"Cold, grey, hostile, the days when anyone lucky enough to have the choice takes one look out the window and realises time is going to be best spent indoors. The All Blacks did not have that luxury. Their head coach, Scott Robertson, spoke in the week about the work he had done to prepare his players. We're looking forward to it, he said. Perhaps he really believed it."
"Steve Borthwick has been busy in that laboratory of his. After three years in the job he has built this England into something ugly, brutish and formidable. They are a monstrous lot, all marauding forwards and rampant backs, a team that run on pride, piss and vinegar and carry an air of violent intent. They look hell to play against, dropping high bombs from the rooftop and barrelling down the channels, smashing into lunatic tackles."
Twickenham experienced a cold, hostile day as England produced an intimidating, physical performance against New Zealand. Scott Robertson prepared the All Blacks, but England's form after wins over Australia and Fiji signalled their momentum. The home side confronted the haka in a U formation, with Henry Pollock and Jamie George advancing to the halfway line to stare down opponents. Under Steve Borthwick, England have become a brutal, organized unit of marauding forwards and powerful backs who run on pride and aggression. The match included intense moments such as Ben Earl's sin-bin and a New Zealand scrum in their 22 with England leading 25-19.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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