If this autumn’s tour has scratched the certainty of certain nations in world rugby, such as Fabien Galthié’s Blues, who hope to strengthen them this Saturday evening against Fiji (21:10), it will allow England to confirm their upward trend. Impressive in combat and mental, the least vulnerable of the team in the heat of the moment on the pitch, a quality we observed much longer in their opponents’ side later in the evening, de la Rose’s XV attacked by dominating the All Blacks scoring 4 tries to 3.
By winning 33-19 at Twickenham this Saturday, England collected their 10th consecutive win of the season, a record they have not experienced for ten years. The Blacks haven’t lost at Twickenham since 2012.
A lesson in intensity and pragmatism
To achieve this, George Ford’s teammates, so invaluable to his management, had to show great mental strength.
After a quarter of an hour of observation, the British were led away. A trick from Leicester Fainga’Anuku trapped them first. The winger almost escaped the fray like a striker, holding off two tackles to open the scoring (0-7, 14th). Then, hooker Codie Taylor, at the end of a quick turnaround wide, confused Alex Mitchell along the line to score what looked like a break try (0-12, 20th), as it was hard for the New Zealand team to falter in front on the scoreboard.
But the legs of England flyhalf Ford, author of the two-drop – a highly useful technical move although in danger of disappearing in modern rugby, and the intensity provided by his squad, in defense and in impact in the middle of the pitch allowed them to recover (11-12 at the break), then reverse the trend.
If the third try, signed by third row Sam Underhill (43), which put them ahead was a perfect example of the intensity and patience England’s players were able to express in this match, center Fraser Dingwell’s (55) three-quarter try perhaps told more about the fragility of the All Black defensive line. Things that will cost them dearly in the heart of the game and will determine some of the scenarios and outcomes of this encounter.
Winning against Australia (25-7), Fiji (38-18) and New Zealand, England will look to extend their winning streak in the final surprise of the autumn tour against Argentina, on November 23. Executors of Ireland (26-13), Scotland (25-17), who fell against England, the All Blacks will travel to Wales for the final test on English soil, on November 22.
