Max Ojomoh Provides Champagne Highlight for England to Mark Emergence on Grand Platform.
It is a curious aspect of England's November clean sweep that there were no debutants made their international debut throughout the series of matches, a scenario not seen in 25 years. However, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against the Argentine side while earning his second appearance seemed to be the arrival of a future star.
Standout Display in Tight Win
He proved to be the star turn in what was the team's least convincing outing of the November series. He scored the opening touchdown before creating the other two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a delightful long pass was the highlight play of the opening period. Similarly, his popped pass to the center for England's third try was equally impressive, capping off a fine debut performance at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.
He has the kind of triple threat that every manager desire from their midfield player. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has appeared at fly-half and at multiple midfield roles for his club this season.
Quick Rise and Upcoming Opportunities
Only a little over a week since Steve Borthwick could have believed he had finally unearthed his centre partnership for the future. However, the highest praise that can be given to Ojomoh is that the coach might need to think again. Ojomoh was first called up to an national team four years ago, but had to bide his time until the final match of the overseas trip to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to teammates created the opportunity for him to begin here, and he surely will be in consideration for a further appearance when England reconvene to start their Six Nations campaign in the new year.
- Multiple Abilities: Excels at fly-half and midfield.
- Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and assisted two.
- Important Performance: Stepped up when others were unavailable.
Squad Background and Broader Implications
Where might England have been against their opponents without him? Undoubtedly they rode their luck and perhaps it is no coincidence that he was their best player. The team showed an natural decline in energy following a significant victory over New Zealand. Maybe Borthwick ought to have made more changes.
A balanced view is needed, however. It is tempting to lambast England for their failure to inject much intensity into this contest, or for nearly losing a fixture they were dominating. However, this outcome marks a clean sweep of four autumn fixtures for the initial occasion since 2016. The year ends with 11 straight wins after starting with a loss. The team is midway in the four-year tournament plan and the situation look much more positive for Borthwick than they did at this stage.
Squad Depth and Long-Term Strategy
Borthwick appears that, two years out from the World Cup, he knows the vast majority of the team he will take to Australia. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. Yet there are not many existing players of the roster who are not on track for the upcoming event.
This is an benefit because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, who struggled when it was clear that veterans were not going to feature in his strategy. He seems to have grasped the nettle sooner, preventing the difficult beginning that plagued the squad in the past.
Player rankings sound like they are for seafarers of the past, but managers swear by them and the coach can be satisfied with his. On another day, England might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking late defeat. The fact they avoided that owes plenty to the young star, fortune, and the quality of the bench. As Borthwick plots a course to the championship, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and therefore we can forgive the lack of quality of the recent display.