Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Chris Hoy are two of Britain’s greatest sportsmen.
Their achievements in winning the 1966 World Cup and six Olympic cycling golds, respectively, have secured them a place in the pantheon of greats. The reason I mention these two is that they have both been in the news this week and tell notable stories from their sporting journeys.
As Team GB sporting director, I had the privilege of watching Hoy perform on the biggest stage and under immense pressure. The way she so bravely shares the devastating news of her terminal cancer diagnosis is a testament to how extraordinary she is. The stories of Hurst and Hoy should be lessons for today’s England. Steve Borthwick’s team needs to start learning how to win when it matters most, starting on Saturday against New Zealand.
England should have beaten the All Blacks 2-0 in July. Instead, they lost both tests. Throughout the two games, both teams were evenly matched, which gave many people reason to celebrate. But I’m sure lacking the killer instinct to win would have left England feeling uneasy. I should have done it.
South Africa have won the last two World Cups and are clearly the number one team on the planet, but New Zealand were the team I always wanted to beat. They are always the definitive proof. You can’t pay the All Blacks a greater compliment than that. England certainly have the ability to beat New Zealand.
The way Sir Chris Hoy so bravely shares the news of his terminal cancer diagnosis is testament to how extraordinary he is.
England’s 1966 World Cup hero has also been in the news sharing his extraordinary journey.
England should have beaten the All-Blacks 2-0 in July but ended up losing both Tests.
Borthwick have picked a good team, but when they announced it my reaction was a little muted. The selection did not hit me in the face with emotion. England have a settled team and have clearly identified a new, more adventurous style of play. But to beat New Zealand you have to outplay them for 80 minutes. That’s the key. In the summer, England played as fast, if not faster, than New Zealand, but only for an hour. They fell very badly in the last quarter and paid the price.
I hope I’m wrong, but I wonder if this England team has the skills or fitness to play at breakneck speed throughout the match. That’s what it takes to win. There has been some brilliant play in the Premiership this season, particularly from Bristol, and it is that type of high-octane rugby that England will need.
I would have really gone for it in this game if I was in Borthwick’s shoes and set my team up to score five tries, at least. He would have chosen Alex Lozowski and Tommy Freeman as the central pairing, Harry Randall at scrum-half and Ollie Sleightholme at full-back. I’m worried that starting against New Zealand after just 54 minutes of club rugby is a step too far for Henry Slade. For me, Freeman is an exceptional attacker who would be brilliant if he played regularly at 13 years old.
The England team playing at Twickenham (for me it will always be Twickenham!) is certainly good enough to win.
I was glad to hear England’s top players recognize the need for wins, even against the best teams. England should never accept heroic defeats.
Borthwick has done a solid job, but he’s been in the job for almost two years now. This fall is a great season for him and the team. England face the big three of the southern hemisphere, plus Japan. It is undoubtedly a complicated schedule.
Get some big wins this month and it will do wonders for England’s confidence. The build-up to the All Blacks game has been dominated by Joe Marler’s comments about the Haka. I smiled when I saw them. Great Joe, especially considering you haven’t been selected!
The build-up to the match had been fairly calm up to that point. The Haka always creates a topic of conversation. But one thing is clear. You never win or lose a game against New Zealand because of that. For me, it doesn’t affect the game. He succeeds. Those who say this gives the All Blacks an unfair advantage are only saying that after their team has been beaten, usually by the best!
Of the two number 10s, Marcus Smith and Beauden Barrett, it will be the one who spends more time on the front foot with a quick ball who emerges victorious.
I love it, it’s a great theater. That New Zealand does not do so is unthinkable.
The New Zealand team is full of pace. The fact that Jordie Barrett is fit to start at 12 after a knee injury is huge for them. In Beauden and Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan and Rieko Ioane, to name just four, the All Blacks have players who won’t die wondering. Scott Robertson, their head coach, had Damian McKenzie at flyhalf in the summer but returned Beauden Barrett for England. All three Barrett brothers (Captain Scott is the other) are notable players. Beauden especially is a real great.
Some say it’s past its expiration date. I don’t see it. His battle with Marcus Smith is delicious.
Of the two number 10s, Smith and Beauden Barrett, it will probably be the one who spends more time on the front foot with a quick ball who emerges victorious.
England need to get into fifth gear quickly and never let their foot off the accelerator. If they do, they have a good chance of starting the fall with a famous victory.
