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.
Denne historien er fra May 26, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra May 26, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.
Trinity aim to get the culture right
HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.
YOUNG GUNS
Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.
McParland keen to shine for England A
NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.
