England and New Zealand went to war last night in Dunedin, with an incredibly physical display shaking the rafters of the Forsyth Barr Stadium. The reinforced roof just held strong at the home of the Highlanders, as the All Blacks recorded a narrow 16-15 win over Steve Borthwick’s tourists.
There was plenty of fallout from the first Test, with Borthwick joined by his England captain Jamie George in the post match press conference. George looked like a battle-tested veteran as he entered the media centre, with the scars of a gruling first Test etched across the hooker’s face. Whilst George grimaced due to his body’s ache, his front row partner Joe Marler left the pitch in a far worst state.
Steve Borthwick addressed the injured Harlequin loose-head and an assortment of other issues, with England now tasked with picking up the pieces ahead of Eden Park next Saturday. Here are the five biggest talking points from England’s post match press conference, beginning with the status of Joe Marler.
1. “Clearly, It Doesn’t look Good” – Joe Marler set to miss second Test against the All Blacks
Marler was withdrawn from the Forsyth Barr stadium early in the first half, with his Harlequins protege Fin Baxter tasked with an hour-long Test debut against the All Blacks. Amidst all of the speculation, Borthwick confirmed that Marler had in fact injured his foot. The loose-head was later on crutches in the England changing room, as he presented Baxter with his Test match cap. Marler is set to miss next Saturday’s Test in Auckland, and could be out for some time.
STEVE BORTHWICK: “Joe’s injured his foot to some degree. He will need scans and X-rays; a full analysis to understand what is going on with it. A man as tough as Joe leaving the field, is not just for a small injury – it’s not just for a bruise.
“We don’t know the full extent of it but clearly, it doesn’t look good for next week. I haven’t had a full report, but currently I don’t anticipate anything else which will impact on next week.”
2. “Thrown in the deep end” – Fin Baxter and Ollie Sleightholme debut for England
Following on from Marler’s early exit, England fans witnessed the extended Test match debut of Fin Baxter. The young loose-head was amongst England’s top performers in the home of the Highlanders, as the young Quin left it all on the line and won some scrum penalties along the way. Speaking on the 22-year-old’s trial by fire, Borthwick said:
“He was thrown on at the deep end and he did tremendously well. I think maybe Joe Marler set it up so that Fin came on at 20 minutes and did the longer stint! He did tremendously well. Both Fin and Ollie (Sleightholme) had their caps presented in the changing-room just now and it was a very proud moment for those young men and their families.”