ALL BLACKS V ENGLAND PREVIEW: ‘GENIUS’ SCOTT ROBERTSON TO BEGIN REIGN WITH TIGHT WIN OVER TALENTED ENGLAND SIDE

Expectation never dwindles when you’re associated with the All Blacks but there is particular excitement about this next era under Scott Robertson.

The 49-year-old is set to embark on his first Test season as New Zealand head coach having taken over from Ian Foster following the Rugby World Cup.

After creating a dynasty at the Crusaders – winning seven Super Rugby titles in as many seasons – All Blacks fans anticipate a return to the dominance they had under the two ‘sirs’, Graham Henry and Steve Hansen.

While the end of Foster’s reign concluded with an ultimately positive Rugby World Cup, one which they would have likely won had it not been for Sam Cane’s red card in the final, it was a fraught few years in between the 2019 and 2023 global tournaments.

It included historic home defeats to Argentina and Ireland, and a dreadful run of form which almost saw him sacked, but an upturn in performances in 2023, allied by Robertson’s arrival as the All Blacks’ head honcho, has the supporters thinking positively.

That, of course, brings with it extra pressure, which could negatively impact matters in the upcoming series with England, a team that appear to be developing nicely under Steve Borthwick.

All Blacks players are very much used to the pressure imposed on them but that doesn’t mean they can’t be affected by it when things go wrong. This Red Rose side have the quality to put them under duress and, if Robertson’s outfit are indeed rusty in the opening game, then they could be in for a shock.

New Zealand are traditionally slow starters and England, who have been a settled unit since the back end of the Six Nations, will seek to take advantage of that.

Borthwick’s men have built impressively since the Ireland encounter and will be a threat to the hosts, so we are in for a fascinating couple of matches.

Where the game will be won

It’s quite frankly difficult to know when New Zealand have yet to play a game under Robertson but, if you’re taking the Crusaders blueprint, they were always strong up front and in transition. Jason Ryan worked with the new All Blacks head honcho at the Christchurch outfit before taking on the role with the national team and he has proven to be one of the finest forwards coaches around.

Their set-piece, from scrum to maul, enjoyed a significant improvement last year and the majority of that front five have remained, despite the loss of Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock. It may surprise people but it could be an area where they have dominance over England, who are still looking for those answers up front. Borthwick is reliant on a 37-year-old Dan Cole to provide a platform, while Joe Marler’s importance to the cause has never been greater.

The Red Rose are more assured in the back five, however, and that defensive pressure they will exert, both at the breakdown and in their line speed, will challenge the All Blacks. New Zealand’s individual players have outstanding skill sets but, if they are still rusty and the game plan has yet to be fine-tuned, then mistakes could follow.

You would think that it is not a match where the hosts will want to chase, particularly with England having a good kicking game. The visitors are also quite happy to play without the ball, which allows them to force errors via their defensive system. If Borthwick’s side can kick well and pin Robertson’s team back then it will be a tough encounter for the All Blacks.

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Last time they met What they said

All Blacks centre Jordie Barrett expects to face an England team willing to chance their arm more than they have done in the past.

“They’re a very strong side. Played awesome against Ireland and France the back end of the Six Nations and put points on Japan,” Barrett said.

“We think they’re going to bring a bit of line speed and they play, they’ve got Marcus Smith and a few other guys who ignite their backline and any bit of momentum they get, they’ll play on top.

“They’re an exciting team and I think under the roof it’ll suit the way they’re heading as well as a team.”

England skipper Jamie George expects Robertson to recreate a Crusaders-type style with the All Blacks and has also urged the team to embrace the occasion.

“My message to the team is to soak it in, to love it and to enjoy it,” George told TVNZ.

“This is what rugby for me is all about. Coming out to tours like this, to hostile places and trying to compete against the best.

“I think there is an element of the unknown.

“The challenge is almost not being blown away by the skill level and the physicality. The style of play they’re probably going to play is likely to be similar to the Crusaders.”

Players to watch

Robertson has selected a very experienced squad, despite seeing some of the greats depart after the World Cup. Although Retallick and Whitelock have left, Scott Barrett remains and has been named captain, and will no doubt continue putting in world-class displays from the second-row.

Barrett has a big role to play in a number of facets but particularly in the lineout, where they don’t have the jumping threats they used to. That is why they have brought in the exciting Samipeni Finau, who brings height and physicality to that blindside role. He was outstanding in Super Rugby Pacific in 2024 and looks readymade for Test rugby.

Behind the scrum, perennial impact player TJ Perenara gets an opportunity from the start having made a remarkable recovery from a horrible Achilles rupture. In fact, it will be the scrum-half’s first Test since he sustained that injury against England in November 2022. Perenara’s kicking game will need to be on point while he will look to get quick service to his backs where playmaker Stephen Perofeta, who has been selected ahead of Beauden Barrett, will seek to take advantage.

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For England, if Borthwick’s men are to win then setting the physical tone early on will be key. That comes in set-piece, where Joe Marler and Will Stuart are vital, and in defence with Sam Underhill the destroyer in chief. Underhill has been in fine form this season, while many will remember his superb display against the All Blacks in the 2019 World Cup semi-final. Certainly, Jordie Barrett won’t forget after ‘that’ tackle.

New Zealand: "Three World Cups on the trot?"

Sam Underhill: #ENGvNZL pic.twitter.com/tZrdVm7788

— James Keith (@J_RKeith) October 26, 2019

All Blacks fans might also be interested to watch Chandler Cunningham-South, a player who was born in England but raised in New Zealand. However, the powerful back-rower was picked up by London Irish in February 2022 and has rapidly made his way through the English system, shining at age-grade and club level before impressing as an impact player for the Red Rose in the Six Nations. He has now made his way into the starting line-up and, after standing out against Japan, he gets another shot this weekend.

Cunningham-South has all the physical tools to be a success in the international arena but this will be another step up. The flanker, alongside fellow young players Ollie Lawrence and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, have a big role to play in terms of their gain line impact. They will need to get that front-foot ball to allow Alex Mitchell to dictate proceedings at the base of the ruck.

Main head-to-head

Let’s hope this Saturday is as fun as it promises to be, especially with Damian McKenzie and Marcus Smith in opposition. Granted, the basics are vital for an international fly-half and that is what the coaches will judge them on, but these two are also playing because of their ability with ball in hand.

Both are quick, balanced and have superb footwork, while their passing games and option-taking in attack is elite. McKenzie and Smith have matured as rugby players over the years, adding the nuts and bolts onto the natural flair they already possess to make them well-rounded playmakers. The differentiator in terms of which team wins will ultimately come down to who does the basics better, but what the fans want to see is pure entertainment, and these two can provide that.

Prediction

It may be a new era but New Zealand still have a strong and experienced spine to the team, with their front five particularly excellent. However, there is likely to be both rust and nerves, which a talented England outfit have the ability to take advantage of. Robertson is a genius, though, and can create an effective game plan in a short period of time, even if it will be tight. All Blacks by six points.

Previous results

2022: England and New Zealand drew 25-25 in London

2019: England won 19-7 in Yokohama

2018: New Zealand won 16-15 in London

2014: New Zealand won 24-21 in London

2014: New Zealand won 36-13 in Hamilton

2014: New Zealand won 28-27 in Dunedin

2014: New Zealand won 20-15 in Auckland

2013: New Zealand won 30-22 in London

2012: England won 38-21 in London

The teams

New Zealand: 15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Tele’a, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Beauden Barrett

England: 15 George Furbank, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Lawrence, 11 Tommy Freeman, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 5 George Martin, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Jamie George (c), 1 Joe Marler

Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Ollie Sleightholme

Date: Saturday, July 6

Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Kick-off: 19:05 local (08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)

Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Jordan Way (Australia)

TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

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