Question 1: What was the significance of England's victory over Japan in the context of Steve Borthwick's tenure as head coach?
England's victory over Japan was seen as a hollow win for head coach Steve Borthwick, as it came against an inexperienced side and followed a disappointing autumn series filled with near misses.
Question 2: How did the article describe England's performance during the autumn series?
The article described England's performance during the autumn series as a struggle, with a losing streak that led to calls for a crisis. It highlighted that minor adjustments in key moments could have changed the narrative of the campaign significantly.
Question 3: What were some of the near misses mentioned that could have altered the perception of England's autumn campaign?
Some near misses included hitting the post at the end of the game against the All Blacks and experiencing late drama in the match against Australia. These moments, if altered, could have led to a more positive assessment of the campaign.
Question 4: What does the article imply about the expectations for England's final Test of the year?
The article implies that the best England could have expected from their final Test of the year was a victory, but it was a game that was difficult to win given the circumstances, particularly against a less experienced opponent like Japan.