Tuilagi offers lesson in grasping chance against Kiwis
MANU TUILAGI has billed Saturday’s World Cup semi-final as a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity for him and his team-mates. England’s wrecking-ball centre was still at school when New Zealand last lost a match in the tournament – against France in Cardiff in 2007. A dozen years later he is one of 14 players in the England squad to have experienced victory over New Zealand – nine with the Lions and a further five with England at
Twickenham in 2012. But none is more revered, or feared, by the world champions than Tuilagi, given the way he cut them to shreds wearing the Red Rose.
New Zealand came into the 2012 clash unbeaten in 20 games and having not lost an autumn Test for a decade. But England hammered them 38-21 with Tuilagi scoring one try and having a hand in the other two.
“It was a good day and a good win,” Leicester’s midfield machine said ahead of team selection today, for which wing Jonny May, two-try hero against Australia, is a doubt because of a hamstring strain.
“The secret then was each player, one to 23, just doing their job, not doing anything amazing.That is exactly what we need this weekend: focus on your own job and do it the best you can.Then the performance will take care of itself.”
Tuilagi admits he had All Black idols growing up in Samoa, particularly Jonah Lomu.
“I was a massive fan of Jonah and the way he played,” he said. “He is a big legend of the game, no-one plays like him.You try…but you
don’t succeed. Look, Saturday is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, probably the biggest game of our lives.We know how important it is but we don’t want to let that overwhelm us and affect us.
“We’ve got a game plan, we’ve got to be clear on it; emotionally excited but you’ve got to have the control on the pitch.
“We’re going against the best in the world.They’re very physical and we’ve got to match that and try and stop them, because if they get on top of you it becomes very hard.
“We’ve got a massive job to do. Everyone’s got to bring their game and got to be physically and mentally right.”
Tuilagi has not set the heather on fire so far in this tournament. Apart from two tries in the pool opener against Tonga, he has been used more as a decoy than ball-carrying juggernaut. For England to win he will need to be at his most influential.
“He’s going to be a big player for us at the weekend,” said scrum-half Ben Youngs. “I’m sure, with his mindset and the way he is, he’s looking forward to delivering for the team.”