Hodgson: Get Carter
England fly-half determined to stop All Black rival
Last updated: 11th June 2008
Hodgson: Ready for Carter
New Zealand v England, Saturday 8.30am, live on Sky Sports 1
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Fly-half Charlie Hodgson has pin-pointed Dan Carter as the man England need to stop if they are to beat New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday.
Carter is widely regarded as the best No.10 in world rugby, and although he was disappointing in the 21-11 victory over Ireland in Wellington, it was his scything break that set up Ma'a Nonu's winning try.
And Sale star Hodgson knows that if he can prevent Carter man pulling the strings for the All Blacks again at Eden Park, then England have a chance of victory.
He told Sky Sports News: "If you give him half a sniff of a chance, then he is through. Obviously he created the opportunity for Nonu's try against Ireland.
"We have to make sure we are full focused on stopping him.
Massive
"I think that if you can stop Dan Carter then you can stop some of the ways the All Blacks. He is a massive part of the way they tick."
While Hodgson is focused on his battle with Carter, Wasps flanker James Haskell is relishing the chance to pit his skills against Richie McCaw.
There are few players who come close to the All Blacks captain, however Haskell believes his clash with McCaw will be a good marker of his own development.
He told Sky Sports News: "It will be interesting to see how far I have come as a player to compare myself against him and see if all the things I have learned from Shaun Edwards, Lawrence [Dallaglio], Joe Worsley and other guys have paid off."
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Comments
Karl Cross says...
Anyone who says Englands pack is weak claerly hasn't looked at the new zealand one. The only player I would swap in that pack for a Kiwi would be Rees for Mcaw and I wouldn't really want to do that. I would go open with every phase of play from a scrum tie McCaw up in the first ruck, then move it away. New Zealands pack will be going backwards at every scrum.
Posted 10:38 12th June 2008
Keith Pascoe says...
I feel a lot of people are maybe being a little unfair, no-one can deny Haskell is a man with a wealth of potential and yes he may be found a litte wanting this weekend but games like this are what turn potential into ability. Learning from Mccaw and the like will only help turn these players into the world beaters they could be. People forget it took games like this for Johnny and Matt Dawson to turn into the best half backs in the world. We may well lose but defeat in the long run will serve us well through the lessons learned. Give the boys a chance.
Posted 09:48 12th June 2008
Andrew Mason says...
Hodgson is a class act, may any doubters remember the last lions tour being the only player with any credibility? Guiding Sale to becoming champions, embarrassing the tigers in the final? Top point scorer this season? Its just difficult standing in Johnny Beckham¿s, sorry Wilkinson¿s shadow
Posted 06:38 12th June 2008
Ciaran Le shark says...
Look at the lst time Hodgson played for England, yes he wasn't great but that was then and this is now. He has grown as a player since his injury and has been the most consistent fly-half at club level all season. No English man coud say that Goode would be a better choice. Why would you stick Flutey in there either? at least Charlie has played for his country before. Gerraghty may have been a reasonable option, but I still believe Jonno has made the right choice. Everyone in England needs to stop being so negative about our rugby. Even as a Sale fan Mcalister hasn't cut the mustard in this country. We have nothing to fear! The Irish did themselves proud last weekend. come on the red rose!!!
Posted 05:06 12th June 2008
Gav Hutt says...
Just what i was saying james. Hodgson can't tackle for toffee and always gets bounced off in the contact. The All Blacks will know that and run at him. Kaino VS Hodgson whos your money on?
Posted 22:24 11th June 2008
Louis Maloney says...
As much as I like Hogson, yes, he is not an international player. Some say he's had a good season with Sale, but I don't think so. Carter will rule the half - backs on Saturday! And yes, England will get absoluely battered by the all - blacks.
Posted 17:50 11th June 2008
Chris Smith says...
Hodgson and Cipriani were the two form fly-halves of the season in England plain and simple. Both play extremely flat and can release the backs to their full potential unlike any of the other English Fly-Halves. Hodgson's game is far superior to that of Wilkinson, Lamb, Geraghty and Goode, hence his selection - Johnson and Andrew are not fools. He unfortunately just so happened to be the man in the 10 shirt while the WHOLE England team went through a horrendous dry spell post 2003. And those who criticise his kicking game are clearly ignorant of the fact that he won the 'golden-boot' award for the highest kicking percentage in the premiership this year. So how about waiting to judge his perfromance on saturday before you dismiss him as 'not of international standard.'
Posted 17:04 11th June 2008
James Broughton says...
Charli Hodgson always perfroms poorly in an England shirt, and I expect it to be no different on Saturday morning. he's just not international standard im afraid.
Posted 14:57 11th June 2008
Simon V says...
Hodgson and Haskell are dreamers, the All Blacks will have won the game by half time... and you all know it too
Posted 14:39 11th June 2008
Jacques Vermeulen says...
Haskell is going to batter McCaw
Posted 13:54 11th June 2008
Chris Ward says...
Ashley, i seem to remeber hearing the same talk coming out of New Zealand before the world cup, were gonna smash everyone and win it easily....Now i forget what happened then??????
Posted 12:13 11th June 2008
Ashley Carter says...
This is going to be a great game, and i think this is the game for Dan Carter to show is greatness after a poor World Cup!! Richie McCaw should dominate on the ground and will be a huge part of another great NZ win against the English. This should be painfull to watch again for all you English supporters, but for the rest of us it should be a real treat!!
Posted 11:47 11th June 2008
Laurence Belt says...
I think its about time we got behind the england rugby set up and supported them more. We are in danger of becoming as fickle as english football fans! It is too much to expect us to come flying out of the blocks and beat every body in the world, yes we won the world cup but that was 5 years ago, there are only 2 world cup winners in saturdays 22!! This is a new team, and a new era, on saturday, discount the Ba Ba's game as it was little more than a showpiece money maker for the rfu. Im mildly optamistic about the team on saturday and although i think winning is beyond us at this moment, a good hard nosed, english performance is what we need to see. The players must go out on the pitch and show that they are not afraid of the all blacks. Give the all blacks respect yes, but not too much!!!
Posted 11:33 11th June 2008
Gav Hutt says...
Thats it charlie tell everyone to focus on one man! The all blacks are so sort of game breakers elsewhere, of course their game will fall apart without him, just like ours will as soon as someone runs at you! And Haskell, this guy talks a good game, if only he could deliver. When will he learn to shut his mouth until after the game. He did this all through the six nations about what he was'nt going to do, then looked a complete plank when he got outplayed on the pitch. My faith in Johnson has deteriated after his first team selection. When are the England selectors going to wake up to the fact that Hodgson is not physically up to test match rugby. Should Rikki Flutey have been given a chance? As for the pack, don't fancy their chances either.
Posted 09:49 11th June 2008
Johnnie Smith says...
Im not really looking forward to this game, ill be watching it but with my hands in my head i reckon!! last year against south africa...anyone remember?? Jonno is not there and with a young squad pitched against this awesome all black team, im just hoping they can have a bit of pride left at the end! And to compare haskell withe richie McCaw...please
Posted 09:18 11th June 2008
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