Ojomoh Delivers Champagne Moment for English Side to Mark Emergence on Grand Platform.
This marks a interesting aspect of England's autumn clean sweep that no new players made their first cap throughout the series of matches, something not seen in a quarter of a century. Yet, Max Ojomoh's showing against Argentina while earning his second cap seemed to be the arrival of a future star.
Standout Display in Tight Win
He proved to be the key player in what was the team's least convincing performance of the November series. He scored the first try before creating the remaining two. The setup for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a exquisite cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the first half. Likewise, his quick offload to the center for the team's third try was equally impressive, capping off a excellent first outing at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.
He has the kind of versatile skillset that all coaches desire from their inside-centre. He can run, kick and pass, and he has appeared at fly-half and at both centre positions for Bath this season.
Quick Ascent and Future Prospects
It is just a little over a week since Steve Borthwick could have believed he had discovered his midfield duo for the future. However, the best compliment that can be paid to the young star is that Borthwick might need to think again. He was initially selected to an England squad previously, but had to wait until the final match of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Injuries to teammates created the opportunity for him to begin here, and he surely will be in contention for a further appearance when the squad regroup to begin their Six Nations campaign in the coming months.
- Versatile Skillset: Can play fly-half and midfield.
- Key Contributions: Scored one try and assisted two.
- Important Performance: Delivered when teammates were unavailable.
Team Background and Wider Significance
Where might England have been against Argentina without Ojomoh? Certainly they rode their luck and maybe it is not surprising that he was their best player. England experienced an inevitable drop-off in intensity following a significant victory over New Zealand. Perhaps the coach should have freshened things up.
Some perspective is required, however. One might be inclined to lambast England for their failure to bring much intensity into this contest, or for nearly losing a game they were dominating. But, this outcome completes a perfect record of November matches for the initial occasion since recent years. The year ends with 11 straight wins after beginning with a defeat. The team is halfway through the four-year tournament plan and things look considerably rosier for the coach than they did previously.
Player Pool and Long-Term Strategy
Borthwick appears that, with time remaining from the World Cup, he understands the core group of the team he will take to Australia. Naturally, there will be the odd bolter. But there are very few existing players of the roster who are not on track for the upcoming event.
This is an advantage because it was a problem for his preceding coach, who struggled when it became apparent that certain players were not going to play in his plans. Borthwick seems to have taken action sooner, preventing the difficult beginning that plagued the team in the previous cycle.
Player rankings sound like they are for seafarers of yesteryear, but coaches swear by them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, the team might be dealing with a loss after a heartbreaking narrow loss. That they were not owes plenty to Ojomoh, luck, and the strength of the substitutes. While Borthwick plots a course to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after 11 wins in a row, and therefore we can overlook the lack of quality of this performance.