MAKING A MARC DOWN UNDER
Smith on a mission in Australia with a little help from the enemy
FROM ADAM HATHAWAY in Perth MARCUS SMITH landed in Australia this week as the poster boy of English rugby for three games which could define his fledgling career – at least until next year’s World Cup.
The Harlequins fly-half, 10 Tests into his international career, faces the toughest task of his professional life against a resurgent Wallaby side.
The locals in Australia still say Jonny Wilkinson’s name through gritted teeth after his drop goal in 2003. Smith could elevate himself to his own status if he guides England to a series win.
With it he could help to re-establish England’s tarnished aura in the world game which has dulled since their 3-0 triumph in 2016 with George Ford at No.10. No pressure then for a 23-year-old with a handful of caps who is nearly the same age as Wilkinson – who mentors Smith in camp – was when he won the World Cup for England but has nothing like the record of his predecessor.
Smith has sought advice from an unlikely source – Australian fly-half Quade Cooper (right), a man he could be facing in the first Test in Perth a week today.
“We’ve connected a little bit over socials and he’s helped me a lot actually, a few things he’s done,” said Smith. “Fingers crossed I can get a chance to go up against him because he’s a top player and it will be nice to challenge myself against another top No.10 in the world. It was just different ways to see the game.
“The types of things he looks for when he’s analysing opposition and the way he thinks when he makes a mistake – it’s his mindset, really.
“It’s pretty amazing to chat and just pick up one thing from them because they’ve been playing international rugby for a long time now.”
To be taken seriously as World Cup contenders in 2023 England must win at least one of the games in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney.
France are on the up and hosts, South Africa are holders, New Zealand are the All Blacks and Ireland and Australia will both fancy their chances.
A repeat of 2016 would catapult England to the ranks of leading contenders and coach Eddie Jones has 10 men here who were part of that. And they have an 8-0 record in their last eight games against the Aussies to fall back on.
“That’s what we’re desperate to do,”said Smith. “We know how tough that is.
“There will be some boys who played in that Test series win in 2016. The memories they made and the closeness of the team on that tour was evident.
“I think that’s what we’re trying to build – a togetherness and robustness for when the pressure comes on, which it will in parts.
“We need to stick together and fight through those moments. I feel we’re in a good position. We’re confident and the last time we played them, we got the better of them.
“Obviously they’ve got some new players now. We know that but we’re raring to go.”