The All Blacks have won 13 of the 15 Tests in New Zealand between the two nations, with the only England Test successes coming in 1973 under John Pullin, and 2003 under Martin Johnson.
Watching England drubbings in Dunedin, or executions at Eden Park, has been an occupational hazard over the last 25 years – and it makes me cautious about Steve Borthwick’s touring side being able to buck the trend.
An overriding concern is that the basketball rugby that was once the preserve of Super Rugby has now been adopted by the Premiership clubs with such zeal that most defences are now poor.
Results in the last round of the Premiership last weekend, compared with those in Super Rugby told the story. While the top English league featured four matches out of five with winning margins of 40 to 54 points, in five out of six results in Super Rugby the winning margins were 26 to 34 points.
The three New Zealand teams in the top four in the Super Rugby table also have the best defensive records, while the All Blacks showed at the 2023 World Cup that their scramble defence is still among the best in the world. Given the open-door defences in the Premiership, New Zealand’s new coach Scott Robertson will be primed to cut up England at every opportunity – unless they make marked improvements by the start of July.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
