If England truly believe they can win, then it’s definitely on

THE mental side of rugby is endlessly fascinating and if England truly believe they can beat the world champions this afternoon, there is every possibility of that happening. England have just as many good rugby players as New Zealand, just as much skill and — for the first time in over a decade — they can match their fitness. What is more, despite a long injury list, England have picked well and put together a team capable of beating an outstanding New Zealand side who have also prepared well, sending their first team over well ahead of time. I enjoyed reading Lewis Moody in these pages earlier this week on how we tried to debunk the New Zealand myth on our way to winning the 2003 World Cup. Sometimes you must win the psychological battle before you win the physical encounter. First we had to disprove that the southern hemisphere was superior. The only way you could do that was by playing them regularly, especially away from home. And yes I did start calling them New Zealand and not the All Blacks! They were ultimately just another national side representing their country. In November 2002 and again in June 2003 I went through their team and ours and, although they were chock full of great players, we had a brilliant side and I made it quite clear that I wouldn’t swap one of their players for mine. I will be intrigued to see England’s body language when they arrive at Twickenham this afternoon and in the warm-up. It’s difficult on TV but down on the touchline you can see if a group are confident and in control or a bit nervous and anxious. England need to be ultra-positive but clever today. When the time is right they need to play at extreme pace, a speed of thought and deed that even New Zealand might struggle to cope with. England played so much better last week against South Africa when they took the handbrake off. They have the individuals to play that style. But England must not neglect to pour the power on when necessary and take every single point on offer. The front fives look even to me but I am looking at the New Zealand back row which doesn’t have quite the same invincible air these days — no McCaw, Kaino, Cane. It will be quality but I see no reason why the England trio of Brad Shields, Sam Underhill and Mark Wilson can’t match them in an area where England have usually come off second best in recent encounters. That would be a considerable spanner in the New Zealand works. What I am really excited to see from England is the attacking threat of their back three. The trio of Elliot Daly (left), Chris Ashton and Jonny May can take on the world if England can use them correctly. I have no doubt this is going to be a very close game but what I want to see more than anything is 82,000 people on their feet going nuts, not out of sheer patriotism, just loving the sheer pace and intensity that this team must play with. England by one point!