Max Ojomoh Provides Champagne Highlight for English Side to Mark Emergence on Big Stage.
It is a interesting feature of England's November clean sweep that there were no debutants earned their international debut during the series of matches, something not seen in a quarter of a century. Yet, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against Argentina while earning his second cap seemed to be the breakthrough of a future star.
Standout Performance in Tight Win
He proved to be the key player in what was the team's least convincing outing of the autumn. He finished off the opening touchdown before setting up the other two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a delightful cross-field kick was the highlight play of the opening period. Likewise, his popped pass to the center for the team's final score was equally impressive, concluding a fine debut performance at Twickenham for the young player.
He has the sort of triple threat that every manager desire from their midfield player. He can run, kick and pass, and he has featured at fly-half and at multiple midfield roles for Bath this season.
Rapid Ascent and Upcoming Prospects
It is just a little over a week since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had finally unearthed his midfield duo for the future. But, the best compliment that can be given to the young star is that the coach might need to reconsider. Ojomoh was initially selected to an national team four years ago, but had to bide his time until the final match of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to other players created the opportunity for him to begin here, and he undoubtedly will be in consideration for a further appearance when England regroup to start their championship quest in the new year.
- Versatile Skillset: Can play fly-half and centre.
- Crucial Input: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
- Important Performance: Stepped up when others were unavailable.
Team Context and Wider Implications
Where might the team have been against Argentina without Ojomoh? Certainly they rode their luck and perhaps it is no coincidence that he was their best player. The team experienced an natural decline in energy following a major win over New Zealand. Perhaps Borthwick should have freshened things up.
Some perspective is required, though. One might be inclined to lambast the side for their inability to inject much intensity into this match, or for almost throwing away a game they were controlling. However, this result completes a clean sweep of four autumn fixtures for the initial occasion since 2016. The year concludes with 11 straight wins after starting with a defeat. The team is midway in the World Cup cycle and the situation look considerably rosier for the coach than they did at this stage.
Squad Depth and Long-Term Strategy
The manager appears that, two years out from the World Cup, he knows the vast majority of the squad he will take to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the odd bolter. But there are very few existing players of the squad who are not in contention for the upcoming event.
This is an advantage because it posed an issue for his predecessor, who struggled when it was clear that certain players were not going to feature in his strategy. Borthwick seems to have taken action earlier, avoiding the torrid beginning that affected the team in the past.
Player rankings seem like they belong to seafarers of yesteryear, but managers swear by them and Borthwick can be happy with his. Under different circumstances, England might be dealing with a loss after a gut-wrenching late defeat. That they were not owes plenty to the young star, fortune, and the strength of England's bench. While the coach plots a course to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can forgive the paucity of this performance.
