Wallabies star Len Ikitau publicly called on ex-England halfback Ben Youngs to “say less” after Australian players used his podcast potshots as fuel for their thrilling win at Twickenham.
But Youngs chose, instead, to say more on Sunday – admitting he was “eating humble pie” after his criticism of the Wallabies was shown up by the team’s victory over England.
“It was a great Test match. Australia played an absolute blinder and good on them,” Young said.
Youngs fronted up to take his medicine as the Wallabies moved on to Cardiff, where they’ll meet a floundering Wales team next Monday morning (AEDT). The Welsh crashed to a 10th straight loss on Sunday at the hands of Fiji, who won their first ever Test in Wales 24-19, heaping more pressure on the shaky future of coach Warren Gatland.
Youngs became a primary source of motivation for the Wallabies last week after being highly dismissive on his podcast when looking at the England-Australia game at Twickenham. Youngs, who holds the record for most England caps (127), said: “Australia, don’t waste my time.”
Len Ikitau’s Instagram post about Ben Youngs.Credit: Instagram/Len Ikitau
That comment came after Youngs had slammed the Wallabies in September, after their record loss to Argentina, where he said Australian rugby was “proper dark” and suggested the Lions would trash the Wallabies by so much next year, they should tour South Africa instead.
Several Wallabies players revealed post-game they had enjoyed shutting up unnamed critics, but it was clear Youngs was the man in their sights when post-match vision emerged of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto on the field: “What’s his name – Ben Youngs?“.
Ikitau posted on Instagram with a clip of Youngs and the caption “Say less”, and Wallabies players lined up to endorse in the replies.
Speaking to this masthead on Sunday, Youngs laughed that his social media mentions had gone into meltdown, and said he was only too happy to cop it all sweet.
“Some of my fondest memories have actually been England-Australia fixtures. The rivalry has always been terrific. Look, I am still learning how to be a good podcaster and not put my foot in it,” he said.
“I commend Australia, genuinely. When I made those comments trying to stoke the fire, it was off the back of the Argentinian result. But it just shows what great coaching can do, they’ve turned it around.
Ben Youngs kicks against the Wallabies at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.Credit: Getty Images
“What’s scary is I saw Samu Kerevi and Will Skelton after the game and they’re two of the best players in the world, and they weren’t even playing.”
Youngs said Skelton and Kerevi had “given me some stick, in a nice way”.
Young’s punditry is more banter than bitter, but he acknowledged he may not be a popular person in England camp. His podcast co-host is Dan Cole, who played from the bench in the 42-37 loss.
“I haven’t caught up with ‘Coley’ but I am sure the English boys won’t be too thankful I stoked the fire a bit,” Young said.
“But you know what, after 20 minutes, at 15-3, I was thinking my prediction wasn’t too far off.
“I know Joe (Schmidt) pretty well … and he is a shrewd coach, he is smart and has an amazing resume and success. I thought tactically Australia were brilliant.”
Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii celebrate after Max Jorgensen’s winning try.Credit: AP
Youngs said his predictions of a Lions walkover now appear redundant, too.
“I have said it before, you need Australian rugby to be competitive. The game needs it, the world needs it, with the Lions and the World Cup two years after, it’s important,” Youngs said.
“They probably needed a result like to give confidence and belief, but also get people talking about them in the right way, like I am now. Everyone wants the Lions to be a competitive brilliant series. It is a special series for everyone and everything yesterday suggests it will be (competitive).
“So humble pie for me today, but we don’t mind it – it’s all good. When you put it out there you have to be big enough to own it when it comes back at you.”
The Wallabies will be without captain Harry Wilson for the Wales clash, with the big no.8 ruled out due to a concussion suffered against England. That is likely to open the door for Skelton to come into the team, with Jeremy Williams or Lukhan Salakaia-Loto capable of moving to the backrow.
Dylan Pietsch is expected to be fit after coming off with a bad cork.
Gatland and Wales are under massive scrutiny following the loss to Fiji. The Welsh, who lost twice to Australia in July, haven’t had a Test win in over a year. Their last win was against Georgia in the Rugby World Cup, a week after thrashing the Eddie Jones’ Wallabies 40-6.
