Max Ojomoh Provides Champagne Moment for England to Signify Emergence on Big Stage.
This marks a interesting aspect of the English team's November clean sweep that there were no debutants made their international debut during the recent campaign, something not seen in a quarter of a century. However, the performance of Max Ojomoh display against Argentina while securing his second cap felt like the breakthrough of a future star.
Standout Performance in Tight Win
He proved to be the star turn in what was the team's most challenging performance of the November series. He scored the opening touchdown before creating the other two. His assist for his teammate via a delightful cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the opening period. Likewise, his popped pass to Henry Slade for England's third try was just as eye-catching, concluding a fine first outing at the home stadium for the young player.
He has the sort of versatile skillset that every manager would want from their midfield player. He can run, kick and pass, and he has appeared at number ten and at both centre positions for his club this campaign.
Quick Rise and Future Opportunities
Only eight days since the head coach might have felt he had finally unearthed his centre partnership for the future. But, the highest praise that can be paid to the young star is that the coach might need to reconsider. Ojomoh was first called up to an national team four years ago, but had to bide his time until the last game of the overseas trip to make his debut. Fitness issues to other players paved the way for him to begin here, and he surely will be in contention for a third cap when England regroup to begin their Six Nations quest in the new year.
- Versatile Skillset: Can play number ten and midfield.
- Crucial Input: Scored one try and assisted two.
- Important Performance: Stepped up when others were injured.
Team Background and Broader Implications
How would the team have fared against their opponents without Ojomoh? Certainly they had some fortune and perhaps it is not surprising that he was their best player. England showed an natural decline in intensity following a significant victory over New Zealand. Perhaps the coach should have freshened things up.
A balanced view is needed, however. One might be inclined to criticize England for their inability to bring much intensity into this match, or for almost throwing away a fixture they were controlling. However, this outcome marks a clean sweep of four autumn fixtures for the first time since recent years. The year concludes with 11 straight wins after starting with a defeat. The team is midway in the four-year tournament plan and the situation look considerably rosier for Borthwick than they did at this stage.
Player Pool and Future Planning
Borthwick gives the impression that, two years out from the global tournament, he understands the core group of the team he will bring to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the odd bolter. Yet there are very few current members of the squad who are not on track for the upcoming event.
This is an advantage because it was a problem for his predecessor, who struggled when it became apparent that certain players were not going to play in his strategy. He seems to have grasped the nettle earlier, preventing the torrid beginning that plagued the squad in the previous cycle.
Depth charts seem like they are for sailors of the past, but coaches rely on them and Borthwick can be happy with his. Under different circumstances, England might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking late defeat. That they were not is largely due to Ojomoh, fortune, and the strength of England's bench. While the coach plots a course to the championship, he has positive momentum after 11 wins in a row, and therefore we can forgive the paucity of this performance.