Itoje sends warning to champions

MARO ITOJE has served notice to New Zealand that England are ready to end their generation-long dominance of world rugby today — boldly declaring: ‘We’re going to get them.’ The Saracens lock has experienced success against the mighty All Blacks with the Lions and is now convinced that he and his team-mates can take down the sport’s pre-eminent nation in a momentous World Cup semi-final in Yokohama. Itoje has developed a winning habit with club and country and the 24-year-old is adamant that England can claim the prized Kiwi scalp. Asked about the Lions tour in 2017, which culminated in a 1-1 series draw, he said: ‘I learned a lot about New Zealand, their culture, how they play the game, how good and clinical they are — and how to get them. ‘This weekend feels like the time we’re going to get them. The feeling I get is that we’re coming together at just the right time. I look at the quality of our team, our coaching and our support staff and it gives me immense confidence.’ Itoje enhanced his soaring reputation on that last Lions tour — notably with a commanding performance as the tourists won the second Test in Wellington. He joked that ‘they could make an opera about that game’, and described it as a ‘good day’, but insisted that he won’t rely on that glorious memory to enhance his innate belief. ‘Quite honestly, even if I hadn’t experienced beating them, I’d still have that same confidence,’ he said. ‘My confidence doesn’t derive from the 2017 Lions tour. They are different teams and different circumstances. My confidence derives from the personnel we have and what we are capable of. ‘I have never ever gone into a game thinking that team is going to beat me. The way I see New Zealand, I respect what they have done but I don’t see them as a team that is going to beat us. ‘They are a very good team and they have the capacity to do some very dangerous things, but I still believe that if we play our best rugby, we will win. ‘I’ve always seen England as a team that should be there competing for World Cups and should be there winning World Cups. We have a strong amount of belief in this squad. ‘If you speak to most people and if you really dig into their psyche, I think you will find a strong belief that we are capable of beating these guys.’ Itoje also agreed that any side wanting to be considered the best in the world really has to conquer the All Blacks, as if it is a rite of passage in international rugby. He added: ‘As Ric Flair (WWE wrestling champion) said: “To be the man, you’ve got to beat the man”. They are two-time World Cup-winners and in a row, and they have been the dominant team over the last eight years. ‘If you want to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best. That is our challenge. That is what is in front of us.’