What it takes to beat the All Blacks

 

The English arrived in New Zealand with the belief that if anyone was going to topple the mighty All Blacks it was going to be them, having been the last team to do so at the end of 2012.

 

In Auckland they came close, in Dunedin even closer and although certain players stated the All Blacks mysticism was gone, they could just not get over the line for a victory.

 

Now, in a dead-rubber, the final Test is a serious matter for both teams as the All Blacks look to extend their unbeaten record and the English look to get some momentum and much-deserved pride.

 

For Lancaster, what is missing from the English effort is no secret.

 

“It takes consistency over the course of the 80 minutes [to beat the All Blacks]," he told RFUtv.

 

"We’ve been very good in lots of the first game and the majority of the second.

 

"I think the margins between the teams are very small and Steve Hansen has said the same.

 

“To win on Saturday is going to take that consistency and intensity we showed in the first Test, but for the entire 80 minutes.”

 

In the Dunedin Test there was an obvious momentum shift towards the All Blacks after the halftime whistle and it was the home team that took all their opportunities to push the score line beyond any English comeback.

 

Lancaster believes further that if the English can control the set-pieces and the breakdowns, they can wrestle momentum from the rampaging New Zealanders.

 

"The set-piece has been going well but we want to improve that," the coach added.

 

"We can improve our breakdown work and our game management. Critically, we want to control the momentum of the game and send it back to us.

 

“When we have those opportunities to score, we have to take them. We have to get our all-court game going if we want to beat the All Blacks.

 

This final Test is the last chance England will have at gaining some momentum for the end of year tour where their opponents will be none other than New Zealand.

 

“It’s important to win in New Zealand but it’s important to win our next rugby game. Finishing the season with everyone having won is critical," said Lancaster.

 

“We want everyone in a positive frame of mind heading into the end of year tours because our next opponents are…New Zealand.”