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Maro Itoje sends warning to rest of rugby world about what England are capable of
Maro Itoje reflects on England’s 2020 Guinness Six Nations triumph by declaring their potential is only just starting to be realised.
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One year after a shattering defeat to South Africa in the World Cup final, Eddie Jones’ men have rebuilt by edging France on points difference to claim a third tournament crown in five years.
Next up is the Autumn Nations Cup, which replaces the customary end of year tours undertaken by the southern hemisphere giants, but the longer-term goal is France 2023.
“We’re only just getting started in terms of where we think we can go,” said Itoje, who was outstanding in Saturday’s 34-5 victory over Italy.
“We’ve won this tournament and have been reasonably successful in the past, but the exciting thing for us is where we can go and where we can take everything.
“We have a group of guys who are unbelievably committed and love playing for England.
“Our win against Italy is the first time we’ve played together for a while. It wasn’t the smoothest of games, but it’s a great foundation for us to progress from.”
A mantra of Jones has been for England to inspire the country as it grapples with the coronavirus pandemic and Itoje knows the powerful role sport has to play in offering comfort in dark times.
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“For us to put smiles on people’s faces we just need to play good rugby, conduct ourselves in the right manner, and win for England,” Itoje said.
“If we win for England people are genuinely happy. The world is here, there and everywhere at the moment. A lot of things aren’t straightforward.
“Sport has the power to unite people, sport has the power to put a smile on people’s faces, sport has the power just to lighten the mood a little bit when people are going through tough times.
“If us, as an England team, can do that, that’s one of the greatest things we can do.”
Itoje reforged his age-grade second row partnership with Jonny Hill, the Exeter double winner who made a highly promising debut at the Stadio Olimpico that was only marginally tarnished by a yellow card for an arm to the head.
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Jones believes that Hill can be the answer to England’s search for a successor to George Kruis, the 45-cap line-out master who is departing for Japanese club rugby.
“George is a great player. He left the jersey in a better place than when he picked it up. He’s a great line-out operator, he’s good around the park and I have a lot of respect for him,” Hill said.
“But I don’t want to be a George Kruis, I don’t want to be a Geoff Parling. I want to be Jonny Hill – the best version of myself – and put a different twist on the shirt.
“I’m really honoured to have the first shot at the shirt and I am going to try and put it in a better spot.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Adding to earlier comment. Cullen Grace has been playing great at no6. Lio-Willie , who was on fire a few weeks ago, had a bad game. I think Cullen should have been moved to 8 earlier, Dominic Gardiner on earlier. Feel for Quinten Strange , put in a big shift .
2 Go to commentsWe dominated the scrums Ben Curry was all over pitch again .Surely James Harper got to be one of best English tightheads
1 Go to commentsRoos is a better option at 6 than 8 for the boks. Needs to work on his windgat though.
1 Go to commentsThe Sharks’ 2nd team maybe?
1 Go to comments‘radical’
1 Go to commentsCome back to Christchurch Robbie, please!
1 Go to commentsI think there is zero chance Sam Cane will be selected for another Test. There is simply no point except sentimentality. Razor is not sentimental- ask Wyatt Crocket. Razor is a ruthless selector
4 Go to comments> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
4 Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
1 Go to commentsAs a Crusaders fan , so disappointed , again.But I think Fergus Burke was all class for the Crusaders in his first game since October last year. Fletcher Newell , was so good at prop. Johnny McNicoll has been gold since returning from Wales. Noah Hotham brilliant , in a coming of age second season for the Crusaders.Jone Rova did really well at centre. The end of the game was tough.Sevu Reece , what a game/season in tough times.
2 Go to commentsFellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
7 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
4 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
7 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
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