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The 'don't get hit off your feet' Tom Curry message for England
It’s been this week’s lazy Rugby World Cup narrative, that somehow England playing the Springboks in this Saturday’s semi-final in Paris is a chance for ‘revenge’ after the 12-32 defeat suffered in the 2019 final in Yokohama.
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Time moves on and while both matchday 23s this weekend feature numerous players from that decider, drawing a connection between matches four years apart is far-fetched.
Just ask the England players themselves. Those wheeled out for an interview in recent days literally repeated the same thing, that what unfolded 47 months ago in the Far East has no bearing on a semi-final clash that was only confirmed last Sunday when the English eliminated Fiji and South Africa edged the host France in the quarter-finals.
“They are a different team and we are a different team. They are a very good team,” deflected Curry when he became the latest to be asked whether 2019 had anything to do with what will take place on Saturday night at Stade de France.
“We are fully excited to go after this week. The Springboks have changed, they have developed their game. They have matured and we have as well so it’s a clash between two very exciting teams going at each other and we can’t wait to go.
“I have been lucky enough to experience both (victories and losses against the Springboks). I understand what it takes and it’s going to be a lot. It is always a great game when you play against them.
“It’s a semi-final. If that’s not enough to get you up for a game, I don’t know what will. Everyone is different but ultimately we do have to get on the same page and get that buzz. For me, there’s no better place you would rather be than in a semi-final against South Africa. You look at their team and our team, it is properly exciting.”
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One guarantee is that it will be a bruising affair. With that in mind, what is advice Curry must adhere to at his first collision?
“Don’t get hit off your feet. You have got to get excited for it. It’s a semi-final against South Africa. It is a physical test. Playing against teams like that is exciting because you know what you need to do. We can’t wait to go.”
Mention physicality, last weekend’s breakdown battle in Marseille between Curry and Fiji’s Levani Botia turned spicy in the second half with play stopped and the pair of flankers squaring up to each other.
“The main thing is what happens between the whistle, making sure that you’re on to the next thing and attacking whatever is next,” said Curry about such altercations.
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He has already paid a price at this World Cup for naughtiness, getting red-carded after less than three minutes into England’s tournament opener against Argentina at Stade Velodrome.
That resulted in a two-game ban and plenty of training before getting stuck back in on successive weekends against Samoa and Fiji. “It has been different, to say the least, but it has been exciting to be part of this group.
“When we have been able to train and do all the other bits apart from play, it has been brilliant to be a part of. That is a sign of where this group is at. I would like to play a few more minutes – who wouldn’t – but we are here having a great time and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
Spirits were high when England arrived for their final pre-Rugby World Cup semi-final training session in Paris on Friday, the joking Jamie George and Tom Curry leading the way. #RWC2023 #ENGvRSA #EnglandRugby pic.twitter.com/3A4BdNOwiw
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 20, 2023
Comments on RugbyPass
wel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
4 Go to commentsHard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
4 Go to commentsYeah nah, still not sure on Havili tbh. Even though I’m a Crusaders fan through and through I’d be stunned if Razor considers him after seeing some of the stunning talent coming through up North.
4 Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
5 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
5 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
5 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
5 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
5 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
5 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
238 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
90 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
20 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments