Rugby
England, Emotion and Rugby
19 October 2007
It will be an emotional evening for Jamie Noon in the stands at Stade de France on Saturday, as he watches his England side in a World Cup final that, in different circumstances, he could well have been playing in.
Injuring his medial knee ligaments ironically against Saturday’s opponents, South Africa, a philosophical Noon said: “It’s been hard being at home and being so far away from it when in my head I feel so close to the squad, but all the same it’s very exciting to be going out there for the final.
“I got the call from Rob on Monday, although it’s taken a bit of organising as there are no spaces on any of the flights out to Paris. Fortunately one of the club’s sponsors, Steve Hodgson from Mazda and Toyota here in Newcastle, has got me out there, and I’m hugely grateful to him for making that happen at such short notice.
“I would have been really gutted if I hadn’t been invited over for the final, and it’s kind of rescued my World Cup a little bit I suppose you could say.
“I’m obviously gutted not to be playing, but you have to put these things in to perspective. The injury isn’t too bad, and most importantly my family is healthy. A couple of things have happened this week that have given a bit of a reality check to the whole situation, and so I know how lucky I am.
“I’ll be cheering in the stands like everyone else, and in my head I’ll be taking every tackle and passing every ball because I want the boys to win.”
Revealing that he could even end up on the podium after the final whistle, Noon said: “I’ve been told to come in my England tracksuit because there will be a medal ceremony no matter what happens in the game, so to be involved in that will be a huge honour and something I’d been wondering about ever since coming home with the injury. For the guys to have gone so well and feel that I am still a part of it is a good feeling, and the fact that they want me there means a lot personally.
“I’ll be watching it with my wife Rachel first and foremost, which is nice because she hasn’t really sampled the atmosphere before or realised why I go away for such long periods of time playing rugby, and then after the game I’ll be in and around the lads who have been involved.
“There have been a few texts flying around from the boys with a bit of banter now they know that I’m coming over, but in the main I’ve just been letting them get on with it in peace and quiet.”
Looking ahead to the match itself, the hard-hitting centre said: “South Africa haven’t changed much during the course of the tournament, whereas England have got better as it’s gone along and really found a formula that works.
“We seem to know what we’re doing more in terms of our own tactics and what works best for us now, but while South Africa have been good throughout there’s maybe not that same sense that they’ve been improving as the tournament has progressed.
“That’s not to say it won’t be tough against a very good Springbok team with huge physicality, and they will make sure that every tackle, every ruck is a major scrap. They have some big ball runners, use them effectively and really play to their strengths. They don’t throw the ball around a huge amount, but they have individual players who can make things happen like Francois Steyn and Jaque Fourie plus the quickest guy in world rugby out on the wing!
“There are definitely threats and dangers to contend with, but I firmly believe England have what it takes to produce a massive performance and do the business.”
Asked where the game will be won, he said: “There will be an element of who can handle the pressure.
“Both teams will try and dictate the game upfront and implement their strategies, but England will have the same underdog mentality that has seen them through the past two matches.
“There’s no need for motivational speeches or getting yourself fired up - this is the biggest game in world rugby, bar none, and they’re going there to win.
“They will obviously be wary that South Africa won the first game so convincingly, but a lot has happened since then and we have really changed as a team. For the third or fourth time running we are the underdogs, so there’s nothing to lose. Wear your heart on your sleeve and get stuck in.”
Asked the role that club mate Jonny Wilkinson will play, Noon was keen to emphasise the collective rather than the individual, stating: “He is an important player because he takes the kicks and makes a lot of decisions, but then there are 14 other equally important people in a white shirt at the same time so I think people sometimes read too much in to Jonny’s role.
“It’s another World Cup final, we know what happened in the last one, but guys like Mike Catt, Andy Gomarsall and every single player have a massive part to play in the game. It’s not just about one man, and Jonny would be the first to agree with that. Every single player has stepped up, be it in the confrontation of the front row, the line out, the back row breakdown, midfield defence or whatever. Players have fronted up all over the field, and it’s just a case of doing that once more.
“If South Africa shut up shop like France did then I think the boys can get stuck in to them. We’ve worked so hard to get where we are, so now it’s just a case of busting your guts for 80 minutes and slamming it home.”
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