Imagine facing a team that's won two Rugby World Cups in a row and is hailed as the planet's top Test side—yet the All Blacks still carry an unstoppable mystique that makes every clash feel like destiny itself. Now, picture England, fresh off nine straight wins, gearing up to shatter that legacy this Saturday. But can they really do it against such rugby royalty? Let's dive into their bold blueprint, packed with deep digging, bench magic, and those 'brilliant basics' that could turn the tide.
South Africa might be the reigning back-to-back champions and widely regarded as the premier men's Test team globally, but there's an undeniable aura surrounding the All Blacks whenever they step onto the pitch. As Ben Earl bluntly put it after England's victory against Fiji, when asked if New Zealand still represented the ultimate test, 'When was the last time we beat them?' Indeed, it does feel that way for England players and fans alike.
The straightforward answer to Earl's question points to the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final as their most recent triumph. To trace back a home win at Twickenham, you'd have to rewind to that iconic 2012 match, which remains a pinnacle of English rugby on domestic turf. Digging deeper into their storied rivalry, dating all the way to a solitary encounter at Crystal Palace in 1905, England has only secured eight victories against the All Blacks in over a century of encounters. But here's where it gets controversial: Does this history doom England, or is it just fuel for their fire? Some might argue the All Blacks' legend is overstated in today's game—after all, even legends evolve.
New Zealand coach Scott Robertson acknowledged this weight during his Monday presser, noting that history holds significance, yet the focus should be on recent lessons and strategies from other teams. 'You look at what other teams have done before and how we can tap into that,' he said. While the current All Blacks squad isn't the invincible force of old, whispers of their decline might be premature. England recalls vividly how New Zealand defeated them three times last year, highlighting the team's ongoing challenges under head coach Steve Borthwick as he reshaped the squad. In those matches, and especially the November clash at Twickenham, England built leads only to squander them—sometimes by the narrowest of margins, like a post denying a potential series-leveller in that Allianz Stadium duel. It was a frustrating pattern that underscored England's vulnerabilities in high-stakes moments.
Yet, how quickly fortunes can change! England arrives for Saturday's showdown on a hot streak of nine uninterrupted wins, having addressed those late-game lapses through strategic selections starting from the Six Nations. For the second November fixture, Borthwick's bench against New Zealand features five British and Irish Lions, including influential figures like Ellis Genge and Tom Curry. And this is the part most people miss: The bench isn't just about fresh legs—it's a psychological powerhouse that can electrify the team and the crowd.
Borthwick himself explained the importance of a cohesive unit: 'With Test matches at this level, it needs one to 23 and it needs to be a full 80-minute performance.' He pointed to last year's tight finishes against New Zealand and similar nail-biters elsewhere, where scores hinge on the final quarter. 'I think we're in a fortunate position to have strength in depth,' he added, eagerly anticipating the roar of the crowd as replacements enter. 'I think the crowd's got a huge part to play this week.'
Over the past two weeks, Borthwick has rolled out five bench forwards at once, emphasizing not only their quality but also the revitalizing effect of their energy and fresh white jerseys. Starters have praised this boost in recent victories over Australia and Fiji, describing how it uplifts flagging teammates and energizes the stadium. This isn't just tactical—there's a symbolic freshness that can shift momentum in rugby's relentless pace.
Take a closer look at the contrast with last November's bench against the All Blacks: Veterans like George Ford (now back as starter at fly half) and Dan Cole brought experience, but other subs lacked top-tier Test pedigree, leading to costly errors, such as Ford's missed drop goal. Compare that to an early Six Nations loss to Ireland with a bench boasting only 81 caps combined—now, even with injuries to Ollie Chessum and Tommy Freeman, England's subs total 317 caps, and even relative newcomer Ben Spencer has five Premiership titles under his belt. For beginners in rugby, think of caps as experience points earned from international matches; the higher the number, the more battle-tested the player.
This growing depth shines through England's broader squad, bolstered by the Lions tour's shared experiences. The starting front row of Fin Baxter, Jamie George, and Joe Heyes united for the first Argentina Test in July and against Australia recently, while flankers Guy Pepper and Sam Underhill, familiar from their Bath club days, add continuity. Borthwick stressed how modern Test rugby often boils down to one-score games in the closing stages, making regular partnerships crucial. 'Having players who play together regularly, train together regularly and have experience of having seen these situations before, that is really important.'
Rugby has evolved, with the Springboks demonstrating the bench's transformative power over years. England felt that sting last year against New Zealand and recently saw Damian McKenzie's impact from the sidelines against Scotland, potentially shifting him into Robertson's starting lineup after favoring a more conservative kicking approach in past England matches. Borthwick warns that England must dig profoundly and secure the game repeatedly—Scotland's comeback against the All Blacks serves as a stark example. A robust kicking strategy, rooted in 'brilliant basics,' will be key to countering New Zealand's resilience.
'There is no doubt playing against New Zealand, the team is going to have to dig very, very deep,' Borthwick urged. 'There's a team that's going to have to go into a place where there is pain and suffering, and there's going to be this need to keep running.' Reflecting on last year's heartbreakingly close contest, he pinpointed minor defensive slips allowing Will Jordan's breakthrough as pivotal. 'We didn't get our basics quite right.'
Ultimately, England needs its most selfless collective effort yet to match New Zealand's caliber. 'The players are going to have to give absolutely everything,' Borthwick concluded. As fans, we can't help but wonder: Will England's bench and basics rewrite history, or is the All Blacks' aura unbreakable? What do you think—can England dethrone the legends, or is this just another chapter in their storied rivalry? Share your thoughts in the comments below; do you agree with Borthwick's approach, or see a controversial flaw in relying so heavily on the bench? Let's debate!
