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At 23 and having grown up in Manila, you could be forgiven for thinking the deep-seated rivalry between England and Australia might have passed Marcus Smith by.
Not a bit of it.
Smith has arrived in the southern hemisphere for what is his first senior tour as England’s premier fly-half. It is a pivotal one for him, his team, and head coach Eddie Jones.
Marcus Smith is looking forward to contributing to the rivalry between England and Australia
Smith was raised to realise the importance of sporting clashes between the two nations. His English father, Jeremey, ensured that was the case in his younger days. Now, the talented playmaker is ready to taste the heat of an Anglo-Australian battle himself.
‘It will be a dream come true,’ says Smith. ‘The England and Australia rivalry is obviously huge, not just in rugby, but in cricket and all other sports.
‘My dad instilled in me as a young kid that there is a lot of rivalry and confrontation in those games. I’m desperate to play a part in this series because it’s going to be a special one.
Smith recalls his father instilling in him the fierce England and Wallabies rivalry at a young age
‘I remember when I was younger in the Philippines, my grand- parents lived in England. We grew up in the Philippines and my step-grandad actually flew over from England to watch the Ashes.
'He watched all five Test matches in a pub called Heckle and Jeckle in Manila. It was 2005, the one when Michael Kasprowicz got caught at Edgbaston. It was a brilliant game.
‘I don’t know what my dad was doing, but he was missing work to watch it too with the time zone! It’s been instilled in me and my two younger brothers for a long time. Mum has had to buy in as well! It’s one of those rivalries you want to be a part of.’
Smith helped England beat Australia 32-15 at Twickenham last November, but since then the two teams have had contrasting fortunes.
Jones’ England just won two Six Nations games this year. Dave Rennie’s Wallabies, meanwhile, are on an upward curve. Japanese-based trio Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete are all available to face England.
Australia’s domestic outfits have improved in Super Rugby and the country is looking ahead to hosting the next British & Irish Lions series and the World Cup in 2027.
Smith admitted Wallabies No 10 Quade Cooper has been giving him tips ahead of next week
Jones has constantly maintained his team’s journey to the next World Cup in 2023 is on course despite poor results, but Smith admits winning rugby is paramount in Australia.
England haven’t lost to Australia since 2015, winning the last eight matches between the sides. The countdown to the first Test in Perth a week today is on.
‘Everyone is desperate to get a Test series win,’ Smith adds. ‘It’s massive for us. We know how tough that is. There will be some boys who played in that Test
