Steve Borthwick exclusive: 'Finish the job' – England boss challenges side to find ruthless edge against New Zealand
Updated 30/10/2024 at 12:39 GMT
England head coach Steve Borthwick issued a rallying cry to his players ahead of the start of their Autumn Nations Series campaign. England start with a mouth-watering showdown against New Zealand at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Saturday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. England also face Australia, South Africa and Japan. "There's a real feeling of enthusiasm," Bothwick told TNT Sports.
'Plenty we’ve still got to do' – Borthwick challenges England to step up against world’s best
Video credit: TNT Sports
Steve Borthwick has encouraged his players to find their ruthless streak against the world’s best sides as England prepare for the Autumn Nations Series – live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Their first match is a tantalising clash against New Zealand at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday and the England head coach wants his players to claim a big scalp which has been within touching distance in recent months.
Borthwick’s men succumbed to two narrow defeats against the All Blacks on their summer tour of New Zealand, which followed on from a memorable run to the World Cup semi-finals last year.
“We've got a young squad that in the summer were averaging at 25. There's a real feeling of enthusiasm for where they can take this team,” Borthwick told TNT Sports.
“We're going to build on the attack as we started to evolve, and I think you've seen that evolution with the team, but also seeing there's plenty we've still got to do. It's a brilliant series ahead.
“There was a period there where the England team weren't necessarily challenging those teams at the top of the world rankings.
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“Now we've been able to do that in recent times. Now we haven't won as many games as we wanted to.
“In a lot of those games, it came to that final quarter where we've been in a position to win it, and we haven't been able to convert it to the result we want.
“Now we're going to make sure we finish the job and that's been part of the discussion with the players last week.”
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The England head coach also praised the quality being shown in the Gallagher Premiership and how it prepares players to compete internationally.
“It's been an exciting start to the Premiership season. I think that you're seeing the speed and athleticism that the players in English rugby possess, particularly in the way the teams are attacking," he said.
“You've seen some excellent try scoring, and we want to make sure we bring the best of what the players are showing in the Premiership and bring it into the Test arena.
“That has been part of the growth of this England team throughout 2024. What's really pleasing about the start of the Premiership season is how well the players are executing their skills at speed, because we know Test rugby is fast.
“I think it's been a great rehearsal in terms of the players being able to execute that.”
Borthwick also spoke about how the fans can make a difference and create a cauldron-like atmosphere after their tremendous backing of the team abroad.
“I think this is the home of English rugby. It's brilliant that we're sat here talking about it," he added.
“In recent times, the England supporters helped lift this team. You’ve seen it as we've travelled around the world in different places - from being in France at the World Cup and down in New Zealand.
“They were terrific for us.”
Stream the 2024 Autumn Nations Series on TNT Sports and discovery+
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