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'Even with a newborn, Joe Marler still wants to make that sacrifice because he knows how good it could be'

By Online Editors
England's Joe Marler has history with Argentina

Ben Youngs believes Joe Marler came out of retirement because England have one of their best-ever chances to win the World Cup. Harlequins prop Marler last featured for England in June 2018, but has reversed his decision to quit Test rugby to join Eddie Jones’ 35-man World Cup training squad.

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Marler was the surprise inclusion in England’s ranks, with Danny Cipriani retained but Dan Robson and Mike Brown were omitted. Leicester scrum-half Youngs hailed close friend Marler’s return as a big boost, claiming England will be better prepared at this World Cup than in his last two tournaments, in 2011 and 2015.

“I’ve done two World Cups before, and I don’t think I’ll ever feel as well prepared for a World Cup as I will this time around; physically, in complete knowledge of how we want to play – and unity,” said Youngs.

“I’ve never felt an international side like I have under Eddie, in terms of that unity. So for me, it will be a lot different, and it is exciting. And I think that’s why someone like Joe has done a U-turn because he knows, he understands that unity that we have here.

“He understands that probably this is one of the best chances we’ll ever have of winning the World Cup. So the fact that Joe has done a U-turn is a huge compliment to the side, and also the organisation that Eddie has put in place. Even with a newborn, he still wants to make that sacrifice because he knows how good it could be.”

England must submit their final 31-man World Cup squad on September 2, before kicking off their tournament against Tonga in Sapporo on September 22. Head coach Jones revealed England will have their final 31 sorted by August 12.

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Marler quit Test rugby to spend more time with his family but put his hand up for a return after a series of conversations with Jones. Youngs insisted the England squad will rally round if Marler struggles during England’s lengthy trip to Japan.

“I’m very good friends with Joe, so it’s great, I’m delighted for him,” said Youngs, speaking at the launch of England’s Canterbury World Cup kit. “Probably the carrot of the World Cup has probably just made him think he wants to be a part of it.

“And he just probably missed it all, just because playing for England, it’s an unbelievable thing to do, it’s great fun, we’ve got a great team. So he’s obviously missed it and wants to be a part of it again, which I think is a credit to the environment and the team that he’s been away and he’s missed it.

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“He had wanted to spend more time with his family and I totally respect that. He’s been away for a year, so it probably will make him perhaps bring some other views or ideas that we need.

“He’ll be able to add and perhaps see things differently. But I’m just very pleased to have someone of his experience coming back. The majority of lads are married and have kids. You’re just not alone. There’s plenty of guys in the same boat. All the guys miss their families and things, so you reassure each other.

“But I’m sure he wouldn’t have come back without some kind of coping mechanism to make sure he doesn’t beat himself up for being away. I’m sure he wouldn’t have made this decision lightly, without the tools to cope.

“But that’s why we’re team-mates, to create that camaraderie and community, and that definitely falls on our laps to make sure that guys are always confident to open up if they are not feeling themselves.”

– Press Association 

WATCH: Part one of the two-part RugbyPass documentary on the many adventures that fans can expect to experience in Japan at this year’s World Cup

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Jon 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

This is the problem with conservative mindsets and phycology, and homogenous sports, everybody wants to be the same, use the i-win template. Athlete wise everyone has to have muscles and work at the gym to make themselves more likely to hold on that one tackle. Do those players even wonder if they are now more likely to be tackled by that player as a result of there “work”? Really though, too many questions, Jake. Is it better Jake? Yes, because you still have that rugby of ole that you talk about. Is it at the highest International level anymore? No, but you go to your club or checkout your representative side and still engage with that ‘beautiful game’. Could you also have a bit of that at the top if coaches encouraged there team to play and incentivized players like Damian McKenzie and Ange Capuozzo? Of course we could. Sadly Rugby doesn’t, or didn’t, really know what direction to go when professionalism came. Things like the state of northern pitches didn’t help. Over the last two or three decades I feel like I’ve been fortunate to have all that Jake wants. There was International quality Super Rugby to adore, then the next level below I could watch club mates, pulling 9 to 5s, take on the countries best in representative rugby. Rugby played with flair and not too much riding on the consequences. It was beautiful. That largely still exists today, but with the world of rugby not quite getting things right, the picture is now being painted in NZ that that level of rugby is not required in the “pathway” to Super Rugby or All Black rugby. You might wonder if NZR is right and the pathway shouldn’t include the ‘amateur’, but let me tell you, even though the NPC might be made up of people still having to pull 9-5s, we know these people still have dreams to get out of that, and aren’t likely to give them. They will be lost. That will put a real strain on the concept of whether “visceral thrill, derring-do and joyful abandon” type rugby will remain under the professional level here in NZ. I think at some point that can be eroded as well. If only wanting the best athlete’s at the top level wasn’t enough to lose that, shutting off the next group, or level, or rugby players from easy access to express and showcase themselves certainly will. That all comes back around to the same question of professionalism in rugby and whether it got things right, and rugby is better now. Maybe the answer is turning into a “no”?

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j
john 7 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

But here in Australia we were told Penney was another gun kiwi coach, for the Tahs…….and yet again it turned out the kiwi coach was completely useless. Another con job on Australian rugby. As was Robbie Deans, as was Dave Rennie. Both coaches dumped from NZ and promoted to Australia as our saviour. And the Tahs lap them up knowing they are second rate and knowing that under pressure when their short comings are exposed in Australia as well, that they will fall in below the largest most powerful province and choose second rate Tah players to save their jobs. As they do and exactly as Joe Schmidt will do. Gauranteed. Schmidt was dumped by NZ too. That’s why he went overseas. That why kiwi coaches take jobs in Australia, to try and prove they are not as bad as NZ thought they were. Then when they get found out they try and ingratiate themselves to NZ again by dragging Australian teams down with ridiculous selections and game plans. NZ rugby’s biggest problem is that it can’t yet transition from MCaw Cheatism. They just don’t know how to try and win on your merits. It is still always a contest to see how much cheating you can get away with. Without a cheating genius like McCaw, they are struggling. This I think is why my wise old mate in NZ thinks Robertson will struggle. The Crusaders are the nursery of McCaw Cheatism. Sean Fitzpatrick was probably the father of it. Robertson doesn’t know anything else but other countries have worked it out.

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A
Adrian 9 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

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T
Trevor 12 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
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