Historic Rivalry Resumes at Twickenham
English rugby fans are buzzing with anticipation as Steve Borthwick's side prepares to host New Zealand at Twickenham this Saturday afternoon. The match, scheduled for 3:10pm and broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+, represents England's best opportunity in years to secure a landmark victory against the legendary All Blacks.
Form Guide and Betting Analysis
England enter this crucial encounter riding an impressive wave of momentum, having secured nine consecutive victories including recent autumn successes against Australia and Fiji. Meanwhile, New Zealand arrive in the northern hemisphere with victories over Ireland and Scotland, though their performance last weekend raised eyebrows when they nearly squandered a 17-0 lead against Scotland before eventually winning 25-17.
Betting sites currently position England as marginal favourites to achieve their first win over New Zealand since the 2019 World Cup semi-finals, where they triumphed 19-7. The odds reflect the expected closeness of this contest, with William Hill offering 13/5 on England to win by 1-7 points - a margin that has decided six of the last seven meetings between these rugby powerhouses.
Century of Rugby History
This year marks a significant anniversary in this storied rivalry, being the 100th anniversary since their first meeting at Twickenham on 3 January 1925. That historic match saw New Zealand emerge victorious 17-11 despite playing most of the game with 14 men after Cyril Brownlie became the first player ever sent off in a Test match.
The recent history between these nations reveals an incredibly competitive relationship. England have won just one of their last eleven encounters, yet their average losing margin in those nine defeats sits at less than six points. Their most recent meeting just over twelve months ago saw New Zealand secure a narrow 24-22 victory that could have swung England's way if George Ford had converted one of his two late kicks at goal.
Team Lineups and Match Prediction
England fields a strong squad featuring Steward, Roebuck, Lawrence, Dingwall, Feyi-Waboso, Ford, and Mitchell among others. New Zealand counters with Jordan, Carter, Proctor, Tupaea, Fainga'anuku, B Barrett, and Roigard in their starting fifteen.
Given England's current form, home advantage, and New Zealand's recent vulnerability against Scotland, Borthwick's men appear poised to secure their tenth straight victory. However, given the historical closeness of these encounters, any triumph will likely come by fine margins, making the 1-7 points winning margin at 13/5 with William Hill an attractive proposition for those considering a wager.
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