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The 'kid can play anywhere' England verdict on new full-back Smith
Kevin Sinfield can’t wait to see what unfolds on Saturday at the Rugby World Cup with Marcus Smith wearing the England No15 shirt for the first time. It was last month in the lead-up to the finals in France when Steve Borthwick’s management ticket first broached the idea of positioning the Harlequins out-half elsewhere in the team.
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At the time, Sinfield explained: “He embraced it straight away. It was a question that was posed to him. ‘Have you played 15?’ His first answer was, ‘No, but I would love to’.”
Having spruced up on the nuances of the full-back role with three weeks of training at base camp at Le Touquet-Paris-Plage and having had a fleeting few minutes in the position when introduced as a sub in the wins over Argentina and Japan, this week’s third Pool D fixture against minnows Chile will be the occasion for Smith to properly audition in the role.
“Marcus has been training at full-back for some time now so we have had a real good look at him,” assured Sinfield ahead of a match that England are expected to comfortably win and show greater potency in their attack.
“He has come on in the last two games, one for a short period against Argentina and at full-back as well. We feel he is ready. He has got an unbelievable skill set, is a world-class player and we feel that having someone like that in our team, a second ball player, will be a great addition for us and give us some more variety.
“We have obviously got Freddie Steward there for us who has been great the first two games but as we move through the tournament we want to have some variety – and Marcus certainly brings that.”
Danny Care, Saturday’s starting No9, won the Gallagher Premiership with Harlequins in June 2021 in a nine-10 partnership with Smith. He too is excited about what his friend can do in his new position. “I’m sick of answering questions about Marcus,” he chuckled.
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“That kid can play anywhere, he can probably play nine as well but I don’t want to get myself out of a position. In training, he has been brilliant whether he has been at 10 or 15.
“As Kev said, as a second ball-playing option when Owen (Farrell) and George (Ford) or George and Marcus, when they link it looks pretty special so I’m looking forward to seeing him go.
“I can’t wait to see him light up the world stage which I have known he has been able to do for a few years now. I know he is really excited to get out there.”
Back to Sinfield, who had another Smith angle to add. “What I failed to mention in my previous answer was what a great running game he has got as well. Probably lends himself to being in a bit more space and a bit more time which he can often find himself in as a full-back.
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“But as Danny has touched upon, he is an unbelievable talent. He can play a number of positions across the back line and do it to an unbelievable level so we’ll look forward to watching the combinations tomorrow.
“It will certainly be interesting his link-up with Owen. We have seen that previously but in a 10/12 combo, so we are looking forward to seeing that and then possibly at some stage the addition of George, having all three of them on the field as well.
England have visited the stadium in Lille where they will play Chile on Saturday. #ENGvCHI #EnglandRugby #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/4dJ6nAX2Ln
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 22, 2023
“Marcus has been a world-class player for some time now. We understand the quality we have got in that 10 position and how do we get the best out of the three of them and get them on the field together, so we have been working through that at training very hard and we look forward to seeing it tomorrow.”
With Smith named at No15 and Ford held in reserve, Farrell has been reinstated as captain at No10 in what will be his first match since his August 12 red card versus Wales which resulted in a four-game ban. “Just a wonderful leader,” remarked Sinfield about the return of the squad’s skipper.
“Speaks volumes of him that he has had a massive influence on the group without being out on the field. He has worked incredibly hard on his game, has done a lot of fitness and done a lot of kicking and has been heavily involved in the team sessions.
“The vast majority of the time he has been running the opposition team for us. He has done a wonderful job of that and we are delighted he is back and available. I mentioned before the competition for places, we have got three incredible tens.
“We have got some guys across the squad who are competing hard internally which is really healthy competition for us. To have him back available is great.”
Comments on RugbyPass
No longer able to except the excuses offered up for Rob. The red jersey has lost it’s mana and become a joke. I do not wish Mr Penny any wrong but it is time to go. Do the right thing Rob and retire, PLEASE.
31 Go to commentsIt is a travesty that 8/12 teams play in the finals, and that 4 wins out of 14 might be enough to get you there, but every competition has this to some degree. If it was only the top 4 going through, then this season would have been over for 6 of the teams 4 weeks ago. Super Rugby is simply a feeder competition for the All Blacks and Wallabies. There are low stakes and no consequences because so few people care who wins Super Rugby. In football, winning the Champions League is the pinnacle for any player or fan. The fate of national teams in the world cup or Euros is a complete second fiddle to The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundelsliga etc… Same with the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB. Players and fans care deeply about their team winning NBA title, but don’t care at all about USA winning gold at the Olympics. Or more locally with Rugby League, the Hierarchy is probably NRL > State of Origin > International. For some maybe State of Origin is the top. Super Rugby is low consequence and low stakes because no one cares enough about the outcome. Players ultimately want to play for the ABs, not the Hurricanes or Blues. Casual fans aren’t talking about SR selections but everyone has an opinion on Sam Cane or Ian Foster. Super Rugby is a means to an end. The only context it has is how it effects who is selected for the ABs.
6 Go to commentsPlayoffs featuring 4 or 6 teams would mean the other teams playing meaningless games for longer and a further drop of interest in Australia. But yes a 12 team competition with 8 teams making finals is ridiculous.
6 Go to commentsJoe's picks will be more interesting than Razors. The dumping of Dave Rennie for Jones has to be one of the worst exec decisions of all time. Joe and Dave have similar styles and personalities, the players should like that. Predicting some success for Aus this year. Well more than last year!
2 Go to commentsHey Ben, Thanks for your opinion article. As a die hard rugby tragic and loyal supporter of the game can I say your article seems a touch negative so I would like to offer a slightly different spin on it. I am assuming that the sole purpose of the Super Rugby competition is not just to be a training camp for the International teams but an independent event and competition in its own right with sponsors, media companies and teams that need a financial return. Now, from this rugby fans perspective, I am enjoying the last few weeks of the competition and enjoying the fact that most teams can still make the play offs and nobody wants the wooden spoon. Most rugby followers would agree to it being a travesty if the Crusaders or the Waratahs now made it to the final but history tells us it is very unlikely with the importance of home ground advantage. Playing each team once and a four team final would give the competition integrity and a level playing field for all teams but I would be surprised if it could satisfy the financial demands of the TV rights. Maybe a six team finals series might be a possible compromise.
6 Go to commentsAll good choices John, even the Tah players ha ha. Others that might be worth a look would be ; Cale, Tom Lynagh, Uru, Keunzle, Anstee and maybe Rory Scott because we need a backup to McReight and he has improved a lot from last year and Tim Ryan.
2 Go to commentsWe only have 12 teams - and probably should only have 10. If we cut it down to 10, had a single round robin format, and only had semi-finals and a grand final, the final game would be on the first weekend of May. Meanwhile the AFL (similar to the NRL) runs until the last weekend of September and starts almost a full month after Super Rugby. At least the players would get plenty of rest!
6 Go to commentsAs article says re Japanese Final. Todd Blackadder up against his old mentor/ coach at Canterbury and the Crusaders , Robbie Deans. Both legends in this part of the world. Richie Mo’unga, ( another legend), playing brilliantly for Toddy’s team.Great to hear.
1 Go to commentsNo doubt Razor will want to kick the 2024 campaign off with a decisive selection of the top match fit players to insure his selection as the appointed coach has maximum impact. We the supporters and critics will settle for nothing less because historically it is what we have become ingrained and accustomed to. With that in mind and the distinct fall from grace of his beloved crusaders we will expect him to stamp his mark in the same way he left his old post.
9 Go to commentsI would've expected a better turn around in response to the changes within the team and its management. Lacking in my opinion is the skill sets that once was and now seemingly vacant within the squads regular front runners. Furthermore there seems to be no set game plan, the accuracy that once was is no more, the quality off the bench were poor matchups and frankly I feel a lot has to do with the coaching. Never thought i’d be critising the sadas to this degree.
5 Go to commentsAverage AB captain by recent standards. Speaks to the wider issue
9 Go to commentsWholesome lad, but no longer test level. At all
9 Go to commentsThis game was always going to be close, Canada have such a dominant pack and the Black Ferns have come unstuck in that area against teams like France and England in the past.
2 Go to commentsA distinct discomfort with the officiating they were probably selected from the local IRA narcos branch along with the commentators bloody fly tippers.
1 Go to commentsWow, never thought I would read that
2 Go to commentsExcellent match. Great to see Keenan and Ryan back for Leinster. Super result for Ulster. Season is turning around.
1 Go to comments“We need eight or nine new players, who are hard-wearing and durable and experienced Premiership performers”. So why are they scouting a retired fullback who himself admits that his “body is broken”?
1 Go to commentsBrumbies hand, knocked a Crusaders hand. Therefore, knock on in goal. Crusaders, goal line drop out should’ve been awarded. most likely after that 24 each at full time, so extra time would’ve been the right an entertaining outcome. Act Jim
1 Go to commentsSpeell cehck
1 Go to commentsColeman is gaawwwwnnn.
1 Go to comments