The first news to break came three days before the official announcement: Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt has evidently missed the cut. Her place as No 3 among the cast-list of scrum-halves to be taken by Lucy Packer.
We can search where we like for reasons, but the fact remains that Packer’s performances for the Red Roses have failed to reach the level of match-turning,
Hunt’s decision to take a break from 15s may have impressed the management far less than the wider public. But she was welcomed back with open arms by Simon Middleton, who seemed only too happy to see her restored to the colours.
If she made a few errors in recent matches, so be it. On the other hand it is hard, if not impossible, to think of decisive moves made by Packer that have helped swing games in England’s favour. She is a highly undemonstrative performer.
The Red Roses’ Schedule
We must bear in mind all the time the precise programme that England face through the RWC draw.
In Pool C they face Fiji first and South Africa third. Packer might well sail through those games looking like a gift to half-back play.
In between comes the first big test against France. There we can be sure that Leanne Infante and Claudia Macdonald will be called up to do their duty. The top two teams in each of the three pools go through to the knock-out stages.That means England and France.
In Pool A the only probable winners are the Black Ferns. You can take your pick from Australia, Scotland and Wales for the second spot. My money is on the Wallaroos.
Pool B is the most uncertain. Canada should come out on top. Italy, Japan and USA will face some exciting tussles. The Azzurre could yet cause a surprise by toppling the Eagles. Their one advantage is big game experience, as evidenced in the recent win over France 26-19. But they have minimum familiarity with long-distance travel.
With the introduction of quarter-finals, three more matches remain possible. For England that is where the choice of Packer becomes a central issue. Can we imagine the selectors sticking to the same half-back choices (Infante and Macdonald) between 29 October (QFs), 5 November (SFs) and Final (12 November)? Two of the three likely opponents are France and New Zealand.
One of the reasons for England’s domination of world rugby is their fitness. But in the nearest parallel to this tough schedule, the 6 Nations, the selectors have given themselves the option of three No 9s. If Packer proves she can turn a vital game in England’s favour, then her choice will be justified. It hasn’t happened yet.
Hunt
Her CV is as wide as it is long. She was part of England’s squad that couldn’t quite finish the job in the 2017 RWC. She has played in the GB Sevens squad.
When she returned to 15s, she moved to Gloucester-Hartpury, close to her Gloucestershire roots; she was elected captain and inspired her team to great things. Since Gloucester RFC promised solid financial backing, the squad has been enormously strengthened. Alex Matthews, Sarah Beckett, Maud Muir, Sam Monaghan (Ireland) and Siwan Lillicrap (Wales) are a formidable influx.
Hunt was equally familiar on the media front, her comments during Red Roses’matches revealing her sharp analytical brain.
Hers will not be the last big name to go missing from the final 32. More pain to come.
