"For better or worse it has been lashing down in south-west London. Good news for restocking the reservoirs but rather less so for dry-ball rugby. Had England played New Zealand 24 hours earlier it would have resembled a game of outdoor water polo and, although the matchday forecast is less biblical, a decidedly damp, grey afternoon awaits. Is it some kind of celestial clue that England's on-field drought against the All Blacks might be about to break?"
"It is now 13 years since the last men's victory over New Zealand at what was once called Twickenham, so long ago that Maro Itoje was still at school. Troublemaker by Olly Murs (featuring Flo Rida) topped the UK charts and the nation was basking in a warm, fuzzy post-London Olympics glow that was supposed to last indefinitely. Admittedly the convincing 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final win in Yokohama was a striking exception"
Heavy rain has soaked south-west London, replenishing reservoirs but threatening a wet, grey matchday at Twickenham. England have not beaten New Zealand at Twickenham in 13 years, a span that predates Maro Itoje's senior career. The convincing 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final win in Yokohama was a striking exception and remains England's most authoritative performance in the past 20 years. Otherwise the encounters have been recurring near misses, with only eight English sides having experienced victory over the All Blacks. England arrive on the back of nine consecutive Test wins; the fixture will be a true measurement of progress, where victory would validate growing confidence and defeat could reverse momentum. Players describe a clearer collective direction and report improved ability to close out games in the final 20 minutes.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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