Tommy Freeman passes behind his back to set up a try for George Furbank (David Davies/PA) (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Tommy Freeman has disclosed that the sensational behind-the-back pass which dazzled during England’s thrashing of Japan was honed in training – and says he was given “a lot of stick” in the dressing room post-match.
The Northampton wing executed a stunning off-load to club colleague George Furbank, who completed the move in Sunday’s 59-14 triumph, earning praise from skipper Jamie George as “naughty” and thrilling the crowd at Allianz Stadium.
Freeman believes the gamble paid off, saying, “I actually did that a lot in training in the week! I was practising it a little bit and weirdly the opportunity to do it came up.You’re always trying things. If it’s the right place and the right time, you back yourself to do it.
“It’s not something that pops up all the time, so I won’t be running around forcing it. I was on the move and I was running quite fast so if I’d carried on in that motion I’d probably have gone into touch.
“I could probably have tried to off-load it a different way but I thought ‘let’s have a crack at it’. Luckily Furbs was there to catch it.
“I’m just relieved it came off because if it didn’t I would have had it in the neck. We get the permission to do things and put ourselves out there. Luckily it came off.”
Tommy Freeman is mobbed by team-mates after setting-up George Furbank’s try (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Despite the ribbing from team-mates, Freeman is content with the outcome: “I got a lot of stick in the changing room. It’s going to be posted everywhere, so it’s going to be ‘ah just try and play it cool’. It was good it came off and I’m happy with it.”
A spectacular nine-try demolition of Japan saw England finish 2024 on a positive note, amidst an admiring display of attacking prowess, bringing their five-Test losing streak to a halt.
However, the meatier segment of the Autumn Nations Series had already passed, with New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa narrowly triumphing in London.
“We’ve finished on a high and did stuff that we wanted to do in the whole campaign,” Freeman remarked.
“When things come together it’s always really positive, but we want to be doing that against South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the top four teams.”
Freeman pointed out the narrow margins in previous matches: “We narrowly missed out on those games. If we can piece it all together we can be a threatening team.
“We were eight points up against Australia at one point, we were up against New Zealand as well. We physically matched South Africa and showed glimpses of some really good stuff.
“And that’s the issue – there were some really good elements and then some switch-offs, which cost us. We didn’t move the ball into space enough and that’s something we’ve looked at. There were opportunities missed.
“There are safe options and riskier options. As a team we need to be on the front foot and taking opportunities because at this level there aren’t many that will come up.”