In a dazzling display of skill and flair, Tommy Freeman showcased his magic during England’s dominant 59-14 victory over Japan on Sunday. The Northampton wing left fans in awe with a sensational behind-the-back pass to his club colleague George Furbank, earning praise from skipper Jamie George as “naughty” and thrilling the crowd at Allianz Stadium.
Freeman revealed that the jaw-dropping move was actually practiced during training sessions leading up to the match. He shared, “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.”
The player explained the decision-making process behind the risky move, stating, “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.”
Despite facing teasing from his team-mates after the match, Freeman remained satisfied with the outcome. He admitted, “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.”
The victory against Japan marked the end of England’s 2024 campaign, which had seen them halt a five-Test losing streak. The team showcased an impressive attacking prowess in a nine-try demolition of their opponents, finishing the Autumn Nations Series on a positive note.
Reflecting on the overall campaign, Freeman commented, “We’ve finished on a high and did stuff that we wanted to do in the whole campaign.” Despite facing tough opponents like New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa earlier in the series, England managed to end their season on a strong and successful note. The dazzling display of skill and teamwork in the victory over Japan certainly left a lasting impression on fans and players alike.
