Ben Te´o tasked with outfoxing Italy
Ben Te’o has been instructed to go “fox-hunting” when England launch their NatWest 6 Nations title defence on Sunday.
Te’o has ousted Jonathan Joseph at outside centre for the Stadio Olimpico showdown, making his first Test appearance outside of the British and Irish Lions tour for almost a year after recovering from three months out with a high ankle sprain.
He faced Italy in the 2017 Championship but his only other England start suffered amid “ruckgate”, the controversial yet then-legal tactic employed by Conor O’Shea’s Azzurri to spread confusion among the Red Rose ranks at Twickenham.
The plan was named ‘The Fox’ by its architects and head coach Eddie Jones wants Te’o, a destructive ball carrier who will bring a physical edge to midfield, to seize his chance this time.
“We played him against Italy last year and the fox got him. The fox got him big time, so he wants to go fox-hunting this week,” Jones said.
“We want to see him carry the ball. If there are no foxes out there, he might have a chance.
“We want him to hit the line hard, that’s what he’s good at. For a big man he’s got good footwork. His attitude is great and he’ll add a different dimension at 13 for us.
“And that’s how we want to play against Italy – a really physical game to set the tone for the tournament. We want to be brutal and absolutely ruthless on Sunday.”
Te’o made an impact on the Lions’ drawn series with New Zealand last summer, containing Sonny Bill Williams in the first Test before winning his 10th cap in the Auckland decider.
Subsequently the Worcester centre started the Aviva Premiership season only to damage the syndesmotic ligaments of the lower leg in mid October, resulting in surgery and a lay-off that will conclude on Sunday.
Rehabilitation was undertaken in Brisbane at the player’s own cost and Jones saw enough during last week’s training camp in Portugal to convince him he was ready to for Italy.
💙 Il XV di #Italrugby per la prima giornata del #6Nazioni
💯 caps per Alessandro Zanni
8️⃣3️⃣ test-match da capitano per @sergioparisse
7️⃣ Azzurri al debutto nel Torneo #ITAvENG pic.twitter.com/PA2F50inAv — Italrugby (@Federugby) February 2, 2018
“Ben was outstanding in the first Lions Test. He went at Sonny Bill and did some really good things,” Jones said.
“I know he was criticised a bit for not passing, but he had a significant impact in that game and looked like a player who can win Test matches for you.
“I judge the players by how they come into us. I watch a lot of club rugby and I study it, but it’s about how they train with us that decides their fate.
“He’s just a good rugby player. He was ranked above Sam Burgess – that’s the stature of him in rugby league.
Billy Vunipola is ruled out through injury (David Davies/PA)
“He’s got a certain calmness and stable demeanour about him he doesn’t get too flustered or excited.”
Te’o’s importance to the team grows in the absence of Billy Vunipola and Nathan Hughes, the marauding number eights who provide the majority of England’s momentum.
“Size is always an issue for us. The issue is – do we find bigger players or do we get quicker or more skilful? We look at both options and we’re working on both,” Jones said.