Maro Itoje says best is yet to come as England muscle up for South Africa
Maro Itoje insists England’s best is still to come in this World Cup despite the loss of star Marcus Smith to injury.
Smith’s failure to recover from blows to the head he took against Fiji means Freddie Steward starts at fullback against South Africa tomorrow. Head coach Steve Borthwick also shuffles his pack to hand starts to prop Joe Marler and 18-and-a-half stone lock George Martin at the expense of Ellis Genge and Ollie Chessum.
England have muscled up for their biggest test in four years since being hammered by the Springboks in the 2019 World Cup final, picking a bench they hope can diffuse the Boks' so-called Bomb Squad set of replacements - and Itoje says they have saved their best for now.
‘There's a different energy around the place this week in comparison to other big games I’ve played,” he said. “There's a different feel, a heightened sense of awareness and of what needs to be done.
“I believe the best is yet to come and that there is a huge amount of growth to come from this team.
Jake Paul calls on John Fury to make retirement bet for fight with son Tommy
“I feel we haven’t seen the best of us yet and that if we put our best out on the field we are going to be celebrating on Saturday.”
'We have to play this South African team, not the one of however many years ago. This South African team, not the one that they may be after this' (AP)It was at this stage four years ago that England summoned their standout display to upset New Zealand - three days after then boss Eddie Jones called his players to a meeting.
As they filed into the room he greeted them with a samurai sword with which he proceeded to slice in two a kiwi fruit.
“There you go boys,” he said. “See how we do it now?”
'We’ve played them twice since 2019, they’ve won one, we’ve won one. We’re not talking about a team that has never lost and is without fault' (Getty Images)That is not remotely Borthwick’s style and Itoje confirmed Jones’ successor had not resorted to imagery to prepare them for the Springboks. “Not in the same sense as slicing a Kiwi,” he said.
But there was a steely look in his eye which suggested England know exactly what is at stake and the best way of achieving it is to stay firmly in the here and now.
“They are the current world champions, they’ve had a very good World Cup," said Itoje.
A dejected Itoje after England were well beaten by South Africa in final of 2019 World Cup (PA)“But we’ve played them twice since 2019, they’ve won one, we’ve won one. We’re not talking about a team that has never lost and is without fault. They are a good team but so are we.
"For us, it’s about putting our game on the field, playing the game that's in front of us. We have to play this South African team, not the one of however many years ago. This South African team, not the one that they may be after this.
"As individuals and as a collective we have to be really present, really in the moment to deal with what we need to deal with.”
Conor McGregor accused of "chickening out" of UFC fight ahead of comeback
England celebrate semi-final win over New Zealand in 2019 World Cup (AFP via Getty Images)Itoje was the player to set the defiant tone before England’s semi-final defeat of the All Blacks in 2019. So no surprise to see him get the gig again.
“I'm not looking for any respect from my opposition, that’s neither here nor there for me,” he snarled. “What’s important for me is that we present the game we want to present.”
England team to face South Africa: Steward; May, Marchant, Tuilagi, Daly; Farrell (capt), Mitchell; Marler, George, Cole, Itoje, Martin, Lawes, Curry, Earl.
Replacements: Dan, Genge, Sinckler, Chessum, Vunipola, Care, Ford, Lawrence.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
