Max Ojomoh Delivers Champagne Highlight for England to Mark Emergence on Grand Platform.
This marks a curious feature of England's November clean sweep that there were no debutants earned their first cap during the recent campaign, a scenario not seen in a quarter of a century. However, the performance of Max Ojomoh 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 star turn in what was the team's least convincing outing of the November series. He scored the opening touchdown before creating the other two. The setup for his teammate via a exquisite long pass was the highlight play of the opening period. Likewise, his quick offload to the center for England's third try was equally eye-catching, concluding a fine debut performance at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.
Ojomoh possesses the sort of triple threat that all coaches 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 Bath this season.
Quick Ascent and Upcoming Opportunities
Only a little over a week since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had discovered his midfield duo for the future. But, the highest praise that can be given to the young star is that Borthwick may have to reconsider. He was initially selected to an national team previously, but had to bide his time until the final match of the overseas trip to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to teammates created the opportunity for Ojomoh to start here, and he undoubtedly will be in consideration for a third cap when England reconvene to begin their Six Nations quest in the coming months.
- Multiple Abilities: Can play number ten and centre.
- Crucial Input: Scored one try and set up two more.
- Timely Impact: Delivered when others were unavailable.
Team Background and Broader Significance
Where might England have been against their opponents without Ojomoh? Undoubtedly they rode their luck and perhaps it is no coincidence that he was their standout performer. The team experienced an inevitable drop-off in intensity following a significant victory over the All Blacks. Maybe the coach should have made more changes.
A balanced view is needed, however. It is tempting to lambast the side for their failure to bring much intensity into this contest, or for almost throwing away a game they were dominating. However, this result marks a clean sweep of four autumn fixtures for the first time since recent years. The year concludes with eleven consecutive victories after starting with a defeat. We are halfway through the World Cup cycle and things look considerably rosier for the coach than they did at this stage.
Player Pool and Future Planning
The manager gives the impression that, two years out from the global tournament, he knows the core group of the team he will bring to Australia. Of course, there will be the surprise inclusion. But there are not many existing players of the roster who are not in contention for the upcoming event.
This is an advantage because it was a problem for his predecessor, who found it difficult when it was clear that veterans were not going to feature in his strategy. He seems to have grasped the nettle earlier, preventing the torrid start that affected the squad in the past.
Depth charts seem like they are for seafarers of the past, but coaches swear by 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 owes plenty to Ojomoh, fortune, and the quality of the bench. As the coach plots a course to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after 11 wins in a row, and therefore we can forgive the lack of quality of this performance.