England Embraces Rugby’s Final Frontier with Confidence and Versatility
England will embark on their journey to confront the mighty All Blacks, armed with a wealth of benefits from a compelling warm-up. The team showcased a hybrid asset, a new sensation, and a clinical streak in attack, as they comfortably dispatched Japan.
The versatile Ben Earl’s performance in the midfield was a particularly significant development, demonstrating his ability to thrive in various positions. As England coach Steve Borthwick seeks to expand the national team’s repertoire, Earl’s adaptability offers precious flexibility.
“Ben has the speed, the skill-set and the rugby brain to be able to play almost anywhere on the field,” said Borthwick. “Fundamentally, in any unstructured situation, you back him.”
The win over Japan has instilled a collective mood of confidence within the England squad as they prepare for their long run-in to the first Test in Dunedin on July 6. The strategic liberation witnessed in the later stages of the Six Nations was further enhanced by the ruthlessness shown in attack against the Japanese.
Chandler Cunningham-South’s thunderous debut at blindside flanker also caught the eye, as the New Zealand-raised Harlequin continues his quest to become the long-term successor to the great Courtney Lawes.
England can now head to New Zealand without any form of trepidation, buoyed by their momentum and the hope generated by their recent performances. It promises to be a fascinating few weeks, with the potential for a close-encounter series against the transitioning All Blacks.
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