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The All Blacks will take on England in the third and final Test of the Steinlager series at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 5:30pm (AEST).
Despite picking up a win against the Crusaders in a tour match the English still remain without a victory against the All Blacks.
While the ledger reads 2-0 in the All Blacks favour, for England it hasn’t been a result of poor performance – quite the opposite in fact. In both Tests they matched the All Blacks for intensity, accuracy, skill and talent.
This is a very different England team than in the past and they’ve proved it. Being without a win doesn’t say much but they have been close. If not for some lucky breaks going the way of the All Blacks this could a very different series.
One thing is for sure, from an English point of view; they were able to back up the belief they had before the series started and if they keep developing and performing like this, come World Cup time they’ll be in with a good chance – and on home soil.
All Blacks head coach Steven Hansen has been playing it straight, relatively speaking, during his post-match interviews after the first and second test nothing that his side has been far from spectacular; fumbling and bumbling their way to victories.
Still despite looking out of sorts, and lacking characteristic cohesion, this team has found ways to win. Simply, as well as England have played the All Blacks have responded to the challenge and come up with the all answers.
It hasn’t looked pretty and far from the slick performances fans have become to expect over the years. Perhaps many are not expecting the home team to hit their straps until the Rugby Championship begins in August – typically the time when everything is in top gear and firing for the All Blacks.
“In that 20 minutes [in Dunedin] when we started to believe in what we were doing, the guys showed what they can do. So it’d be nice to do that for longer.” said captain Richie McCaw.
Though before they can turn their attention to old foes the Wallabies, Springboks and newcomers Argentina, there is still the matter of putting England away.
So far, England has been playing a freewheeling attacking method, and it has almost come off. It was as though they took the All Blacks game switched it around to suit their own style and ideas and delivered it straight back.
The biggest let down for England thus far has been discipline, with players sent to the sin bin for indiscretions at costly moments. If they rectify that and use a little bit of brains rather than all out brawn it might just put them in with a chance.
One of the most significant areas that separate the All Blacks from Southern Hemisphere sides is that they play what’s in front of them. Sure points on offer is the way to go according to conventional wisdom but if there’s an opportunity to go for the big play New Zealand take it.
England and others always take the points. In most circumstances it is the safe option and always keeps them in touch, but it has failed to deliver a victory on this tour.
Is it time to throw that out of the window and change tact? Always do what your opposition doesn’t want you to do. Without much left to play for, expect England to be competitive and stay in the match for a lengthy period, before the All Blacks run over the top and take the win.
Tip: All Blacks by 10
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.