Stevens singing England's tune
X-Factor star Matt Stevens is determined to take centre stage against New Zealand in the first Test at Eden Park and prove that England has got talent.
X-Factor star Matt Stevens is determined to take centre stage against New Zealand in the first Test at Eden Park and prove that England has got talent.
Prop Stevens has spent the last four years as understudy to Phil Vickery but this weekend gets his chance to lay permanent claim to the role.
Vickery is at home injured and Stevens can see no better way of proving his apprenticeship is over than by helping a new-look England side “create something special” in the most hostile rugby environment.
England have only ever won in New Zealand twice but Rob Andrew's youngsters – the average age of the team is just 26 – enter Saturday's clash convinced they can down the All Blacks.
“There is a massive opportunity for any player who plays in these next few Test matches to make a name for themselves,” said Stevens, who finished second in the 2006 celebrity X-Factor.
“Phil is a massive player for this country in the tight-head position, possibly one of the best tight-heads that has played the game. I look up to him a huge amount.
“But I have been wanting to push him out for the last four years. I always feel I should start. That is how a player has to feel.
“They are big shoes to fill but I am looking forward to the challenge. I am hoping I can make a real difference at the weekend.
“Coming on tour, this team feels it is a special time for us. Not many teams come here and win and there is a real opportunity to do that.
“We all feel we can. There is a sense of standing on the brink of something special.”
Stevens made his Test debut for England on the ill-advised 2004 tour, when a squad exhausted from its World Cup triumph and depleted by retirements was put to the sword by the All Blacks.
He returned in 2005 with the British and Irish Lions and ran into a New Zealand team at the peak of its powers.
This time, he believes things can be different.
“It is realistic to think England can get a win,” he insisted ahead of the game.
“I have been here twice before, once on a Lions tour and once with England, and I often felt they had the better of us.
“Now there is definitely an optimism in the team and a feeling we have got what it takes.”
Stevens accepted “words are cheap” but insisted they are not empty – and that England are ready to match New Zealand's renowned physicality at every step.
“The Premiership has been superb this last year. The teams playing in the Premiership now are as good as any club teams in the world and we have built a base from that,” he explained.
“These two games will be hugely physical contests and we have to match the All Blacks in those contests in all areas of the field.”
Four years ago, Stevens found himself in awe of the All Blacks legend – a product of his upbringing in South Africa – but he has learned from that experience.
“I always felt I shouldn't feel in awe but that is what you have to get over,” he said.
“You have to realise you are playing the All Blacks but you are not playing every All Blacks side that has ever played.
“I enjoy the haka. It is a great rugby spectacle but it is nothing more than that. We don't see it as intimidating.
“I grew up watching the Springboks play the All Blacks and the Springboks have huge confidence. They don't feel they will be beaten by anyone. That is what we have to build in this England team.”
Despite England's optimism, Stevens is far from writing off the All Blacks having watched their win over Ireland in atrocious conditions last weekend.
Both sides are in a period of transition. England have made eleven changes from their last game three months ago while New Zealand lost a host of key players to the European club game following the World Cup.
“It would be folly to underestimate them,” he said.
“There was a huge amount of physicality and a huge amount of promise shown in the game against Ireland. These are both massive games for us.”