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'The real motivation' that is driving on Maro Itoje and England
By PA
Maro Itoje has insisted that England are ready to show their true selves when they launch the Rugby World Cup with the toughest assignment of their group campaign against Argentina. For the first time in the fixtureās 42 years, England are underdogs on the basis of an alarming run that has produced five defeats in their last six Tests, including a first-ever loss to Fiji.
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The Pumas, meanwhile, have been acclaimed by Steve Borthwick as the best team to leave Argentinian shores and last Novemberās 30-29 victory at Twickenham is still vivid in the memory.
England are struggling on multiple fronts ā attack, defence, discipline, cohesion, confidence ā and have plummeted to eighth in the global rankings, two places lower than Saturdayās opponents in Marseille.
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Itoje, however, reckoned they are about to turn the corner and place one foot into the quarter-finals. āWe know who we are. We know the type of players we have. We know the quality of coaches we have,ā Itoje said.
āYes we havenāt in recent times played as well as we can, but we know the potential of this group. And when you know the potential of this group and you know the attitude of the players and the coaches, it can only fill you with confidence.
āWe know we havenāt played our best rugby, but I guess that may add an element of fuel. The real motivation is where this team can go. The real motivation is how we can properly display the best of ourselves and give the very best account of ourselves.
āThatās the exciting opportunity that this brings. Itās an incredible opportunity and that is the motivation to see where we can go and how good we can be. There is a strong feeling and belief within the group now that things can change very quickly and the best is yet to come.
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āMoments like this donāt come very often throughout our careers. Top, top players have three chances and thatās a lot. So we want to take this with both hands.ā
If they are to topple Argentina, England will need to produce a level of performance that has been beyond them so far in Borthwickās nine Tests in charge.
Expectations are low, even allowing for their presence on the easier side of the draw, but attack coach Richard Wigglesworth insists the outside noise is being tuned out.
āI donāt know if Iām too interested in expectations outside of the squad, if Iām being honest. Thatās been labelled at us a few times,ā he Wigglesworth. āYou have got to understand that this squad is incredibly tight and determined.
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āWhether that is from the outside or within, that has always been there. The expectation that Argentina maybe go in as favourites makes no difference to us. We are incredibly determined to go out there and give the absolute best of ourselves.ā
Should concentrate on trying to regain some form, shouldn't even be in the squad after his poor performances over last few years. Very lucky the Borthwick is such a poor selector.
His true self? I guess that means he'll take his shithousery to the next leve.
Go Pablo Matera.
Apparently Itoje has signed a contract to act in a Hollywood movie. The remake of The Invisible š«„ Man.