New Zealand is still the best team for England’s Genge

Ellis Genge © Getty Images

England prop Ellis Genge is adamant that victory over New Zealand on Saturday will still be regarded as a signature achievement in the All-Blacks’ recent struggles.

New Zealand, long the standard-setter in global rugby union, have lost three of their six games at this year’s Southern Hemisphere Rugby Championship after being beaten by a point by arch-rivals South Africa in the 2023 World Cup final.

England, however, open their November international campaign against New Zealand at Twickenham having beaten the All Blacks just eight times in 45 previous meetings dating back to 1905.

Victory this weekend would be their first home win over the All Blacks in 12 years, with Steve Borthwick’s side narrowly beating the side twice, 16-15 in Dunedin and 24-17 in Auckland during a two-Test tour of New Zealand in July.

“Obviously you want to test yourself against the best and New Zealand have always been one of the best teams in the world,” Genge told a pre-match press conference on Friday.

“I’m excited, man, I’ve been on the sidelines for a while. It would be nice to come back and sink my teeth into it,” added the 29-year-old, who missed the recent tour with a calf injury.

“I think everyone thinks New Zealand are a team that moves the ball so well, but at the end of the day they pride themselves on set-pieces, scrums and maul. It’s a battle of attrition that I’m looking forward to. “

The lead-up to this weekend’s match was dominated by comments from Genge’s England teammate Joe Marler calling for New Zealand to ditch the pre-match ritual hack.

Marler, who did not play on Saturday, has since apologized for his remarks, which England captain Jamie George said may have “pushed the bear”.

It remains to be seen how England will react to the Maori war dance, with Genge saying: “We’ll talk about it later, we’ll have a meeting and we’ll see what the problem is.”

“We are not going to climb on each other’s shoulders, but we will respectfully sit and watch this.

“I’ve only encountered this once (in 2022). This event is of great importance in the history of the game. Most people who aren’t necessarily too interested in rugby still know what a haka is.

“It’s kind of a challenge. I’m a big fan of it and I don’t think we should get rid of it. You have to be able to respond, but everyone is respectful of it.”

BARRETT SAYS MARLER ‘LOADED A GUN’ WITH HAKA JIBE

New Zealand captain Scott Barrett has suggested England international Joe Marler has “loaded a gun” ahead of Saturday’s match at Twickenham after calling on the All Blacks to ditch their pre-match ritual hack.

Marler, who did not play on Saturday, has since apologized for his remarks, which England captain Jamie George said may have “pushed the bear”.

That sentiment was echoed by All Blacks captain Barrett, who made it clear his team had no intention of abandoning the Maori war dance.

“He probably loaded the gun, didn’t he?” Barrett said when asked about Marler’s comments at a New Zealand hotel on Friday.

“I think there are always opinions about haka and its place. “She’s very important to us and has been used by the All Blacks for a long time, we get a lot out of her.”

But the block plays down suggestions that Marler’s words are fueling New Zealand as England have won only eight of their previous 45 Tests against the All Blacks and lost their last two meetings – 16-15 and 24-17 in Dunedin and Auckland in July. .

“We don’t need extra motivation going into Twickenham against a team that would be desperate to beat us, so we have to be respectful of what’s ahead,” said Barrett, whose brothers Boden and Jordie are also in the starting line-up.

“England haven’t played a Test match since they played us in July so they’ll have that rock in their boots that they’ve had for a while and they’ll be looking to shake that off with a good performance.” he added.

“They are always a threat up front – George Martin, Jamie George, Maro Itoje. They have a strong connection there.”

“If they get a boost line and a fastball for Marcus Smith and the defenders they have, you could end up chasing the game. So it’s about controlling the breakage and getting a good ball. It will be arm wrestling.”

New Zealand have lost three of their six matches in the Southern Hemisphere Rugby Championship but Barrett said: “I feel we have learned a lot from the summer series and we are excited about what lies ahead.

“We will see in the next three Test matches (if we have our aura). We’re playing some of the best players in the northern hemisphere (they’ll also play France and Ireland on this trip) so it’s a great opportunity for this team.”