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The message Jamie George has for Will Skelton and Australia
England hooker Jamie George has sent a message to Will Skelton and his devastated Wallabies who are facing Rugby World Cup pool stage elimination for the first time in Australia’s history. The Aussies were taken over in January by ex-England boss Eddie Jones but it hasn’t been a successful alliance as defeats to Fiji and Wales have them poised to miss out on quarter-final qualification.
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They finished up their pool campaign with a win on Sunday over a Portuguese side that they even trailed for seven first-half minutes, and they now must wait it out in Saint-Etienne until the result of next Sunday’s Fiji versus Portugal match is known.
Australia are currently second in Pool C but a losing bonus point for the Fijians would be enough for them to clinch a quarter-final versus England in Marseille on October 15.
In the meantime, the Wallabies have come under an avalanche of fierce criticism, something that England regular George endured in 2015 when they were eliminated at the pool stage in a tournament they were hosting.
“I wouldn’t wish that on anyone,” said George of the criticism that comes with an early World Cup exit. “Having been there in 2015 it’s a really tough position to be in. I know the impact it can have on your own mental health, but also your family and the people back home, the negative cycle that can come around with that, and we saw that.
“A good friend of mine Will Skelton is captain of that team and this World Cup hasn’t gone the way that he has wanted and my heart goes out to him because he is a really good guy and I want the best for him, so I wouldn’t wish it on anyone and I am sure they will learn a huge amount from this experience.”
Having arrived at the World Cup with just one win in six matches, England were tipped to also struggle at France 2023. Instead, they won their three September games and were confirmed as Pool D winners with a match to spare.
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“One thing that has impressed me about this team is we have taken each week as it comes,” enthused George about the wins over Argentina, Japan and Chile before this Saturday’s pool finale against Samoa in Lille.
“If you look at the tournament as a whole, pre-Argentina there were a lot of doubts about this team and we really just focused on ourselves, knowing our position inside out but then trying to make the most out of becoming the best team we possibly can.
“That’s been our focus and that is what we did in 2019 (when England reached the final). It’s going to be the same again this time. Everything is going to be about putting on the best performance we possibly can against Samoa and then whatever comes after that we are going to make the most of that week too.
“We’re hugely optimistic as a team. We know we have got a lot of hard work ahead of us. At the same time, we want to make sure we bring the England fans on a journey with us and we have said that from the start.
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“We love that we have been able to put some smiles on faces over the last few weeks and hopefully we can continue to do that and in a few weeks’ time there could be some big smiles.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
20 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
44 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
4 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
44 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
44 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
4 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
7 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
7 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
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