England’s stay in New Zealand is in danger of being remembered for all the wrong reasons, with manager Martin Johnson having had to fire-fight a succession of damaging scandals both on and off the field.
From Dwarfgate, through Ballgate to last Sunday’s tasteless revelations about the unsavoury antics of three key squad members with a female hotel worker, England’s schoolboy antics during their downtime have been matched by some kindergarten rugby in their group games which has collectively served to drag their name through the New Zealand mire.
Now, ahead of the eagerly-awaited last-eight tussle with their fiercest enemy, England great Robinson – who was a pivotal figure in the 2003 World Cup-winning squad – says it’s high time England’s errant players started to repay Johnson’s rock-solid faith and trust in them.
And despite failing to, so far, get out of first gear in their unconvincing group performances, now that sudden death rugby is upon them, the cross-code legend believes England have been presented with the ideal incentive to confound the critics and secure a successive World Cup final appearance.
“There’s no doubt that Martin will have been frustrated because of what’s been written in the media,” said Robinson, who was a colleague of Johnson’s for both England and the British Lions. “The players are out there to do a job and while it’s good to get away from training and to let your hair down a bit, I’m sure Johnno will be sick of fielding questions about the off-the-field antics.
“I’m sure that he’s had a word in a few people’s ear and I doubt that we’ll see any more of that going forward.
“But what this does show is just how much Johnno is prepared to back the players – even though at times they have not delivered.
“He knows that it’s all about them performing and while it’s good to keep them in tow, it’s also important not to crush them and instead back them, which is what he has done.
“And let’s be clear, it’s been a minority who have strayed...it has not been all the squad but sometimes one bad apple can spoil a bunch.
“And any little bit of negative news is always highlighted, especially when you are not playing as well as you can which has been the case with England.
“But now they know the stakes are higher. It’s a quarter-final against a French team which could be red-hot on the day.
“So England need to be focused on getting their part of the deal right. That means firing out of the blocks with a lot more intensity, being a lot more clinical and really taking the game to France.
“In the group games against Argentina and Scotland it was the other way round – they were the ones having a go at England for long periods.
“I’m sure the guys will be looking for that big effort and performance and there’s no better place than a quarter-final.”
No-one knows better than the former Sale Sharks and Wigan Warriors great what it’s like to take on the French in a World Cup. Robinson was part of the England team which downed France in both the 2003 quarter-final and 2007 semi-final. And he says that the infamous French fragility in high-pressure scenarios – together with the prospect of a semi-final against either Wales or Ireland – has presented Johnson and his players with a golden opportunity.
“We have had the edge on them in previous World Cups but the French have never lacked for physicality or talent. What France have lacked is the mental toughness and that why they are so inconsistent,” Robinson added.
“It’s not because they are not good players. When you look through the team you have some world-class players but mentally we know they have some issues with Marc Lievremont their coach and I know a lot of them don’t want to play for him.
“The way the draw has worked out is a big carrot for England and if they can get it right this weekend and build some momentum and confidence, they can go all the way to the final.
“Playing either Wales and Ireland in a semi is anything but a pushover as they have been playing some great stuff, but you would rather play a Six Nations side in a semi-final than say New Zealand or South Africa.
“These games are about opportunities. The players have worked so hard to get to this position – they have been working for about six months this year with all the sacrifices that entails and it would be such a shame to get this point and have the potential route through to another final and not deliver.
“If England come out strong, they can win this game but they have get into the French early on. The longer the arm wrestle, the more France will like it so England need to get in there and really twist the knife. I’m going for an England win but France do pose a real danger.”
∂ Jason Robinson is a Worldwide Ambassador for Proskins Ltd and the JR Clothing Range (jasonrobinson.co.uk). Proskins are also available from Tesco and DW Sports. Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
The MEN not aware he was a rugby LEAGUE player????