England lock Maro Itoje has declared the national team is ready to face the mighty All Blacks, with belief surging through the squad following their commanding victory over world champions South Africa.
Building Momentum Against the World's Best
The powerful forward expressed genuine confidence in England's capabilities after their 29-22 triumph against the Springboks at Twickenham. This significant win against the reigning world champions has injected new optimism into the camp as they prepare to host New Zealand on Saturday, 22 November.
Itoje emphasised the psychological importance of defeating such formidable opponents. "When you beat the world champions, it does a lot for your belief," he stated. "It reinforces that we're moving in the right direction and that the things we're doing in training are working."
A Transformed England Under Borthwick
The victory represents a remarkable turnaround for England, who suffered a narrow 27-26 defeat to New Zealand just last month in Dunedin. Since that match, the team has shown substantial improvement, particularly in their attacking game and defensive organisation.
Under head coach Steve Borthwick's guidance, England have developed a more expansive style while maintaining their traditional set-piece strength. The recent performances suggest the team is peaking at the right time, with players adapting well to Borthwick's strategic approach.
Itoje highlighted the collective effort: "The cohesion within the squad has grown significantly. We're understanding each other's games better and executing our plans with more precision."
Preparation Meets Opportunity
As England prepares for their final autumn international, the team recognises the magnitude of facing the All Blacks. The historical rivalry between the two nations adds extra significance to the encounter, with England seeking to build momentum ahead of future competitions.
The forward acknowledged the challenge ahead: "The All Blacks are always one of the top teams in world rugby. They have quality throughout their squad and will pose different threats to what we faced against South Africa."
However, Itoje's comments reflect a squad that now believes it can compete with and defeat the world's best teams. "We know what we're capable of now," he asserted. "The performance against South Africa proved we can go toe-to-toe with anyone. We're ready for what the All Blacks will bring."
With Twickenham expected to be at capacity for this highly anticipated clash, England have the opportunity to cement their status as genuine contenders on the world stage. The match promises to be a thrilling conclusion to their autumn international campaign.
