Flutey Denied World Cup Dream

When England’s eventual thirty-man World Cup party was revealed on Monday evening, one name not on the list was that of New Zealand-born centre, Riki Flutey. Flutey would have no doubt loved the opportunity to play at the very highest level of world rugby – and even more so bearing in mind that the tournament is being held in his native land – but following less than impressive performances in the build-up to the squad announcement, Martin Johnson has been forced to omit the versatile back through fear that the occasion will once more get the better of him. This could have an effect on the Online rugby betting.

His credentials are irrefutable: he was a member of the under-19 All Black side that won the 1999 World Cup, and since then he has also gone on to win 14 England caps as well as representing the British & Irish Lions on their 2009 tour of South Africa.

But the Riki Flutey that was on display for England’s narrow 23-19 victory against Wales at Twickenham earlier this month was not the player we have come to recognise as one of the most dangerous runners with the ball in hand in the modern game. Rather he was listless and uncreative – and one could even go as far as to say that he was overawed by the level of physicality on display. A World Cup is not a place that you want your stars overawed and in hiding, because against the likes of Australia and New Zealand they will prey on any weakness. Those looking forward to the Betfair 2011 rugby world cup should take note of this.

Instead it would seem, Johnson has plumped for Shontayne Hape at No. 12 – who himself was left rather exposed by the Welsh in Cardiff during the return fixture a week later. This suggests that Johnson will be looking to employ a direct – his detractors would say “boring” – style of play for the tournament, with his inside centre, whether it be Hape, Tuilagi, Banahan or Tindall, smashing the ball in short rather than using natural width and skillful hands to unlock opposition defences.

Either way, whether he has been dropped for tactical reasons or on personal merit, there will be few English players more disappointed – or angry at themselves – than Riki Flutey when they woke up on Tuesday morning.