Maro Itoje reveals what Emma Raducanu was 'taken aback by' on England visit prior to New Zealand tie, details Tinie Tempah, Anthony Joshua friendships

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Emma Raducanu spent time with the England camp ahead of their Quilter Nations Series showdown with New Zealand this Saturday, and skipper Maro Itoje has shared details of his chat with the British tennis star. Itoje also reacted to his GQ Man of the Year nomination, and lifted the lid on his friendships with the likes of Tinie Tempah and Anthony Joshua. Watch England v New Zealand on TNT Sports.

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Maro Itoje has revealed what Emma Raducanu was "taken aback by" on her visit to the England camp ahead of their Quilter Nations Series clash with New Zealand.

Head coach Steve Borthwick has emphasised the importance of learning from other sports and sportspeople, and Raducanu was joined by Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler in visiting England's Pennyhill Park training base this week.

The All Blacks come to Allianz Stadium - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - on the back of an unbeaten autumn so far, with Borthwick's side themselves on a nine-game run of wins stretching back to early February.

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England last beat New Zealand in a thrilling semi-final at the 2019 World Cup, but have not come out on top at home since 2012, when Manu Tuilagi starred in a momentous 38-21 victory.

Itoje was pictured speaking to Raducanu on Tuesday, and shared details of their meeting.

"I had a brief chat with Emma, it was very nice of her to come in. I know the squad appreciated having her here," the England captain told TNT Sports at a media briefing.

"To be honest, I didn't speak to her about anything performance-related, it was more just getting to know her, getting to understand where she's at with her season, and she was asking similar questions with regard to where we are and what we're doing.

"She was taken aback by the size of the weights in the gym, but it was nice to have her."

Itoje added: "These people from other sports, they want to come into the environment.

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"I don't know exactly how the logistics of it works, but I'm pretty sure these people are requesting to come in and observe and see what we're doing.

"So I think that says something about the type of environment that Steve is cultivating."

Itoje also discussed what the "incredibly impressive" Hurzeler had spoken to his squad about.

"He [Hurzeler] was great, he spoke a little bit about the team and the importance of culture and everyone being involved," Itoje said.

"Looking at him, he's incredibly impressive. 32 years old, he's a Premier League manager, that's incredibly young - he's only one year older than me.

"That's incredibly impressive."

Tinie Tempah 'incredibly humble'

Itoje has had a stunning year since becoming England captain for the 2025 Six Nations earlier this year.

England have lost just once under his leadership, and this summer he also captained the British & Irish Lions to their victorious series win over Australia.

Itoje is a man with a wide range of interests too, and all that has culminated in him being nominated for the prestigious GQ Man of the Year award.

"I'm extremely proud and honoured to be part of the Man of the Year [award]," he said.

"I'm happy to represent rugby. Rugby has given me so much. I think it's a great sport and I'm happy to be representative of rugby in such rooms and such circles.

"Whenever I've been to their events before, it's always been star-studded, and there have always been impressive people from all walks of life there, whether it's politics, media, sport, business - they often have a good cross-section, so I'm sure it [the event] will be good."

Lifting the lid on previous GQ ceremonies he has been to, Itoje said: "The first GQ I went to, I met [musician] Tinie Tempah for the first time, and we have subsequently become friends.

"What surprised me about him was how humble he was - he was incredibly humble for someone who has been so successful.

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"I think he's had more number one records than most if not all men since like 2000, so he was incredibly humble with it.

"At that same event, Anthony Joshua was on the table. That was my first time meeting him.

"I looked over my shoulder, I see Robert Pires, I looked over my left shoulder, there's Jaden Smith walking down.

"Looking across there's Zendaya... it was just crazy."

Watch and stream England v New Zealand this Saturday live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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