England need to ‘man up’ in final – Kruis
GEORGE Kruis insists England must “man up” in expectation of the physical onslaught expected from South Africa in today’s World Cup final.
The Yokohama showdown is a clash between the sport’s two most powerful teams who will fight out a bruising battle up-front in their quest to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy.
South Africa have signalled their intent to continue with the forward-led barrage that has served them well in Japan by naming only two backs on the bench, and Kruis is ready for a test of their courage.
“We know what’s coming - they have a good pack. A 6-2 split. It’s about manning up and dealing with it. We are looking forward to it,” the Lions lock said.
Kruis insists England have learned from the setbacks of this year’s Six Nations when they fell apart against Wales and Scotland despite having built strong leads. It is a theme that dates back to the 2018 summer tour to South Africa.
“We’ve dissected and looked across our previous games where there had been some issues,” Kruis said.
“The Wales game in the Six Nations...
I think we’ve come through that and worked unbelievably hard.
“To see it as something we’ve targeted and then seen the progression, it has been brilliant for us because we’ve really put some work into it.
“The final is a massive game but we have to see it as just another game and make sure that mentally it doesn’t get to you.
“That is a thing learned, but we’ve done a lot of work to build up to these moments.”
FORMER Wales captain Dai Young has paid tribute to departing head coach Warren Gatland and shared his sympathy for one of his ‘fantastic lieutenants,’ Rob Howley.
Gatland took charge of his 125th and final Wales match in yesterday’s Rugby World Cup bronze medal clash with New Zealand.
The All Blacks won 40-17 in Tokyo to end an incredible chapter in Welsh rugby history that includes four Six Nations Championship wins (three Grand Slams), reaching number one in the world rankings along with two World Cup semi-finals.
Young, who was heavily linked with becoming Gatland’s successor before signing a long-term extension as Wasps director of rugby in 2018, believes the New Zealander restored pride in the famous red jersey.
“I think it’s a bit of a myth, not everyone in Wales follows rugby, just most people,” said Young, who won 51 caps. “I think everybody in Wales owes Warren a debt of gratitude, for everything that he has done for Welsh rugby.
“He’s certainly put some pride back in the jersey from where it was when he picked it up. Every big tournament we’ve punched above our weight and we picked up a couple of Grand Slams and Triple Crowns along the way.”
Gatland will be succeeded by another Kiwi, former Scarlets director of rugby Wayne Pivac upon the conclusion of the World Cup.
And Young, who recently expressed his interest in succeeding Pivac if the opportunity arose upon the conclusion of his Wasps deal in 2023, believes Gatland will be a difficult figure to succeed.
“It’s massive shoes for anyone to follow,” he said. “I can’t see anybody bettering his record. We’ve had a golden era of players over that period that are probably coming into the twilight of their careers as well.
“The new coach coming in will have to reinvent this team, this team has probably been together for 10 years, pretty much. Warren has done a fantastic job, as have all of his lieutenants there.”
Young also expressed sympathy for his former Cardiff, Wales and British Lions team-mate Rob Howley. The Wales backs coach was sent home from the World Cup in mid-September for an alleged breach of World Rugby’s laws covering betting.
“I don’t want to get tied up in too much, sort of, paper talk, but I really feel for Rob,” said Young of the former Wasps scrum-half.
“He’s a good friend of mine, worked his socks off, to not be a part of it now is a real shame because he deserves to be a part of it.
“I don’t want to get involved in why he is not out there and so on, but I am sure Warren will be feeling it and Rob will be feeling it, because knowing the both of them really well, Rob has put so much work into that and it’s a bit of a shame he’s not there to experience it.”
I think everybody in Wales owes Warren a debt of gratitude, for everything that he has done for Welsh rugby. Dai Young