Super Maro a showman
ADD HALF-TIME SPECATACLE, SAYS ENGLAND ACE
MARO ITOJE thinks beyond the white lines of a rugby pitch. He models clothes, he collects African art, he owns vinyl. And it is that love of music which has set him thinking.
The Six Nations Championship has been fizzing along nicely during its opening fortnight but for the England star forward rugby union’s showpiece is still missing a trick. At half-time in the NFL Super Bowl last weekend Snoop Dogg (top), Eminem and Mary J Blige performed. Itoje loved the razzmatazz and feels that rugby should embrace it too.
“I didn’t watch the Super Bowl but I did see the half-time show (above). It was a spectacle,” said Itoje.
“The half-time show has brought a lot of eyes to the Super Bowl itself so it’s mutually beneficial. For those artists that’s almost the hottest ticket in town, the chance to perform in a half-time show.
“The show was brilliant and if that could be somehow replicated in rugby that would be great.”
The full house at Twickenham on Saturday when England take on Wales will have a more traditional interval offering. For the moment, the chance to be at the fiercest rivalry in the championship will have to do. It is still a golden ticket.
“Twickenham, a packed house, against Wales – it will be amazing,” said Itoje. “Wales are a team that never gives up, it is always tough against those guys. There is a lot of passion, a lot of pride on both sides of the field. They tend to be enjoyable, high-pressure games. They are always intense.
“These are the moments, these are the games that you desperately want to be a part of – they are truly special atmospheres.” After scratchy starts and restorative wins in the first two rounds, this is a pivotal game for both nations.
The relief for England is that they do not have to go to the Principality Stadium. Since their World Cup group defeat in 2015, England have beaten Wales five times on the trot at Twickenham.
“Any team prefers to play at home rather than away – but in terms of how they are going to play the game it will still be very similar,” said Itoje.
“Wales are no mugs. They play some good rugby as last week showed. They are a team you have to have your concentration on throughout.”
The key for England, Itoje believes, is to go for Wales rather than
to sit back.
He said: “We want to attack. Set-piece, defence and kicking will always be a strong part of the game – they are probably the pillars that will win Test matches – but we do want to add this attacking dynamism to our game as well.”
With Wales, Ireland and unbeaten France to come, Itoje feels England can still win this Six Nations. “Of course,” he said. “We believe it is still very much in our hands.”