Max Ojomoh Delivers Champagne Moment for England to Signify Arrival on Big Stage.
This marks a curious aspect of the English team's November perfect record that there were no debutants made their first cap during the series of matches, something not seen in a quarter of a century. However, Max Ojomoh's showing against the Argentine side while securing his second appearance seemed to be the arrival of a future star.
Star Display in Hard-Fought Win
Ojomoh was the key player in what was England's least convincing outing of the autumn. He finished off the opening touchdown before setting up the remaining two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a exquisite long pass was the highlight play of the opening period. Similarly, his quick offload to Henry Slade for England's final score was just as impressive, capping off a excellent first outing at the home stadium for the young player.
Ojomoh possesses the sort of triple threat that every manager desire from their inside-centre. He can run, kick and pass, and he has featured at number ten and at both centre positions for his club this season.
Quick Rise and Upcoming Opportunities
It is just eight days since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had discovered his centre partnership for the long term. However, the highest praise that can be paid to Ojomoh is that the coach might need to think again. Ojomoh was first called up to an national team previously, but had to wait until the final match of the overseas trip to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to teammates created the opportunity for Ojomoh to begin here, and he undoubtedly will be in contention for a further appearance when England reconvene to start their Six Nations quest in the new year.
- Versatile Skillset: Excels at number ten and midfield.
- Crucial Input: Scored one try and assisted two.
- Important Performance: Delivered when teammates were unavailable.
Team Background and Wider Implications
Where might the team have fared against their opponents without him? Undoubtedly they rode their luck and maybe it is not surprising that he was their standout performer. England experienced an natural decline in intensity following a major win over the All Blacks. Perhaps the coach should have freshened things up.
A balanced view is needed, though. It is tempting to lambast England for their failure to bring much urgency into this match, or for nearly losing a game they were dominating. But, this result marks a perfect record of November matches for the initial occasion since 2016. The year ends with 11 straight wins after starting with a loss. We are halfway through the World Cup cycle and things look considerably rosier for Borthwick than they did at this stage.
Player Pool and Future Planning
The manager appears that, two years out from the World Cup, he understands the core group of the squad he will bring to Australia. Naturally, there will be the odd bolter. But there are not many existing players of the squad who are not on track for the upcoming event.
This is an benefit because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, 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 difficult beginning that affected the team in the previous cycle.
Player rankings sound like they belong to sailors of the past, but coaches swear by them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. On another day, England might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking late defeat. That they were not is largely due to the young star, fortune, and the strength of England's substitutes. While Borthwick plots a course to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can forgive the paucity of the recent display.