2023-10-15 20:58:30
Marseille, land of scorers! In a Vélodrome stadium somewhat frustrated by the performances of its resident club, it was rather necessary to take your seats for England’s matches in this 2023 World Cup to observe strokes of genius. After the hat-trick of drops signed by George Ford on September 9 against Argentina (27-10), captain Owen Farrell scored another one this Sunday afternoon in the quarter-finals to offer victory against Fiji (30- 24) while the Islanders began to believe in the feat.
“He’s a fantastic leader, a brilliant player,” summarizes his coach Steve Borthwick. He shines on big occasions, becomes better in those moments. We are lucky to have him with us and I am happy to be his coach. » “I tried my luck and we managed to regain the advantage,” says Owen Farrell about his decisive drop, made about ten meters from the posts while the Fijians had just pulled back to 24-24 after being led 24-10. It’s thanks to the great work of those in front, they served me on a platter, I just had to adjust. »
With 20 points scored this Sunday (5 penalties, 1 conversion, 1 drop), the captain of the XV de la Rose had an essential role in qualifying his team for the semi-final for the sixth time in history. All under the eyes of a certain Jonny Wilkinson, glorious English flyhalf, world champion in 2003 and himself a fan of the drop. A legend of the game that Owen Farrell surpassed in this World Cup by bringing his total points to 1,206 in 109 caps when Jonny Wilkinson stopped in 2011 at 1,179 points and 91 caps. At the international level, only New Zealander Dan Carter did better with 1,598 points.
“He’s the young people’s favorite player, he’s a role model”
“It’s a fair reward for a man who does everything to be the best version of himself as a man, a player and a leader,” said Steve Borthwick on October 7, once the record was broken after the success against Samoa (18-17) to conclude the group stage. He’s the young people’s favorite player, he’s a role model. I hope to see him for a long time in the England jersey. » This will be the case at least until the end of this World Cup for the 32-year-old fly-half, Saracens player.
Suspended for four games this summer after a dangerous tackle during a test against Wales, Owen Farrell was missed by England in the first two matches against Argentina and Japan. He was then replaced by an excellent George Ford, two years his junior, whose father Mike Ford had played at Saracens with his father, Andy Farrell, current Ireland coach. Ambassador of the English state of mind – “we want to win, no matter how” – Owen Farrell will be one of the main dangers in the semi-final, as Jonny Wilkinson was at the Stade de France in the semi-final. final in 2007.
He could also have ruined everything with this voluntary forward in added time while the Fijians were hoping to score a try to win at the wire. Penalized but not sanctioned with a yellow card by the French referee Mathieu Raynal, Owen Farrell and all of England were very hot. But here they are on the verge of a second world final in a row.
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