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England's skipper has warned that Steve Borthwick's side must avoid being overwhelmed by the All Blacks' legendary status if they aim to secure their first home victory over the visitors in over a decade this weekend.

Team Updates Ahead of Crucial Fixture

Steve Borthwick got a timely lift with Elliot Daly returning to fitness and available for selection since sustaining an injury on Lions tour, while Freddie Steward and Tom Roebuck featured in the expanded squad announced on Sunday night.

Current Form Contrasts with Previous Woes

The home side host the All Blacks after extending their winning streak to nine games with a commanding comfortable win over the Pacific Islanders, again pulling away in the closing stages. Their current form stands in stark contrast from a year ago, when the team endured multiple losses in seven matches, each by fine margins. Three of those losses came against New Zealand—during the 2024 summer tour and a tight loss at Twickenham after George Ford missed late goal attempts.

The All Blacks just defeated Scotland on the weekend to keep hopes of a clean sweep alive, and while South Africa cemented their top ranking, the captain described New Zealand as “perhaps the best side in the world.”

In the previous 11 encounters, England's only victory over New Zealand was during the 2019 World Cup semi-final, and the visitors remain unbeaten in the recent clashes at England's home ground.

The Captain's Perspective on Playing the Kiwis

“What a lot of teams do is stand in awe of the All Blacks with their legacy and all their world-class players,” stated former captain George. “It’s tempting to do that. I have done it in the past. We’ve also got to be aware we’ll be back here at this venue. It’s an honour to be competing at home. We will do everything we can to win that game.

“It’s vital to be at your best. New Zealand are without doubt the strongest team in the world at the minute. They’re an exceptionally skilled team and they seem to step up a level when they come to this stadium. The important thing for us to do is work out where we might have improved in the opening period this week. But also, develop a clear gameplan which can apply as much stress as we are able to. By doing so, we’ll create a chance.

“We faced a lot of criticism 12 months ago for not emerging on the right side of close contests and not figuring out how to win. Now, we’re doing the exact opposite. By no means have we cracked it. But we’ve placed a strong focus on the final phases of games and finishing strongly. Scoring multiple tries in the final segment of that game is a mark of a quality team.”

Borthwick's View and Team Adjustments

Borthwick is again expected to make a several adjustments to his side, with skipper the lock, Tom Curry, and the fly-half all set to be reinstated to the starting lineup. The wing and the newcomer each suffered issues against the Islanders but both have been included in the group preparing to face the All Blacks.

“We want to challenge ourselves against the best teams and [New Zealand] are among best teams,” said Borthwick. “We’re a young side, we’re evolving, I think we’re improving rapidly and we’re keen to learn. So I’m sure next week’s going to be a great assessment for us.”

Earl's Reflection on Growth

Ben Earl, meanwhile, thinks that England’s current capacity to break away in the closing stages of matches is largely due to their three narrow defeats by the All Blacks the previous year. “It leaves you seasoned, as if you’ve been through battles, you’ve developed the scar tissue to learn from those setbacks, and they hurt at the time,” remarked the back-rower, who was awarded man of the match against the Fijians. “But I question to a man in the dressing room, if we’d alter our journey now, with the joy that we’re now experiencing? I’d be interested to know because I think they’re very, very valuable lessons.”