Spencer’s flight of fancy for final
EDDIE JONES chuckled yesterday as he greeted Ben Spencer to England’s team hotel with a pat on the back and an arm around the shoulder.
‘Remember… Stephen Donald!’
It was a reference to the fly-half who, in 2011, was drafted into the All Blacks team for the World Cup final after injuries to Dan Carter, Colin Slade and Aaron Cruden.
Donald was overweight and on a whitebait fishing trip when he received the phone call from coach Sir Graham henry, before he kicked the decisive penalty and lifted the Webb Ellis Cup.
Now Spencer has a similar shot at stardom, having flown from heathrow yesterday to step in for injured scrum-half Willi heinz. he will have a fourday crash- course before Saturday’s final against the Springboks and, as one of two No 9s, will start on the bench.
‘he’ll have a shirt that fits him, so that’s one significant difference, and he hasn’t been whitebait fishing, so that’s another!’ said Jones. ‘It’s a great opportunity for the kid. he’s excited about it.
‘he’s been in and around the squad for the last couple of years so he knows the game, he knows the players. he is a fit guy and he’s keen to rip in straight away. That’s what you want. We always said to those guys outside the 31 that they need to be ready — and he is ready to go.’
Spencer was set to play in the Premiership for Saracens when he got the call over the weekend. The 27-year-old only has three caps but Danny Care, England’s most experienced back- up, lost his place before suffering an injury.
It is a cruel blow for heinz, who has offered to remain in Japan to help the team prepare.
‘Willi wanted to stay and we wanted him to stay,’ said Jones. ‘It’s like when you want to get married — if the lady wants to marry you and you offer to marry, then it’s a pretty easy conversation.
‘It’s been tough for Willi. he was in tears in the dressing room but he’s now collected himself and he’s got another role to play. he’s already started mentoring Ben.’
Spencer will play second fiddle to Ben Youngs, with England preparing to face one of the world’s best in Faf de klerk. Both players have faced him in the Premiership, where he plays for Sale, but now the stakes are significantly higher.
‘he’s a busy nine,’ said Youngs. ‘he likes confrontation, getting in your face in defence. A huge amount goes through him in terms of his kicking game, so he’ll be pretty pivotal to how South Africa play.
‘ I’ve had a good few practices over the last few weeks against Will Genia and Aaron Smith and the weekend will be no different with the opportunity to play against Faf. It’s one we’re all relishing.’