England are evoking memories of one of their finest hours to provide the inspiration needed to defy all odds and stun New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday.
Eleven years ago Martin Johnson’s World Cup-winners-in-waiting completed only the nation’s second victory on Kiwi soil by humbling the All Blacks 15-13.
Forwards coach Graham Rowntree was involved in that famous night in Wellington as England emerged triumphant despite playing nearly nine minutes of the second half with Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back in the sin-bin.
While Johnson led the game’s undisputed number one team and went on to lift the World Cup four months later, the 2014 tourists have been given little hope of denying the All Blacks a 15th successive victory.
They enter the series opener without players from Aviva Premiership finalists Northampton and Saracens and combating a lengthy injury list numbering four Test British and Irish Lions.
Despite the obvious differences, Rowntree insists the 2003 success was founded on the same brand of indomitable spirit that will be necessary in Auckland this weekend.
“It’s been referenced a lot that victory in Wellington. It was a special night and it’s a case of having self-belief,” he said.
“That’s what it took that night – an incredible amount of self-belief.
“We all know how good this team we’re playing are, but we’ve come here full of enthusiasm and self-belief.
“My over-riding reflection of that game 11 years ago was our self-belief and hanging in there. We just stuck in there.
“We were down to six men in a scrum on our own goalline in one period because we had Lawrence and Neil in the sin-bin – cheers for that.
“It’s hard enough with a full deck of cards against the All Blacks, never mind being down to six.
“We were hanging on for dear life, but that’s rugby. Digging in when you’re facing adversity.
“That was a significant win for that group of players, who went on to win the World Cup.
“It was a stepping stone and that’s what this is for this group of young players.
“Pitching yourself against the best at Eden Park – it doesn’t get any better or harder than that.”
England will be joined by players from Northampton and Saracens – who fought out a thrilling final clinched by Saints in the closing seconds of extra-time – on Wednesday.
The new arrivals will not be available until the second and third Tests, forcing an understrength team to man the barricades at a venue where the All Blacks have won every match for 20 years.
England have included Northampton hero Alex Waller among the reinforcements summoned to New Zealand from last Saturday’s Premiership finalists.
Waller replaces knee-injury victim Mako Vunipola as a reward for scoring the try in the final minute of extra-time that secured a 24-20 victory for the Saints over Saracens at Twickenham.
The 24-year-old is among 16 players who departed for New Zealand last night in time to compete for selection for the second and third Tests against the All Blacks. They will not be considered for Saturday’s first Test in Auckland.
“We’re looking forward to the guys flying in and adding to the group,” England head coach Stuart Lancaster said.
England squad additions: C Ashton (Saracens), B Barritt (Saracens), L Burrell (Northampton), L Dickson (Northampton), O Farrell (Saracens), B Foden (Northampton), A Goode (Saracens), D Hartley (Northampton), C Lawes (Northampton), S Myler (Northampton), K Sinckler (Harlequins), B Vunipola (Saracens), A Waller (Northampton), A Watson (Bath), R Wigglesworth (Saracens), T Wood (Northampton).
Gloucester’s Billy Burns was among the try-scorers as England opened their Under-20 Rugby World Cup campaign with an emphatic victory.
The England young guns were too strong for Italy, beating them 63-3 in their opening group game in New Zealand.
Captain Callum Braley was pleased to get the win, but says that there’s still “much more to come” from his charges.
A hat-trick of tries from Nathan Earle, two from Gus Jones, two from James Chisholm and one apiece from Burns and George Catchpole secured the win while Sam Olver added 16 points with the boot and Burns two.
Wales star James Hook’s move to Aviva Premiership club Gloucester will be confirmed today. Gloucester have called a late-afternoon press conference at The Vale Resort – Wales’ training base – where he is currently preparing with the national squad.
Article source: http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Bath-Rugby-duo-Nick-Abendanon-Paul-James-cited/story-20959446-detail/story.html
England rugby players in New Zealand evoke spirit of 2003 World Cup winners ...
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