Matchwinner Itoje intent on changing his image as he does more to help than hinder
Maro Itoje is determined to alter the perception of how he plays the game while preserving the confrontational style that helped England to a 23-20 victory over France.
Itoje powered over for the late try that separated the rivals in a captivating Guinness Six Nations clash at Twickenham on Saturday.
It was a cathartic performance for Itoje after he emerged as the main culprit during an indisciplined afternoon in Cardiff, his five penalties contributing to a 40-24 defeat by Wales that reduced England's title defence to dust.
Against France, he infringed just once and with Eddie Jones claiming that his standout performer of the Championship is being targeted by referees, the Lions second row accepts adjustments must be made.
“There’s been a bit of perception that has come about with my game and how I play the game. I am just working hard to try and change that perception,” Itoje said.
“If you give away five penalties then referees will hear the outside noise that says Maro Itoje gives away a lot of penalties. Everything has an influence.
“Things that people say, things that people think - they all affect how referees prepare for the game. At the moment that’s the perception. I don’t want to lose any of the good stuff that I do because I know what I can bring to a team and how I can influence a game. But, at the same time, I want to change that perception.
“It's just about making better decisions. I need to understand and read referees better. Make better decisions when I am on the field.
“Obviously I never want to lose my bite, I never want to lose my edge. I believe my mentality makes me the player I am. I want to still be as confrontational
as I can. I didn't give away as much against France, so that's a step in the right direction.”
Itoje's third try in 47 Tests was scored with four minutes to spare as England, trailing
20-16, showed resilience to rescue their Six Nations from disaster with a trip to Ireland to come.
“My tries aren't really too pretty. It was a pick and go and I don't think it was anything to
scream and shout about, but we're happy with it nonetheless,” Itoje said.
Billy Vunipola admitted the victory over France was tinged with the disappointment of knowing that pride and not silverware is at stake on the final weekend.
The Saracens No 8 said: “This can definitely be a springboard moving forward, especially next week in Ireland.
“There’s no use playing well against France and not backing it up next weekend. We want to do the same if not better against them.
“But while it was a big win, we want to be competing for the title. We’d like to be going into Ireland knowing our destiny is in our hands. We know that’s not the case.”
Underpinning the victory were improved performances from senior players, including Vunipola, who – since admitting earlier in the Six Nations that he was playing “rubbish” – has played well against Wales and France. He said: “I feel like I’m getting back to a level where I’m helping the team and not taking away from the team. I’m staying on the pitch which is a good sign!”
A running gag in the comedy classic The Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin centres on the relationship between the boss and his underlings who’re always trying to impress him.
The boss, called CJ, listens for a bit but then cuts off the underlings in mid-flow by pompously pronouncing“I didn’t get where I am today… ” This reminds the underlings of their station in life. “Great!” one will say, as CJ explains how things will be done. “Super!” echoes the other.
Is this what the relationship between Scotland and Ireland is like? Scotland, not so much trying to impress as get one over on ireland and theircj -50- cap CJ Stander - but always being reminded of the dark blues’ station,firmly below their rivals in the rankings?
Before yesterday, Ireland had won all of the last five and nine of the previous ten. They’ve dominated the fixture so far this century with a sound business plan: use prime Irish beef to keep the ball away from Scotland’s flair guys, or at least to slow it down.
The policy hasn’t changed much and hasn’t won many points for artistic impression, but so what? The scores that mattered were that Ireland had wiped out the Scots’ lead in history going right back to 1877 and, before Johnny Sexton kicked off, the two countries were locked on 66 wins apiece. So, as Hamish Watson told The Scotsman on the eve of the game: “If there’s a time to beat Ireland it’s now.”
Standing in Stander’s path
in the back row, Watson had been everywhere in the win over England, less conspicuous in the defeat by Wales and like the rest of his team needed to be“great” in this one and preferably“super” too.
In this pair’s division Stander was first to show in a rollicking Irish attack from which Scotland would have been grateful just to concede a penalty. Stander continued to be prominent but no more so than Jamison Gibson-park, a new cog in this grinding Irish machine, a splendidly-bearded scrum-half with sparkingly quick hands.
Covid-permitting, this is a Lions year. stand er has the blazer; Watson wants to be wearing one. at stand off, johnny sex ton has the blazer; Finn Russell is a size 42 chest, thanks. The duel at 10 was always going to be crucial and sextons truck first with a kick-pass setting up Ireland’s opening try. Scotland couldn’t get going.
Maybe these two sum up the differences between the teams: Sexton is Professor Pragmatic
while russell is flash man. safe pair of hands vs sleight of hand. But Sexton, with another cute kick, almost set up another try. Russell, in his only break in the opening quarter, fumbled, though there was plenty of that going on all over the park.
In the countdown to the game the Scots asserted that they knew how the Irish would play - same as always - and that in one of the recent defeats they’d been well on top, a claim which was contested. “Predictable!” shouted one lot. “Delusional!” countered the other. This contest didn’ t get to where it is today without being niggly and narky.
On the field, errors aplenty, it was turning comedic. The sort of game where a hulking prop like t ad hg fur long will impersonate a ballerina. Eventually, though, Russell impacted it, and there was yet more proof he has Magic Circle membership. Stuart Hogg’s football skills took the full-back clear and then Russell, also using his feet, chipped the ball over James Lowe to score. The try
needed checking for a knockon but Hogg had used his chin. Chin? It was that kind of game, a bit bonkers.
Scotland were ahead for the first time but not for long, Sexton slotting another penalty. Right away Russell had the chance to reply but missed, and then sex ton, again, showed him how. you wondered if these would turn out to be five crucial minutes, Ireland staying coolest amongst the craziness.
Ireland began the second half as they did the first: ferociously. Urgent, thundering attacks brought more penalties and another try, though it wasn’t crystal clear that Tadhg Beirne had touched down.
The team in green were tightening their grip of the game and Scotland, in their anxiety, were rushing things, knocking on, skewing line outs, and then Russell overcooked a kick to the corner. But, out of almost nowhere, in the opposite corner, replacement Huw Jones produced a darting run for the line that used to be such a regular feature when he was a
sure starter. a bunch of changes saw Russell depart and scrumhalf Scott Steele, so a wee guy, join the Scotland scrum. If you thought this was funny then what about referee Romain Poite developing a problem with his whistle just as the scots thought they’d scored another try? His chirruper sorted, the
French official promptly confirmed the barnstorming Watson’s score and the match was level.
But just as Scotland could only briefly hold onto their advantage in the first half, they conceded yet another penalty and Sexton, who at 35 can still control a
rugby game, popped over the winning kick for his hard, powerful, clinical team.
Just like against Wales, Scotland had lost narrowly at the death. Not part of the plan after the glory of Twickenham. Not great, not super. A sitcom of a match, though, if that’s your thing.