Ford drives for ‘old-fashioned’ Test

ENGLAND’s defence coach Mike Ford last night dismissed the try-laden Tri-Nations as not being proper Test rugby.

And Ford warned champions New Zealand to be prepared for a clash of styles and an “old-fashioned” showdown at Twickenham on Saturday.

Statistics released by the IRB this week showed the number of tries scored in the 2010 Tri-Nations increased by 100%, with an average of 5.8 per match. New Zealand were crowned champions without losing a game and even in defeat to Australia in Hong Kong last weekend, they scored three tries and 24 points.