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InternationalEngland

Jones on why 'inward looking' Itoje isn't a future England skipper

(Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)

Eddie Jones has given a detailed insight into his thoughts on Maro Itoje, explaining why he doesn’t believe the forward is England captaincy material and why they have sent him for acting lessons to help develop his leadership and communication skills. 

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With a successful Autumn Nations Series out of the way, the England coach’s latest book, Leadership: Lessons from my life in rugby, is being serialised this week in The Telegraph.

The coverage has so far been compelling. There has been a section on why Jones made Marcus Smith write down answers to three questions as he felt the Harlequins youngster – last Saturday’s 80th-minute match-winner versus the Springboks – was wasting his talent. 

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Guess the celebrity Rose | Karen Carney | England Rugby

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Guess the celebrity Rose | Karen Carney | England Rugby

Owen Farrell has also featured, Jones explaining why he feels his England captain is developing well as a leader, while another extract from what sounds like an intriguing book (written in conjunction with Donald McRae) dwells on the acting lessons that Itoje has been having yet he won’t be the England captain. 

“There were lots of calls for him to be named as captain of the British and Irish Lions in South Africa in 2021,” wrote Jones. “Alun Wyn Jones rightly got the job instead. That seemed sensible to me. I might be wrong, but I am not sure Maro is a future England captain. He is going to be one of the great players, but Maro is very inward looking.

“We have sent Maro to acting classes, which is having a beneficial effect. He speaks more influentially now, and I am hopeful he can develop more communication and leadership skills. Acting brings Maro out of himself. We don’t want to quench his inner drive, but we will have made huge progress if we can tap into it in different ways so that it transmits to his teammates.

“The acting classes are a practical step to helping Maro and others share that internal fire and magic which makes them special. We are always looking to see if we can develop these traits and find the right mix of leaders.

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Comments

1 Comment
i
isaac 1084 days ago

Bullshit...I think it's just because he's black...if he weren't he would have captained the Lions and also england from a long time ago

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Comments on RugbyPass

R
Rooksie 20 minutes ago
Scotland's Gregor Townsend confirms Tom Jordan Glasgow exit

It's a real pity u really have no idea do u bro ..Ed the goose 🪿

11 Go to comments
H
Hellhound 23 minutes ago
The 'one difference' between Boks and the back-to-back All Blacks

Still farting tripe?

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H
Hellhound 23 minutes ago
The 'one difference' between Boks and the back-to-back All Blacks

I completely agree. Different eras and different teams with the laws much changed since then. They are both great teams that deserve respect.

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RC 39 minutes ago
Scotland's Gregor Townsend confirms Tom Jordan Glasgow exit

not sure I follow your point. Scotland are not tapping into their immigrant population to build diverse rugby squads, like Aussie and NZ did, they are actively seeking potential Scotland-eligible players like the Tuipulotu brothers and foreign players that cab be naturalized through residency and bringing them over to play in Scotland with an eye on them making it into the national team. That's what I believe is far from ideal for the health of international rugby. Another example, on the recent game between France and Japan, each team had a Tongan born and raised player named Tevita Tatafu on their teams.

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Hellhound 40 minutes ago
Jake White: If I was England coach, I’d have been livid

There is always something happening that no one can prepare for like injuries and yes cards as well as the refs influence in the game. However, rain will be their only chance of a close game. This Boks team is out to destroy. I don't see it as a close game coming. Before the teams was announced I had it at 12-15 winning margin for the Boks, but after I pushed that to 20+.


The whole 23 match day squad is scary. The signs is there for anyone willing to see it. This team is much better than the team from the WC semi. Attack, defence, broken play, speed and strength. Just no comparison. No matter how much we wish for a close game, I honestly don't see that happening. Actually very few have your view point. That is fine too

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Hellhound 49 minutes ago
South Africa will beat England at a canter

The AB's haven't had their best game against either the Irish or the English. They played better in the RC. They managed to pull those tight games through, which is a good sign for them unlike England who couldn't manage to close out tight games.


I do welcome your opinion even though mine is different. That is what keeps the game interesting. Different views makes discussions much more fun and interesting because sometimes people will bring things up not everyone thinks about.

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J
JPM 51 minutes ago
Forget Ireland, the All Blacks face the real alpha of Europe next

Thanks for writing some reasonable comments in front of CO and Co and their enraged Dupont bashing. See my below today comments on the latest Co conspiracy theory.

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Willardi 54 minutes ago
'Who gives a crap?' Animosity towards the Springboks is proof of their dominance

Great article. What I so admire about Rassie is the curve balls. Picks a 5/3. Must have got Borthwick unawares that one. He had already mentally picked a 6/2 to deal with the Boks BS. It didn’t come so he goes 5/3. Borthwick should have said nope. Let’s go 7/1. But he wouldn’t. You have to be special to things like that.

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NE 56 minutes ago
The 'one difference' between Boks and the back-to-back All Blacks

Fully agree that Lawrence didn't alwats get it right at the breakdown in that QF game (and other areas of play such as players in front of the kicker). He allowed SA to crawl into rucks on all fours from anywhere, turned a blind eye to SA playing the ball on the ground and allowed SA to stick their hands in at the breakdown at will. A neutral referee would have resulted in a 21 - 6 winning scoreline for Australia. Simple as that.

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NigelGhost 57 minutes ago
The 'one difference' between Boks and the back-to-back All Blacks

Dylan Hartley got red carded in a final once for swearing at Wayne Barnes. Look it up on YouTube, it's quite funny.

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tm 1 hour ago
The 'one difference' between Boks and the back-to-back All Blacks

Hey DP. Sounds like a compelling point; but checking shows that NZ and SA are the only home nations to win the Webb Ellis. Go figure - I would’ve thought the same as you. I wonder what that is about? Pressure? That host nations often were not in with a realistic chance that year?

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NK 1 hour ago
Four changes for France as Galthie names team to host All Blacks

Two scrumhalves covering #10 is not very convincing. They should start building depth at flyhalf.

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JPM 1 hour ago
Forget Ireland, the All Blacks face the real alpha of Europe next

I am sorry but now you are speaking total rubbish and confirming you are a zealous carrier of urban legends and conspiracy theories. Unfortunately you clearly dons't speak or read French. Otherwise you would know that Thomas Ramos has declared many times even recently that he prefers to play 15 and not 10. Furthermore this decision not take Jalibert at all (and not on the bench as you wrongly write) has nothing to do with Dupont (or with the Toulouse mafia as per your conspiracy theory) but is Galthié entire responsibility. As many France fans I have never been convinced by Jalibert which defensive ability is terribly poor (and is obliging his partners to compensate for him) and doesn't resist to the international pressure (as we saw in the WC quarter final and the Champions Cup with UBB). Moreover as a replacement he was not convincing during 30', badly intercepted against Japan and one try is his direct reponsiblity. Plus the fact that his behaviour in the Top 14 has not always been top with respect to his international team mates. Furthermore Galthié is going for a 6-2 bench and needs both Le Garrec and Gailleton to fill all the backs positions. Unfortunately Jalibert can only play 10 and nothing else. Therefore things are a bit more complex than Dupont creating division bla, bla, bla....!!!

89 Go to comments
N
Nickers 1 hour ago
Joseph Suaalii dropped as Wallabies change 6 for Wales

Man of the Match curse strikes again.

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W
Willardi 1 hour ago
The England weak spot the Boks will expose again - Andy Goode

I have noticed a lot of writers suggesting the changes including pulling Steward back in is to repeat the semi final last year.

Let’s recap. 5 min to go Eng leading by 2, FS puts a shocking aerial shot up which makes about 5 metres thereby confusing his fatiqued forwards and results in the knock on that hands the game to the Boks. That was the 40th boot to hand versus 27 by the Boks. Game management wins Tests in the final moments. A knock on when playing the Boks in your half has about 70% chance of you conceding 3 points. Doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome - I think someone called that madness.

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LRB 1 hour ago
'Who gives a crap?' Animosity towards the Springboks is proof of their dominance

Got ya.. yeah not a fan of The Breakdown, also not a fan of a lot of kiwi journalists, & kiwi media in general. I've a few SA mates myself, & we all get on famously (until match day.! 😂).

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F
Flankly 1 hour ago
The 'one difference' between Boks and the back-to-back All Blacks

Rassie has admitted the goal for SA need to be more consistent between RWC tournaments, and his goal of squad depth is a key part of that. NZ did not concede #1 ranking as SA has. Having said that, some of the period in question has been Covid disrupted, which would have impacted both results and development programs.

7 Go to comments
F
Flankly 1 hour ago
Jake White: If I was England coach, I’d have been livid

Agree.


England traditionally are competitive in almost every game, and we should expect that this time around.


It will be interesting to see whether England is able to score tries. They scored 5 against Australia, but only 1 against NZ. My guess is that SA will hold them to 1 or 2 tries, score three or four themselves, and be much better on penalty discipline than the Scotland game (because conceding fewer penalties would have been an area of focus this week).


I am expecting SA to win by about 23-15. But cards, weather, injuries and the bounce of the ref can always intervene.

17 Go to comments
N
NK 1 hour ago
Pablo Matera returns from ban as Argentina change 3 for Ireland

If you're talking about Matera, bear in mind that Argentina (like RSA) use the #6 shirt for their openside.

2 Go to comments
C
CM 1 hour ago
South Africa will beat England at a canter

As a neutral observer in this game, I feel like Ive got a good read on it. Your point about Eng playing NZ 3 times is noted, however, I feel like NZ have improved dramatically since they played mid-year. Logically that would be the case as they have had more time under Robinson. The performance against Ireland would also confirm this theory, so I feel like there is something to take away from Englands performance against them.


I respect the Boks and I rate their players, but England's players aren't mugs. They beat a very good Ireland team during the 6 Nations when they were 'backs to the wall' and I feel like they will put out their best performance of November after two starts under their belts.


I foresee a close game that could go either way. We'll see how it unfolds.

15 Go to comments
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