Rees out to steal the show

The London Wasps No7 says he is a little "naive" when it comes to stealing possession illegally and intends to push the laws to the limit during the tournament, starting against USA in Lens on Saturday.

Turnover ball is the most sought after prize in the sport, allowing a defending team to suddenly counter-attack against opponents who are ill-prepared for the surprise raid.

New Zealand have made this a key factor in their attacking armoury, thanks to the foraging skills of captain Richie McCaw who many believe lives permanently on the wrong side of the law.

McCaw would counter that he competes on the very limits of the referee's patience and that every world-class open-side flanker has to be a cheat.

It is their role in life to use whatever means possible to steal the ball and if they can get away with the crime then it's a job well done.

Men like McCaw, Schalk Burger, of South Africa, and Australia's George Smith are professional "thieves" and absolutely vital to their respective teams.

Neil Back was equally important to England during the successful 2003 World Cup campaign and Rees is a natural successor who is just seven caps into his career at Test level.

The former England Under-21 captain said: "You are making split-second decisions under pressure and while I don't claim to be squeaky clean, I admit to be a little naive. I need to learn where the line is in terms of competing for the ball and not giving away penalties. You have to work with the referee and it's vital to get an early indication of what he is looking for to ensure you don't concede cheap penalties.

"Referees aren't robots and make mistakes just like the players - probably a lot less than we do!

"With someone like Richie McCaw, of New Zealand, if the ball pops out on the All Blacks side along with McCaw then a referee may think 'it's Richie McCaw so that's ok' on the basis that everyone knows he is so very good in those contact situations.

"Maybe guys like McCaw, Schalk Burger and George Smith establish good relationships with officials and I am sure they do test the referee to the limit to see what they can get away with. You could say it's underhand, but it is all part of the game and we are all trying to get an edge because turnover ball is so crucial for any team."

Knee and hamstring injuries kept Rees out of the first two World Cup warm-up matches, against Wales and France, but he made an immediate impact in the final fixture, against the French in Marseille. His predatory instincts were responsible for winning ball and penalties, as the opposition failed to release as he wrestled for possession.

Rees, who is 6ft and 15st 6lbs, has spent considerable time in the Wasps gym to boost his arm strength to ensure he can compete at the break down with bigger opponents. The flanker's low centre of gravity allows him to stay on his feet above the tackled player despite being buffeted from all sides.

He is so important to England's cause that former captain Will Carling said recently that his performance "will decide whether Brian Ashton's men come back from France as heroes or villains".

"If Rees is on song we could make the semi-finals," he added. "How he plays will determine whether England can spin the ball out to their backs or play the bish-bosh game up front."

Rees turns 22 next week but is aware of the responsibility that now rests on his broad shoulders. "I have looked at how I played against France in Marseille, which was my first game for three months, and I didn't feel as sharp as I normally do," he said.

"I was mentally a bit rusty, which was understandable after that length of time out. I am acutely aware of my penalty count and the need to stay on the right side of the law which can be difficult in a contact situation which becomes very physical.

"I have learnt a lot from Lawrence [Dallaglio] and he quickly finds out what the referee is going to allow and communicates it to everyone in the pack. However, I also know from my time with Wasps that 'Lol' does not tolerate silly penalties being given away and I know he would go mental with me if I did that on a regular basis.

"It's interesting how tactics change and trends come and go in terms of back-row forwards.

"Open-side flankers try to be complete players and you have seen guys like George Smith appearing in different positions in recent years. I have been given this chance at the World Cup as the only specialist openside in the England squad but Lewis Moody and Joe Worsley have played there at the highest level of the sport."