Manu Tuilagi has Mike Tindall’s Lions vote, but not everyone’s impressed
But Tuilagi’s display last weekend also drew accusations of arrogance from former Australia coach Eddie Jones, who is now in charge of Japan.
Gloucester‘s Tindall, the 2003 World Cup-winner, believes a host of England players increased their touring chances during the thrilling 38-21 victory at Twickenham over the All Blacks.
But he singled out Tuilagi, 21, who put his World Cup shenanigans behind him to emerge as one of England’s most influential performers.
Tindall told The Rugby Paper: “Manu is maturing and getting better and better and he’s up there for Lions selection, along with a number of other England boys.
“He has to be in the England team for starters and I’m adamant about that because he can change a game, which is exactly what he did against New Zealand.
“Brad Barritt had a really good game as well and when you start getting the ball wider to bring Chris Ashton into the game, England look a more complete team. Manu’s always a handful and he can improve. The more he develops and starts bringing other people into the game off him like that, he’s going to be on a different level to anyone else because he’s a phenomenal athlete.
“He’s got massive work-rate and I’d mark him down for the Lions right now.”
But Jones insists Tuilagi’s decision to slow down after intercepting on halfway was disrespectful to the World Cup holders.
He said: “England have the potential to be a good team, but they’ve got to keep it together and there are already signs of arrogance.
“Walking over the line – that’s disrespectful to the world champions. Rugby is all about respect and it’s one of those attitudes we need to keep.
“New Zealand score lots of points but you never see any of their players walking over the line. They run hard, try to get under the posts and make it easier for their kicker.
“Why didn’t the England boy run under the posts? It’s arrogance and you don’t want to see that creeping into the game because it’s not good.
“I don’t know the England coach Stuart Lancaster very well, but I know Andy Farrell and he won’t tolerate that. He’ll be very disappointed about that.”
Tindall also took time out to name-check some more England players who he believes could join Tuilagi on the Lions tour next summer.
He said: “Barritt stepped up to the plate against New Zealand, while Alex Goode is a quality player who has been up there all the way through the autumn.
“Ben Youngs had a really big game last weekend and Owen Farrell was good in what he did.
“He’s going to be pushed hard by Toby Flood and Freddie Burns, but when people ask questions of him, he answers them.
“In the forwards, I thought Tom Wood was outstanding in what he did and although people have bagged Chris Robshaw about his decision-making, he had three really good games against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
“For me the decision-making was neither here nor there, that’s about experience and defining what they want to be as a team.
“I was pleased for Chris and there are others who must come into Lions consideration. It was great to see Courtney Lawes back and he’s big for that team. Geoff Parling did great through the autumn as well, so it’s just developing nicely.
“If England can keep that momentum going and get stuck into the Six Nations, the team’s heading in the right direction and, hopefully, people will get the time to develop and have some Lions opportunities off the back of it.”
Jones, however, who was the losing coach when England beat Australia in the 2003 World Cup final in Sydney, was less than convinced by England’s autumn highlight.
He said: “I don’t think England’s win over New Zealand does anything. It’s one game.
“England played well but they had no pressure on them. England, traditionally, have always played well when there’s been no pressure.”
DANIEL SCHOFIELD
