Chris Robshaw says defeat to Wales has brought England closer
Thursday 1 October 2015 23:10, UK
England captain Chris Robshaw believes last Saturday’s “devastating” defeat by Wales has only strengthened the hosts’ resolve to win the World Cup on home soil.
Stuart Lancaster's men were seven points ahead with 10 minutes to play but conceded a converted try and a penalty before electing to turn down a shot at goal which could have levelled the game and instead kick for the corner in the dying minutes of the 28-25 loss.
The decision was to go for the win was predictably slammed given Owen Farrell had kicked six from six during the game but Robshaw, who says "hindsight is a wonderful thing", has made peace with the penalty decision.
"You have to take the rough with the smooth. There are good times, there are bad times and you need to learn how to deal with it," Robshaw said.
"You need to know what's happening, absorb it and use it. That's the best way. You want to go out and prove a couple of people wrong.
"As a team it brings you closer together. You find out about the character of the individuals around you, how much you mean to each other and how much people outside mean to you.
"That's when you really see a team form, there's a unity in it. We've got ourselves in the best possible frame of mind to deliver and now we need to."
The good news for England is they can still put themselves into a strong position to qualify with a win over the Wallabies on Saturday and Robshaw says that it is an opportunity he and his team-mates are determined to take.
"We have an option. We can change things this weekend or we can let it linger," he added. "As players we have to front up and change things. There is no point dwelling on it.
"Last weekend was heartbreaking and devastating. We let things get away from us, but in sport a week can be a long time. We have got that chance on Saturday to put it right.
"It's knock-out rugby. There's no second chance. It's all on the line. We know that."
If England fail to beat Australia they will become the first World Cup hosts in tournament history not to reach the quarter-finals.
Saturday's showdown with the Wallabies will be England's biggest since the 2007 World Cup final but Robshaw says the players are doing their best to avoid the intense scrutiny upon them.
"Everyone does something different to relax," Robshaw explained. "Richie McCaw flies gliders, Tom Wood likes shooting his bow and arrow and Tom Youngs likes to go farming.
"I take the dog for a walk. The tournament is on your mind a lot, but that is when you use the experience from the past about what has worked well.
"Everyone has got something. Maybe go for lunch, the cinema. It doesn't have to be something extravagant and whatever it is, use it."
