¿Why England Suffers vs. All Blacks? Former Players Reveal Secrets

England’s Challenge: Breaking the Curse against the All Blacks

Danny Care, evoking his experiences against the All Blacks, remembers the confusion after the defeats. Although he was part of the memorable 2012 victory, it is the feeling of bewilderment after an encounter with the All Blacks that endures. The history between England and the All Blacks is a story of New Zealand dominance, with only eight English victories in 46 encounters over 120 years. The last one was in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, a triumph considered a milestone.

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

The Steve Borthwick team has the opportunity to secure England’s first home win against the All Blacks since 2012. The challenge is mental, as explained by Jamie George, who acknowledges the tendency to feel awe for the history and incredible players of the All Blacks.

Chris Ashton, who defeated the All Blacks in 2012, shares a similar perspective, highlighting the influence exerted by the New Zealand team. He adds that, in many matches, victory slips away due to minimal details, and that the history and tradition of the All Blacks generate a special atmosphere. Eddie Jones, former England coach, underlines the importance of applying pressure in the right areas to overcome the All Blacks.

England’s victory over the All Blacks in 2012 was a high point, with a standout performance by Manu Tuilagi. However, since then, the All Blacks’ dominance has been constant. The defeat leaves the players with the feeling of not knowing how to achieve victory. The post-defeat analyses reveal recurring themes: lack of precision, the need to be more ruthless and to exert pressure on the scoreboard from the beginning.

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In 2018, England came close to victory at home, but a try was disallowed. A year later, they achieved a significant triumph in Yokohama, where the team prepared to break the myth of the All Blacks’ invincibility. Jones’ strategy, including an arrow-shaped response to the haka, sought to intimidate the New Zealand team.

Jones’ advice for winning is clear: attack first and with force, without being intimidated by the history of the All Blacks. Borthwick, who took over after Jones, has emphasized the importance of faith and belief in the team. The defeat in 2024 at Twickenham, with two missed kicks, highlights the pressure exerted by the history of the All Blacks. To beat them, you need to overcome their aura, strike first, and seize every opportunity.

Ashton notes that the perception of the All Blacks’ invincibility has diminished, although he acknowledges the difficulty of English victories. The All Blacks, with a 76% win rate under Scott Robertson, are seeking a Grand Slam in the northern hemisphere. For Ashton, England has the ability to beat them, but needs experienced leaders. Borthwick’s team must stick to their game plan, put history aside, and focus on the fundamentals of rugby. Care highlights the impact that beating the All Blacks would have on the team’s morale. For any English player, victory against New Zealand would be the most desired achievement.