Jamie George Eyes Historic Victory Over All Blacks in NZ Series

Jamie George, England’s captain, emphasized that his team will approach their upcoming series against the All Blacks in New Zealand without any sense of awe, aiming to achieve a historic series victory. Historically, England has won Test matches in New Zealand only twice, in 1973 and 2003 and never a two or three-match series. George, speaking to BBC Sport, acknowledged the high level of respect and aura surrounding the All Blacks but stressed the importance of not being overly deferential.

He emphasized the need for England to assert themselves and not allow admiration for the All Blacks to affect their performance negatively. Reflecting on their preparation, England’s convincing 52-17 win over Japan in Tokyo served as a solid tune-up before their journey to New Zealand. George expressed excitement for players who have not toured New Zealand before, noting the country’s passion for rugby and the challenges that come with facing the All Blacks on their home turf.

Drawing from his experience with the British and Irish Lions in 2017, Jamie George highlighted the difficulty of beating the All Blacks in New Zealand and the lessons learned from that tour. He emphasized the importance of playing proactively and not adopting a passive approach, mirroring the England style of play rather than merely reacting to the All Blacks’ strengths.

Meanwhile, new All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has named a squad with a mix of experience and new talent, following retirements of key players after the Rugby World Cup final defeat by South Africa. Veteran Sam Whitelock, in his final professional game for the Barbarians, stressed the importance of staying true to New Zealand’s style and identity in rugby, regardless of changes in personnel and leadership.