The English rugby team made a decision that alcohol will be taboo during the World Cup, but no one said anything about their supporters.
Nobody would have blamed the English on Saturday night in Lille if they had ordered quite a few tight ones with eish, because the English had never been so close to losing against Samoa.
England scraped through 18-17 after trailing 8-14 at half-time.
On the contrary, Samoa, who deserved to win, were still ahead with a rap more than ten minutes, but an unsung yellow card to the center Tumua Manu after he dived the English full-back, Freddie Steward, in the air after a high kick, left the door open for England to claim their ninth straight win over Samoa.
Just think how the English rugby writers would have booed the English team and the coach, Steve Borthwick, if they had lost to a tiny island.
The English have to say a big thank you to veteran substitute scrumhalf Danny Care. He saved the English from red faces when he scored a try after a series of scrums on Samoa’s goal line.
He also stopped an almost certain try shortly before the end with a final dive.
England’s problem is that Borthwick is sitting on his hands, because he is not sure which players should be his preferred players in the starting line-up, nor which players should keep the bench warm.
He also has to choose between Owen Farrell and George Ford at flyhalf.
Samoa put the English ears on.
According to World Rugby, they carried the ball more (452 meters against 404), they passed the ball more (135 against 105 times) and they had to make fewer tackles.
Former All Black flyhalf Lima Sopoaga, who was named Player of the Match, was brilliant. He broke, kicked, dived and sent his back line at full speed.
Then winger Nigel Ah-Wong was also on fire, while Fritz Lee, Michael Alaalatoa and Steven Lutua were devastating up front.
For England, Johnny May was dangerous, while Farrell was in the limelight.
Farrell, when he converted a penalty in the 18th minute, surpassed Johnny Wilkinson’s English record of 1,179 test points.
Farrell now stands at 1,186 points.
But there was also a blot on his name when he became the first player in a World Cup tournament to go too long with a penalty kick and it was canceled (after it was over).
The way forward for England looks bleak, although they are now playing in the quarter-finals and are likely to reach the semi-finals after all.
But after that?
Scorers: England 18 (8): Tries: Ollie Chessum, Danny Care. Goal kick: Owen Farrell. Penalty goals: Farrel (2).
Samoa 17 (14): Tries: Nigel Ah-Wong (2). Goals: Lima Sopoaga (2). Penalty Goal: Sopoaga.
