The big question for Stuart Lancaster over the last 10 months is whether to take a chance on promising rugby league convert Sam Burgess. Burgess started his career in rugby league like his father. He started with the Bradford Bulls having a successful career in England was persuaded join the Sydney Rabbitohs by owner Russell Crowe. He was an all-star in Australia and captain of the Rabbitohs as they won the NRL premiership title.
Burgess then made the switch over to rugby union, immediately prompting speculation it was in attempt to make the World Cup squad. This is where it should have stopped. Stuart Lancaster was initially ruthlessly fair with his England selection, immediately tearing up the set up selection of his predecessors. Lancaster made Chris Robshaw captain with only a single cap to his name. The message was simple; play well or don’t play at all.
The problem with this train of thought is the massive inconsistencies in England’s performances both individually and collectively. Individually players like Robshaw initially excelled in their new roles, whilst now is more a passenger in the England team. Under Lancaster the competition in the squad is an all-time high. Players who was were considered to be of great potential who consistently under-performed prior to the Lancaster’s appointment now found themselves out of selection entirely.
This didn’t bring any more success however, the team went from beating new crowned world champions New Zealand 38-21, to losing back to back against Australia and South Africa. The 2013 6 Nations seemed that the consistency was finally coming together, on course to claim their first grand Slam in ten years, they then lost the title to Wales in a 30-3 drubbing. The writing was on the wall this team lacked consistency.
I believe this is down to the selection policy, with no consistent combinations in the team how can chemistry come together, New Zealand had one of the most consistent selections prior to winning the World Cup in 2011, and for that reason they were building a team towards winning the World Cup.
Lancaster has shown no sign of building a team. Flopping from one in-form player to the next, illustrated at scrum half were Danny Care and Ben Youngs have been extremely competitive but neither consistent enough to get the nod at 9.
If Lancaster was building at team towards 2015, then he would have never even considered Burgess. He would have already looked at the 2014 6 nations with a rough blueprint for his midfield. Not to mention that Burgess is new to rugby union in its entirety, or that he was more frequently used as a flanker at club level with Bath. Former England captain Will Carling spoke to the BBC on the same issue.
There is no-one I have spoken to who I respect – ex-players, coaches – who thinks he’s ready, I don’t understand what the rush is and it’s unfair on him. I feel sorry for him. If he wants to make it in union, there’s plenty of time. He’s been playing union for 10 months and half of that was in a different position to what England are playing him in. I don’t believe he’s one of the four best centres in England.
The epitome of the faults in Lancaster’s selection is how Burgess was selected over Luther Burrell. Burrell himself was once a young hot shot picked with little experience on the back of good form. He scored tries in both of his first 2 games and again in the win over Wales during the 2014 6 Nations. However Burrell has failed to score a try since, despite starting in the 2015 6 nations. This highlights the risk of picking players solely on form, they are usually flashes in the pan and often only halt the growth, consistency and most importantly chemistry of the team as a group.
Burgess should have never been considered from the start. Lancaster should have already had his team prepared for such a monumental World Cup campaign.
