Joe Marler remarks won't earn him any new fans in South Africa
Joe Marler had a twinkle in his eye. With a medal round his chest for his player of the match display in Harlequins’ 19-13 win in Bath, he was giving a trademark performance with BT Sport’s Sarra Elgan Easterby. A bit of wit, a pinch of self-deprecation, a handful of bants. Classic Joe.
Then the conversation turned to his team’s 11, 826 mile round trip to Durban to take on the Sharks in their opening game of this season’s European Rugby Champions Cup.
“You want to talk about Europe and we’re going to Natal Sharks next week,” Marler said, emphasising the word ‘Natal’ with an incredulous tone. His eyebrows raised, his eyes wide, the man could scarcely conceive of such a ridiculous notion.
He continued with a question: “Which is where?” Elgan Easterby answered with an awkward chuckle: “In South Africa”. Marler leaned back and with a self-satisfied expression reiterated the point. “In South Africa,” he proclaimed, as if he’d just told a colleague that their fly was down.
To be fair to Marler, his demeanour shifted when he spoke of a planned visit to a local orphanage. KwaZulu-Natal, to give the province its proper name, has endured an almost Biblically turbulent two years. Plague, floods, blackouts and enough political assassinations to fill the Books of Samuel have contributed to a ubiquitously despondent mood. Once again, rugby can act as a tonic.
But that was not the main takeaway from Marler’s post-match tête-à-tête. He encapsulated a sentiment that has been percolating ever since it was announced that the top five South African unions (or, if you’d prefer, franchises) will be competing in Europe’s premier club competitions.
Of course, Marler might have been play-acting for the cameras. He is, after all, a showman and understands better than most players that the spectacle is enhanced when it is filled with enigmatic characters. But by poking a pressure point he simultaneously touched a nerve.
Strap yourselves in, it's interview time with @JoeMarler! ?
Don't bother reading this Tweet, just enjoy the following two minutes and 54 seconds…
? @Sarraelgan #GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/7NArjZqS6D
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) December 2, 2022
Writing for the Daily Mail in February this year, Sir Clive Woodward said it would be “brainless” to allow South Africa to join the hallowed halls of European rugby. He was referring to the Six Nations, but the overall attitude of his think-piece smacked of old-world elitism.
He had no such qualms with European clubs using South African muscle in order to elevate the standard of the continent’s game. Nor has he raised a stink after every European nation selected players with thick South African accents. As many as 27 of them have lifted the Champions Cup with 41 contesting the final since 1996. Was it brainless, Sir Clive, to include them?
This apprehension, though widespread, is not universal. A cursory glance across social media channels and below the line comment sections shows that there is enough goodwill from fans – the people who matter more than one Knight of the Realm – that is fuelled by more than curiosity. It would appear that this extra variable from Africa’s southern tip has been largely welcomed.
This column is for the optimists. It is for those who understand that borders are arbitrary and that continents are simply constructs of the mind. I’ve written previously on the angst emanating from certain pundits who’d prefer to see tradition trump progress. Much of their scepticism is rooted in a previous age where moustachioed imperialists divided the globe with rulers on a map. Did anyone stop to ask the important questions? What is Europe? What is a hemisphere? Why do we even need passports?
Not that the South African teams will be poring over such debates, nor will they pay any attention to the doubters and cynics. They’ll be desperate to prove they belong. They’re entering uncharted territory. What’s more, they know it.
The noise coming from the teams themselves has been muted. The Bulls’ coach, Jake White, has already equated the Champions Cup to Test rugby and has warned his countrymen not to be naive to the challenges they face.
White’s counterpart at the Stormers, John Dobson, said that he wanted his team to do themselves “justice” by giving an accurate account of themselves for this “special occasion”. The Sharks winger, Yaw Penxe, spoke of a “buzz” around Durban as they gear up for a clash against a Harlequins team skippered by a former Shark in Stephan Lewies.
Any prediction at this point is almost meaningless. The French clubs might continue their habit of fielding weakened teams for away trips and could further strip back their arsenal on the road when asked to make the long journey down to South Africa. This may prove helpful for the competition’s newbies and their push for a place in the knockout rounds.
Whether by luck or merit, all three all three heavy hitters will be aiming for the quarterfinals at least. If only the bookies gave them much hope of doing so.
According to one betting company, 13 other teams are ahead of them on the pecking order. Leinster, Toulouse, Saracens and the reigning champions, La Rochelle, lead the way ahead of a clutch of seasoned French, Irish and English teams. That may change after the first round and a few resounding wins, but this is a sign that success in the United Rugby Championship doesn’t necessarily equate to success in what is now unquestionably the toughest assignment in club rugby.
The Stormers win in the inaugural URC will help ease whatever nerves might exist. That unexpected triumph was supplemented by the Bulls’ semi-final victory over Leinster in Dublin, arguably the most impressive result by a South African club team in the professional era. Along with a Springboks laden Sharks team, the South Africans will walk lightly but carry a big stick.
The Lions and Cheetahs have been lumped together in the same group in the Challenge Cup and will themselves be targeting a place in the final eight. Anything beyond that would be considered a bonus.
The South Africans must now do something they’ve never done before and compete across two hostile fronts. Cardiff’s win over the Sharks proves that the URC can’t be treated lightly and now the old powers in Europe will want to put the South Africans in their place. They in turn will want to show that their place is right here in ‘Europe’, whatever that means.
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments