The China Mail - Itoje summons spirit of 2019 as England bid for New Zealand win

In 2019, England beat the All Blacks 19-7 in a Rugby World Cup semi-final to end the then two-time defending champions reign as the global kings of the sport.

But in four meetings with New Zealand since that memorable game in Yokohama they have come up short, albeit they have lost their last three Tests against the All Blacks -- all in 2024 -- by a combined margin of just 10 points.

England, however, are now on a nine-match winning streak against all opponents.

Yet in 46 Tests with New Zealand dating back to 1905, England have won just eight, lost 36, and drawn the other two.

Itoje, now the England captain and a survivor, along with veteran fly-half George Ford, from that memorable success in Japan six years ago, said: "At that stage of the journey of the team in 2019, we were ready for that sort of challenge.

"We felt that if we were aggressive and accurate in what we do, we would be able to get them.

"It was one of those weird games where they had periods on top, but it felt like there was only one outcome of that game. Hopefully we can do something similar this weekend."

The 31-year-old Saracens lock added: "New Zealand are a good team, no doubt about that. They possess talent and accuracy and power that's good enough to hurt any team, but we're ready to take that next step. We have a clearer understanding of how we want to play.

"We have more belief in what we do and how we do it."

England suffered seven defeats in 11 games in 2024, including five in a row and three in succession at Twickenham as they failed to close out several tight games.

- 'Mentally sharp' -

Head coach Steve Borthwick has sought to address that problem by filling his bench with six British and Irish Lions forwards, with those replacements making key contributions late on to England's wins this month over Australia and Fiji in their opening two Autumn Series internationals.

"Pretty much every match of the last 18 months bar one or two has gone down to those periods in the last 15 minutes," Itoje said.

"Playing against the All Blacks, you need to be sharp mentally and you need to execute when you get your opportunities because you don't get many of them."

Victory at Twickenham would leave New Zealand just one game away from a grand slam of tour victories over the Home Nations -- England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

The All Blacks defeated Ireland 26-13 in Chicago on November 1 but lacked their famed ruthlessness against Scotland at Murrayfield last weekend, with a 17-0 half-time lead was transformed into a 17-17 scoreline before Damian McKenzie's try-scoring heroics off the bench helped seal a 25-17 win.

New Zealand will, however, be bolstered by the return of captain Scott Barrett after the lock was sidelined in Edinburgh following a cut to his leg during the Ireland match.

Beauden Barrett, Scott's brother, remains at fly-half, with McKenzie still among the replacements.

And given New Zealand finish their tour in Cardiff against a Wales side who haven't beaten them since 1953, it is now England who provide the greatest threat to their bid for a clean sweep.

"It's at the so-called 'home of rugby' (Twickenham), with a full house and an expectant English team," New Zealand coach Scott Robertson told the BBC.

"We want a grand slam. They want to take our scalp. How good is footy (rugby)?"

Y.Su--ThChM