Brad Barritt Remembers England’s Iconic Win Over All Blacks

Brad Barritt the former England centre reminisced about the electrifying atmosphere at Twickenham during a historic match against the All Blacks in December 2012. Facing the world champions, New Zealand, who boasted stars like Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, England entered the game as underdogs, having not defeated their opponents in nearly a decade. Despite external doubts, Barritt and his teammates sensed they were ready for a significant performance.

England shocked the rugby world by delivering one of their finest displays securing a remarkable 38-21 victory. Owen Farrell’s reliable kicking gave England a commanding 15-0 lead at halftime. However, the players felt frustrated that they did not lead by more, knowing the threat posed by the All Blacks. As expected, New Zealand rallied after halftime, scoring two quick tries to narrow the score to 15-14 which increased the tension among the English players.

Nevertheless, Barritt remained positive and focused on regaining the initiative. Shortly thereafter, he scored a crucial try by breaking through the New Zealand defense, aided by centre partner Manu Tuilagi. This moment reignited England’s momentum. Tuilagi later provided another assist, allowing Chris Ashton to dive over the line, solidifying England’s dominance.

The match concluded with Tuilagi intercepting a pass to score, marking New Zealand’s third-heaviest defeat in Test history. Reflecting on this match nearly 12 years later, Barritt noted similarities between the current England team and the 2012 squad as they prepare to host New Zealand in the Autumn Nations Series.

He emphasized the importance of a strong set-piece, suggesting that England’s pack now boasts greater strength and capability to influence the game. Brad Barritt believes that if England can harness their skills effectively, they might reestablish themselves as serious contenders on the global stage.