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Jack Nowell defends underfire Ellis Genge, after Stephen Jones brands prop 'incredibly overrated'
By Josh Raisey
Jack Nowell has defended his England teammate Ellis Genge amid criticism the prop has faced after the loss to Ireland at the weekend.
Joining Christina Mahon, Jamie Roberts and Simon Zebo on the latest episode of RugbyPass Offload, the Exeter Chiefs winger addressed accusations that the Leicester Tigers loosehead is “incredibly overrated” by journalist Stephen Jones, saying “he will do anything for you on the field.”
The incident between the prop and Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton in the final minutes of the match at the Aviva Stadium was also discussed, something he was not cited for.
“It’s hard,” Nowell said. “Because from the outside if you don’t know him you could maybe have that opinion but I’ve seen what he can do on the field and I’ve seen what he can do off the field, but I think what he adds is something you can’t really teach.
“He’s almost like a ball of anger that as soon as he gets the ball in his hands he’s trying to run through whatever’s in front of him. You can’t get that in some players, it’s very hard to do.
“He’s got that streak in him, it’s just trying to find it and trying to get it out and giving him the chance to get it out. Because he knows he’s got a few bits to work on as well. But that passion and that anger on the field sometimes is uncoachable.
“He will do anything for you on the field, he will look after you out there. So to have that in a player beside you I think is pretty special.”
Nowell missed England’s Guinness Six Nations campaign this year with a toe injury, but said he is a “couple of weeks away” from returning to action for the Chiefs but has been running again in training.
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Latest Comments
In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..
If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.
My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.
ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.
Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.
Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.
It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.
So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.
After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.
Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.
Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.
Go to commentsI agree what a load of crap! The ABs are elite sportsmen and ALL sportsmen want to challenge themselves against the best. And where better than Eden Park - some say that is our fortress. Well the ABs will relish the chance to build on that notion I am sure.
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