"Itoje knows from personal experience what it takes to beat New Zealand, having tasted success for the British & Irish Lions in 2017 and again for England in the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final in Yokohama. On three occasions last year he was part of teams narrowly edged out in the final stages by the All Blacks in Dunedin, Auckland and London but says England are now significantly better placed to seal the deal on Saturday."
"I think we're ready, said Itoje as England put the finishing touches to their big game preparations at their hotel base in Bagshot. New Zealand are a good team, no doubt about that. They possess enough talent, accuracy and power to hurt any team but I think we're ready to take that next step. I think we have a clearer understanding of how we want to play and more belief in what we do and how we do it."
"They were leading in the second half of all three of their Tests against New Zealand last year, only to fail to score a point in the final quarter of all those contests. In Dunedin they lost 16-15 after Marcus Smith's goalkicking radar deserted him, while in Auckland they were in front 17-13 before going down 24-17, missing out on a possible late penalty try which might have secured them a draw."
England enter the match with belief they can secure a first victory over New Zealand since 2019 and extend a winning run to ten. Maro Itoje cites personal experience beating New Zealand with the British & Irish Lions in 2017 and with England in the 2019 World Cup as proof of what it takes. England narrowly lost three Tests to the All Blacks last year despite leading in the second half, failing to score in the final quarters. Improved clarity of play, greater belief, and strengthened bench depth underpin expectations of a different outcome now.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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