🔗 Share this article

England's skipper has warned that Steve Borthwick's side should steer clear of being intimidated by New Zealand's formidable reputation if they hope to secure their maiden home triumph over the visitors in 13 years this weekend.

Team Updates Before Pivotal Clash

England's head coach has received a welcome lift with the versatile back recovering from injury and available for selection since suffering an injury on British & Irish Lions duty, while the full-back and the wing featured in the 37-man group revealed on the weekend.

Current Form Differs with Previous Woes

England will welcome New Zealand after extending their unbeaten run to nine matches with a commanding comfortable win over the Pacific Islanders, again pulling away in the final quarter. This strong run stands in stark contrast from 12 months back, when the team endured six defeats in seven matches, all by narrow margins. Three of those defeats were inflicted by New Zealand—two on the 2024 summer tour and a 24-22 loss at home after the fly-half failed with two late kicks.

New Zealand just defeated the Scots on Saturday to maintain hopes of a home nations grand slam alive, and while South Africa secured their top spot, the captain described the All Blacks as “arguably the top team in the world.”

Of the last 11 meetings, the team's only victory over the All Blacks came in the 2019 World Cup semi-final, and the visitors remain unbeaten in the last five clashes at Twickenham.

George's Insight on Playing the Kiwis

“What a lot of teams do is sit back in awe of New Zealand with their history and all their world-class talent,” said former captain George. “It’s tempting to do that. I have done it in the past. We must remember we’ll be back here at Allianz Stadium. We’re very proud to be playing here. We are going to do all we can to win that game.

“You have to be at your best. New Zealand are without doubt the strongest team in the world at the minute. They’re an exceptionally skilled squad and they appear to step up a gear when they come to this stadium. Our focus for us is is identify where we might have improved in the first half last time. Additionally, have a defined strategy which can apply as much pressure as we are able to. If we do that, we’ll give ourselves a opportunity.

“We came under a bit of heat last year for not coming out on the right side of close contests and not finding a way to win. Now, we’re doing the complete reverse. Not at all have we cracked it. But we’ve put a strong focus on the final phases of games and closing games out. Notching multiple tries in the last quarter of the match is a sign of a good team.”

The Coach's Outlook and Team Changes

The England coach is again expected to make a number of changes to his lineup, with skipper the lock, the flanker, and the fly-half all expected to be reinstated to the first XV. The wing and the newcomer each took knocks against Fiji but have been selected in the squad getting ready to face the All Blacks.

“We want to challenge ourselves against the top sides and [New Zealand] are one of those best teams,” commented the head coach. “Our team is youthful, we’re evolving, I think we’re growing quickly and we’re keen to learn. So I’m sure the upcoming going to be a great assessment for us.”

Earl's Reflection on Growth

The number eight, meanwhile, thinks that the team's current capacity to break away in the closing stages of games is largely due to their three narrow defeats by New Zealand last year. “It leaves you seasoned, you feel like you’ve got the wounds, you’ve got the experience to build on those setbacks, and they hurt at the time,” said Earl, who was named player of the game against the Fijians. “But I question among the squad in the changing room, if we’d alter our journey now, with the success that we’re now enjoying? I’d be interested to know because I think they’re extremely valuable lessons.”