'Let's have a ninth now': All Blacks ripe for the picking says England star
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: George Ford insisted on Friday that England won’t lack self-belief when they go in search of a rare win over New Zealand at Twickenham.
England have won just eight of their previous 46 Tests against the All Blacks in a rivalry with the rugby superpower dating back 120 years.
The last of those successes was a 2019 World Cup semifinal win when veteran playmaker Ford, as he will be this weekend, was the starting flyhalf.
“It’s a long time ago, isn’t it? It makes me feel old!” said Ford, who has edged Fin Smith for the No 10 shirt in Saturday’s game.
“There’s only been eight ever wins. It’s like, come on, let’s have a ninth now. One hundred percent.”
It is 13 years since England beat the All Blacks at Twickenham, with powerhouse centre Manu Tuilagi starring in a 38-21 triumph.
England lost three times to New Zealand last year, by a combined margin of just 10 points, but they head into this weekend’s encounter buoyed by a run of nine straight wins.
“Jamie George mentioned something to the team this week – the last time England beat New Zealand at Twickenham was 2012. And people still go on about 2012. Manu Tuilagi and all those,” said Ford.
“Jamie then flipped it and said this is the opportunity we have in front of us. Why can’t we – 2025 – be the next team that they talk about?”
‘Opportunity is there for us’
Ford said it was vital England maintained their intensity.
“You’ve got to go at a team like this in every area of the game. When we’ve got the ball, we’ve got to go at them,” he said.
“And when they’ve got the ball, we’ve got to go at them. The kicking game, the set-piece, we’ve got to go at them.
“The moment you sit off and become a bit passive is the moment that they could potentially get on top.”
England prop Joe Heyes, facing New Zealand for the first time on Saturday, said home fans at the 82,000-capacity Twickenham would also have a part to play.
“When our backs are against the wall or we’re going well, the crowd here really does rev you up and it helps because you are blowing,” said Heyes.
To know they’re there supporting you is massive for us. You feel their support 100 percent.”
