England v SA: A Wasps perspective
Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:42
With just days to go before England face the Springboks in their first fixture since the World Cup Final last year, a number of the Premiership champion contingent gave their two cents ahead of the mighty Twickenham clash.
Danny Cipriani, on his selection this week, said: "Some of us didn't play as well as we should have done last week but we are confident. I have confidence in my ability.
"We know what we can achieve as a team. Last week we made some mistakes but at times we played some good rugby. We're striving for consistency.
"Improvements need to be made, we know that. We've taken the criticism on board and now we need to move forward."
Tom Rees, on learning from the defeat to Australia, said: "It's important to be aware of what went wrong against Australia. We were massively frustrated but we have to try and put things right for the weekend."
On the team spirit: "There is a real feeling that we are a squad and not just the 15 or the 22. The team spirit is there and a feeling that we are really building something and everyone is a part of it."
On playing South Africa: "We are not looking at teams and thinking we are now going to dictate the way we play around what the opposition do. We have firm belief in our systems and the way we go about things, and while we need to tailor certain things against certain opposition, we have faith in the way we do things and it's about sticking to things and making sure we are switched on."
On James Haskell and competition in the back row: "He is happier now he's starting but towards the end of the week it probably means I am going to have to do more and more training with him at the end of sessions! But that's the way he is - he just wants to make sure he is fully prepared.
On competition for places: "Competition for places is what it's all about and it's always a knock for someone if they are not starting but that is just incentive to get back in.
"I had Lippy [Michael Lipman] behind me last week and he came on and played well. Haskell has his opportunity knowing full well that if Crofty comes on he is going to raise the bar again. It's what anyone would want in making sure that England play the best they can.
On the subject of the towering South African locks, Tom Palmer said: "Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha are both great players and have a vast amount of experience between them of playing at this level.
"Of course we're expecting a big contest at the line-out and in the loose as well from them.
On playing South Africa: "South Africa will be a physical test, as is everyone you meet in international rugby. Of course they'll be physical up front but we've got to go against them, match them and beat them in that area.
"But we won't just be expecting them to test us in the tight. I'm sure they'll try plenty of other things to surprise us.
On starting: "I'm very pleased to get two games in a row in this series so far and I hope I can go and produce a good performance.
"It's good to have continuity as you keep on developing all those little relationships and combinations. But there are plenty of other good second rows around so the competition's always going to be tough with the likes of Simon Shaw and Nick Kennedy snapping at your heels."
And Phil Vickery, on South Africa coach Peter de Villiers' claims of a tired squad, said: "It doesn't make any difference what messages South Africa are putting out about being tired. They can say what they like but they'll be at Twickenham and they'll want to win."
On selection: "I'm glad there's continuity and we have to keep a certain amount of stability in the team. As down as we were about the result, there were some positives to take out of the game and it gives you the opportunity to go out again, give it another go and improve on what you do, and that's important."
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