The All Blacks face the biggest challenge of their Grand Slam tour when they take on the red hot Roses at Allianz Twickenham on Saturday.
Saturday 15 November
England | Draw | New Zealand
Handicap
England | NZ
New Zealand were unconvincing against Scotland last week, blowing a 17-0 lead before eventually rescuing matters and claiming a 25-17 win in the end. Although the Scots deserve credit for their rousing comeback, the reality is that the Kiwis should have been out of sight in the second-half and their ill-discipline in receiving three yellow cards is cause for concern ahead of this trip to London.
In what has been another disappointing season for Scott Robertson’s men by All Black standards, capping it off by claiming a European Grand Slam would certainly be a major boost ahead of a 2026 campaign headlined by The Greatest Rivalry tour in South Africa.
With two wins out of two against Ireland and Scotland, and what should be a comfortable victory against Wales to come next week, Saturday’s matchup at Twickenham has suddenly become one of the side’s most important in a year already full of them. Lose here, and the uncertainty and instability surrounding this current group of All Blacks will be dialed up even further heading into next season.
Meanwhile, England have slowly started to gather momentum under Steve Borthwick after having had to weather so many doubts at the beginning of his tenure. They’re two from two too this month following defeats of the Wallabies (25-7) and Fiji (38-18) and are as well placed as they could be ahead of the arrival of the world’s number two team.
With George Ford given the reins at flyhalf and as many as six British & Irish Lions on his bench, Borthwick has selected a matchday squad full of quality and experience and armed with the confidence needed to deliver the tourists a knock out blow.
While Ireland are on the decline and with France struggling without a number of their injured stars, this improving England set-up are looking likely to be a big factor at the next World Cup, and a win here would be seismic in the context of the upcoming Six Nations.
Verdict: England on the board
New Zealand are vulnerable and are right for the plucking by a fast evolving England team.
