The All Blacks have rolled into London, with a Grand Slam and a fifteen win season in their sights. So it’s better for England to target one man rather than the whole team.
In a single game, England could salvage years of damaged pride with a win. Not only that, but a massive upset for the Red Rose would result (as would a draw) in a catapulting for English into the prized realm of the top four teams of the world.
This would mean the English could avoid all of the Tri Nations teams till potentially the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup, and head a pool of their own.
However, this is highly unlikely, with the All Blacks unchallenged at the top of the rugby world, losing only eight times since Graham Henry took charge, and only once losing to Northern Hemisphere opposition in five years.
Not since Martin Johnson held the reins of England have they lowered the All Blacks colours, with New Zealand on a six match winning streak.
England is a team in dilemma.
They have appointed the World Cup winning Johnson as their overlord, but as the English papers have delighted in pointing out this week, this is a man with no coaching experience. And it is being translated to the team.
As Rob Andrew, elite director of the RFU, pointed out earlier this year, the eight year, 110 million pound deal signed between the clubs and the union will ultimately be a boon for the English game with benefits already being felt at junior levels with the England Saxons and Under 18s going unbeaten and the Under 20 side reaching the final of the Junior World Cup (ironically being thumped by New Zealand 38-3).
So there is a conveyer belt of talent.
But while the last year has been about building foundations and structure, or ‘fire fighting’ as Andrews puts it, we are seeing the fresh genesis of a New England team with much hard work in front of them.
So it seems as much as anything that Johnson is going to have to wear the abuse and use the talent he has at his disposal now, meaning that a return to old heads may help England rather than introducing mavericks such as Danny Cipriani, who is clearly out of depth at Test level.
How Johnson and England must miss Johnny boy at the moment.
But while the All Blacks could be considered to be rebuilding as well, after losing 600 Test caps last year, the coaching team and the basic structures and feeding of New Zealand rugby are still prevalent, as are now veteran campaigners such as Richie McCaw, Ali Williams, Mils Muliaina and, of course, Dan Carter – all whom have meshed with new and recalled players.
Carter is like England hope Cipriani eventually becomes.
He does not glide like Stephen Larkham did, kick as Andrew Merhtons did, or have the defensive grit of Butch James. But as an all-round player, he is considered as complete a number ten as the game has seen.
And he loves playing against England.
In the six matches he has started against the Red Rose, he has never lost. He has compiled 120 points against the English, and in six encounters against the All Blacks, the entire English team has amassed just 86 points.
Alone, Carter holds an average match advantage of 5 points.
Mike Ford, England’s defence coach will not only be dwelling on Carter, but on the wave of unrelenting black attack that will challenge every defensive channel the English can imagine.
Challenging the free flowing ad-lib style of New Zealand that will be England’s only path to victory; to go old school and completely try to shut down the All Black game with grit, determination and controlled fury – much as Johnson’s England conquered the world.
Beating the All Blacks can be an impossible task. But doing it in the headquarters of Twickenham will be much easier than doing it in New Zealand in 2011 – which they would have to do potentially twice should England lose this weekend and drop to fifth in the world rankings.
As no doubt Johnson will be tiding. “the path starts here lads.”
To pull of the impossible will indeed re-leash the hounds at England’s door.
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.
It didn’t come as that big a surprise when Sam Cane announced he was walking away from the All Blacks on Monday. That’s not…
Sam Cane has stood down as All Blacks captain and might have played his final Test after signing a new three-year deal with Suntory.…
Seven months after the Springboks sensationally elected for a scrum from a mark inside their 22-metre line during their run to a fourth Webb…
Column: So, elite test rugby might be going to Qatar. Interesting. I can’t say I’m too enthused. Nothing to do with sportswashing, but we’ll…
Australian rugby has many problems - financial crisis, ever-shrinking audiences, shortage of coaching expertise, Greg Martin, etc etc. But one problem which I have…
By my count, the Brumbies have played three teams of consequence this season. The first two - the Chiefs and Blues - thrashed them…
