'I was happy with my overall performance'
Well let's cut to the chase. A win was a win and that's what we set out to do but we're not happy with the manner of the victory.
We thought we were going to get some good, clean ball against these guys but we really made heavy work of it. We always knew it would be a big, physical battle because that's the kind of guys they are but in the same breath, I thought we made too many mistakes and we didn't kick particularly well in open play. There were a couple of times where we turned them over and tried to run it from our own half when we really should have kicked 60 metres down the pitch and been ruthless but instead we tried to open it up and have a go.
We're not giving anything away
There was no element of us underestimating the USA although we started the week thinking that we could perhaps put 40-50 points on them. But we watched a tape of them playing a warm-up against Munster on Thursday and they played pretty well. The work rate from their forwards and especially their back row was immense and for an amateur side to take a fully professional outfit as close as they did was exceptional on their behalf.
We played a way where we weren't going to give anything away for the South Africa game and that was our mindset throughout the week, to play a really simple game. We had a couple of opportunities in each half to score some tries and we didn't take them. That's the most frustrating thing. We would play a certain way, somebody would make a mistake and you'd end up back in your own half. Although it didn't go according to plan, we did enough. A win's a win and, like in 2003, we didn't play well against Samoa but we won, we didn't play well against Wales but we won and at the end of the day it's about winning.
Brilliant Barkley
On the plus side, there were some very good individual performances. Olly Barkley was tremendous and deserved to be man-of-the-match. He kicked exceptionally well and was brilliant in attack. As for myself, the important thing is to get my hands on the ball as quickly as I can and as often as I can throughout the game. It's a work-rate issue for me. A lot of people are basing the number 12 in this world cup as a big, bruising ball carrier breaking the gain-line but people have to realise that the likes of Olly Barkley, Jonny Wilkinson and myself are not just a 10 or a 12. We chop and change all the time. I was happy with my overall performance but a little disappointed with my kicking. I didn't find touch a couple of times and although they were good enough kicks I would have preferred them to pressurize their line-out and get us turn-over ball from there. But I really enjoyed the game. It's my fourth World Cup and the first match is always a good one to get under your belt.
The question on everyone's lips is whether Jonny will be back for South Africa and I have to say I really don't know. We don't know the full story here as players so it depends what the coaches feel and whether they're going to give him until the last minute or go with Olly Barkley after his performance because he does warrant his position now. His running would definitely keep South Africa on their toes. He has matured so much on the pitch since I played with him last time and it's a breath of fresh air having somebody with that amount of knowledge and enjoyment of the game.
We know what South Africa will throw at us
South Africa were hugely impressive in their defeat of Samoa but we expected them to be. We can't worry about what South Africa can do and we know what they're going to throw at us. It's going to be massively physical and we're just going to have to box clever against them. We've got to do stuff against them that they're not used to and our training is geared towards us throwing the unexpected up them, especially from the back-line point of view. Trying to run through those big centres the whole time is going to be very tough and their back row is very physical. The big thing is going to be to try and disrupt them at first phase and get quick off-the-top ball at line-outs or good scrum ball to run from. But they're such a well-drilled side in scrums and line-outs so it will certainly be a challenge. Victor Matfield is immense in the line-out so it's going to be a tough ask but believe me, the boys will be up for it. We know we have a lot to work to do but now we have a game under our belts, the competition starts on Friday night and this is what it's all about.
South Africa don't have many weaknesses in many departments but without giving too much away, we need to vary our game enough so they don't get into a defensive pattern. Physically they are very big guys and they stopped some of the big Samoans very well. But, as Argentina proved against France on the opening night, there are no easy games and anything can happen in International rugby. Namibia proved against Ireland that the gap is narrowing and Canada were impressive against Wales for the first half. We thoroughly believe in what we're doing so it's just down to the tactics on the pitch and how the boys perform.
Don't cry for France Argentina
This World Cup really started with a bang on the opening night and we all watched the game. Argentina did their homework against France and stuck to a certain game-plan that really disrupted the French style of playing. There was a little luck with the interception but I thought France had ample ball in the last 10 minutes but they wanted to play from their own half all the time other than pinning them back in their own 22 and let Argentina make a mistake under pressure. But they decided to run from their own 10-metre line and you don't do that against a hyped-up Argentina. All credit to Argentina, that was just pure passion. Brilliant stuff!
It puts a hell of a lot of pressure on France now and the entire nation is very down after their performance. But France are class and a very good side. They now have a huge one off game against Ireland and if they lose to Ireland, they're out!
From Paris,
Mike Catt.
Watch Mike talk about England's chances
September 10th 2007
