date":"2023-09-17T19:13:07","date_gmt":"2023-09-17T23:13:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/sport\/england-34-12-japan-greasy-conditions-tough-to-play-in-says-george-ford\/17\/09\/2023\/"},"modified":"2023-09-17T19:13:07","modified_gmt":"2023-09-17T23:13:07","slug":"england-34-12-japan-greasy-conditions-tough-to-play-in-says-george-ford","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/top-stories\/england-34-12-japan-greasy-conditions-tough-to-play-in-says-george-ford\/17\/09\/2023\/","title":{"rendered":"England 34-12 Japan: Greasy conditions tough to play in, says George Ford"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n<\/p>\n

\n
<\/span><\/span>
George Ford kicked 14 points and made Freddie Steward’s try with his left boot against Japan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

George Ford said “greasy” conditions made it tough for England to break down Japan during the first half of their 34-12 win at the Rugby World Cup.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

On a humid evening in Nice, both sides opted to kick the ball and keep it tight in the opening 40 minutes before England scored three second-half tries. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Japan made 14 handling errors in the Pool D match, while England made 11.<\/span><\/p>\n

“It was probably not the prettiest to watch but it’s hard to play with the ball in these conditions,” said Ford.<\/span><\/p>\n

“These late kick-offs are dead greasy but we got there in the end.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We knew it was going to be tough and Japan challenge you in different ways. We knew it would be that third or fourth quarter we could pull away a bit but we are delighted to get the win.”<\/span><\/p>\n

England’s first try, through Lewis Ludlam, came after Japan spilled the ball and failed to reclaim their own line-out, and Courtney Lawes scored their second when the ball went backwards off Will Stuart’s hand and fortuitously ricocheted off the head of Joe Marler. <\/span><\/p>\n

That ended the Japanese challenge before Ford, who contributed 14 points from the boot, picked out Freddie Steward for the third try with a pin-point cross-field kick.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe Marchant’s powerful finish late on sealed the bonus point as England wore down their opponents.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We knew we would get the rewards if we kept doing the right things,” said England coach Steve Borthwick.<\/span><\/p>\n

“The players have got to find a way to get the result. You saw a Japan team who kicked the ball 37 times, which is unusual and tells you a lot about the conditions tonight.”<\/span><\/p>\n

A second victory in as many games for England moves them into pole position to qualify for the World Cup quarter-finals from Pool D.<\/span><\/p>\n

Former England wing Chris Ashton told BBC Radio 5 Live that England’s kicking gameplan was effective.<\/span><\/p>\n

“It seemed the ploy was to wear Japan down with the kicking plan in the first half, however frustrating it may have been,” said Ashton.<\/span><\/p>\n

“It was tricky out there, as we have seen in all the games in very hot and sweaty conditions which makes it very difficult. <\/span><\/p>\n

“When it goes through lots of phases out of a maul where it has been next to a sweaty shirt, it is tricky. You have to think about that on the hoof, but it is the same for everyone.”<\/span><\/p>\n

England face Chile in their next game in Lille on Saturday.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"England<\/span><\/span>\"Listen<\/span><\/span>\"Listen<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

George Ford kicked 14 points and made Freddie Steward’s try with his left boot against Japan George Ford said “greasy” conditions made