Fitzy warns ABs to be wary of England
All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick has warned that the sleeping giant that is English rugby has awoken and is ‘‘breathing down the All Blacks’ necks’’.
Fitzpatrick, who played a then record 92 tests for the All Blacks and now lives near London, has had a close-up look at the emergence of both Eddie Jones’ England and Joe Schmidt’s Ireland as arguably the two biggest threats to New Zealand’s tilt at a third straight World Cup crown.
‘‘They’ve had to realise the level of fitness and skill in club rugby here is not going to be good enough to win test matches,’’ Fitzpatrick told the Star-Times in London. ‘‘That’s one of the big changes I’ve seen. The pressure they’re putting on their players to lift, firstly, their fitness levels to compete with the southern hemisphere and, secondly, their skill sets is significant.
‘‘With the money they’ve got and the momentum they’ve created, England especially are a real threat. They’re on a crest at the moment and they think they’re going to take over the world.’’
The British and Irish Lions’ historic deadlocked series with the All Blacks this year only reinforced that confidence, Fitzpatrick warned.
‘‘The Lions series showed they have the ability to analyse and learn, and go away and become better players. It’s very evident in what I’m seeing up here they’re going to be a force. The real threat for the All Blacks in 2019 is going to come from the northern hemisphere.
‘‘What Eddie and Joe are trying to instil in their players is that this is not just a one-month or even oneyear job. They’re looking at becoming a dominant force. That’s quite a change for the players up here . . . realising they’ve got to perform every time they pull on the England and Ireland jerseys.
‘‘What they got from the Lions tour is potentially if we have the right personnel we can beat the All Blacks. But we need to do a lot of hard work.’’
Fitzpatrick warns that what the All Blacks will see when they end a four-year hiatus and finally meet Jones’ England next November is a much different beast to the one they’ve rolled on 14 of the last 15 occasions.
‘‘I think having an Australian running it is making them a bit more clever. Dare I say it, he knows how we think. I’d be very, very wary, and I think Steve [Hansen] and the guys know that. He is analysing everything, and leaving no stone unturned.
‘‘England are definitely breathing down the All Blacks’ necks. Are there many England players I’d have in the All Blacks? Not really. But collectively they’re a danger.’’
Not that Fitzpatrick has been unimpressed with the All Blacks this year, despite it being the worst season since Hansen took charge with two defeats and a draw.
‘‘I think where they’re going is wonderful. Their work ethic, depth, pressure the young kids are putting on the older guys is all impressive. I just love that old ethos you never take your position for granted, and we saw that this year with certain players who maybe got a bit comfortable and were moved on.
‘‘I like that attitude. They’re under the cosh. Teams are getting better. Teams are analysing them. The All Blacks know they also have to get better.’’