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Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Chris Hoy are two of Great Britain’s greatest sportspeople.
Their achievements in winning the 1966 World Cup and six Olympic cycling golds respectively have secured them places in the pantheon of greats. The reason I mention these two is that both have been in the news this week and are telling the remarkable stories of their sporting journeys.
As Team GB’s director of sport, I was privileged to see Hoy perform on the biggest stage and under immense pressure. The way he is sharing his devastating news of his terminal cancer diagnosis with such bravery is testament to what an extraordinary person he is. Hurst and Hoy’s stories should be lessons for England today. Steve Borthwick’s side need to start learning how to win when it matters most, beginning on Saturday against New Zealand.
England should have beaten the All Blacks 2-0 in July. Instead, they lost both Tests. Across the two matches, both teams were evenly matched which gave many people cause to celebrate. But lacking the killer instinct to win would, I am sure, have left England with an uncomfortable feeling. It should have.
South Africa have won the last two World Cups and are clearly the No 1 side on the planet, but New Zealand were the team I always wanted to beat most. They are always the ultimate test. You can’t pay the All Blacks any greater compliment than that. England certainly have the ability to beat New Zealand.
The way Sir Chris Hoy is sharing the news of his terminal cancer diagnosis with such bravery is testament to what an extraordinary person he is
England’s 1966 World Cup hero has also been in the news sharing his extraordinary journeyÂ
England should have beaten the All-Blacks 2-0 in July but instead they ended up losing both Tests
Borthwick has picked a good team, but when it was announced my reaction was a touch muted. The selection didn’t smack me around the face with excitement. England have a settled side and they have clearly identified a new, more adventurous style of play. But, to beat New Zealand, you have to play quicker than them for 80 minutes. That is key. In the summer, England played as fast, if not faster than New Zealand, but only for an hour. They tailed off 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 a breakneck speed for the whole match. That is what it will take to win. There has been some brilliant play in the Premiership this season, particularly from Bristol, and it’s that sort of high-octane rugby England will need.
I would have really gone for it for this game if I were in Borthwick’s shoes and set my team up to score five tries, minimum. I’d have picked Alex Lozowski and Tommy Freeman as the centre pairing, Harry Randall at scrum-half, and Ollie Sleightholme on the wing. I have a concern starting against New Zealand after just 54 minutes of club rugby is going to be a step too far for Henry Slade. For me, Freeman is an outstanding attacker who would be brilliant if played regularly at 13.
The England team which will run out at Twickenham (it will always be Twickenham to me!) is certainly good enough to win.
I was pleased to hear England’s leading players acknowledge the need for victories, even against the best teams. England should never accept heroic defeats.
Borthwick has done a solid job, but he’s been in the role nearly two years now. This autumn is a huge campaign for him and the team. England are playing the southern hemisphere’s big three, as well as Japan. It’s undoubtedly a tough schedule.
Claim some big scalps 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. Nice one Joe, especially considering you have not been selected!
The build-up to the game had been fairly quiet to that point. The Haka always creates a talking point. But one thing is clear. You never win or lose a game with New Zealand because of it. To me, it doesn’t impact the match. It makes it. Those who say it gives the All Blacks an unfair advantage only say that after their team has been beaten, normally by the better side!
Of the two No 10s — Marcus Smith and Beauden Barrett — it will be whoever spends more time on the front foot with quick ball that comes out on top
I love it, it’s great theatre. New Zealand not doing it is unthinkable.
New Zealand’s side is full of pace. The fact Jordie Barrett is fit to start at No 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 fly-half in the summer, but has gone back to Beauden Barrett for England. The three Barrett brothers — captain Scott is the other — are remarkable players. Beauden especially is a true great.
Some say he is past his sell-by date. I do not see it. His battle with Marcus Smith is mouthwatering.
Of the two No 10s — Smith and Beauden Barrett — it will likely be whoever spends more time on the front foot with quick ball that comes out on top.
England need to drop into fifth gear quickly and never let their foot leave the accelerator. If they do that, they have a good chance of kick-starting their autumn with a famous win.
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