TE-RRIFIC! Big hit Ben loving the abuse

GARY FITZGERALD Origin game. Driving down the main street in Cardiff with the abuse aimed towards the bus from a noisy, hostile crowd, it was fantastic. I love it, love it.

“That’s what top sport is all about. Plenty of passion and people coming to see you lose or win. It was also a very physical, exciting contest.”

Te’o has become a big union hit since switching codes three years ago.

He left South Sydney Rabbitohs to join Irish side Leinster before moving to Worcester Warriors.

England will be big favourites to make it 17 wins in a row and remain unbeaten during Eddie Jones’ reign so far.

If they can make light work of opponents who have already lost their opening Six Nations games to Wales and Ireland, they could then equal the All Blacks’ world record of 18 successive victories against Scotland the following week.

Te’o has become England’s master “finisher” as head coach Jones has called on his bench men.

But he wants to prove that he can do it from the first minute rather than coming on as a super-sub to change the game and score a match-winning try like he did against France.

The centre, who has played international rugby league for Samoa and qualifies to play for England through his mother, said: “I enjoyed coming on against France and Wales but I would love to start the next game against the Italians.

“When I am on the bench I try to get totally mentally prepared to come on and do well as soon as possible because you don’t have time to work yourself into a game.

“I don’t actually watch too much of the game or get emotionally involved in it because I am just worrying about my preparation.

“Then it is just a mental switch and some things that I go through in my own mind that when I come on I want to make a difference.”