BBC Rugby Union News: Wales Legend Backs England to Upset All Blacks in New Zealand
Renowned Welsh rugby icon Dan Biggar has talked up England’s prospects of securing a positive result against the All Blacks when they tour New Zealand next month. Steve Borthwick’s men will head down under following a Test against Japan, for a highly anticipated two-match series against the iconic Kiwi side in July.
Despite England’s positive end to the Six Nations campaign, Biggar believes their chances are further bolstered by the current state of the All Blacks squad. New Zealand have lost several key players since their defeat in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, with the likes of Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga all moving on. This significant turnover, according to Biggar, makes the All Blacks vulnerable, presenting a “great opportunity” for England to potentially make history.
“Before, any team playing in New Zealand basically ended up getting an absolute walloping nine times out of 10 didn’t they?” Biggar told The Rugby Pod. “But I look at the squad and just thought there’s a lot of players there I’m not that familiar with.”
The former Northampton Saints fly-half believes England’s familiarity with the current crop of All Blacks, thanks to greater exposure to Super Rugby Pacific this season, could prove advantageous. Biggar also highlighted the potential continuity boost for Borthwick’s side, with several Premiership-winning Northampton players featuring in the England squad.
Former Scotland Lock Echoes Biggar’s Assessment
Former Scotland lock Jim Hamilton echoed Biggar’s assessment, acknowledging the fractured nature of the current All Blacks setup compared to previous generations. However, Hamilton was quick to caution that the appointment of Scott Robertson as New Zealand’s new head coach, and the team’s narrow defeat in the 2023 World Cup final, should not be overlooked.
With the pressure mounting on the All Blacks to avoid a repeat of their recent home series loss to Ireland, the upcoming England tour promises to be a captivating and hard-fought affair, as the visitors seek to upset the odds and secure a historic victory on Kiwi soil.
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