England plan to play positive rugby
Mike Tindall has said that England will aim to play positive rugby when they face New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday.
Mike Tindall has said that England will aim to play positive rugby when they face New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday.
29-year-old Tindall will play his first game for England since puncturing his liver and a lung in the opening match of the Six Nations. He believes that the tourists will use a conservative gameplan at their peril.
“We don't want to go out there and be negative,” Tindall told the BBC.
“We're starting afresh and we've got to lay down a marker in terms of our commitment and willingness to play.”
Tindall said he was never worried the injury would end his England career, but admitted he was delighted to be back with the national side.
“Injuries have been a bit of a bugger to me and I've missed a few games I'd like to have played in, but these are the big games you really want to play in – New Zealand in New Zealand,” he said.
Tindall's partner in midfield on Saturday will be former Bath colleague Olly Barkley, who will join him at Gloucester next season.
“Obviously I've played with Olly a fair bit. He's been outstanding this year for Bath – he really has been one of the form guys,” said Tindall.
“There's a lot of talk about 'we've only won twice here in 30 years' but we have just go to go out there and try to enjoy ourselves.”
Barkley, who will handle the kicking duties, returns to the England fold after missing the Six Nations because of a court case which ended with him being acquitted.
The 26-year-old admitted he was relishing the chance to restart his England career.
“The Six Nations wasn't an easy time for me, so to be back starting against the All Blacks is huge honour and one that I'm looking forward to,” he said.
“It seems like an age ago that I last played for England so it's nice to be back.
“We know we have to take our intensity to a level we probably haven't reached in the past six to 12 months – it's a huge ask for everyone.
“I think most sides tend to let the All Blacks play. They certainly have a massive aura surrounding them. They have earned that respect but at the same time you need to make life easy for yourself by going at them.
“You need to challenge them and pressure them and if you don't do that you can expect a pretty tough day.”