The commencement of England’s Summer Series saw a resounding 52-17 victory over Japan, laying the groundwork for the impending clash against New Zealand. While the team displayed commendable moments, there are notable areas that require attention from Steve Borthwick’s squad to ensure success on New Zealand territory.
A pivotal improvement lies in the necessity for a stronger start in their matches. Throughout the Six Nations, England consistently found themselves trailing at halftime, a pattern that is unsuitable for their upcoming encounters against the All Blacks. New Zealand’s ability to swiftly accumulate points can leave their opponents struggling to recover, underscoring the importance for England to launch their matches on a more competitive footing.
Furthermore, England must diligently fortify their defensive structure. Given New Zealand’s formidable backline, any lapse in defense can be exploited to grave effect. Thus, upholding an impregnable defense throughout each match holds paramount significance. The imperative nature of maintaining a full complement of players and exercising greater discipline in avoiding penalties has been underscored by Borthwick, acknowledging the necessity to elevate their performance to confront the challenge posed by New Zealand.
Additionally, attention must be directed towards the team’s offensive strategy. England has previously faced scrutiny for lacking incisiveness in their offensive tactics. Nevertheless, recent games have demonstrated a shift in approach, with the emergence of Marcus Smith to exhibit his creativity as a fly-half. His performance against Japan, wherein he both scored and facilitated plays, unequivocally showcased his potential to augment England’s offensive strategies.
In summary, whilst England’s recent triumph over Japan has established an optimistic trajectory for their upcoming matches, critical areas necessitate improvement to triumph over New Zealand. The team’s capacity to embark on matches with a more potent offensive presence, sustain disciplined defense, and employ innovative offensive strategies will prove pivotal in confronting the challenges posed by the All Blacks.