On Saturday England take on New Zealand in the first test of their tour of New Zealand.
The All Blacks are very physical
Key Battles
With England missing a number of potential first team players through injury and the Premiership final, the following battles will become crucial to their success:
Richie McCaw vs Chris Robshaw
Richie McCaw is the best open side-flanker that the world has ever seen and Chris Robshaw will have his work cut-out to match him. The New Zealand captain is the king of the breakdown and Robshaw must go there and raise his game if England are to have any chance of success.
Richie McCaw is in the twilight of his career
Israel Dagg vs Mike Brown
Full-back is one of the few chinks in the All Black’s armour as far as England are concerned. Mike Brown is the best in the business in that position and is a lot more physical and canny in that position than Dagg. If Brown can reproduce his Six Nations and Premiership form, England will prove troublesome for the Kiwis.
Mike Brown is England’s best player
Aaron Cruden vs Freddie Burns
Burns was a surprise selection for England due to his poor club form. However, England coach Stuart Lancaster has more faith in him than in Danny Cipriani and has had his hand forced due to an injury to George Ford and the unavailability of both Owen Farrell and Stephen Myler. Cruden is an attacking threat and will cause Burns trouble with his strike-runners.
Inexperienced: Freddie Burns will have a torrid time
Prediction:
This match will not be a fair reflection on where England actually are in terms of next year’s World Cup due to the missing many. However, a number of young, inexperienced players have an opportunity to impress against this incredibly tough and successful side. New Zealand have only lost once since the 2011 World Cup and that was against England, at Twickenham in 2012. Had England had their full compliment, it could have been a close match. However, that is not the case and that, mixed with New Zealand’s hunger to avenge that defeat from a year-and-a-half ago, the only possible outcome is a New Zealand victory. The score will be 50-7.