Not many players congratulate the manager who has just dropped them from the national side but Danny Cipriani believes Martin Johnson was correct to omit him from England's starting XV against New Zealand this weekend.
"I'm disappointed but if I was the coach I'd probably have done the same," said the fly-half yesterday, having paid the almost-inevitable price for his below-par performance during last Saturday's record 42–6 home defeat by South Africa.
After the unprecedented deluge of Springbok points, Johnson has asked Leicester's Toby Flood to shore up the No10 channel, with the 21-year-old Cipriani dropping to the bench. While there are two other starting changes — Bath's Michael Lipman and London Irish's Nick Kennedy replace Tom Rees and the injured Tom Palmer respectively — Johnson has refused to indulge in more drastic surgery for the final game of a bruising autumn series.
The demotion of Cipriani was always on the cards, with Johnson understandably deciding that exposure to the world's best side from the outset might do Cipriani's fledgling Test career more harm than good. Flood did not have a great experience against the All Blacks in the summer, being forced off with a damaged shoulder after just half an hour of England's 44-12 defeat in Christchurch. As Charlie Hodgson can also testify, playing fly-half in a struggling side against New Zealand is among world rugby's toughest gigs.
Johnson insists Cipriani still has a long and fruitful career ahead of him and is backing Flood, who has won 21 England caps but started only three at fly-half, to make a positive difference.
"Danny has got a big future but so has Toby. He's played well for Leicester and deserves a go. He is an international class fly-half. We're picking the team we think has the best chance of winning."
To stand the remotest chance, a seemingly underpowered pack is going to have to stand up and be counted. Lipman's inclusion is interesting, given that Rees was England's best forward against South Africa. The Australian-reared Lipman is fresher, however, and keen to prove it opposite Richie McCaw. England seem to have decided there is no future in picking their veteran giant Simon Shaw and have plumped for Kennedy instead, even though he and Steve Borthwick did not noticeably complement each other against the Pacific Islanders. Borthwick's retention as captain will inevitably be a matter for debate if England lose heavily again, but Johnson remains a staunch supporter. "The criticism of Steve has been ridiculous. His captaincy has been outstanding, on and off the field."
England's attack coach Brian Smith also insists New Zealand are "beatable" despite the All Blacks having yet to concede a try in three victories against Scotland, Ireland and Wales. "We know we're not hopeless," said Smith. "Anyone who has seen us in the last two games knows we are clearly a group that is building and creating opportunities. They're a damn good side but there's no mystery, they put their trousers on one leg at a time like everyone else."
England boast two Kiwi-born players in Riki Flutey and replacement hooker Dylan Hartley. Johnson said he has no plans for a staring match during the haka: "We haven't thought about it yet, we've got enough other things to worry about."
