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New Zealand must have the most one-eyed and disrespectful media in the rugby world.
There is a distinct theme to the news emanating from New Zealand at present and it goes like this – a rabble of an English squad has descended on New Zealand shores, showing complete disrespect to the All Blacks and ready to be thrashed.
Some of New Zealand rugby’s chief writers can’t even get their facts correct about the English side and the players within the touring party.
One thing is certain, the English will have ample motivation to shove these words back down their antagonists’ throats. We all know how a siege mentality can develop and drive sides on in sport, the French in the 2011 World Cup final are a prime example. The English will be feeding off this contempt and will be desperate to prove a point.
Listening to the All Black squad speak this week they seem equally at odds with how the English are being portrayed in the New Zealand press. The All Blacks know better than to write off an opponent, particularly one that is ranked number four in the world and has shared the spoils with them over the past two matches.
Make no bones about it, the English are in New Zealand to win, knowing that one victory during the three-Test series will represent success as we inch closer to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
As has been known for some time, due to scheduling issues we will see a weakened England side for the first Test at Eden Park. This is a missed opportunity for England as the All Blacks are notoriously slow starters to their international season. A full strength English squad fresh from a strong Six Nations would have backed themselves to have a crack at the All Blacks.
Though the English will still have a number of classy players available for the first Test, the loss of many of their frontline players will have an effect on them. That will mean that this will be the easiest of the three Tests for the All Blacks.
However, the second and third Tests will be different propositions. The English will be at full strength and will be hell bent on grabbing a victory on New Zealand soil. Catching the All Blacks in June may represent the best opportunity for northern hemisphere sides.
France managed a win in 2009 and nearly again in the first Test last year, Ireland came agonisingly close in 2012 in Christchurch. England will be aware that the All Blacks won’t be the finely tuned squad they were when they last met at Twickenham in November 2013.
Don’t be fooled, the English will have quality all over the park. Despite a number of injuries, the English front row is as strong as ever and expect them to target the All Black scrum at set pieces.
They possess one of the strongest lock combinations in world rugby in Courtney Lawes and Joe Launchbury, their back row of Tom Wood, Chris Robshaw and Billy Vunipolo is growing into a formidable combination. Owen Farrell will kick anything on offer, Manu Tuilagi will be difficult to contain in midfield as always and Mike Brown won player of the tournament in the Six Nations.
Critically, the English have also developed depth on the bench.
Don’t get me wrong, the English will be coming up against a great All Black side and one that is looking to continue their 14-match winning streak. The All Blacks will be conscious of striking a psychological blow to their opponents, knowing that they will be one of their main obstacles when defending their world title in 2015.
I still believe the All Blacks will do the business but I am not being fooled by the New Zealand media. The English are on New Zealand shores to win and this promises to be a very interesting series.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.