England host South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday within the final of their Autumn Nations Sequence fixtures; Eddie Jones’ males arrive off the again of a comeback 25-25 draw in opposition to New Zealand having been 25-6 down
Final Up to date: 20/11/22 7:33pm
Maro Itoje is happy by the prospect of taking over South Africa on Saturday
Maro Itoje believes England have an “unbelievable quantity of potential” of their staff and can’t wait to face South Africa on Saturday at Twickenham Stadium.
Eddie Jones’ facet go into the Check week having recovered from 25-6 down to attract 25-25 with the All Blacks on account of three dramatic late tries.
England will now full their quartet of Autumn Nations Sequence fixtures by internet hosting South Africa on Saturday. Ahead Itoje is demanding that they’re relentless of their pursuit of the world champions.
“Enjoying South Africa at Twickenham – I am actually wanting ahead to it. I solely want the sport is just a little bit sooner as a result of we left lots on the market in opposition to New Zealand,” Itoje stated.
“Whereas the second half was a bit extra how we wish to play, this week is a chance to hopefully play how we wish to for the complete 80 minutes.
“We’ve got an unbelievable quantity of potential on this staff, we simply have to unlock it,” Itoje added. “We’re spending increasingly more time collectively and have gotten extra cohesive, so hopefully it’ll come.
“I am proud that we caught at it (in opposition to New Zealand) and we did not go away and proud that we performed some nice rugby in direction of the top of that recreation, however we have to play like that for the entire recreation.
England’s Autumn Internationals
| Sunday, November 6 | England 29-30 Argentina | 2.15pm |
| Saturday, November 12 | England 52-13 Japan | 3.15pm |
| Saturday, November 19 | England 25-25 New Zealand | 5.30pm |
| Saturday, November 26 | England vs South Africa | 5.30pm |
“You by no means wish to be too pleased with a draw, nevertheless it’s higher than dropping. Hopefully, it’ll put us in higher stead for South Africa, who will likely be an amazing problem,” Itoje continued.
“South Africa have not modified the way in which they play since their first recreation in worldwide rugby! Sturdy set-piece, sturdy kicking recreation, sturdy defence.”
Itoje is aware of what to anticipate from the Springboks on Saturday afternoon
England’s head coach Jones has highlighted the significance of getting choices within the set-piece this weekend, in anticipation of the Springboks’ aerial assault. Jones has pointed in direction of Itoje changing Sam Simmonds at blindside flanker and Dave Ribbans beginning at lock.
“We in all probability want three jumpers in opposition to South Africa. It should be the next kicking recreation so we’ll take a look at that,” Jones stated.
“We have been a bit disenchanted early on in opposition to New Zealand concerning the effectiveness of our ruck defence. Ardie Savea we dealt with fairly properly.
“Tom Curry and Sam Simmonds defensively have been good and that is one of the best Check match I’ve seen Billy Vunipola play since 2019.”
Jones: It is at all times as much as the gamers
England head coach Eddie Jones praised his facet’s combating spirit after clawing again a draw in opposition to New Zealand
On the finish of the competition in opposition to New Zealand, England have been criticised by some for kicking the ball out with the clock within the crimson, Jones stated he backs his gamers’ choice.
“It is at all times as much as the gamers. I belief their decision-making,” he added. “I am not on the sector, I haven’t got entry to them. So I simply belief their choices.
“I believed second half we performed rather well. We’re disenchanted we did not win the sport, however a draw is a draw, and with the dominance that they had within the first half, we might have fallen away.
“You have seen higher groups than us fall away in opposition to the All Blacks and lose by 40 or 50 factors. Completely pulverised.
“Should you don’t remain within the struggle, you will get blown away. We stayed within the struggle, and I believe the management staff was excellent. Owen (Farrell) on his a hundredth cap did an amazing job, with (Ellis) Genge and (Jack) Nowell.
Of the late choice, skipper Owen Farrell added: “We simply wished to see the place we have been off the ruck. If we bought go-forward, bought on the front-foot and had a chance, then we wished to take it, and if not we wished to make an excellent choice, and I believe that is what was accomplished.”
