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'I just broke down in tears' - Chris Robshaw's biggest England career regret... and it still hurts
Former England captain Chris Robshaw has said his decision to go for the corner against Wales at the 2015 World Cup is the one thing he would change in his career.
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Robshaw joined Christina Mahon and his former Harlequins teammate Jamie Roberts on RugbyPass Offload this week, and was asked what would be the one thing he would have done differently over his 43 caps as England captain.
Roberts quickly joked “go for posts,” referring to the 2015 World Cup pool stage encounter at Twickenham, where Robshaw opted to go for the corner with two minutes remaining when England were trailing 28-25. England were driven into touch from the ensuing lineout, leading to a historic win for Roberts’ Wales and England crashing out of the tournament in the pool stages.
Robshaw agreed, and discussed the fallout from that decision on a personal level.
“Unfortunately, hindsight is a wonderful thing,” the San Diego Legion flanker said.
“Do we go back to that decision and go for posts? Do we give ourselves the opportunity to get the three? Would we have got it, who knows? But you potentially look at that opportunity and you try that.
“I think that would be the one thing that I always look back on my England career and definitely would try and change. Because you don’t know those butterfly moments and hopefully that would have a big effect on the game and the result of the World Cup and who knows where we’d be now.
“That was definitely a big decision. I’ve moved a long way since but that World Cup is a scar I will always wear. Whenever we speak about it, whenever people talk about it, it’s always a tough time for me, a tough time for a lot of those players.
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“I remember actually when we played Wales in the first game post World Cup, back at Twickenham, and as you can imagine there was a huge amount of speculation about that game. “Is it a revenge mission?”
Chris Robshaw on his biggest career regret and aftermath of that 2015 Rugby World Cup… #EnglandRugby @ChristinaMahonx pic.twitter.com/X7AFudm5eM
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 8, 2021
“What about the World Cup?” We won the game, and only just won the game in the end, and we were doing a lap of honour and I just broke down in tears. I just had to get in the changing room, I just had to get back in. I just couldn’t control myself.
“All these emotions came out of me and so many of the guys came up to me and said “look, we didn’t realise how much it affected you and how much of a burden and a toll it took on you.” And me, personally, I didn’t share well enough. I was going through the motions at my club, put a huge amount of strain on my wife, my friends, my family, my teammates probably and it was definitely a massively tough period for me.”
Comments on RugbyPass
On one hand I think it's a bit ridiculous that this gar into the season and with only 2 wins the Crusaders may make the finals. On the other hand if it was only top 4 or 5, then that last several weeks may be mainly dead rubbers. Nope, 8th place after round robin shouldn't be able to lift the trophy.
1 Go to commentsI do think the media in NZ treated him badly. Sam is a legend. He is humble, a great rugby mind and leader. What happened in the final could happen to anyone. The margins is so fine these days. I lay blame at the feet of the coaching staff and NZ rugby. The stats tell’s all. The AB’s was the worst disciplined side in the WC with more red and yellow cards than anyone else. Problem is NZ rugby is not training their players to play safer. And thats the danger a fast game brings. More yellow and red cards. But Sam Cane in my eye was and still is a great ambassador for the game, that just had a stroke of bad luck.
2 Go to commentsI hope Jim and co. Add this to their list of icebreaker questions they can ask all their guests going forward. So we can eventually hear what everyone thinks about this subject. “What do you think Ireland meant…”
120 Go to commentsHe’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
35 Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
2 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
120 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
35 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
35 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
11 Go to commentsHiding coming up for Saders.
1 Go to commentsDagg really does go down some rabbit holes doesnt he? In the name I guess.
6 Go to commentsHey Brett I’m one who is looking forward to seeing JS back on the rugby field. I was under the impression that a large portion of his contract was via a third party so RA isn’t having to foot the bill My big concern is around the Tahs and what is happening there, why are so many players bailing. Is it the program, the coaches or the culture. Joe Schmidt recently said he had been at the Tahs all week and DC is a good coach. Something doesn’t gel , 10 front row forwards in a season that’s not bad luck
16 Go to comments