Maro Itoje, captain of the England rugby team, is setting his sights on a clean sweep of four Test victories this month as preparations ramp up for the 2027 World Cup. The challenge begins with a match against Joe Schmidt’s revitalized Australia at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, which will be followed by fixtures against Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina.
Reflecting on past encounters, Itoje noted the impressive performance of Australia, particularly highlighting a memorable game from last year when Max Jorgensen scored a decisive overtime try, leading to a 42-37 victory for the Wallabies. Since then, Australia has demonstrated its competitiveness, going head-to-head with the British and Irish Lions and securing a notable 38-22 win over South Africa in Johannesburg.
Focus on Physicality and Strategy
Itoje emphasized the importance of understanding Australia’s playing style, especially after their 2-1 loss to the Lions during a recent series. He remarked, “When you play three games against someone back-to-back you tend to pick up trends and what they’re about. Australia are a tough team. Their physicality, when you watch it you don’t notice it but their players really do look to lay down a marker physically.”
He praised Australia’s coaching and tactical approach, stating, “They’re a well-coached and well-drilled team. It seems like they have a real clear identity and a vision of how they want to play.”
The upcoming match against Australia is just the beginning, as England faces formidable opponents ahead. The All Blacks are set to provide the marquee challenge on November 15, 2023, and Fiji, who claimed victory on their last visit to Twickenham in 2023, along with the resurgent Pumas, add to the competitive landscape.
Aspirations for Victory and Future Goals
Itoje expressed determination, saying, “There’s not a team we’re playing who we can’t beat. We want to go and win all our games. Every player should definitely aspire to that. Our fans should expect us to have the same mindset.” He acknowledged the challenge posed by the All Blacks, stating, “Whenever you get a result against them it’s a big deal and that’s within our capability.”
As the captain who led the Lions to victory over the Wallabies in the summer, Itoje now shifts focus to the next significant event. He explained the significance of the four-year cycles in international rugby, noting, “Particularly for guys at the top, the four-year cycles are split into two and two. You want to be part of the Lions tour and then part of the World Cup. They are the two big international landmarks where most of the world’s attention is on rugby in those periods.”
With an eye on achieving success in 2027, he reiterated the importance of the upcoming matches, stating, “You don’t just rock up to a World Cup and win. Often, a World Cup is a reflection of your body of work. Now we are trying to put together our body of work for that.”
England will field a strong team against Australia, featuring 12 Lions in their matchday 23, including a robust bench prepared to reinforce the squad in the second half. In a poignant gesture, former England captain Lewis Moody, recently diagnosed with motor neurone disease, will deliver the match ball onto the pitch before kick-off, adding a layer of significance to the event.
With the countdown to the World Cup underway, England’s focus sharpens as they prepare for a challenging series that could define their path leading up to 2027.
