Marcus Smith's England is bigger than Eddie Jones and he must change
Normally Amazon delivers. An impatient rap on the door and there it is; whatever you’ve ordered, on your mat. The screech of the transit van’s wheels decree they couldn’t stay for long. There’s elsewhere to be; it’s a big job.
So is playing rugby for England. Not that young Marcus seems to care. As the budding maestro trundled out first onto the Twickenham pitch to warm up, the risible comments from his new boss still had an embers’ glow. Distractions? This boy does anything but. He went Premiership Trophy, England debut, then British and Irish Lions Tour this summer, without so much as a wink at the camera. Alas Mr Jones, Mr Smith you know not. Some sequins were born to shine.
Not that they really got the chance to flaunt him. Smith tiptoed around the Twickenham turf too far from the tiller. Against an impotent Australian side, he should have been more central; given more rope. As it was, he seldom skipped. He ran a couple of trademark arcs, double pumped a wide hole for Steward to hit but in the main, was a line removed from any real mischief: shame. You wonder what could have been done.
But why is this? Why do things feel as though they aren’t quite right? My theory revolves around control.
It won’t take you long to find a story on Eddie Jones and his control issues. His incredible hunger for detail and planning - he barely sleeps in his pursuit of covering every eventuality; the fear that he creates to manipulate and position his team to further greatness; his inability to allow others to feel autonomy, means high levels of staff turnover.
But in opposition to this is a brilliant, arguably unique, rugby brain. There is no one quite like Eddie Jones in terms of game knowledge. He gives those around him a great deal; players, fellow coaches, support staff recognise that the gift of the Australian is in the content, rather than the delivery. A training session with Jones is a terrifying prospect, but if you can navigate it, the rewards are vast.
Jones has his own ideas about how things work. And Yokohama was something of a magnum opus. He has seemingly retreated there in many ways, his reliance on the legacy of certain players, but not even Jones can stop time. The ticking clock brings Generation Marcus: a player bigger than Jones himself. He brings a new way of thinking about England and, at the moment, Jones is not yet there.
So, we find ourselves in a period of huge struggle. One that does not exist anywhere else than within the six inches of the Tasmanian’s brain. My guess is that Jones will progress and once he has come to terms with the sort of player Smith is, England will benefit. In the meantime, the watching public will have to endure the sort of performances that took place yesterday. Ones that do a job but fail to leave us satisfied.
Societies and communities exist along an axis of freedom and control. Under Jones, England Rugby sits quite tight to one end. Smith’s greatness, and it is already a 'greatness', positions itself much closer to freedom. This period of transition will be fascinating. For all Smith’s achievements to date, he mustn’t get distracted from his greatest challenge; changing and developing Mr Jones’ incredible rugby mind.
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Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.
Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.
As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.
Go to commentsGood grief
Beauden was his usual industrious self mixing deft touches with mindless kicks
6 or 7 max!!
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