'Rugby isn't a game like football.... where you can win just on talent'
Maro Itoje insists England must revel in their role as the Chris Eubank of rugby when they attempt to land a telling blow in the Guinness Six Nations title race at Wales’ expense.
Boxing fan Itoje has this week been watching Eubank’s ‘Life Stories’ with Piers Morgan and admires the British middleweight great for being “tough as nails” and “as eccentric as they come”.
And the Lions second row sees similarities in Eubank’s ability to thrive in adversity and pantomime villain persona to England as they attempt to floor Wales’ Grand Slam challenge in Cardiff on Saturday.
“I think as an England team specifically one could argue that’s pretty similar to how a lot of other nations see us,” Itoje said.
“If you are in that position it’s about relishing it, it’s about enjoying the challenge, enjoying the competition, enjoying the moment, living in the moment, being present in the moment and doing what you need to do. Do your best to take care of business.
“Rugby is a game similar to boxing in the sense that you can’t fake rugby, you can’t play at rugby. You can’t just go out there and go through the motions because if you do that you will get beat.
“Rugby isn’t a game like football where you can win… I am no Alex Ferguson of football… but rugby isn’t a game where you can win just on talent.
“We have seen many talented sides lose to lesser teams, because of one reason or another.
“You need to have that mentality, you need to have that fighting spirit, you need to have that dogged approach to what you do.”
Eddie Jones has labelled round-three encounters as “make-or-break” and England’s title defence would undoubtedly be over if they fall at the Principality Stadium.
Rieko Ioane sped away to seal the deal vs the Hurricanes, incredible pace! ?
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A calamitous Calcutta Cup defeat to Scotland on the opening weekend has left no margin for error and while progress was made against Italy, it is a Wales side showing signs of resurgence that will indicate whether the recent malaise is temporary or runs deeper.
“We are ready to go. As a team, we are looking forward to it and we are ready to go,” Itoje said.
“This is the game where we need a result. Our ambition going into the Six Nations was to win it. For us to do that it means we have to win against Wales.
“That’s just a reality of the situation. So full of steam ahead. We’re looking to get that result.”
'The likes of Vunipola have put pressure on themselves with some of the comments this week & perhaps that will bring the best out of them'
The @AndyGoode10 Column ??? on a big day for Eddie's old reliables and Andy's prediction for #WALvENG #SixNations https://t.co/UnedwFVnDR
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When asked about the incentive of denying Wales the Grand Slam, Itoje replied: “I guess, but that’s secondary. The first prize is about us and where we want to go as a team. Where we believe we can grow. Anything else is secondary.”
Wales have dispatched Ireland and Scotland so far, but on both occasions they faced 14 men.
Aware that Saturday’s referee Pascal Gauzere has sent off more players than any other official in Test rugby – he has shown seven red cards – and of the recent spate of dismissals in the game, England fully intend finishing with a full team.
“It goes without saying that we don’t want to be playing the game with 14, 13 men,” Itoje said.
“If you do that you just put one arm behind your back whilst you are going out there and that’s a position we don’t want to be in. As a team we need to do our best to remain the right side of the referee.”
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.
16 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