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Johnson launches world challenge
Sir Clive Woodward may have concerns over Martin Johnson's inexperience, but the man himself insisted England are in good shape heading into today's clash with the Pacific Islanders.
Johnson takes charge of England for the first time at Twickenham today, leading a new-look side featuring four debutants in front of an expectant crowd of around 55,000.
In coaching terms, Johnson is a novice. He took the top job of team manager armed with an immense bank of rugby knowledge, but without any formal management experience.
Woodward this week expressed fears a "champion mentality" may not be enough because Johnson not only lacks experience at the sharp end of coaching, but also support from his direct employers at the Rugby Football Union.
That was a thinly-veiled swipe at England's elite rugby director Rob Andrew, with whom Woodward has not seen eye-to-eye since missing out on the job.
But Johnson insists he has received full backing from Twickenham and believes England are in the best possible place to launch their bid to rule the world again.
Johnson said: "I think we are in a good place. Our coaching is some of the best I have been associated with.
"You are always learning. There are always situations you encounter every day which are new. You have that as a player and you have that as a manager.
"We have experienced coaches around us. The people here, the physios and medics and fitness guys, have been around a long time and experienced lots of things.
"You rely on them. I am not isolated in that sense and the elite department back at Twickenham have provided everything we have wanted in terms of back-up
"I have been very happy with the support I have got."
The RFU recruited Johnson after deciding to replace Brian Ashton as England head coach following the Six Nations championship earlier this year.
After hanging up his boots in 2004, Johnson worked in corporate and media circles, but that all changed when Andrew came calling.
Johnson took the job on his own terms aware then, as he is now, of the perception that he need only walk through the gates of Twickenham for England's problems to be fixed.
He has spent six months attempting to dispel that myth and the physical Pacific Islanders, packed with top Guinness Premiership players, may help him do that today.
Johnson said: "A lot of people said 'You have a lot to risk with your reputation' – but if you live the rest of your life like that, you will never do anything.
"I had a fantastic opportunity, one I never thought I would get at this stage, if at all. I would have regretted letting it go by.
"I know what people are saying and I do feel uncomfortable about it. This team has never been about one person, ever.
"There should always be an expectation about an England team playing rugby. We want to win the game and play well. It is about the team and we understand that as a side."
Johnson has approached his management from a player's perspective and what he may lack in experience he makes up for in pure rugby knowledge and an understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level.
England centre Jamie Noon said: "He is not a novice, quite the opposite. When we first met up I think everybody was conscious of how Johno would be and how he would react but he has just taken it in his stride.
"It does seem like he has been doing it a long, long time. He has a real empathy for the players and the coaches."
Johnson has not yet decided whether to don a tracksuit or jacket and tie in the stands for today's game.
He does not quite know how he will react if – or when, if you listen to new attack coach Brian Smith – England score a try.
The last two weeks, with England in camp at Pennyhill Park, has brought about a familiar sense of anticipation.
"Brian and I were a bit excited on Thursday. We haven't been around a game of rugby in a while and we recognised that in ourselves," Johnson admitted.
"You're alive aren't you? I have missed that a little bit. When you finish, it is initially nice to have a break. This is big, something very powerful."
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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