"Not going to shy away" – Freddie Steward: England fullback ready to showcase high ball strengths against South Africa
Today at 07:16 AM
Freddie Steward has been named to start for England this Saturday, as Steve Borthwick’s side take on South Africa in the third round of the Autumn Nations Series. Steward is set for his first taste of action of the campaign, with Borthwick looking to utilise his impressive areal threat and capitalise upon the new refereeing crackdown on the high ball ‘escort’ blockers.
Borthwick is expecting the Springboks to pepper England’s back-three with a high ball bombardment, and Steward is considered the opportune choice to man the back-field rearguard. The Leicester Tigers man expressed how his strength in the air has certainly been a benefit towards his selection, and intensified how he is chomping at the bit to run out for the physical Test with the Springboks.
“Well, you know, it’s an asset of my game that is probably up there with some of my strengths (high ball takes). So, you know, I’ll try and bring that to the field on Saturday.”
“Really excited, I’ve been working really hard the last couple of months to try and push my game on the back of not being selected. So, you know, I’m very grateful for this opportunity. What better game to come back for them than South Africa at home? Can’t wait.”
“They’re a brilliant outfit. They’re very well-rounded. They’ve got some power up front and got some excitement in their back line, some brains, some experience, so it’ll be a tough challenge for us.”
Steward explained how it has been a ‘tough couple of months’ from an international perspective, as he has been restlessly waiting for the chance to run out in England colours. However, ever one to roll with the punches, the fullback found the silver lining of his recent lack of England involvement, as the time outside of the match day squad has improved his mental resilience and determination to improve.
"It was a tough couple of months to go from being in the squad and not starting. It was difficult emotionally and I probably learned a lot about myself in that time period. I am definitely stronger emotionally as a person on the back of those experiences.
The whole way through that, the coaches have been brilliant. There has been open conversations about what I needed to do to get back in the team push my game on. It has still been a brilliant environment to be in despite not being in the team but I am just grateful for this opportunity to be back out there.
"There is a difference between trying to be something that you are not rather than focussing on what go you there in the first place. I am not going to shy away from the fact that my strengths lie more in the aerial bits of the game and stability at the back. I would like to think that hasn't changed too much, hopefully it has improved, but of course I am looking to grow other areas of my game and I have been pushing them over the last couple of months. Hopefully, I can bring them onto the field.”
The Leicester Tigers man is selected ahead of Northampton Saints fullback George Furbank, in what will be Steward’s first England Test since the defeat to New Zealand at Eden Park this past July. Steward was called in as a late change to the England team to battle the All Blacks in Auckland, after Furbank pulled up with a back injury after a gruelling battle with New Zealand wing Sevu Reece.
Steward and Furbank look to have embraced their positional competitiveness with the rival East Midlands fullbacks the first and second choices in Borthwick’s eyes. Steward expressed how training with Furbank is bringing the best out of him, and he is excited to link up with Furbank’s regular Saints back-three teammates Ollie Sleightholme and Tommy Freeman this weekend.
“It would be easy from the outside to assume that when you’re competing for a spot, there’s often bad blood, and that sort of that despisement. It’s not the case for me and George, you know, we’re good mates off the field. We respect each other's strengths massively. I think this competition has allowed George to become a better player and myself too. We’re learning from each other, we’re pushing each other. I think it’s great for the team.”
“I think he probably knows ‘Sleights’ and ‘Freemo’ a bit better than I do. We’ve had a lot of time training together, so I’d like to think that we’ve built that connection.”
Joining Steward in the match day squad for their first involvement of the Autumn, is the group of scrum half Jack van Poortvliet, back row Sam Underhill and flying wing Tom Roebuck. The Sale Sharks speedster takes up the number 23 shirt and rounds off the replacements this weekend, with Steward excited by the possibility of playing alongside Roebuck, in what would only be the Sale man’s second England cap.
“Tom’s a very exciting Winger. I was fortunate enough to play with him at 20s and he's only got better and better. He’s quick, he’s strong, he’s got an aerial contest side to his game. He can beat defenders, so it’s an exciting challenge for him and I’m really excited to watch him.”
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