After a week that has been dominated by matters off the field, England will be happy to let their rugby do the talking when they face New Zealand on Saturday.
Joe Marler’s comments on social media this week about the Haka whipped up a storm and cranked up the temperature on an already hotly-anticipated Test match.
The England prop, in the words of captain Jamie George, has “prodded the bear” and Steve Borthwick’s side should be braced for a backlash from the All Blacks.
Marler has subsequently apologised and England were deciding on Friday afternoon how, and if, they would respond to the Haka.
“We’re not going to start climbing on each other’s shoulders,” said prop Ellis Genge. “But we’ll sit there respectfully and watch it.
“I know some people are divided on it but I quite like it. It’s bit of a challenge. I’m a big fan of it and I don’t think we should get rid of it. You should be able to respond but everyone is respectful when they do that.”
Never mind the Haka, England need a response on the pitch. Two narrow defeats to New Zealand in the summer showed signs of progress under Borthwick, but a win over the All Blacks at Twickenham would represent a real step forward.
If England are to get the win they crave, then Marcus Smith will have a key role to play. The fly-half was given the keys to the backline in the summer and he has kept his place for Saturday’s game, with George Ford on the bench after only just returning from injury.
The summer brings back painful memories for Smith, who missed three kicks at goal in the first Test as England lost 16-15 to the All Blacks.
“In that specific moment, when the lads needed me most, I wasn’t there,” Smith said. “Going into that week, I was probably overthinking it. I don’t think I kicked that well towards the back end of last season. I felt I was a bit rushed, a bit tight on the ball and it felt funny.”
Smith’s response summed up his attitude. In the second Test with the All Blacks, which England lost 24-17, he was faultless in front of goal. Since then, he has been working with legendary fly-half Jonny Wilkinson and Leigh Halfpenny – who joined Harlequins in the summer.
“I’ve done breathwork at the back of my run-up, especially if I’m in a longer passage of play, trying to regulate my emotions and breathing so I can stay calm in that moment,” said Smith. “It allows me to calm down. I try to regulate myself so that I’m not as aggressive and angry.”
In that specific moment, when the lads needed me most, I wasn’t there
Marcus Smith on missed kicks against All Blacks
Smith’s hard work appears to be paying off and on Saturday he will have the opportunity to banish the painful memories from the summer.
Other than the fact scrum-half Alex Mitchell is out, England have a settled backline that includes Henry Slade. The centre has only played 55 minutes of rugby this season, but has been thrown straight into the team.
It is all part of Borthwick’s desire for continuity and Smith is the player who will be trusted to knit everything together.
He has long been tipped for the top, ever since Eddie Jones invited him to train with the senior England side some seven years ago when Smith was a teenager.
Now 25, Smith has matured and developed into one of the most exciting fly halves in the world and, as England look to enter the next phase of their development under Borthwick, the stage is set for him to shine.