Justin Marshall: England have a ‘real shot’ against ‘vulnerable’ All Blacks
All Blacks great Justin Marshall believes that England have a massive advantage heading into the first Test.
All Blacks great Justin Marshall believes that England have a “massive advantage” for the first of the two-Test series against New Zealand.
Steve Borthwick’s charges tackle New Zealand at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday in what will be Scott Robertson’s first game in charge of the All Blacks.
Marshall, who played 81 Tests for his country, thinks England have a great opportunity to claim their second win over the All Blacks in New Zealand in the professional era.
The Red Rose have lost each of their last seven matches against the All Blacks in Aotearoa since a Clive Woodward-led side clinched a 15-13 win in Wellington in 2003.
England’s big shot
The ex-half-back still has the hosts as favourites but adds that England’s cohesion will be a huge factor on Saturday.
“I can’t see them winning at Eden Park next week, when the All Blacks have had a match and more time together,” Marshall told the Daily Mail.
“But the All Blacks are vulnerable in this first Test of a year, so England have a real shot.
“The All Blacks will be favourites, playing in New Zealand, but England are more settled under an established coaching team and after playing the Six Nations and then in Japan on this tour, they are the better-prepared side.”
England endured a sluggish start to the Six Nations this year but finished the tournament strongly, defeating eventual winners Ireland before falling short to an excellent France team.
They have since faced Japan and Marshall believes that England having already played Tests this year is a “massive advantage”, as he warned Robertson’s charges of an ambush in Dunedin.
“They [England] will know their DNA more than the All Blacks at this stage. My heart still says New Zealand to win, but it’s not going to be easy – this is England’s big chance,” he added.
“In my early years as an All Black, we were very aware of the stereotypical way that England played.”
“There is a pre-conception that England just play a territorial, boring game, but that is a Venus Flytrap if you go in with that mind-set.
“If you don’t recognise that they have guys with good skill-sets and finishing qualities, you will be ambushed by complacency.”
Warning to the All Blacks
England have certainly developed their game since the Rugby World Cup, where Borthwick employed a kick-heavy approach with a solid set-piece in order to be more competitive for the tournament.
However, he has backed plenty of Northampton Saints’ stars for the tour to New Zealand after their run to the Premiership title.
The likes of Tommy Freeman, George Furbank and Alex Mitchell have all been named in the starting line-up for the opener, with Fin Smith and Ollie Sleightholme on the bench.
Starting fly-half Marcus Smith is also renowned for his attacking prowess and ability on the gain-line and while Marshall predicts a more free-flowing English side, he knows they won’t lean too heavily into those tactics.
“I think they will balance up a bit,” he added.
“They won’t go out to play Sevens-type rugby against the All Blacks. The All Blacks can hurt you defensively, with turnovers in particular.
“But you also don’t want to just kick the ball away to the All Blacks’ back three, because they can hurt you too.”
