England Seek to Shift Pressure Onto All Blacks Ahead of Series Decider
As England head to Auckland for the series finale against the All Blacks, head coach Steve Borthwick is employing a psychological strategy to keep the spotlight on the hosts and off his own players.
Despite their narrow one-point defeat in Dunedin, Borthwick believes the pressure is now firmly on the experienced New Zealand side, who have the added burden of playing at Eden Park, where they have not lost in 30 years. “They have a very experienced team with nearly 1,000 caps and on average are two years older than us,” he said, emphasizing England’s underdog status.
Borthwick also highlighted the impact of England’s aggressive blitz defense, which he believes forced the All Blacks to adapt their game plan. “We will push the line speed as hard as we can,” he stated, although the tourists did miss several key tackles in the first Test. The coach is determined to shape the narrative around the series, recognizing that even a minor psychological edge could prove invaluable.
Regarding Marcus Smith’s missed kicks, which could have swung the result, Borthwick was quick to defend his playmaker. “Damian McKenzie missed some kicks yesterday as well and he is an incredible goal kicker. It happens. Marcus produced some moments of absolute class.”
Now, England face the challenge of maintaining their intensity and focus after the agonizing setback. Borthwick has emphasized the need for his players to learn from their mistakes and move on quickly, rather than dwelling on the disappointment. The coach is backing his side to defy expectations and secure a historic victory at the daunting Eden Park fortress.
“We will push the line speed as hard as we can,” – Steve Borthwick
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