#3. Freddie Steward
Telegraph 5, Express 5, FloRugby 5
Steward’s brief 22-minute stint before departing for an HIA was a mixed one. He took one outstanding high ball, but also produced a poor kick and was caught out defensively for New Zealand’s opening try.
Those flashes of uncertainty proved costly, and England looked more fluid with Marcus Smith stepping in at fullback.
Quotes:
Express: “Some very good mixed in with two howlers before first half HIA failure”
Telegraph: “A mixed bag in his 22 minutes. Claimed one superb up and under but also produced a rogue kick and caught out of position for the All Blacks’ first try.”
FloRugby: “This match exposed some structural limitations in Steward’s attacking game. While he remained steady under the high ball, his lack of creativity disrupted England’s backfield flow. Too many possessions stalled through him, leaving questions about his long-term fit.”
Replacement: Marcus Smith finally seems at home at fullback. England looked much better when he replaced Steward.
EDITORS PICKS:
Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players #2
From stunning tries to unforgettable moments—and yes, some hairstyles we’d rather forget—these players were at the heart of rugby’s golden era. If the names don’t come flooding back, it might be time to fire up YouTube and relive the magic.
Think you’ve got what it takes to ace this one? Let’s find out. Good luck!
More Quizzes:
Like this:
Like Loading…