WRECKING BALL
Earl admits he’s wary of ‘Demolition Man’ as he aims to leave Borthwick and English World Cup dreams in total ruins
ENGLAND will put a ‘Stop Botia’ plan into operation today – banking on it being enough to book their passage through to the Rugby World Cup semi-final.
Fiji are known the world over for their flamboyant attacking rugby, but it is their fearsome flanker Levani Botia – the former prison guard who now locks down breakdowns for the Pacific Islanders – who has caused most headaches for England in planning for this huge game.
The Fijians damaged England beyond repair on the ground in their Twickenham victory seven weeks ago and that was without their breakdown master.
Now the ‘Demolition Man’ or La Machine, as he has become known at European champions La Rochelle, has returned, England know he is the man they have to stop in Marseille if they want to keep alive their World Cup dream.
“He’s a classy operator, we know he’s probably one of the best players in the world,” said England back-rower Ben Earl.
“It’s something we’re going to have to be ready for and something we’ve spoken long and hard about.
“I think the back row in general will probably go a long way to deciding this fixture.
“I’m focused on trying to keep their back row as quiet as I can.
I guess if we keep them quiet we will go a good way to trying to decide which way the game goes.”
Earl was exposed to Botia at club level six months ago when he put in a man-of-the-match performance to help dump Saracens from the Champions Cup. But England hope a combination of their back-row’s speed and an effective clearout operation at the ruck can reduce his influence in the quarter-final.
“He was very good. As an aspiring seven, he put on a bit of a clinic in terms of how to dominate a defensive breakdown. Botia got two or three turnovers in the first 10 minutes of that game,” said Earl. “We talk about removing the contest around the breakdown and we’ll be trying to do that this weekend.”
Earl has been one of England’s success stories of this World Cup, having kept out Billy Vunipola (right) from the starting lineup with his all-action displays.
He has played the most minutes for England at the tournament and made the most tackles and carries.
“The way it’s gone for me has been a dream. I’ve always said that if ever got the opportunity I’ve got to make the most of it and I’m very happy that I’ve done that so far this tournament,” he said. “There are still some massive work-ons in my game but the way my game’s heading I’m pretty pleased. “I’m really enjoying playing with Tom (Curry) and Courtney (Lawes) – we all offer something a little bit different – and throw the likes of Billy into the mix – what a player to have off the bench, we’re looking like we’re in a good place as a back row.” This is the stage, though, which counts double. A World Cup knockout game where reputations are there to be made. Or torched. Earl looks around the England squad and sees players who have been there and done in it in these conditions – and draws comfort from that. However sketchy the team has been, he feels they have a big game in them today – and is sure he does too. “If you want to be classed as one of the best players in the world, you’ve got to start turning up at games like this and that’s something I want to be classed as,” he said. “I guess we’ll find out on Sunday.”