London: England coach Andy Robinson has called for his players to repeat the attacking initiative that put three tries on the All Blacks when the world champions face Argentina at Twickenham today.
Although England suffered a record 41-20 home defeat at the hands of the New Zealanders last week, their sixth loss in a row, Robinson saw enough encouraging signs to make only one injury-enforced change in his team to face the ever-dangerous Pumas.
New Zealand-born Perry Freshwater gets his first start at loosehead prop instead of the injured Andy Sheridan with three further changes on the bench.
Robinson said that England mistakes had gifted the All Blacks 24 points but there had also been many encouraging aspects to the performance.
"We did some really good things out there and there was a confidence about the way we played. To score three, potentially four tries against New Zealand was a real positive and its important that the team take that on," he said.
The coach was right to be pleased as his players did look more inventive and braver in attack than in many of last season's dreadful performances.
Debutant centre Anthony Allen handed the All Blacks two tries with a missed tackle and intercepted pass but the 20-year-old also looked sharp, making several half-breaks and setting up a try for centre partner Jamie Noon.
"Some of the touches he showed were top drawer, he was a lot more in credit than debit," said Robinson, who was widely criticised for dropping Mathew Tait after a poor debut last year.
If England are to have any hope of mounting a creditable defence of the World Cup next year then the likes of Allen, and uncapped replacement back Toby Flood, have got to be given the chance to develop now.
Today's game, however, is likely to be decided more by what should be a fascinating forwards battle.
Argentina, though struggling with injuries and with little preparation time, will offer a huge examination of England's set pieces.
"We have respect for the unique way Argentina play the game," said Robinson, a former flanker. "They love to maul and with the close quarter ruck and drive they are probably the best in the world."
