ROBSHAW’S RIDING ON AT PEAK OF HIS POWERS
Role model for England rookies
CHRIS ROBSHAW has stayed on the rollercoaster and is enjoying the ride, more than ever. He clung on during the big dip two years ago and today he will savour the view from the top again.
It is a personal triumph of endurance and dedication. The Harlequins flanker will lead England into their final autumn fixture, against Samoa at Twickenham, as co-captain alongside George Ford.
He will also start in the No7 shirt. Both of those roles would have been considered beyond his grasp after the national team’s last World Cup campaign.
Robshaw was the skipper when Stuart Lancaster’s Red Rose side slumped to a pool-stage exit.
He was damned by primary association with the calamitous demise. Then Eddie Jones took over as head coach, having declared in this newspaper that Robshaw was not a Test-class openside. It didn’t look good for the 31-year-old but he ignored the writing on the wall.
His international salvation has come at blindside but he will fill a void on the other flank today, as a player operating at the peak of his powers, with a sense of fulfilment.
Robshaw strives to play down his pride and satisfaction but he acknowledges that the tough times have helped him find contentment, and the sort of perspective that allows him to offer advice to the rookies.
‘As you get a bit older you probably get a bit more relaxed, you don’t take things to heart as much and you have that experience,’ he said. ‘You have had the pain, the good times, the bad times, and you can see when there’s a guy having a bit of a tough situation, or about to get his first cap or even his 50th cap. ‘You’ve been through that rollercoaster already, so you can speak to them.
‘People often think about these Churchill speeches, but a lot of the time it’s just being there for people — showing that you care. We all go through those tough times, whether it’s selection or media or not playing well. It’s about trying not to get too down in the bad times and trying not to get too high in the good times.’
Last weekend’s victory over the Wallabies served as further proof that Robshaw is a valued stalwart of the pack and a player in an extended purple patch. Defence coach Paul Gustard yesterday acclaimed his recent work, saying: ‘Chris was outstanding against Australia and he has been for the last year and a half.’
As well as being co-captain for the day, the home No7 will set the tone with his work-rate. It will be there for all to see at Twickenham, but what is less widely apparent is his commitment behind the scenes, day after day.
Dylan Hartley, the regular national captain under Jones — who will take charge again whenever he comes off the bench — expressed his admiration for Robshaw, saying: ‘It is testament to the strength of his character that he’s still here.
‘He hasn’t changed, he still works unbelievably hard. He’s always diligent. You walk past the team room, past the snooker table and PlayStation and there’s a computer room and a food room. You see a lot of lads in the common room and Robbo will be in front of the computer, studying breakdowns and looking at opposition, reviewing training.’ Jones will expect his younger forwards to take their cue from the leader up front. Sam Simmonds has a chance to force his way into the coaches’ back-row plans for the World Cup, while Ellis Genge and Charlie Ewels can help the hosts establish the physical dominance they crave, by making their marks at loosehead prop and lock respectively.
Samoa will hurl themselves into every collision. Fly-half Ford knows exactly what is coming. ‘They energise themselves by making big hits,’ he said. ‘Our skills have to be on the money because if not they’ll come for you — flying off the line and wanting to hurt you. ‘I made my first start against Samoa in one autumn and got “done” a couple of times. I’ve never been in a car crash but I can imagine it’s as close to one as you can come. ‘You don’t think too much about the danger of it but you understand there are some big guys coming off the line. But we can’t sit back and be tentative. We’ve got to dictate. We’ve got to be brave.’
The result is beyond any doubt. England will win, but given the disparity in resources between the countries it would represent a sporting miracle if Samoa were to finish within 25 points of their opponents.
However, there is no expectation in the home camp of a run-away victory.
‘We saw last week Ireland-Fiji finished 23-20 and Wales versus Georgia was 14-6,’ said Jones.
‘These sides are capable on their day and this will be Samoa’s big game. I worked as a technical advisor for them in 2006 and I know that when they get their emotional level right, they’re a bloody hard side to beat. They’re the most physical and athletic players in the world.’
That is certainly true but England are not short of physicality and athleticism themselves. The autumn clean-sweep should be completed with plenty of room to spare. Jones will want a few more World Cup contenders to emerge, while Robshaw keeps riding on.