SA Verdict

I know when you look at the score line it produces a sharp intake of breath, BUT , there were a number of positives for England, and I think that is all Ashton honestly expected. I believe his view of this tour would have been, if I can find two or three players who either show up or confirm their class and steel to me, then I will be happy.
I think in Tait and Easter he had two who fronted up and Tait in particular seems to be confirming all the hype I have heard about him. To show the pace, awareness and vision that he did against a side as powerful and physical is some effort, especially at 6000 feet behind a beaten pack and at the end of a long season. Very impressive stuff, and not just the running, his defence, his physical impact at contact were also excellent.
Easter showed maturity aswell as guts on Saturday, and again I was very impressed with his attitude and ability to fight until the end.
I do not want to make excuses, or look for get out clauses for England, but at the same time I think it is only right that we put the game in context.
The last thing Ashton, or the players needed was a tour at the end of this season with the World Cup starting in September, because the effect is that basically the guys will not have a break until May 2008. Eighteen months of solid rugby. Bloody stupid. Also the last thing Ashton needed was this tour with over thirty players unavailable. Suicide.
And then just to have a real laugh, a significant number of his already massively depleated squad come down with a virus!! Unbelievable!
Despite all this, Reagn, Tait, Easter, Flood and Brown managed to concentrate and take to the pitch in the right frame of mind, and left the pitch with their pride intact. That I find very impressive.
There is no getting away from the score line however, and the last 13 minutes were poor. Players were shattered, and as a result the tackling was weak, the cover non existent, and some of the players even looked as though they were being ill on the pitch.
Not the end of a game that you want to see as an England supporter.
A massive test awaits this squad on Saturday, both mentall and physical. Hopefully a number of players will be fit after their virus to boost the ranks. Balshaw, or Balsawood as he has been termed has again broken down, but that is no great surprise. Wilkinson should be fit, but if not Flood is on a huge learning curve and one that he is handling very well.
As long as our forwards take the field in the right frame of mind, and we maintain our pride and unity, hopefully we will be able to close the scoreline slightly.
It could go either way, but I hope the guys who fronted up this time, maintain their form, and I hope the likes of Farrell, Strettle and Richards are strong enough to stand with them.
Not sure if I will go for a prediction again, seeing as I have my finger so firmly on the pulse!!!