England coach insists ‘everyone’s underestimated’ key All Blacks facet which went ‘through the roof’ in 2023

England coach Richard Wigglesworth insists that it is not just the All Blacks’ dangerous backline and powerful carriers that they will have to be wary of this weekend.

New Zealand are renowned for their speed, tempo and creativity, and that should be no different under Scott Robertson, but they are also a different beast up front.

They initially struggled in the front five after Ian Foster took charge in 2020, but that changed once forwards guru Jason Ryan joined in 2022.

Ryan, who worked with Robertson at the Crusaders, has improved the set-piece significantly, to the extent that they are now one of the leading teams in the world in that area.

It was very impressive throughout 2023 as the All Blacks reached the Rugby World Cup final, only to lose to the Springboks 12-11 in the final.

Strong front five

Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax have formed an excellent front-row while lock Scott Barrett is now the captain.

Although Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock have departed, it is still a talented and experienced first choice front five, even if there are depth concerns in the second-row.

“We want to be adaptable because every game is different. Some games are in the driving rain and are forward dominated. You have to be able to compete and do that,” Wigglesworth told The Breakdown.

“What everyone’s underestimated in the past about New Zealand is how good their set-piece is to allow the athletes and the skill-based players they have to shine.

“Since Jason Ryan’s come in that set-piece has gone through the roof. You know that is an absolute staple of rugby, that you need a strong set-piece.”

England captain Jamie George expects All Blacks to follow a certain team’s blueprint

While Ryan remains from Foster’s tenure, it is an otherwise completely new coaching staff under head honcho Robertson.

While England can perhaps get hints from what the 49-year-old did at the Crusaders and also delve into what the other members of the backroom team might bring, the All Blacks are proving difficult to review.

“I used to catch up regularly with (All Blacks assistant) Scott Hansen, who is a defence coach but he was on attack with the Crusaders, so I went through all my notes with what we’ve spoken about and what they do,” Wigglesworth said.

“I had a good look at the Crusaders but the Hurricanes coach (Jason Holland) is doing the backs, so we’ve had a fair bit of work to get through to work out what might be coming our way.

“We know what they will be which is a good All Blacks team.”

Youth and experience

England are expected to present a stern challenge to the All Blacks having shown signs of improvement under Steve Borthwick.

They had a better Six Nations, defeating Ireland and running France close, before they prepared for this two-Test series with a dominant victory over Japan.

There is still plenty of experience in the squad but there are also a number of young players, especially in the backline, who are exciting talents.

“We know that the only way of getting experience is getting out there and playing and we’ve hopefully got this team now that can stay together – the core of it – for a long time,” Wigglesworth added.

“We don’t want to be chopping and changing the team all the time otherwise these shared experiences we get in New Zealand aren’t going to be worth much.

“We want these guys to grow over the next few years and become really good Test match players, and hopefully improve.”

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