England's Tom Curry has expressed his firm belief that the team must take full responsibility for their inability to close out winning positions, ahead of their crucial match against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday. England's recent form has been disappointing, having lost their last three matches against New Zealand, with all defeats coming after they failed to maintain a lead in the final stages of the games.
The team's failure to secure victories, especially after being ahead in the latter parts of matches, has raised concerns. In their last encounter with the All Blacks, England were eight points up late in the game, only to suffer a heartbreaking 24-22 loss. The match sparked criticism of head coach Steve Borthwick's decisions, particularly his tactical changes that saw key players such as half-backs Ben Spencer and Marcus Smith substituted when England were on top. However, Curry was quick to deflect blame from the coaching staff, stressing that the responsibility lies with the players.
"We can't be making excuses," Curry stated on Wednesday. "As players, we have to step up and be more consistent." He acknowledged that England's discipline had been a significant issue, particularly in the later stages of matches. Curry highlighted the fact that in their most recent loss, penalties conceded mounted as the game progressed, with the team finishing with seven penalties by the 80th minute. For Curry, the solution is clear: consistent performance and self-discipline are key, and the players must find a way to improve.
Australia, too, are struggling under the leadership of Joe Schmidt, who took over after a disappointing 2023 World Cup campaign. Australia has won only one of their six matches in the 2024 Rugby Championship, and Schmidt faces a tough task in rebuilding the team ahead of next year's British and Lions series. Despite the setbacks, Rugby Australia’s James Durbin remains optimistic, stating that Schmidt is already having a positive influence on the squad, focusing on long-term progress rather than immediate results.
Both teams are eager for a win to turn their respective fortunes around, with England hoping to snap their losing streak and Australia seeking to build momentum under Schmidt’s guidance. The November clash at Twickenham promises to be a vital encounter for both sides, as they aim to gain confidence heading into next year’s major tournaments.
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