England vs All Blacks: The secret of victory, revealed by former players

The Challenge of Facing the All Blacks: A Look at the English Mentality

Danny Care, reflecting on his experiences against the All Blacks, remembers the confusion after the defeats. Despite England’s memorable victory in 2012, it is the feeling of bewilderment after losing against New Zealand that lasts the most. The history of the clashes between England and the All Blacks is a story of challenges and few victories for the English. From 46 encounters in 120 years, England has only won eight times. Their most recent triumph was in the semi-final of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, a performance considered exceptional. England’s last victory at Twickenham was in 2012, a highly valued achievement.

It was one of the biggest victories for our generation. But, 13 years later, it’s incredible to say that beating the All Blacks once at home was the greatest achievement of that generation.

Danny Care

Steve Borthwick’s team has the opportunity to secure England’s first home victory against the All Blacks since 2012. Although they recognize the importance of the match, they try to approach it like any other game. Jamie George, after the victory against Fiji, highlighted the temptation to feel awe at the history and the incredible players of the All Blacks.

Danny Care and the English team know well the difficulties of facing New Zealand.

Chris Ashton, who defeated the All Blacks in 2012, shares that playing against them is peculiar. There’s a special dynamic, and until you experience it, it’s hard to understand why they are given so much advantage. Care adds that in many matches, a minimal difference results in a defeat. The history and tradition of the All Blacks generate something special. Eddie Jones, Japan’s coach, who oversaw England’s victory in 2019, believes the All Blacks still have an aura. To beat them, it is crucial to apply pressure in the right areas. England’s first victory over the All Blacks was in 1936. Since then, there were victories in Auckland (1973), Twickenham (1983, 1993) and the consecutive victories of 2002 and 2003, which consolidated England as a favorite in the World Cup. In 2012, England delivered their best performance under Stuart Lancaster, defeating the All Blacks 38-21. “It was a great match for our generation,” says Care. “But looking back, it’s incredible to say that beating the All Blacks once at home was the greatest achievement of that generation.”

England’s victory in the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final over New Zealand is considered one of their greatest victories.

Since the 2012 victory, the 2019 triumph contrasts with the dominance of the All Blacks. The feeling of bewilderment after being surpassed by the Kiwis is common. After each defeat since 2014, similar themes are repeated. In 2018, England was close to winning at home, but a try was disallowed. A year later, they achieved victory in Yokohama. Joe Marler, after the victory, commented that they automatically thought the All Blacks had the best players in the world.

England’s mindset was influenced by Jones and his samurai sword. They formed an arrow figure to respond to the All Blacks’ haka.

We try to pick an aggressive team: you need aggressive players. Once you match their physicality and fitness, you’re getting there. For the haka, we talked about forming a circle around them, but we decided on the ‘v’ shape. We wanted to silence the crowd and make New Zealand think that this wouldn’t be a walk in the park, and transform that emotion into ‘we’re here to face you’.

Joe Marler

Owen Farrell kept a smile in front of the haka, while Marler crossed the halfway line, which cost England a fine. Jones commented that it was a good plan, especially when you win. After the match, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was questioned about his team’s lack of commitment. Hansen responded by offering a word to the journalist. In November 2022, England drew 25-25, but it was Jones’s last autumn in charge of England. Steve Borthwick succeeded him and, ahead of his tour of New Zealand in 2024, remembered what it was like to face the All Blacks. Borthwick recalled being on teams that had no faith. England were close in two tests, but lamented the results. The All Blacks visited Twickenham in 2024 and two missed kicks by George Ford allowed the Kiwis to win 24-22. According to Care, if opportunities against the All Blacks are not taken advantage of, the match is not won. To beat the All Blacks, it is necessary to overcome their history and aura, strike first and take advantage of every opportunity.

Steve Borthwick’s team will face New Zealand once more at Twickenham on Saturday.

Ashton reflects that the feeling of defeat against the All Blacks may disappear, but acknowledges England’s few victories. The All Blacks, with a 76% win rate under Scott Robertson, are perceived as vulnerable. Borthwick must stick to the game plan, put history aside, and focus on the fundamentals of rugby. Jones’ advice, recalling the 2019 victory: “Hit them first. Hit them hard. Don’t wait for them. As soon as you start thinking about the aura, you sit back and watch them. You need to be the spectacle, not part of it.” Borthwick’s team is on a nine-match winning streak. Beating the All Blacks would signify real progress.

If you could be part of a winning team against anyone, who would you choose?

Danny Care